So you’ve finished your STCW training and decided to stick around to see the sights of beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. The Mother City is a fantastic and cheap holiday destination for tourists arriving from the US and Europe especially, since the low cost of living and favourable exchange rate mean that they’ll get the most value out of their holiday investment. With a unique blend of African and European cultures in the city, it’s also great for a luxury experience that would rival many popular destinations in the West.
In this post, we’ll share 10 Cape Town attractions you absolutely should not miss while on holiday.
1. Table Mountain
One of the natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain is a must for anyone looking to get the most out of Cape Town and South Africa as a whole. It is home to many endemic species of plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, let alone South Africa. If you decide to take a hike up the mountain, you’ll find some of the best views of the city.
2. Cape Point Nature Reserve
Jutting up 200 meters from sea-level, Cape Point offers a dramatic view of the Nature Reserve and the surrounding Atlantic ocean. Here you can find the beautiful species of fynbos, a succulent plant that is home only to the Cape area.
3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
In this spectacular botanical garden are a collection of indigenous plants of the Cape. Founded over 100 years ago, Kirstenbosch is the first botanical garden in the world founded on the principle of preserving native species of plant life. As such, you are able to see a wide array of varied flora that truly demonstrate the natural beauty of the country and its history.
4. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
One of the Cape’s most popular tourist attractions, the V&A Waterfront sees more than 24 million visitors every year. It has a distinctively European feel, which is why it’s often high on any tourist’s bucket list, as it displays characteristic melting pot of cultures that South Africa is known for. Consider taking one of the many boat rides or yacht charters available in the area, as they offer great views of Cape Town from the sea.
5. Two Oceans Aquarium
Named after the fact that the Cape is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, the Two Oceans Aquarium has tonnes of marine life on display. Of the fauna and flora you get to see here, there are sharks, eels, anemones, and penguins.
6. Robben Island
Home to the prison where Nelson Mandela himself was kept captive for 27 years, Robben Island is situated a short ferry ride from the V&A Waterfront. The museum offers an opportunity to learn of the decades’ long struggle for freedom and inclusive democracy for South Africa, as well as the horrors committed by the Apartheid government against political prisoners and dissidents.
7. Boulder’s Beach
Nowhere else will you find this many of the rare African Penguins in the wild. The Boulder’s Beach Nature Reserve is where these unique birds come to mate and lay their eggs. The entrance fee is extremely low, so don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
8. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Free for entry on Wednesdays, the Zeitz Museum houses many artworks of contemporary African artists. Here you’ll get a chance to see the diversity of African culture in all its glory.
9. Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is where the first Dutch settlers built a fort in the 17th century to protect their trading route on the way from Europe in the West to Asia in the East. It considered haunted by locals – apparently you can sometimes hear voices and howls in the dungeon with without windows.
10. Cape Winelands
Just a short drive out of Cape Town proper lies the Cape Winelands area. This is a truly required visit for wine drinkers and enthusiasts. Bask in the natural beauty among the Cape mountains as you taste world-class selections of locally grown wine.
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