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Cape Town stretches around the base of Table Mountain near the southwestern tip of Africa, between the Atlantic Ocean and the long sweep of False Bay. Founded as a supply station for Dutch ships in the seventeenth century, it has a complex, often painful history that runs through colonial rule and apartheid to the present. Its setting is among the most striking of any city, with mountains, beaches and vineyards all within easy reach.
Table Mountain dominates the skyline and can be climbed on foot or reached by cableway, weather permitting. Lion's Head and Signal Hill are popular for sunrise and sunset. In the city bowl, the colorful houses of the Bo-Kaap reflect the history of the Cape Malay community, while the Company's Garden, the District Six Museum and the Castle of Good Hope tell other parts of the city's story. The V&A Waterfront has restaurants, shops and the Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art museum, and it is the departure point for ferries to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, on the mountain's eastern slopes, showcases native plants. Along the Cape Peninsula, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg offer seaside villages and surfing, Boulders Beach is home to African penguins, and Cape Point marks a windswept finale. The Winelands make an easy side trip.
WiserMap travel guideCape Town South Africa Table Mountain and Boulders PenguinsPlan a Cape Town trip: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Bo-Kaap, Kirstenbosch, Boulders Beach penguins, Cape Point, Chapman's Peak and Constantia wine farms.Read the guide
Flat-topped mountain rising over Cape Town, part of Table Mountain National Park. The rotating Table Mountain Aerial Cableway climbs to the summit with walkways and views over the city, Robben Island and the Atlantic, or you can hike up Platteklip Gorge. Check wind conditions, as the cableway often closes.
Lion's Head is a peak next to Table Mountain with a popular spiral trail of about two hours return, using chains and ladders near the top, famous for sunrise and full moon hikes. Signal Hill next to it can be reached by car for sunset views over the city and sea. Bring a headlamp for night hikes.
Historic Cape Malay neighborhood on the slopes of Signal Hill, known for its brightly painted houses, cobbled streets and mosques, including the Auwal Mosque, the oldest in South Africa. The Bo-Kaap Museum shows local history. Try Cape Malay food on a cooking tour, and be respectful when photographing homes.
The Company's Garden is a historic park in the city center near Parliament and the Iziko museums. The District Six Museum tells the story of forced removals under apartheid, and the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. They are walkable in one day.
Island in Table Bay where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, now a UNESCO site and museum. Ferries leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and tours are often led by former political prisoners. Book well ahead, as tours sell out, and trips can be canceled due to rough seas.
Working harbor turned into a large area of shops, restaurants, hotels, markets and the Two Oceans Aquarium, with views of Table Mountain. The Zeitz MOCAA museum of contemporary African art occupies a converted grain silo with a striking carved atrium. Book museum tickets online and visit in the afternoon.
World-famous botanical garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, showcasing South African plants such as proteas and fynbos. The curving Boomslang canopy walkway gives views over the treetops. Summer sunset concerts are popular. Trails also climb from here to the top of Table Mountain via Skeleton Gorge.
Seaside towns on False Bay. Muizenberg is known for its colorful beach huts and gentle waves popular with beginner surfers, with board rentals on the beachfront. Kalk Bay has a fishing harbor, antique shops and cafes. Ride the scenic Southern Line train along the coast, and eat fish and chips at the harbor.
Wide white sand beach below the Twelve Apostles mountains, lined with palm trees and a strip of restaurants and bars on Victoria Road. It is a popular spot for sunset cocktails. The Atlantic water here is very cold even in summer, so swim near the lifeguards and go for the views and the sunset.
Sheltered beach near Simon's Town, home to a colony of African penguins that can be seen from boardwalks at Foxy Beach and swum with at Boulders Beach itself. It is part of Table Mountain National Park, so an entry fee applies. Do not touch or feed the penguins, and come early to avoid crowds.
Rugged headland at the tip of the Cape Peninsula inside Table Mountain National Park, with a historic lighthouse reached by the Flying Dutchman funicular or a footpath. The Cape of Good Hope sign nearby is a famous photo stop. Watch for baboons, which steal food, and keep car windows closed.
Toll road of about nine kilometers carved into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with 114 curves and dramatic views over the Atlantic Ocean. Several picnic spots and lookout points are along the route. It may close after rain due to rockfall risk. Drive it in the late afternoon for the light.
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