Places to Visit in Cape Town
Places to Visit in Cape Town
Cape Town is the capital and port city of South Africa. The city has built over the natural beauties of the mountains and the two oceans (Atlantic and Indian Oceans). This article discusses the best places to visit. Being an important travel destination, you should know the places to spend your time as a traveler.
Are you a traveler seeking beauty and adventure? Then look no further because the Mother City is known as the most loved destination in South Africa by locals and international visitors.
Cape Town receives most of the visitors from the USA, UK, and Germany. Also, the number of travelers increased by 67% in 2021 as compared to 2020 and by 29% compared to 2019.
Important Places to Visit in Cape Town
Table Mountain
One of the important places to visit in Cape Town is Table Mountain.
Cape Town’s Table Mountain is one of South Africa’s most scenic landmarks, located just 4 km from the city center.
This landscape attracts over 24 million visitors a year.
According to travelers, Table Mountain has a magical and enchanting quality.
Trek through the woods or explore the valley to appreciate nature at its best.
The Table Mountain National Park is home to more than 1500 species of animals and plants preserved in their natural habitats.
Many visitors worldwide come to enjoy the stunning views that the top of the mountain offers.
It is possible to get a cable car to see the beauty of the Cape Peninsula, which is home to over 1250 meters of botanical gardens full of medicinal herbs and plants.
The best time to visit Table Mountain is between November to February, as visitors get almost 12 hours to spend entirely on table mountain.
To explore the full beauty and adventure of table mountain, you require an entire 1 day to spend.
Here are the Timing Details to Visit Table Mountain:
January – 8 am to 8 pm
February – 8 am to 7.30 pm
March – 8 am to 6.30 pm
April – 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
May – 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
June – 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
July – 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
August – 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
September – 8.30 am to 6 pm
October – 8.30 am to 6 pm
November – 8 am to 7 pm
December – 8 am to 8 pm
Entry Fee Details
Adult – R 240
Children – R 115
Kids (under age 4) – Free
Cape Point
If you’re a sea cliff lover, you shouldn’t miss this place. Cape point is one of the important places to visit in Cape Town, located 60 km from the city center.
At the southernmost tip of the Table Mountains National Park lies the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest flora areas on earth.
Visitors to the Cape Peninsula can drive along the beautiful coastline from Cape Town, passing Muizenberg surf breaks and the pretty seaside town of Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town’s prime penguin-viewing beaches.
There is also a wide variety of wildlife on this soaring sea-cliff. It is also home to 250 bird species, eland, Cape zebra, reptiles, and brazen baboons.
From Cape Point lighthouse, visitors can take the Flying Dutchman funicular or hike up the many stairs.
The beach is also a great place to spot shipwrecks, and nature walks are another option.
On the return trip, take the 114 bends of Chapman’s Peak drive and enjoy a succulent seafood feast at Hout Bay or Noordhoek to add a new twist to this spectacular seaside scenery.
In May and October, Cape point attracts travelers to watch the whale.
Here are the Timing Details to Visit Cape point:
January to December – 7 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee Details:
South African Adult (with ID) – R 90
South African Kids – R 45
Standard (Adult) – R 360
Standard (Kids) – R 180
SADC Nationals (Adults) – R 180
SADC Nationals (Kids) – R 90
*SADC – Southern African Development Community
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is located on the eastern climbs of Table Mountain.
Founded in 1913 to preserve the country’s flora- one of the world’s first botanical gardens with this mission- the site was bequeathed to the state by Cecil Rhodes in 1902.
The hilly 528-hectare nature reserve of indigenous forest and fynbos contains more than 20,000 native South African plant species collected, grown, and studied.
In addition to the wild almond grove planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1660, an avenue planted by Cecil Rhodes in 1898 is of historical significance.
A show of blossoms and color brightens the gardens with flowers, shrubs, and trees throughout the year.
There are proteas (sugar bushes), a scented garden, an impressive collection of cycads, and the Sculpture Garden and the Botanical Society Conservatory, where plants from arid regions are grown.
The forest trails are well marked, and the Tree Canopy Walkway offers panoramic views across the gardens set against a mountain backdrop.
Table Mountain is reached through a ravine on one of the trails. Summer concerts in the gardens are an evocative experience.
The city’s heart is also home to Company’s Garden, an oasis of trees, flowers, aviaries, and ponds.
You can also visit the Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium, and the Iziko National Gallery while you’re here.
Here are the Timing Details to Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden:
January – 8 am to 7 pm
February – 8 am to 7 pm
March – 8 am to 7 pm
April – 8 am to 6 pm
May – 8 am to 6 pm
June – 8 am to 6 pm
July – 8 am to 6 pm
August – 8 am to 6 pm
September – 8 am to 7 pm
October – 8 am to 7 pm
November – 8 am to 7 pm
December – 8 am to 7 pm
Entry Fee Details:
South African Adult (with ID) – R 130
South African Kids – R 45
Standard (Adult) – R 210
Standard (Kids) – R 50
SADC Nationals (Adults) – R 90
SADC Nationals (Kids) – R 30
Clifton and Camps Bay Beach
As a tourist, it’s one of the best places in Cape Town to visit, located six kilometers from the city.
Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are popular with the buff, the bronzed, the beautiful, and the big bucks. Some of Cape Town’s most prestigious real estate is located at Clifton, the city’s St. Tropez, with its four gleaming white-sand beaches, granite boulders, and crystal-clear blue seas.
First Beach also offers decent surf when the conditions are right, a favorite volleyball venue.
South of Clifton is trendy Camp’s Bay, where you’ll find another gorgeous beach framed by the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head.
During weekends and holidays, locals and tourists flock to soak in the sights and sounds along this pretty palm-lined stretch and in the chic cafes and boutiques that line Victoria Street.
The Blue Flag award recipients of Camp’s Bay and Clifton’s Fourth Beach are also great choices for families due to their clean, safe, and environment-friendly waters.
Muizenberg for Surfing
If you love surfing, you have to visit Muizenberg beach.
This beach is one of the important places to visit in Cape Town and is 25 km away from the city center.
It is known for its bright colors and excellent surfing.
The beach is situated on the False Bay side of the peninsula, with a warmer water temperature than Camps Bay Beach.
The beach is Blue Flag-rated and is a great place to learn to surf since the waves aren’t too big and the surf is consistent.
The water will still be extremely cold, even in summer, so you may want to wear a wet suit.
Rentals of these can be found at several shops located behind the long beachfront.
Several companies around town offer surfboard rentals and lessons.
You may have seen bathing boxes on social media photos of colorful beach huts.
Originally, they were used by women during the Victorian era to change into chin-to-ankle bathing suits for privacy reasons.
Robben Island
The Robben Island is one of the important places to visit in Cape Town, located 14 km from Cape Town’s city center.
It is commonly known as the place of banishment. During Apartheid, this was where the leaders sent the social outcasts.
Apartheid was well known for the institutional discrimination, brutality, and cruelty committed on this island during its time of existence.
During the struggle for freedom of their country, the freedom fighters spent their entire lives here in the prison.
It was during the Second World War, when the island wasn’t just used as a prison and as a training ground and a defense area.
As a result of Robben Island’s deep history, it was decided to turn it into a great museum, serving as a tourist attraction.
The museum helps educate visitors about the difficult times the freedom fighter faced and how they conquered them.
Robben Island Visitors Timing: 9 am to 4 pm
Entry Fees:
Adult – R 280
Kids – R 150
Zeitz MOCCA Museum
The Zeitz MOCCA Museum was inaugurated in late 2017 and is the largest African Modern art museum globally.
This is one of the important places to visit in Cape Town as a traveler.
On the Victoria and Alfred waterfront, this visually stunning museum is housed in a converted 9,500-square-meter grain silo against a backdrop of Table Mountain.
It has nine galleries in more than 100 square meters of space.
In addition to the collection of Puma ex-CEO and conservationist Jochen Zeitz, the museum features art from all over Africa and its diaspora, on par with MoMA in New York City or Tate in London.
Among the most noteworthy collections are photographs from Kenyan Cyrus Kabiru featuring eyewear, colorful and playful imagery by South African Athi-Patra Ruga, and woven wall installations by Ghana-born El Anatsui made of discarded materials.
In addition, the museum is home to an art education institute, a curatorial training program, and a Costume Institute.
The first Friday of every month, 4 pm to 9 pm, has half price admission.
Timing: 10 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees: Adults – R 210, Children under the age of 18 – FREE.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
One of the important places to visit in Cape town that attracts tourists from worldwide.
Ancient fishing activities have taken place on the harbor of the V&A waterfront since ancient times.
This harbor is located in the city’s center and is home to many bars, restaurants, and pubs that attract visitors.
There is a beautiful harbor at Victoria and Alfred with a stunning view of Table Mountain.
Now a major tourist attraction, the landmark was once a fishing port.
It has been completely restored and revamped.
They also teach travelers about the ancient fishing tradition in the country by preserving antique pieces from the past.
Guests can enjoy drinks, food, and shopping here.
The Cape wheel also offers a 360-degree view of the capital city.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Timing: 9 am to 9 pm
Chapman’s Peak Drive
The Chapman’s Peak Drive is located 19 km from the city center and is another place to visit in Cape Town.
The drive to Chapman Peak is one of the most beautiful.
There is a fascinating view of the blue ocean and mountain peaks from the road, approximately nine meters long.
Driving here makes for a wonderful road trip with its approximately one hundred and fourteen curves, “Chappies,” as the locals call it.
You should wait until sunset to see the most breathtaking views.
Enjoy nature in its most pristine form by drinking sundowners, the local cold drink, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Timing: Any Time
Entry Fees: It varies between R 23 to R 450
Shark Cage Diving
Cape Town is one of the world’s shark cage diving capitals, travelers can get close to the great white sharks here.
You can experience the most thrilling and scary shark cage diving in Simon’s Town, Seal Island, Dyer Island, or Gansbaai.
The adrenaline rush will undoubtedly hit you when you see these feared predators surrounded by thick iron bars.
Visitors are often frightened by the magnificent sharks swimming or diving next to the edge.
Boats are a great way for people who are easily scared to view these spectacular sharks.
In addition to watching penguins, dolphins, and whales, close by are also options.
Conclusion
I hope this article will add a booster to your travel diaries, as we have picked the 10 best places to visit in Cape Town.
You can spend less time researching places to visit in Cape Town as we share the utmost details like operating timing and entry fees.
Komparetravel welcomes you with a cheap flight to Cape Town and book Cheap Hotels in Cape Town.
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How to book Flights to the Destinations
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