Between mountains and beaches, the 2nd largest city in South Africa mixes history, resilient modernity, and a typical laidback African character. From the top of Table Mountain to the colourful Bo Kaap quarter, and from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront to the modern business district, Cape Town blends multicultural influences and beautiful nature.
Known as Kaapstad in Afrikaans, its sunny weather and mild temperatures make it a perfect place to enjoy the large number of beaches that surround it. From Sunset Beach to Hout Bay, and from Simon’s Town to Gordon Bay, this city offers variety that suits all tastes. Whale and dolphin watching is a popular activity in False Bay.
Located on the Cape of Good Hope, the city was founded in 1652 by a Dutch trading company as a way-station for ships travelling to the East Indies. With the settlement process, all sorts of foreign plants were introduced, including the grapes in the famous Cape Winelands District, just outside of Cape Town.
Cape Town’s history does have some darker periods, and some of its memorable places from this time deserve to be visited: Robben Island jail, the City Hall from which Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech, and the statues of the 4 South African Nobel Peace Prize winners on the V&A Waterfront.
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