Overview
Cape Town sits at the southwestern tip of Africa, wrapped around the base of Table Mountain where the cold Atlantic meets the warmer waters of False Bay. It is South Africa's legislative capital and oldest city, known for dramatic scenery, fine beaches, and winelands just inland.
A Short History
The Dutch East India Company established a resupply station here in 1652, the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. The city grew under Dutch and then British rule, and in the 20th century became a focal point of the struggle against apartheid - Robben Island, visible offshore, held Nelson Mandela for much of his imprisonment.
What to See
Table Mountain
A flat-topped massif reached by a rotating cable car, often draped in cloud.
V&A Waterfront
A lively working harbor of shops, restaurants, and ferry departures.
Robben Island
The prison island, now a museum, where Mandela was held for 18 years.
Cape of Good Hope
Wild cliffs and fynbos at the peninsula's dramatic southern tip.
Plan your visit
Short on time? Follow our ready-made route through the best of Cape Town in a single day.