Located at the southwestern corner of the African continent and regularly voted one of the best cities in the world, Cape Town’s appeal lies as much in its mild Mediterranean climate and incredible natural beauty as in the international flair and world-class service for which it is renowned. Vibrant and multicultural, it has managed to retain an undeniably African character and charm through its people and diverse attractions.  

Cape Town’s finest: topping the list

Iconic Table Mountain is flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head and Signal Hill to the west, together forming a natural amphitheatre for the City Bowl and Table Bay Harbour. At the city’s most south-westerly tip is the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, covered in endemic fynbos and home to untouched beaches and a healthy population of baboons and antelope. The African penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is always a delight and can be visited on foot or by kayak. Offshore is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his incarceration, where you can take a tour with one of the former political prisoners once held here. Possibly the most photogenic spot of all is the Bo-Kaap, the original Muslim settlement of Cape Town and an area famed for its quaint, colourful houses and cobbled streets. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a must-see for any plant lover. In season, look out for southern right whales, dolphins, sunfish and seals playing in the bay. To feel like a local, be sure to walk, cycle or run along the Sea Point Promenade. If you would like to hit up one of the beaches, look no further than Camp’s Bay, Clifton or Muizenberg.