Infographic of Cape Town

Cultural Melting Pot

From its founding in 1652, Cape Town has been a cultural melting pot, with African, European, and Asian influences shaping the city's vibrant energy. The influence of these various peoples is apparent in Cape Town's architecture, cultural events, and cuisine.

Splendid Natural Setting

Table Mountain is one of the world's most recognizable natural landmarks. It towers over the city bowl and can be seen from 150 kilometers (93 miles) on a clear day from ships at sea. The sentinels of Lion's Head and Devil's Peak flank the mountain at the northern end of a peninsula of stunning beauty with rugged mountains, white beaches, and the ocean's blue waters.

Famous Attractions

Noteworthy attractions in the city and its surrounding area include Table Mountain itself, Boulder's Beach, where a colony of mainland-based African Penguins can be admired in their natural environment, and Cape Point, which marks the southwestern tip of the African continent. The vibrant V&A Waterfront bustles with activity as people shop, dine, and visit local attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Winelands, roughly an hour's drive from Cape Town, are South Africa's primary wine-producing region. Historical wine farms with fine examples of Cape Dutch Architecture have produced some of the world's finest wines for hundreds of years.

Popular Activities

With such an abundance of activities, it isn't easy to highlight a few. Cable Car trips to the top of Table Mountain and other activities that explore the fauna and flora on South Africa's most famous mountain, including hiking and abseiling, are favorites with international visitors. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach are popular half-day excursions. Exploring the Cape Peninsula, Cape Point, and the Cape Wineland towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are among the most desirable full-day excursions.