Published on October 17th, 2024
Cape Town is the «mother of African cities», one of the most picturesque and unique cities on the planet, situated on the south-western coast of South Africa.
As a writer once wrote, this city is a reflection of the «Titans’ battle — the sea, the wind, and the mountains». Indeed, Cape Town is spread between gigantic, majestic mountains, nearly black because of the wind, and the endless blue ocean.
This is one of the places worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. However, having come here once, it’s impossible to forget the unique atmosphere of the world’s immensity and unapprehensiveness.
One Of The New Nature Wonders
Cape Town’s mascot, visible from anywhere in the city, is Table Mountain, whose slopes are dissected by deep valleys.
Whether awash in sunlight, wrapped up in fog, or encircled by clouds — in all these framings, it is beautiful, original, and offers an eternally exciting and splendid sight for a traveller.
On the mountaintop, there is a nature park home to various rare plants and animals.
Moreover, Table Mountain is a supreme viewpoint where visitors can admire sunsets and enjoy incredible panoramic views of Cape Town, its surroundings, the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range.
A Mystically Romantic Place
The Cape of Good Hope used to be a reference point for seamen and is a tourist magnet, which is an amazing natural phenomenon representing the might and beauty of the ocean.
The Cape of Good Hope is a symbol of journeys and discoveries, dreams of faraway lands and new horizons, and, of course, dreams of a safe trip home.
Ocean’s boundless waters beat against skyward cliffs steeped in legends and mysteries.
The wash of the waves is centuries-old lore which is forever kept in the deep like a tragic story of a ship — the Flying Dutchman, whose whole crew was cursed and had to furrow the vast ocean for eternity. To this day, sailors see the ship’s ghost next to the Cape of Good Hope.
Harmonious Blend
The heart of Cape Town — a historical Company’s Garden — is an incredible space filled with bright flowers and exotic plants.
It was established at the beginning of the XX century and became an important ecological and cultural centre: surveys on the preservation of endangered species are held here.
Narrow winding paths lead to picturesque corners where one can see unique sculptures and fountains made by local sculptors.
A garden, as a harmonious blend of humans and nature, serves as a venue for exhibitions, cultural events and educational programmes.
In Vino Veritas?
Wine connoisseurs know for sure: South Africa’s wineyards give birth to a remarkable one — tantalising ruby-red and delectable white. The oldest wine estate, established in 1685, — Groot Constantia — isn’t just a winery.
It’s part of South Africa’s history, culture, and distinctive character, embodying traditions an innovations in wine production.
The modern Groot Constantia has its philosophy: the viniculture is based on respect towards nature and environmentally sound farm management practices are implemented, which allows the preservation of unique grape sorts and enhances the quality of wines manufactured.
Penguin Paradise
Who wouldn’t like to see a penguin, especially when meeting one doesn’t have to be done somewhere extremely far and cold? Boulders Beach is a place to go! Flightless birds first settled there long ago, in 1883, when they came there from Dyer Island.
However, the best area to view southern guests is considered to be Foxy Beach, whose territory has three wheelchair-friendly boardwalks from where you can watch the birds from a distance.
Summer is the best time to visit Boulders Beach because aquatic birds are mostly active on land during this time.
The best time of the day is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. January is another good month to visit because juvenile birds come to the beach for a moulting period.
Remember that Boulders Beach is a one-and-a-half-hour train ride from Cape Town, and it charges all visitors a conservation fee.
Why Is It Worth Visiting Cape Town?
So, let’s review all the reasons that make visiting Cape Town a great idea. First of all, the city’s surroundings offer a plethora of gorgeous natural attractions, from scenic drives around peaky mountains to picture-perfect beaches.
Secondly, with its melting pot of cuisines, Cape Town is a must for all foodies and wine connoisseurs.
Thirdly, South Africa offers multiple outdoor adventures for every kind of traveller: choose between hiking, snorkelling, paragliding, biking, diving, and boating amid one of the most striking sceneries in Africa! Lastly, Cape Town is alluring due to its excellent climate, which is similar to that of the Mediterranean.
Hot and dry summers and warm winters are good for exploration and outdoor fun. However, the most wind- and rain-free period is believed to be March until May.
Besides, if you ever dreamed of visiting Africa, South Africa is a great place to start! It reminds European countries that it will be easy to adjust to its conditions.
When you make up your mind to give Cape Town a chance, use a hotel price aggregator, hotelin.com, to find an ideal accommodation.
It might be better to start with an aggregator to understand prices in South African hotels better. With a user-friendly interface and multiple filters, you will surely find what you are looking for in just a couple of clicks. Pleasant travels to Cape Town!
Feature Image Source: Andy Bridge