Cape Town Vacation Travel Guide - Things To Do in Cape Town, South Africa - Trip Advisor & Booking
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00:00As one of the most European metropolises on the continent, Cape Town remains the pride of South Africa.
00:08It was South Africa's earliest effort at a modern metropolis when the Dutch East India Company founded it in 1652, giving it the nickname the Mother City.
00:19The Mother City is recognized for its pristine beaches, astounding biodiversity, amazing food and wine, and its vast range of experiences available.
00:28All these are centered on Table Mountain, which is regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the world.
00:34Cape Town is a mashup of traditions, overshadowed by the magnificent Table Mountain, which acts as a background to the entire city.
00:42Above all, the Mother City still remains one of the best tourist centers worldwide.
00:47Today, we'll show you what makes Cape Town such a wonderful place, and you can make the most of your visit with our travel guide.
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00:58We provide vacation travel guides for the most adventurous countries around the world.
01:03In this video, we'll be providing a travel guide for tourists planning to explore the wonderful city of Cape Town.
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01:17Without further ado, let's get started!
01:20The city of Cape Town has played a significant part in international trade for centuries due to its advantageous location near the southwest tip of Africa.
01:29It now serves as one of South Africa's three capitals, with over 3.5 million people living in the 950 square miles metro region.
01:38The location of the city is a rugged coastline under the shadow of Table Mountain National Park, which is still as beautiful as its troubled past.
01:47Cape Town, like the rest of South Africa, is still getting over the end of apartheid in 1994.
01:53Despite the fact that crime and corruption are still problems, this city helped host the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and so far, tourism has only increased.
02:03Its allure will become clear to you the moment you arrive, and you can opt for a month-long flat rental and a long list of must-see attractions.
02:12Cape Town is renowned for its natural and cultural features, from the heights of Table Mountain to the distinctive Cape Dutch architecture and glittering blue shoreline.
02:22The recognizable Table Mountain gives one of the most breathtaking backdrops to your view from anywhere in Cape Town.
02:29Your vacation remains incomplete without a trek or relaxing car cable ride to the summit, where the spectacular vistas are regarded as some of the best in Africa.
02:39As a person, Cape Town would be that Hollywood superstar that we all secretly wish we could be.
02:45The mother city is distinct from every other place in Africa.
02:48A sparkling metropolis set against one of the most stunning natural settings in the world, but Cape Town has more to offer than just attractive appearances.
02:57The city's sandy beaches, expansive vineyards, mouth-watering cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and of course, the magnificent Table Mountain will win you over.
03:07Initially, the city may have needed an international soccer tournament to attract attention, but now, Cape Town has made an impression on the entire world, and no level of buzzing vuvuzelas can dim its splendor.
03:20Cape Town culture
03:22Today, many historians concur that Table Mountain is to credit for Cape Town's foundation.
03:28After all, it was the mountain's freshwater waterways that initially drew European explorers to this location.
03:35Over the centuries, Table Mountain's waterways have been adequate to support a rising population in 1652 when Dutch colonial administrator Jean van Riebeeck built a dock to serve the Dutch East India Company.
03:48As a result, Cape Town was established as the first European settlement in South Africa.
03:54Over time, Cape Town expanded to include 25,000 slaves from places like Madagascar and Guinea in addition to thousands of European settlers.
04:04The indigenous populations who had earlier herded farm animals along the coasts were erased once the British took control of the territory at the end of the 18th century.
04:14They brought additional forced laborers from Ceylon, India, and the Philippines as well.
04:19In Cape Town, these various cultures are still alive, but blending hasn't always been simple.
04:26The effects of apartheid, which was a system of forced racial segregation and discrimination, are still felt today.
04:33Outside the city center, you'll find neighborhoods with impoverished shacks and struggling people.
04:39Drug addiction, disease, poverty, and crime all continue to be major societal issues.
04:45A visit to one of these nearby suburbs serves as a sobering reflection that Cape Town does indeed have a long way to go on the path to recovery, despite the fact that many tourists don't notice these problems there.
04:57You don't need to worry too much about safety in the center of Cape Town.
05:01In reality, the existence of so many diverse nationalities has helped tourists.
05:06There are many distinct languages spoken here, including many African languages, although a major percentage of the population speaks English.
05:16Cape Town's music and culinary scenes have been improved by the blending of lifestyle choices.
05:21Jazz is thriving here, and you can find restaurants that serve anything from Italian food to sushi.
05:28Things to do in Cape Town
05:30Take a free walking tour.
05:32A free walking tour is a great way to start your trip.
05:35It's the best way to meet people in the area and get a sense of how things work.
05:40You'll get an answer to any of your questions while seeing the major attractions and learning some history.
05:46Low-cost, free daily walking tours and walking excursions are available in Cape Town.
05:52The ideal approach to enjoying your vacation is by beginning your journey with a free walking tour.
05:58Enjoy the view from Table Mountain.
06:01The views from Table Mountain are the best in the city because it is more than 3,500 feet above sea level.
06:08One of the first activities you should never miss is riding the renowned cable car up the mountain.
06:14However, it is somewhat pricey at $22.
06:18The quickest trail up, if you like to hike, takes around two hours.
06:22Interestingly, you can get a 360-degree view of Cape Town, the port, the mountains, and the beaches from the summit.
06:30Drive Chapman's Peak to Cape Point
06:33Cape Point National Park is located just southwest of Cape Town beyond Chapman's Peak,
06:38from which you can see the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge at the Cape of Good Hope.
06:44Long walks, coastal birdlife, and the opportunity to observe the Fimbos,
06:49the world's smallest and richest floral kingdom, are all available in the National Park.
06:54The toll for using the road is $3, but it's well worth it for the beautiful journey.
07:00As the famed roadway snakes along the Table Mountain's sheer cliff wall, you will be completely mesmerized.
07:07Visit Robben Island
07:09Most importantly, a visit to Robben Island should be one of your priorities in this location.
07:15Especially the former political prison, the location where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in jail,
07:21which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
07:26You can get a better view by moving around the prison.
07:29Learning about the first black president of South Africa directly from those who knew him is both depressing and uplifting.
07:37So, you can decide to use the opportunity to hear their stories
07:41and sit in the exact same cells as the detainees who had struggled for their freedom.
07:46It's challenging to keep in mind that despite what the news may suggest,
07:50we've come a long way from just two decades ago while still considering the political persecution,
07:56victims who are still behind bars in various parts of the world.
08:00Explore Hout Bay
08:03On Saturdays and Sundays, vendors and skilled craftsmen from all over the city come to Hout's Bay Harbor Market to sell their wares.
08:11These vendors and artisans sell everything from fish stew to souvenirs, crafts, trinkets, and even mojitos in addition to live music.
08:21Almost whatever you desire is available at Hout Bay.
08:24You can travel to this location to go swimming with seals and simply follow the noises of the bustling market.
08:31Numerous seals and seabirds also reside in the water and harbor.
08:35Whales on their migratory routes can also be seen here between June and November.
08:40There are numerous dolphins, right whales, humpback whales, and bride's whales in this area.
08:46A whale watching tour will cost approximately $50 per individual.
08:51See Kirstenbosch Gardens
08:54If you are looking to enjoy amazing moments with your family, friends, and loved ones,
08:59then you need to travel to southern suburbs on a pleasant springtime day to see Kirstenbosch Gardens.
09:05The stunning botanical gardens, which are situated against table mountain slopes, are rightfully referred to as the most beautiful garden in Africa.
09:15Visitors to Kirstenbosch have the opportunity to experience the thimbos and various floral kingdoms that may be found all across Africa.
09:23The gardens, which cover more than 1,300 acres and include over 22,000 different plant species, were actually founded more than 300 years ago.
09:34The tree canopy walkway is a must-do since it has breathtaking vistas.
09:39This excursion was without a doubt one of our best and offered a much-needed break from the metropolis with an entrance fee of $5.
09:47Relax at Muesenberg Beach
09:50Additionally, there is a southern neighborhood of Cape Town called Muesenberg, which is well-known for boardwalk and surfing activities.
09:58From the city center, it's a 30-minute drive to the best place to learn how to surf.
10:03The relaxed area is a beach bum's paradise and exudes a strong, energizing, cosmopolitan spirit.
10:10A one-hour wetsuit class costs only $20 and is a terrific way to stay active while traveling.
10:16If surfing isn't your style, there are numerous cultural activities and yoga studios in the area.
10:22After attempting a free yoga session, you can enjoy a healthy sandwich and a smoothie on the beach.
10:28Don't forget to take pictures of the well-known multicolored beach stalls.
10:32Best Time to Travel
10:35Now, it is okay to be concerned about the best time to travel to Cape Town.
10:40Many tourists prefer traveling around March to May and September to November.
10:45These off-peak times provide great weather, fewer visitors, and cheaper rates for vacation seekers.
10:51It's crucial to keep in mind that the seasons are reversed while making travel plans.
10:55Either way, South Africa's summertime aligns with America's wintertime and vice versa.
11:01Nevertheless, the most desirable season to travel to Cape Town is in the summer.
11:06Most of the time, hotels and attractions are packed with visitors.
11:11Conversely, the mother city empties out between June and August as a result of the frigid temperatures and frequent downpours that discourage tourists from visiting.
11:20Cape Town is considerably cheaper when compared to other major cities around the world.
11:25The cheapest hostels and apartments to lodge in are present in Cape Town.
11:30Buses are incredibly inexpensive, and unless you are eating at a fancy restaurant, a nice meal should only set you back a few dollars.
11:38Above all, there is virtually no reason to wonder why Cape Town is so popular.
11:43Almost everything is available in the city, including pristine beaches, top-notch cuisine, mountains, animals, history, culture, wine, and adventure sports.
11:55Plan a trip to this amazing location, and you will be left nothing short of enamored.
12:01That sums up our travel guide for adventure in the city of Cape Town.
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