The Best Sight in Cape Town, South Africa

Background Illustration for Sights

Cape Town has grown as a city in a way that few others in the world have. Take a good look at the street names. Strand and Waterkant streets (meaning "beach" and "waterside," respectively) are now far from the sea. However, when they were named, they were right on the beach. An enormous program of dumping rubble into the ocean extended the city by a good few square miles (thanks to the Dutch obsession with reclaiming land from the sea). Almost all the city on the seaward side of Strand and Waterkant is part of the reclaimed area of the city known as the Foreshore. If you look at old paintings of the city, you will see that originally waves lapped at the very walls of the castle, now more than half a mile from the ocean.

Table Mountain

Fodor's Choice

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.