Cape Town. Also the “Mother City”. The Second Most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg.
It is the legislative capital of South Africa. The Parliament of South Africa sits in Cape Town.
The city is known for its harbour, for its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point.
In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by both The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph.
One of the host cities of the tournaments of 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
It is on the shores of Table bay and the oldest urban center in South Africa.
Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in South Africa.
8 THINGS TO DO AND NOT TO DO IN CAPE TOWN CITY
- Don’t throw cigarettes out of car windows. Cape town’s dry conditions and strong winds make it favorable for wildfires. Do not take the risk.
- Don’t leave valuables unattended in cars. Avoid flashing out valuables such as jewelry and cash.
- Do not expect to catch the cable car mid-morning in summer without queuing. To avoid long lines, you can purchase tickets online ahead of time.
- You should not give cash to beggars in the main tourist areas. It’s best not to engage them extensively.
- Don’t accept help from anyone at the ATM and instead avoid using them in busy areas. Never seek help from people appearing nearby.
- Don’t walk around with an empty charge camera. Cape Town has very beautiful places that you would need to put into the record. Instead, charge your camera or invest in a power bank to keep your camera always on.
- Do not forget to try their food. Instead, make sure you enjoy five-star dining, try a trendy city eatery, or indulge in street food at a local market.
- Don’t speak quietly with each other. They will take it as gossiping. Cape Town people hate gossiping. Instead, you can try to speak louder to show that you have nothing to hide.
8 MOST INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CAPE TOWN
- Table Mountain is 1,860 meters high and it is estimated that every month at least two couples get engaged on top of Table Mountain.
- Back in the days, the Castle of Good Hope used to be on the coastline, hence the name ‘Strand Street’. Land reclamation to create Foreshore and the current harbor caused the coastline to move to the west.
- Cape Town is one of the youngest regions in the world. During the last national census, it turned out that almost half the population of the Western Cape is younger than 25 years old.
- Every year in December one of the biggest dressed-up parties takes place in Cape Town: the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP).
- Even though it’s one of the youngest languages in the world Afrikaans is the most spoken language in the Western Cape. Xhosa and English are the second and third languages.
- The world’s first heart transplant took place in Cape Town.
- The Cape of Good Hope used to be called the Cape of Storms.
- The ‘Cape Floral Kingdom’ is the smallest in the world (only 90,000 km2) but contains approximately 9,600 plants and flowers. 7,000 of them appear nowhere else in the world. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
History
Climate
Geography
8 MOST FAMOUS THINGS IN CAPETOWN
#1 - Table Mountain
A outing up this iconic landmark is surely really worth your time. The views are really impressive (though be warned that cloud cowl – known locally as the tablecloth – can swoop in very all at once and difficult to understand the panorama completely). There’s also a quick round taking walks route you can comply with whilst you’re up there.
#2 - Kirstenbosch
1,300 acres of botanical garden sloping down from Table Mountain through Cape Town’s leafy southern suburbs. The Tree Canopy Walkway (also recognized as ‘the Boomslang’, or tree snake) affords an expanded spot ideal for bird-watching and selfie-snapping. Don’t miss the Protea garden, devoted to South Africa’s countrywide flower.
#3 - Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art
The biggest collection of contemporary African artwork on the continent elements works from all over the diaspora. London-based architect Thomas Heatherwick outdid himself in converting an abandoned grain silo into 80 galleries.
#4 - Boulders Beach
A sandy stretch of shoreline on the Cape Peninsula with rocky outcrops and wild waves. Not so right for lounging on or swimming in, but makes for a brilliant coastal walk. The important draw is the colony of wild African penguins.
#5 - Robben Island
Nelson Mandela served most of his 27-year sentence in the jail here, along with hundreds of other political detainees. It’s now a UNESCO world heritage site.
The Robben Island Prison museum is a web site of essential – if horrific – historical importance. Just shy of 7km from the Cape Town coast, site visitors are welcome on pre-booked tours. Former inmates supply section of the tours, providing direct insight into what it was once virtually like during the hostilities towards apartheid.
#6 - Kalk Bay
This cutesy suburb has a colorful decision of retail outlets alongside its seafront which broadly speaking promotes things that you don’t exactly need, however without a doubt want. The café scene is also excellent, so it’s a leisurely area to spend an afternoon pottering around.
#7 - Norval Foundation
An understated art museum showcasing a personal household series in a stunning setting deep in the southern suburbs. Art enthusiasts will respect the permanent and temporary exhibitions, which have so far set the bar excessive by means of proposing some of South Africa’s best-known artists. The outdoor sculpture garden, set under the mountains, makes for a first-rate aimless ramble.
#8 - Lion’s Head
Headlights of hikers climbing Lion's head on the full moon. Hike, cycle, or pressure to the pinnacle of this peak with 360-degree views of the City Bowl and the bay. The sunsets are right here are phenomenal, and a preferred for locals and traffic alike. If you’re the kind whose preferred shop is Decathlon do additionally reflect consideration on including the route up Lion’s Head to your holiday plans.