Cape Town

The colorful sails and surfers in the foreground, behind them the flat houses whose roofs glisten in the sun and deep in the background the Table Mountain surrounded by clouds  drizzling showers at the peaks.

A view of Cape Town is probably one of the most famous city sites in the world.  Cape Town was founded on the west coast of South Africa in the 17th century as the first city in the county, and that’s why it is also known as the mother city.

Not far from the coast stands the oldest preserved building in South Africa, the stone Castel of Good Hope. Once used to protect the first settlers, the castle is now home to three museums, the Good Hope Gallery, the Military Museum, and the William-Fehr-collection. The Company’s Garden has also been preserved from the time it was founded.  Founder Jan Riebeeck planted this garden first as a vegetable garden to provide those traveling to India with food. In the mean time it has accrued many exotic plants, ponds, fragrance gardens and cafes. Additionally, along the edges of the garden, there are two museums.
Just north of down town you can find a hopping district of the city: the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.  A while back this area was a rundown shipping district, but now it offers a variety of over 40 different restaurants, bars, shops and theaters. Another hot spot to go out and party is the Long Street Gourmet on Kloof Street where you get your money’s worth of a good time.

Cape Town is also a popular destination for water sport enthusiasts and beach goes. The Blouberg beach in the north part is a meeting point for suffers from all over the world.  From here you can get the most spectacular view of the city and Table Mountain.  For those who just feel like laying in the sun and maybe venturing into the 66°F water can find the most beautiful beaches to do so in the south in Camps Bay and Clifton.  Off and on vacationers can even enjoy a visit from penguins on this southern tip of the continent.
However, all of the attractions in Cape Down are out done by the city’s largest landmark, the Table Mountain. Over 3,500 feet high and with a plateau that hosts over 1,400 different plant species, which is more than all of plant species in Great Britain, this mountain stands to be the trade mark of Cape Town. 12 hiking paths all with different attractions along the way lead up to the top of the mountain. Since the weather around the Table Mountain can change very drastically, visitors are advised to check a current weather report shortly before making their hike. And it gets even more comfortable: In less than 5 minutes, passengers can ride a cable car over 3000 feet up to almost the top of the mountain. During the ride to the top, the gondola rotates, giving the passengers a breath taking view that can only be topped by that from the summit. On a good day you can see as far as the city borders when you look towards the land, and as far as the legendary island, Robben Island when looking out into the ocean.

Nelson Mandel was prisoner on this island for 18 years. Today the island belongs to the UNESCO world culture foundation. The tours on this island are given by former inmates of the island. Even the waters surrounding the island are interesting: A snorkeler’s paradise has developed in the adjacent Smits Reef over the years which attracts countless visitors.



On Table Mountain’s eastern portion sprawls one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Over 9,000 plants are native to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Additionally you can find an herb garden, a stone garden and an orchard filled with almond trees. The garden is especially pretty between August and October, if the changing spring weather in the southern hemisphere cooperates.

Those who have a car should defiantly take the N1 into the vineyard: The cities Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl contribute to a large portion of South Africa’s wine market. For over 300 years wine has been being harvested and pressed. You should defiantly plan an entire day for a trip through South Africa’s wine country.  30 Miles south of the city is the Cape of Good Hope which is Africa’s most southwestern point.

Visit the South Africa’s mother city – once you’ve been to this dream city, you will always want to go back.