5 Sightseeing Locations in Cape Town for Rich History and Stunning Landscapes

Cape Town, South Africa, is a city that is bursting with incredible sights and experiences. From its stunning natural landscapes to its vibrant cultural scene, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this South African gem.  If you’re travelling to Cape Town any time soon, then you should certainly take a look at all of the sightseeing locations so you have a list available for when you visit.

For first-timers to the city, there is a lot to do, so making sure you tick off everything is important. From the beautiful mountains to the beach walks, there’s a lot to take advantage of. Here are five sightseeing locations in Cape Town.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

On the slopes of Table Mountain, lies the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. It’s one of the best botanical gardens in the world, so if you’re into nature, you can’t miss out on this spot.

With over 7,000 species of plants from Southern Africa, you can spend the entire day here. From picnicking on the lawns to discovering all of the plant species home to Africa, you’ll soon find yourself spending hours within this garden.

Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay is a wonderful spot to explore and has a rich history that offers plenty of insight into the thriving fishing hub that this bay has become. Today, the harbour itself is still in use, so you’ll be able to see the fishermen in action as they bring in their catches on a daily basis.

The town is named after the white lime, mined from mussel shells and then used to make mortar which covers many of the buildings in the bay. If you’re looking at what to do in Kalk Bay, then there are plenty of helpful resources online.

V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is one of the most visited destinations in South Africa. It has around 24 million visitors a year, home to five shopping districts that will keep you busy for hours on end. From local designers to international brands, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to spend your money first.

If you’re parched from all that shopping or feeling a bit peckish, there are also plenty of coffee shops, restaurants and bars to dine in.

Robben Island

Robben Island is a renowned area of Cape Town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Symbolising the oppression of the Apartheid government, it was here that Nelson Mandela was a prisoner for 18 years of the 27 years he spent in prison.

The island’s history is one that needs seeing and is done so by many tourists who visit Cape Town time and time again.

Cape Point

With Cape Point, it’s a natural spot that is pretty spectacular when it comes to the views. Be sure to spend plenty of time at this place, to potentially see some baboons who inhabit this area. There are over 250 species of birds in this reserve too, so lots of wildlife to see!

Cape Town has some beautiful sights and is a bucket list spot for many tourists to flock to in 2024. Make sure you take advantage of this place if you’ve got the opportunity to travel to it soon.