Cape Town

Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are two of the most famous and popular tourist spots in Cape Town. There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the most southern tip of Africa, which is not true, as in fact Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point. Both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are sections of the Table Mountain National Park, where you can see cape lions, spotted hyenas, jackals, elephants and zebras.

The former prison island, located 11 km off the coast of Cape Town, is now a World Heritage Site and an evocative virtual shrine to its most famous prisoner, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela. This is where he spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Take an insightful journey through South Africa's difficult past on a tour of Robben Island. Hear stories from a former prisoner on the island as you explore this tangible symbol of political freedom and a reminder of the tough road to South African democracy.

The view of the city and its surroundings from the top of Cape Town’s biggest landmark, the 1,086 m (3,563 ft) Table Mountain, is stupendous. The revolving cablecar that takes you up gives you a great view in all directions. Once up there you can check out the telescopes or sit down for a drink or a meal and just take in the spectacular view.

Sharks and thousands of other marine creatures from the seas off South Africa’s coasts swim in the huge glass tanks of this excellent aquarium. This aquarium showcases the Marine life of the Indian Ocean as well as the Atlantic Ocean, hence the name.

Camps Bay is a prestigious area and one of Cape Town's most popular beaches. The area houses a number of fantastic restaurants, hotels, sports clubs and entertainment venues, as well as the white sandy beaches and blue waters that keep people coming back for more.

This evocative and moving museum commemorates the more than 60,000 non-white inhabitants of District Six who were expelled from this once multi-ethnic neighbourhood when it was declared a ‘whites only’ zone in the 1960s by the Apartheid government. It tells the stories of the forced removals and aims to help reconstruct the community of District Six.

The Koopmans-de Wet House is pretty 18th century townhouse decorated and furnished as it would have been in the 18th and 19th centuries, including an impressive collection of ceramics and offering a glimpse into the gracious life of colonial Cape Town. The Koopmans-de Wet family, who originally owned the house, was known for helping orphans and widows in the community.

This excellent museum in the colourful Bo Kaap district (formerly the city's Malay quarter) traces the history of Cape Town’s Islamic culture and heritage. The museum is furnished and decorated to depict the lifestyle of a 19th-century Muslim family.