Cape Town's 'big five'
Brenda Vos from Cape TownTourism lists her top things to do in the Mother City.
Cape Town, referred to by locals as the Mother City, is the iconic jewel in South Africa’s crown. Cradled by majestic mountains and fringed by oceans, it’s a startling backdrop for the world’s largest soccer tournament, which kicks off in June 2010. Whether travelling to Cape Town for business or pleasure, there are a multitude of attractions that will teach, mesmerise and inspire.
Below is a list of The Big Six in Cape Town:
Table Mountain Cableway
Take a 10-minute cable car ride and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain, the city’s most famous icon.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes visitors to the summit of Table Mountain in under 10 minutes. The cable car’s rotating floor and huge windows ensure that all passengers get a 360-degree aerial view as they head up the mountain. Once on top visitors can stroll along 2km of pathways and enjoy magnificent views from over 12 viewing sites and decks.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination – a combination of shops, restaurants, nightspots, tourist attractions and museums in the city’s historic harbour that attracts millions of visitor’s a year … and for good reason.
Situated in the heart of the Mother City’s working harbour and set against the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, “the Waterfront” is a hub of varied activity and a Cape Town must-see. All of this coupled with on-going events and entertainment within a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere ensures that the V&A Waterfront is the heart of your visit.
Robben Island
Robben Island has become a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Once “home” to South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so. Do not leave Cape Town without visiting the island – it is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.
Constantia Vineyards
The Constantia Valley is truly Cape Town’s Vineyard. The oldest wine-making region in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1685, Constantia Valley is today the Cape’s most intimate wine route consisting of eight wine farms, each with their own distinctive heritage and premium wines. Enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte and royalty in the 18th century, Constantia Valley’s unique combination of terroir and climate produces some of the world’s finest wines that continue to this day to win accolades and international awards for consistently high standard and quality.
Cape Point
Cape Point is a spectacular, narrow finger of land, covered in endemic fynbos and home to picturesque bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys.
Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site and is the most southerly point within the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora.
Cape Town, referred to by locals as the Mother City, is the iconic jewel in South Africa’s crown. Cradled by majestic mountains and fringed by oceans, it’s a startling backdrop for the world’s largest soccer tournament, which kicks off in June 2010. Whether travelling to Cape Town for business or pleasure, there are a multitude of attractions that will teach, mesmerise and inspire.
Below is a list of The Big Six in Cape Town:
Table Mountain Cableway
Take a 10-minute cable car ride and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain, the city’s most famous icon.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes visitors to the summit of Table Mountain in under 10 minutes. The cable car’s rotating floor and huge windows ensure that all passengers get a 360-degree aerial view as they head up the mountain. Once on top visitors can stroll along 2km of pathways and enjoy magnificent views from over 12 viewing sites and decks.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination – a combination of shops, restaurants, nightspots, tourist attractions and museums in the city’s historic harbour that attracts millions of visitor’s a year … and for good reason.
Situated in the heart of the Mother City’s working harbour and set against the spectacular backdrop of Table Mountain, “the Waterfront” is a hub of varied activity and a Cape Town must-see. All of this coupled with on-going events and entertainment within a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere ensures that the V&A Waterfront is the heart of your visit.
Robben Island
Robben Island has become a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Once “home” to South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so. Do not leave Cape Town without visiting the island – it is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.
Constantia Vineyards
The Constantia Valley is truly Cape Town’s Vineyard. The oldest wine-making region in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1685, Constantia Valley is today the Cape’s most intimate wine route consisting of eight wine farms, each with their own distinctive heritage and premium wines. Enjoyed by Napoleon Bonaparte and royalty in the 18th century, Constantia Valley’s unique combination of terroir and climate produces some of the world’s finest wines that continue to this day to win accolades and international awards for consistently high standard and quality.
Cape Point
Cape Point is a spectacular, narrow finger of land, covered in endemic fynbos and home to picturesque bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys.
Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site and is the most southerly point within the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora.