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A true cosmopolitan country that deserves its name as a "rainbow nation", the city of Cape Town is a true jewel of South Africa. Cape Town is not the administrative capital as many seem to believe, but rather the historical and cultural capital of the country. The city is full of history and will give you the opportunity to follow in Mandela's footsteps while immersing yourself in a city representing Africa looking to the future.
Discover this multifaceted city surrounded by a natural setting.
The country is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed. If you go in July, you will arrive in the middle of winter there! The ideal time is between October and March because the temperatures will be at their highest, without being unpleasant.
Allow about a week to discover the city and its surroundings: it takes about 4 days to see the city's must-see attractions, and then 3 days to go on more wild excursions or day trips.
Be careful: the night falls very early, even in summer (8pm at most), so you have to get up early if you want to fully enjoy the day on site.
The Bo-Kaap district is the Malaysian district of the city. The population is composed of descendants of Muslim slaves who were brought by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century and now lives in brightly coloured houses. Photographers or simple lovers of pretty things, the colourful walls of the houses are worth a visit!
At 1h30 by car from Cape Town, just 120 kilometres away, you have the opportunity to admire the whales of the Atlantic Ocean. Great for a family excursion, Hermanus is considered the whale watching capital of South Africa. The ideal month to see these gigantic cetaceans is November, but you will surely have the chance to see them all year round.
Hermanus offers a path along the coast from where you can see the whales. You can also choose to rent a boat (or a kayak for the bravest!) to admire them more closely.
If you don't have the time or courage to go to Hermanus, it is possible to see whales from Cape Town directly. We advise you to take some height, at Lion's Head for example.
If you want to know more about the man who spent 27 years in prison because of his activism, you should visit Robben Island Prison. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for about twenty years, the tour includes a boat trip to the island, a visit to the quarry where the prisoners worked, a guided tour of the prison passing through Mandela's former cell and it is also possible to visit the prison museum. The prison guide is a former prisoner, who can therefore answer all your questions about life in detention.
A former grain silo completely refurbished by a London design firm, the museum contains several hundred pieces by African artists. Much of the collection is owned by the former CEO of Puma, Jochen Zeitz, who wanted to make the museum a space to exhibit the diversity of contemporary African art.
You can buy your tickets directly on the website, so you will avoid queuing. The ticket will cost you about €12. Admission is free for minors and half price on the first Friday of each month. The best tip if you plan to visit the museum several times: tickets are valid for 7 days, remember to keep yours!
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, Table Moutain and Signal Hill are a must. To climb to the top of Table Moutain, take the cable car and go to an altitude of more than 1000m, where you will have a panoramic view of the entire Cape coast. The round trip by cable car will cost you between €18 and €20 depending on whether you ride in the morning or in the afternoon. Municipal buses can take you to the cable car and taxis can also make the trip without any worries.
Signal Hill is the place to be if you want to organize a picnic due to the magnificent view it offers to admire the sunset. The place is famous for being the spot for lovers!
Shark Explorers, a world-renowned structure, will offer you an unforgettable experience. The structure organizes tailor-made excursions, allowing you to swim surrounded by white sharks (harmless, of course). You can either lock yourself in a cage and dive among the white sharks or dive alone or in a group among the blue sharks. Your dive will cost you at least 130€, but the experience is really unforgettable.
Interested in other South African treasures? Discover 6 must-see attractions not to be missed if you are there.
Would you like to fully enjoy your stay in South Africa by living a luxury rental experience? Dream about our catalogue of villas in Cape Town!
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