Colourful, brash and a true melting pot, Cape Town may at first appear to resemble similar, striking harbour cities elsewhere. Think Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco and Sydney, all ethnically diverse and with impressive backdrops. But Cape Town's fusion of cultures and cuisines combined with its African roots give it a vibe that cannot be found elsewhere. Add to that the stunning vistas surrounding the city and you have something for everyone.
V & A Waterfront
The V & A waterfront is a great place to visit and an even better place to stay. It certainly attracts tourists – in fact, together with Table Mountain, it's one of the most visited attractions in South Africa – but it has been tastefully restored and lacks the tackiness of some harbour-side developments in other parts of the world. By the way, V & A stands for Victoria and Alfred, not Albert as some people mistakenly think. Prince Alfred was Queen Victoria's second son and an officer in the Royal Navy, who was instrumental in development of the harbour after he visited the Cape in 1860. It remains a working harbour today.
There are numerous restaurants and bars scattered around the waterfront, many offering fine dining with splendid views, but also plenty of more casual hangouts. If you prefer to just sit and watch, check out the buskers who entertain the crowds with traditional African music.
Other attractions include various markets and stores, the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape Wheel, which provides 360-degree views of the waterfront and Table Mountain.
Across the bay is Robben Island, site of the infamous former maximum-security prison whose most famous inmate was Nelson Mandela, jailed there for 18 years.
Cape Town CBD
The CBD is the heart of the Mother City and it has a strong and vibrant beat. From Greenmarket Square wander down bohemian Long Street and marvel at the mural-laden walls of traditional South African restaurant, Mama Africa. Here you can enjoy springbok, warthog and kudu steaks, as well as seafood and curry. With live bands and Africa-themed wall decorations the atmosphere is intense. Yes, it's a magnet for tourists, but hard not to like.
Bo-Kaap
Originally and sometimes still known as the Malay Quarter, the Bo-Kaap is an area of steep cobbled streets and colourfully painted houses, set on Signal Hill with Lion's Head a scenic backdrop. The Bo-Kaap is the historical centre of the Cape Malay Culture in Cape Town. Check out the Bo-Kaap museum, which dates back to the 1760s and is the oldest original house in the area.
Farther afield
No visit to Cape Town is complete without a drive along the rugged Atlantic coast, taking in the beautiful beachside suburbs such as Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay. Then down to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African continent, passing through Simon's Town on the way. Simon's Town is home to the South African Navy and is located on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. It's a great place for lunch and penguin viewing
Finally, out to the wine region and in particular the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Visit Vergenoegd Wine Estate in the Stellenbosch Winelands where, apart from excellent wine tasting, you can thrill to the sight of 900 Indian runner ducks, who help to keep the vineyard free from snails and other pests and enable the Estate to restrict use of chemical pesticides to a minimum. Indian runner ducks are an unusual breed in that they stand upright like penguins and instead of waddling, they run. The Estate features classic Cape Dutch architecture and the countryside around the winery is breathtaking.
https://www.capetown.travel/explore-the-cape-winelands/
In a future article the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth will be featured.
Useful links