Cape Town - South Africa
Cape Town in the original language, is the legislative capital of South Africa and was one of the host cities for the 2010 World Cup. With beautiful landscapes and a contagious vibe, the city is a symbol of the miscegenation of cultures and, to boot, it is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Ideal for people of all ages, the so-called mother city is vibrant and full of attractions - before you know it, you've already in love.
The Cape is completely different from the image that many people have of Africa as a whole, with strong heat and animals vying for food in the savannas. Get ready to discover a place with lots of greenery, mountains, beaches and a stunning sea! The geography of the region is privileged - this is indisputable - and you may end up finding things there that you did not imagine, such as penguins, seals and sharks.
Wherever you arrive, the first place that will catch your eye when driving around Cape Town will probably be the imposing Table Mountain. The mountain is about 3km long and is one of the great symbols of South Africa. It is difficult to say whether the view is more beautiful from below or from above; the ascent, made by cable cars or by walking, is simply unmissable!
Another place that cannot be missing from any itinerary is the Waterfront. The city's port area was revitalized and gained a new face, with malls, shops, bars and great restaurants. Speaking of which, eating well at fair prices is one of the great incentives for travelers. There is no lack of fish and seafood on the menus, in addition to the excellent wines produced in the region.
If what you like is nature, then this is the right place. Beaches like Clifton and Camps Bay are the summer sensation, even if the sea is cold all year round. To see landscapes like those in a movie, the tip is to go through Chapman's Peak Drive and then reach the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, one of the tips of the African continent. It is also worth stopping at the beautiful Boulders Beach, a beach with a colony of penguins, and walking through the pleasant Kirstenboch Botanial Garden, where many people have picnics in the open air.
Cape Town has incredible landscapes, many tourist attractions and people who welcome you with open arms and constant smiles. Despite being a big city and public transport leaving something to be desired, traffic flows well and the happy pace of life conquers. Apartheid, a regime of racial segregation that prevailed there for many years, is a fact that has nothing to do with the beauties of the country. To get to know South Africa is to delve into a sad story, to be surprised by nature, but, above all, to come back renewed and learn to respect differences.
There are many attractions in Cape Town, so we recommend at least five days to explore it. If you have more time, even better, because that way you can get to know everything more calmly and, who knows, visit other parts of South Africa. There are several sights and tours offered; if you can't see everything, that's a good reason to come back!
Regardless of the time available, you cannot miss climbing Table Mountain, one of the symbols of the country, and strolling through the Waterfront, an area that brings together shops and great restaurants. It is also worth visiting Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, and passing by the beaches of Boulders Beach and Camps Bay (the most popular beach in the region, which is super busy during the summer).
The days with open skies should be well used and an excellent way to take full advantage of the good weather is to take a tour of the peninsula, go to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, which has a spectacular landscape!
Eating well or drinking good wine is not a difficult task for anyone visiting Cape Town. The best thing is that good restaurants have very nice prices and always offer fresh fish. If you want to have a snack, two great options are the Food Market and the Old Biscuit Mill, open on Saturdays. For brew lovers, a tour of the Constantia wine region or the city of Stellenbosch is a must.
For shopping, head to the Waterfront and check out Victoria Wharf and the Craft Market, featuring local crafts. In the center, bet on the Green Market, which has good prices, or on Long Street, which is also the great point of nightlife - there is no shortage of clubs and bars for those who enjoy excitement.
Table Mountain is just over 1,000m high and about 3km long. It was considered one of the new seven wonders of the world and can be seen from different areas of the city. In addition to attracting attention due to its unequal external appearance, it is necessary to remember that the place has a vast flora and lookout points for different areas of the city, which provide spectacular landscapes.
Even though it is a symbol that can be seen on land, going up and seeing Table Mountain from the top is like no other. It may not seem like it, but the top of the mountain is flat and full of trails; you can spend all day walking up there and observing the numerous viewpoints it has. There are so many different angles and all with such beautiful views that the desire to enjoy the view and take pictures is present at all times.
The ascent can be done in two ways: through the trails and by the cable car. The time taken to climb the trails depends on the visitor's physical condition - it can take from 50 minutes to 4 hours. During our tour, we saw families with children, for example, who took two hours to reach the top. The cable car, which transports 65 people at a time, is fast, traveling at a speed of up to 10m/s and there are only 700m between the station at the bottom and the station at the top of the mountain. The cable car even makes a 360º turn around its own axis, which allows everyone who is on it to have a panoramic view of the ascent.
Up there you can walk in peace and take lots of pictures. There is no need for a guide to hike the trails, but two free guided hikes are offered, one at 10am and the other at 12pm.
If you want to spend the whole day up there and watch the sunset, that's also possible. At the top of Table Mountain there is a good restaurant, which serves lunch, including. There is a wide variety of products for sale and, if you get hungry, be sure to stop by the place.
Tips:
- The cable car station and Table Mountain are closed when it is very windy or when there is a lot of clouds and poor visibility. It is not uncommon for it to be closed; so the first opportunity the weather is clear, go up! On the website of the company that takes care of the place (http://tablemountain.net/) you can check the status of the cable car and see if it is working or if it is closed. If you are up there and hear a siren, go down, as it indicates that the station will close.
- As the tourist spot is very popular and people expect a beautiful day to visit it, we recommend buying your ticket in advance. Buy your ticket online in advance (on the website mentioned above) and avoid having to face two queues. Having your ticket with you is a handy thing to do and that way you'll only have to wait your turn to get on the cable car.
- If you are driving, be prepared to park far from the cable car station. Although there is parking, on days when the park is full the number of cars is very large and there is not enough space for everyone. Thinking about access, using the City Sightseeing bus is a good way to get to know the place.
- If you want to get to know Table Mountain more empty, go in the afternoon, when the movement is less.
- People with strollers or wheelchair users will not have any difficulties, as most of the trails are paved.
- Go with a sweater to protect yourself from the winds.
Located in the tourist heart of Cape Town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is another must-see in this delightful destination. The Waterfront is a revitalized waterfront area that has shopping malls, hotels, markets and many restaurants. The complex is ideal for those who want to go shopping or simply have fun - after all, entertainment abounds. From there, several boats leave, private or not, and tours to discover the Cape coast or the channels of the Waterfront itself.
The region is busy day and night, and has plenty of security. You can walk freely and just worry about choosing a place for lunch or dinner.
As the area is quite large and has different attractions, every hour you end up discovering something new. Among the points that should not be overlooked in your itinerary are: Victoria Wharf (the largest shopping center on the Waterfront); the mobile bridge, which moves when a vessel needs to pass through the channel; the Clock Tower, one of the symbols of the place; the Food Market; the Craft Market; and the ferris wheel, which offers a superb panoramic view of this region.
There are so many things to do on the Waterfront and so many cool restaurants that this is a place to return to again and again along the way. Staying close to the place is great, because that way you have all kinds of services close by.
Those who like to buy handicrafts when traveling cannot miss the Green Market Square, an open-air market. The place has little structure and is made up only of vendor stalls in a square in the center of Cape Town, but it is there that you should find the best craft prices in the city.
When interested in a product, be sure to haggle the price. As this is an area of great tourist interest, sellers end up putting the price of their products up there. Therefore, negotiating is the best way to guarantee a good deal.
Anyone who likes animals and has never had the opportunity to admire seals up close cannot miss Seal Island, or "Island of Seals". The tour departs from Hout Bay and takes around 20 minutes to reach your destination.
Rocky and isolated, the island is the entertainment of dozens of seals, who enjoy the warmth of the sun or play in the clear waters. The smell leaves a little to be desired, but the number of seals on the island is huge. Children, especially, love to satisfy their curiosity to see these animals.
Although from the top of Table Mountain not everyone is impressed by the dimensions of Cape Town, choosing the place to stay with conscience is important when planning your trip. Those who intend to rent a car do not need to be so attached to the location, while those who do not have their own vehicle should pay attention to the issue, mainly because public transport in the place leaves something to be desired.
The advantage is that, as it is a very touristic city, there is no shortage of accommodation options, whether in luxurious hotels or simple hostels. Prices are reasonable, there are alternatives for every budget.
The place that concentrates the largest number of hotels and which we recommend for accommodation is the Waterfront region. This area is suitable for those who want to walk around on foot and be close to the city's buzz, restaurants and shops. As there are many security guards and movement day and night, it becomes safer to stay there.
The Waterfront is, yes, a region with more expensive hotels, but, as the offer of accommodation is very large, you can find hotels with good value for money in this area, especially if you don't leave it to book at the last minute. If you want to stay there and prefer something more affordable, the Breakwater Logde is a good tip; if you can spend a little more and want a comfortable place, the suggestion is to stay in the waterfront marina and canals area, which has good apartments, such as the Lawhill Apartments.
The center is indicated for those looking for more economical accommodation options, but it is necessary to know that, with the exception of Long Street, most streets in the area are deserted at night. In this neighborhood, the Holiday Inn might be a good hotel option.
If you want to get good prices and, in addition, have a beautiful view, the neighborhoods of Sea Point and Green Point are good choices. They are not far from the Waterfront, offer a good number of hotels and have shops, especially in Green Point. Two friendly options in these neighborhoods are the New Kings Hotel and the Wilton Manor, which follows the line of guesthouse accommodation.
If you've heard of the Cape's beaches and want to be close to them during your trip, Camps Bay is the place to be. The place has many houses transformed to receive tourists, almost always with a beautiful view of the Twelve Apostles or the beach. A good option to stay in the neighborhood is Vetho Villa.
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