Cape Town is a beautiful and vibrant city. The city was founded in the mid-17th century after Dutch merchants founded a refreshment station in the Cape. The Castle of Good Hope that the Dutch built in 1652 is the oldest building in South Africa. Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities globally because of its terrific location on the Cape Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean, nature, the beautiful white beaches and the kilometre high Table Mountain next to the city. Cape Town is also known as the Mother City since the Dutch established the first European settlement here. Cape Town is South Africa's second-largest city after Johannesburg. It is often said that people who visit the city for the first time will hold it in their hearts forever.
Things to Do in Cape Town
Booked flights to Cape Town? Then you will notice that there are plenty to do in this beautiful city. Cape Town has a busy city centre, and there are good museums. Table Mountain is also a must. The Cape Town area is worth also exploring. Robben Island is a definite spot for the most beautiful beaches in town.
In and around Cape Town
There is much to see and visit in and near Cape Town. There is beautiful nature around the city, but there is also plenty to do in the city. These are some excellent sights:
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is Cape Town's most famous icon. It is a huge tourist attraction. Table Mountain is 450 million years old and has acquired a unique flat shape through erosion. This world-famous mountain is 1086 meters high and can be reached by cable car or on foot. If you take the cable car, you are at the top in 5 minutes. There are also more than 300 hiking routes to the top. Keep in mind that it is not an easy climb! Once at the top, you have a spectacular view of the city, the peninsula and the surrounding area. You can go hiking, mountain climbing, paragliding and abseiling. Depending on the weather, even Robben Island can sometimes be seen.
Two Oceans Aquarium
In the Waterfront, you'll find the Two Oceans Aquarium, one of the city's top attractions. You can see more than 3000 different types of animals here. Fish, mammals, birds and reptiles. Even making a dive is possible.
Company Gardens
Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the first Dutch colony in South Africa, set foot for the first time and founded the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. He also ordered the creation of the Company Gardens at the time. The aim was to grow enough fruit and vegetables for the skippers who visited the colony on their way to the Indies. The fruits and vegetables protected them from scurvy. Today it is a botanical garden and is home to St. Georges Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, the South African National Gallery, the South African Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Center.