Visit Cape Town
Cape Town International is South Africa’s second largest airport and is a major Tourism Gateway for the Western Cape. Approximately 7 million passengers travel through Cape Town International on a yearly basis.
If you’re going to Cape Town then Cape Town International airport is your main point of entry. Dozens of flights fly to and from this airport and is generally the first place to see when foreign visitors travel to South Africa.
The too most sightseeing spot on your itinerary should be the royal Table Mountain. At this World Heritage spot, there is a cable car, which will take you to the highest peak of the mountain, which is at 1036 meters above MSL. From here, you can enjoy the wonderful view of land and sea. You can also enjoy spectacular sun set views from a restaurant and bar known as the Cableway Cocktail Bar. If you are interested in adventurous sports then you may try rock climbing in the Table Mountain.
Everyone should see the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens which aims to protect indigenous plants and has succeeded in growing an impressive 6000 different species.
The next thing to see would be another World Heritage site – the historically important symbol of anti-apartheid, Robben Island, named after ‘seals’ in Dutch. Right at the entrance to Table Bay, this island is now a museum and can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride.
Your itinerary must include a stop on the V & A Waterfront. It is famous for its bustling marketplace including attractive shops, craft markets, theatres, restaurants, and bars. Two major sightseeing spots located here are Maritime Museum and Oceans Aquarium.
You must visit the Good Hope Nature Reserve, located at the Cape Point. The flower lovers will enjoy the amazing variety of flowers available here. You will also see here a lighthouse, which is known to be the largest in the nation.
The beaches of Cape Town are a favourite destination for tourists and locals. On the Atlantic front, you can lounge on the beautiful, clean beaches of Camps Bay, Llandudno and Clifton.
Those who love shopping will find their haven in Cape Town as its markets are quite cheap. There are several interesting items that you can take as gifts for those back at home, or for your own house.
Lovers of history must pay a visit to the Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest building in the country. It was built between the years 1666 and 1679. The pentagonal castle is very well maintained, and it tells about the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck and the country’s martial history. Also see the striking dungeons, the blacksmith, and the lovely dolphin pool. You can see the Key Ceremony, if you come there by 10am; and may see the Change of Guards if you come at 12 am. If you are lucky enough, or unlucky, you may even see a ghost.
Keep some time in hand to enjoy the wine routes, which include Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Constantia. Cape’s wine estates are some of the finest in the world. Many estates are open for visitors to taste wine and the wine makers happily agree to ship the valuable bottles to any corner of the globe. You must also enjoy the superb cuisine in Cape Town. Loiter at the Constantia Uitsig’ veranda, test the finest Franschoek at Quartiere Francais or just bite at the delicious seafood platter at “On The Rocks”, in Blouberg.
Tourists to Cape Town must take visit the Cape Point, where Bartholomew Dias, the Portuguese explorer is said to have stopped in the year-88. It’s a breathtaking sight and it’s tough to think how the sailors crossed these hazardous waters years back. Some other places of interest are the the Kalk Bay Caves, the Dutch East India Company’s Gardens, and many more.
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica?s leading Flight comparison & Booking portal, which includes Alitalia Airlines amongst others.
