According to 800zipcodes, Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa after Johannesburg. Cape Town, located in the southwest of the country, used to be an important point on the trade routes between Asia and the Netherlands. The Dutch had set up a refreshment point here at the Cape of Good Hope, which the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie made full use of. Today Cape Town is one of the nicest cities to visit in South Africa. In contrast to the rather dangerous Johannesburg, you can go on holiday in Cape Town and enjoy a modern, vibrant city.

Top 10 things to do in Cape Town

#1. Table Mountain

A beautiful natural phenomenon in Cape Town is the clearly visible Table Mountain. This famous Cape Town mountain is a landmark that rises high above the city. The highest point of the slightly more than three kilometer long mountain can be found at McLear’s Beacon at an altitude of 1086 meters. Table Mountain can be climbed with various walks. It is slightly less tiring to go by cable car. The view is well worth it.

#2. Table Mountain National Park

A National Park can be found around the famous Table Mountain, which was founded in 1998. In this park you can find African penguins and many other flora and fauna. The park is approximately 35,000 hectares and expansion is still being considered. Keep an eye out for the baboons you are most likely to encounter in this park. They are not all equally sweet, but always looking for something edible.

#3. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The cozy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is located at the foot of Table Mountain and close to Cape Town’s harbour. Here it is all possible in terms of shopping, restaurants and booking and visiting various attractions and excursions. There are also markets with handicrafts such as jewelry. Part of it is covered, but most of it is outdoors. This has created a cozy unity with the environment.

#4. Robben Island

A few kilometers north of Cape Town is the island where Nelson Mandela spent part of his 27 years in captivity. This island is the famous Robben Island. In 1991, the notorious imprisonment on this island for fighters against apartheid came to an end. Nowadays there is a museum that tells about how democratic South Africa was able to arise.

#5. Castle of Good Hope

A fort was built around 1670 by order of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), which is now known as the oldest surviving European structure in South Africa. The area around this castle ‘de Goede Hoop’ includes a church, workshops, a bakery, living quarters, shops and some prison cells. Now there is a military museum and a private collection of William Fehr (famous businessman who collected special art).

#6. Slave Lodge

The Cape Town Slave Museum is located next to the historic Groote Kerk on Adderley Street. Slaves used to stay on this square while their owners attended a service in this church. Previously, this museum was more known as the Cultural Historical Museum. Slavery has been officially abolished here since 1838.

#7. Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is a multicultural neighborhood located in the center of Cape Town. The neighborhood is terribly photogenic. Not for nothing that well-known and lesser-known influencers like to spend time here to take photos for their social media. Brightly colored houses from the 17th and 19th centuries adorn this beautiful part of town. A number of mosques and other Islamic shrines are scattered throughout this district. One of the oldest buildings is the Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street. It was one of the first stone houses built. With a visit to this museum you really take a step back in time.

#8. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

East of Table Mountain National Park is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. There are several walks to be made among the more than 22,000 endemic plants in the area. There is even a section reserved for the maintenance of medicinal plants that are used to treat a number of ailments. Plants are grown in a large glass covered greenhouse, including the Savannah, Fynbos and Karoo.

#9. CityHall

At the Grand Parada you will find the beautiful building “City Hall” of Cape Town. It is built in Renaissance style and therefore has a regal appearance. Concerts are regularly given by the world-famous Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Nelson Mandela gave his first speech here after his release from Robben Island in 1990.

#10. City Bowl Market

Every Saturday there is a fantastic market with a very wide range of local products in an old red and white building on Hope Street. The most delicious snacks and dishes are displayed here