By Daniel in Cities & Towns

Cape Town: South Africa's Crown Jewel of History, Culture, and Natural Beauty

Sea Point and Lion's Head, Cape Town - By Hilton1949

Perched near the south-western tip of Africa and washed by two great oceans, Cape Town is a city of striking contrasts. It is South Africa's oldest city, founded in 1652 as a refreshment station for ships of the Dutch East India Company, which is why locals still call it the Mother City.^[1] Today it is the country's legislative capital and the seat of Parliament, with a metropolitan population of around 4.8 million people.^[2] History, architecture, art, culture, wine, eco-consciousness, and conservation all come together here, so its growing popularity as a global holiday destination is no surprise.

One gentle myth worth clearing up: Cape Town is not the southernmost point of the continent. That honour belongs to Cape Agulhas, about 200 km to the south-east, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans officially meet.^[3]

Cape Town is famous for its scenic beauty and the iconic Table Mountain, and it rewards visitors with pristine beaches, outdoor adventures, whale watching, world-class shopping, vibrant nightlife, delectable cuisine, and internationally acclaimed wines. Big Five game reserves lie within an easy drive of the city for those who want to add a safari to the trip.

With a modern international airport, a busy seaport, and excellent road and rail links, Cape Town is an accessible and cosmopolitan African destination.

Table Mountain, one of South Africa's most famous landmarks, was named one of the New7Wonders of Nature in 2011.^[4] Its flat summit rises to 1,086 metres at Maclear's Beacon, and more than 350 walking routes wind their way to the top.^[5] Most visitors, though, prefer the revolving cable car for its sweeping views in every direction.

For a shopping spree, head to the V&A Waterfront, South Africa's top shopping destination with over 450 retail outlets.^[6] It is also home to the Two Oceans Aquarium and the departure point for ferries to Robben Island, the heritage site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Cape Town's beaches are among the world's finest. From trendy Clifton to family-friendly Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, there is a stretch of sand for everyone. Visit Boulders Beach near Simon's Town to meet its colony of African penguins, which has grown from just two breeding pairs in 1982 to a few thousand birds today,^[7] or watch for whales in False Bay, where southern right whales gather between roughly June and November.

The Kirstenbosch botanical garden sits against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and is often called Africa's most beautiful garden. Founded in 1913, it grows more than 7,000 indigenous species and forms part of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[8] It was, in fact, the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site.^[9] In summer it hosts its much-loved Sunday sunset concerts from late November to April.

Don't miss the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park, a scenic reserve that is home to the Cape mountain zebra, eland, and bontebok. Beyond the city, the Cape Wine routes offer a taste of award-winning South African wine and cuisine.

With its striking beauty and rugged landscapes, Cape Town is the perfect place for adventure, relaxation, and entertainment. From celebrity spotting in Camps Bay to the brightly coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap and its rich Cape Malay heritage, with the streets coming alive every January for the Kaapse Klopse minstrel carnival, there is something for everyone in the Mother of All Destinations.