13 Best Sights in Cape Town, South Africa

Rising sharply to 1,086 meters (3,563 feet) and looming above the city center, flat-topped Table Mountain truly is one of the world's most beautiful and impressive natural wonders. Not only is it a sight to behold, but the top affords scintillating views stretching to distant horizons; it's said to be visible to sailors 65 km (40 miles) out to sea. Hiking to the summit’s wilderness via one of the trails, such as the popular stairway-like Plattekloof Gorge, up its rugged slopes requires two to three hours, depending on your fitness level, or you can zip to the top in 10 minutes with the cable car. Thrill seekers can abseil down a section of the mountain ( abseilafrica.co.za).

Apart from the stunning views from its summit, there's a world of unusual fynbos vegetation at the top and an atmosphere that's slightly surreal. If you hike up, be sure to take at least 2 liters (½ gallon) of water per person with you and exercise caution; it may be in the middle of a city, but it is a genuine wilderness. Many paths that look like good routes down the mountain end in treacherous cliffs. And, apart from the weather which can turn in an instant, you need to be mindful of the possibility of muggings and chances of losing your way. Hiking alone is never recommended, and engaging the services of a hiking or mountain guide is a great way to go beyond the obvious trails and also learn about the mountain's flora and fauna. However you choose to do the climb, wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots; always take warm clothes, including a windbreaker or fleece; take a mobile phone; and let someone know of your plans.  Do not underestimate this mountain: every year local and foreign visitors get lost, some falling off ledges, with fatal consequences.

Bakoven's boulder-ensconced beaches—two separate coves in a tucked away little residential area—are quite tiny, but somehow everyone manages to squeeze in, provided they find parking. Somehow the water seems slightly more manageable here, even if it's just as cold as anywhere else; the views of the mountains, and the accompanying sense of being adrift from reality somehow motivate everyone to get in the water. The large rocky outcrops are the perfect perches to witness some of the most incredible sunsets on the planet; when the sun's rays hit the water it turns to molten lava and is absolute balm for the soul. Parking is limited, so take the MyCiTi bus, grab an Uber, walk from Camps Bay, or get here early to get a parking spot. There are no amenities, but Bootleggers coffee shop on Victoria Road is nearby, and it has bathrooms. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Originally named Heerengracht after a canal that once ran the length of the avenue, this street has always been Cape Town's principal thoroughfare. There are a couple of historical buildings dating to the early 1900s including the Adderley Street Flower Market (one of the city's oldest markets, located in Trafalgar Place between Strand and Darling streets), but it's evolved into a heavily congested and primarily commercial stretch full of office blocks, large franchise stores, regular traffic chaos, and the vast concourse of the city's main railway terminal. What sidewalks exist are packed with street vendors selling everything from fruits and vegetables to cell phone covers and tea towels, serving people going to and from work. Stay on your toes and keep valuables safe and it can be a place to feel the bustling pulse of everyday Cape Town. 

The spectacular western edge of Table Mountain, known as the Twelve Apostles, provides the backdrop for this long, sandy beach that slopes gently to the very cold water from a grassy verge. Playing Frisbee or volleyball is very popular on this beach, as are early-morning cold-water plunges. The surf is powerful, but sunbathers can cool off in the tidal pool on the west end of the beach. Be warned that the wind can blow hard here—or not at all. Dauntingly busy in summer, Camps Bay's super-popular bar-and-restaurant strip lies yards away across Victoria Road, and is a mix of trendy, overpriced establishments, die-hard old-school hangouts, and a fair share of sidewalk souvenir sellers. The strip is alternately a refreshment break for groups of cyclists; a watering hole for movie stars, models, and the wannabe rich and famous; and a tourist trap. As such, it tends toward the pretentious on weekends. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers. Best for: partiers; surfing; walking.

In the heart of the city, this is a great place to seek relief from a sweltering summer day if the beach is packed. These lush, landscaped gardens are all that remain of a 43-acre tract laid out by Jan van Riebeeck in April 1652 to supply fresh vegetables to ships on their way to the Dutch East Indies. By 1700 free burghers (Dutch-speaking colonists no longer indebted to the Dutch East India Company, aka VOC) were cultivating plenty of crops on their own land, and in time the VOC vegetable patch was transformed into a botanic garden. It remains a calm haven, surrounded by museums, art galleries, the country's oldest cathedral, and Parliament, and is graced by fountains, exotic trees, rose gardens, and a pleasant little tea shop (careful, though, there's also a large café which is not so pleasant). At the bottom of the gardens, close to Government Avenue, look for an old well that once provided water for the town's residents and the garden. The old water pump, engraved with the maker's name and the date 1842, has been overtaken by an oak tree and now juts out of the tree's trunk some 6 feet above the ground. A huge statue of the colonist Cecil Rhodes, the Cape's prime minister in the late 19th century, looms over the path that runs through the center of the gardens. He points to the north, and an inscription reads, "Your hinterland is there," a reference to his dream of extending the British Empire from the Cape to Cairo. A self-guided walking brochure with detailed historical information about the gardens and nearby sights is available at the shop adjacent to the small but informative visitor center.

Though it's not as well-known as the St George's on Wale Street, this unassuming Greek Orthodox cathedral is a sight to behold. Painted all white on the outside, it's easy to miss, but once you enter, the flood of bright colors, light-blue domed ceilings, and hand-painted murals on the walls are breathtaking. Built in 1904, but painted in the 1990s by Father Nikolai (the serving priest), it's a must-see. Call ahead to arrange a viewing, or attend the Sunday service; it's in Greek, but the deacons and choir chant beautifully.

For more than a century this cobbled square served as a forum for public announcements, including the 1834 declaration abolishing slavery, which was read from the balcony of the Old Town House, overlooking the square. In the 19th century the square became a vegetable market as well as a popular watering hole, and you can still enjoy a drink at an open-air restaurant or hotel veranda while watching the crowds go by. Today the square has been re-cobbled, and the outdoor market sells predominantly African crafts from around the continent. It is also flanked by some of the best examples of art deco architecture in South Africa.

The prominent peak to the right of Table Mountain is Lion's Head, a favorite hiking spot for locals. The hike takes about 1½ hours (each way), with 360-degree views of the city unfolding as you spiral up the "lion" as well as from the top. The trail is gorgeous and well-marked; unfortunately its charms have made it so popular that on good-weather days you will almost certainly find yourself in a hiker-jam. That said, it's a great hike, and though easier than climbing Table Mountain, the last quarter, when there are even chain-assisted sections of rock to haul yourself up, is pretty taxing. As always, don't hike alone, and keep alert, especially as sunset approaches. On full-moon nights, hundreds of people set off to summit the peak; the trail of headlamps alone will give you pause, though, since it is dangerously crowded. For those less inclined to sweat, Signal Hill is the smaller flat-topped hill extending from the northern lower slopes of Lion's Head, also sometimes called the "Lion's Rump." Once the location for signal flags communicating weather warnings to ships visiting the bay, Signal Hill is also the home of the Noon Gun, still operated by the South African Navy and South African Astronomical Observatory. Both Lion's Head and Signal Hill are accessed by Signal Hill Road, which ends at the Signal Hill parking lot and affords spectacular views of Sea Point and Table Bay.  Be careful especially after hours and/or if it's deserted. There have been incidents of violent crime.

About 10 km (6 miles) long, The Prom, as its locally known, starts at Mouille Point near the V&A Waterfront, and continues through to Sea Point. It's populated by a constant slew of walkers, runners, dog walkers, and cyclists. To one side of the promenade, grassy lawns buffer pedestrians from the street, making them a popular spot for picnics, pickup soccer games, and people-watching. To the other side, a few city beaches (none recommended for swimming) offer stunning urban views of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

This stunning cathedral was once the religious seat of one of the most recognizable faces—and voices—in the fight against apartheid, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As the first Black archbishop of Cape Town (he was elected in 1986), he vociferously denounced apartheid and relentlessly pressed for a democratic government—he also spoke out for the rights of other minorities, including gays and lesbians. It was from these steps that he led a demonstration of more than 30,000 people and coined the phrase the Rainbow People to describe South Africans in all their glorious diversity. The cathedral continues in its active monitoring role today, holding the new government to account. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker in the Gothic Revival style; construction of the Anglican house of worship began in 1901, using sandstone from Table Mountain. The building contains beautiful examples of late-Victorian stained glass, the largest stained-glass window in the country, and a 1,000-year-old Coptic cross. If you want to hear its magnificent organ being played, attend the choral evensong at 6 on Sunday evening. Cathedral guides conduct hour-long tours of the building by arrangement.

This pedestrian-only promenade stretches about five blocks from St George's Cathedral through the city center to the financial district. Shops and cafés line the mall, and street vendors sell everything from T-shirts to African arts and crafts. Street performers and dancers gather daily to entertain crowds of locals and visitors, who rub shoulders on their way to and from work or while sightseeing. The very good St G's food market is held near the Cathedral end of the mall every Thursday (except in winter) from 11 to 3.

Said to be the busiest tourist "attraction" in Africa, the V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront is the culmination of a long-term project undertaken to breathe new life into the city's historical dockland. Expansion plans are underway that, by 2050, will have added entire new districts and facilities both on land (including land still to be reclaimed from the sea) and on the water.

The ease and safety here, coupled with favorable currency exchange rates for North American and European visitors, and the ever-increasing number of truly worthwhile activities on offer keep the area buzzing. Hundreds of shops, movie theaters, restaurants, bars, and hotels have taken residence in restored warehouses and dock buildings, all connected by pedestrian plazas and promenades. Newer developments like the excellent Watershed craft market and two dedicated food markets have made the V&A more appealing to locals, and, in the so-called Silo precinct of the V&A, there's the architecturally significant Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa—Africa's first such institution. It's also home to Two Oceans Aquarium and the Robben Island ferries.

Keep in mind, though, that this is still a working waterfront, and you'll be greeted with fish smells, the cacophonous noise of ships being mended, cruise liners pulling in to dock, seals in the water, and boats of all sizes zipping in and out. And mind the seagulls who will gladly help themselves to your chips or chicken wings.