7 Plans To Organize On Your Trip To Cape Town
Cape Town is the capital of South Africa and the second most populous city after Johannesburg. It is a place that receives about two million tourists every year. It has many famous places, such as Table Mountain or the Cape of Good Hope. And along with this, many more secrets that we are going to tell you. Come and discover the best plans for a trip to Cape Town !
Some curiosities about Cape Town
Cape Town has been a disputed ground for years between the major European powers. The reason is that the city is in a strategic place: it is one of the southernmost points of the continent and is in the middle of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Furthermore, during the Middle Ages, all European ships followed this route to reach the Indies, since the eastern Mediterranean was under the rule of the Turks. Thanks to this European presence on the continent, what was nothing more than a port ended up becoming the largest and most important city in South Africa.
Perhaps the most emblematic of the city is the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. It is considered the last southernmost place on the continent. At times, it has been referred to as the beginning of the end of the world.
The best plans on a trip to Cape Town
1. Visit Table Mountain
It is a mountain with a flat top. It is one of the most iconic places in Cape Town, so much so, that it appears on the city’s flag. In addition, it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world since 2011.
It can be visited by going up by cable car or through a route until reaching the top. Of course, the mountain is always covered in clouds, so take advantage of the clear day to climb to the top. The views are spectacular.
In addition, it is the ideal place for hiking, climbing and visiting the caves. The highest peaks on the mountain are Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head. A visit is essential on any trip to Cape Town.
2. Get closer to the Cape of Good Hope
As we have already told you, the Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost point of the African continent (after the Cape of Needles, also located in South Africa). It is a wonder of nature, partly because of the atmosphere that this place so special and, at the same time, so far from the world gives off. In addition, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Many have dared to say that stepping on this place is like approaching the end of the world. Beyond the cape there is only sea, until reaching the South Pole. At the cape you can visit a lighthouse that is about a 45 minute walk away, completely at the extreme end of the continent.
3. Get to know the island on which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
Robben Island is twelve kilometers from Cape Town. In 1999 it was named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It can be reached by ferry, but the changing weather of the ocean can spoil the visit, since the waves are very strong and no one can travel there.
From the middle of the seventeenth century it was used as a prison until the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, was locked up there for 18 years. Any trip to Cape Town must therefore include this excursion.
4. Visit the castle of Good Hope
It is a fort in the shape of a star pentagon that was built during the 17th century. It is considered the oldest monument in South Africa. Since 1980, it is also regarded as the best preserved example of the Netherlands East India Company.
The castle’s history is full of gloomy events, as it served as a prison for years. There is a legend that says that in one of the dungeons is the “black hole”, a cell where prisoners were chained in the dark.
You can take free guided tours of the castle and see the dungeons, the torture room and the governor’s house. Inside there are also museums that can be visited.
5. Enjoy a good meal on Long Street
Although the English translation is “long street”, it is actually one of the shortest streets in Cape Town. However, it is a very active street, with Victorian-style arches. And also, it is the street with the most bars and restaurants there is.
During your walk you will see ethnic restaurants from anywhere: African, Indian, Arab. More or less formal, and for a higher or lower price, Long Street is a mandatory stop to enjoy different flavors.
In addition, there are also pubs with music of all kinds, shops and African markets where the tourist is shown the most characteristic of African culture. The surrounding streets such as Longmarket and Greenmarket Square are also noted for their flea markets.
6. A sunset in front of the ocean, a must on a trip to Cape Town
There is nothing like watching a sunset in front of the sea. And in Cape Town you have that possibility. In the Waterfront area, which is a pier next to the sea and Table Mountain, many ferries leave. One of them allows you to take a walk around the coast. What would that walk be like at twilight?
When the sun sets in the ocean, the clouds of Table Mountain and the color of the light by the sea leave one of the most wonderful pictures on the entire continent.
7. A tour of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood
Finally, another of the places of obligatory stop is the Muslim quarter of Bo-Kaap. It is a neighborhood that originally allowed the British to hide the army in all their houses. Currently, it is the mainly Muslim housing area, although people of all religions coexist.
The most characteristic of this neighborhood are its colorful houses. It is very typical to approach this neighborhood and take a few pictures of it. Also, here is the first mosque in South Africa.
These are the plans that we recommend for your trip to Cape Town. Without a doubt, it is a multicultural city, with a lot of history, great views and a wonderful landscape. Sun, mountain, culture and landscape come together to make you live one of the best experiences of your life. What are you waiting for?
