Have an urban adventure in Cape Town and its surrounds

Known as ‘The Mother City’ and the most beautiful city in the world, Cape Town in South Africa has something for everyone. For those seeking a cultural adventure, nature or unique dining, the city sits on Table Bay and is hugged by the magnificent Table Mountain. Let’s take a brief tour of what visitors can expect in The Mother City.

Cultural adventure

Cape Town is a multicultural city, where Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and traditional African beliefs live side-by-side in peace. This harmony of cultures has been hard won, with South Africa’s past and troubled history. However, everyone in the city has a fascinating story to tell. The city is home to the Afrikaner descendants of the original Dutch colonists, European Jewish immigrants, a strong coloured and Malay community and the Xhosa migrants from the Eastern Cape. They all bring their own colour to the city.

Art and design in Cape Town

Speaking of culture, Cape Town is full of arts and creativity and was, in fact, deemed a World Design Capital back in 2014. A trip to South Africa is not complete without seeing the colourful side of the city. This includes the multi-hued homes in the Bo-Kaap – the former Malay quarter (pictured above). Muizenberg Beach is rightfully famous for its multi-colored bathing huts.

Throughout the city, striking street art catches the eye, while the many bars and restaurants of Cape Town sport Afro-chic décor.

While the townships of the Cape Flats are more sobering to view, the people living here have organic market gardens and create attractive and unique souvenirs for the many gift shops in the city.

The city’s art galleries include the StateoftheART gallery in Buitenkant Street, close to the District Six Museum. Another is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in the V&A Waterfront.

Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront

Speaking of the waterfront, Cape Town’s original docks were transformed several years ago into an exciting boating, shopping, eating and drinking environment. Sailing trips are available out into Table Bay and to the notorious Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.

The shopping malls offer everything any shopaholic could desire, including fashion, food, art and more, while the many restaurants and bars offer a myriad of cuisines, or a chance to relax with a good South African beer or wine. A trip to the V&A Waterfront wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium, where marine life from the surrounding seas can be seen.

Out in nature in Cape Town

As mentioned before, the iconic, flat-topped Table Mountain dominates the city. A cable-car ride to the top offers panoramic views over the Atlantic Sea, the city and beyond.

The city has a number of green spaces, including the gorgeous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the historic Company’s Gardens and the newer Green Point Urban Park that surrounds the Green Point Stadium. Adventure activities in the city include hiking and mountain biking, the chance to abseil from Table Mountain, and tandem-paragliding from neighboring Lion’s Head. Also, snorkeling and diving adventures are available from the V&A Waterfront.

Head to the beach

The closest beach to the city itself runs along Mouille Point and Sea Point, and heads further along the coast to several famous locations. These include the Clifton beaches, the beautiful and up-market Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Llandudno and beyond to Muizenberg and other locations.

In the other direction, Milnerton and Bloubergstrand have magnificent beaches offering surfing, swimming with picture postcard views of Table Mountain.

Wine and whales

Further from the city, the Cape Winelands offer the charming, traditional Cape Dutch town of Stellenbosch and the French-Huguenot themed Franschhoek. Each of the towns is surrounded by vineyards and a chance to taste and purchase the best South African wines.

For anyone who loves whale watching, the town of Hermanus is a prime location, where visiting Southern Right whales can be seen from the shoreline or from a whale watching boat. Further out is Gansbaai, where daredevils can cage dive among the Great White Sharks.

Whatever your taste, Cape Town is literally a world within one city, guaranteed to make any visitor wish to return over and over again.