Travelling from Southeast Asian countries can take around 15 to 20 hours, with additional time when transiting through Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg, or Singapore Changi Airport. Touring South Africa can be expensive, but the experience is worth it.
Among South Africa’s top destinations, Cape Town stands out. From well-known landmarks to natural scenery, Cape Town offers a range of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. The city’s top sites (TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA) and must-visit places provide lasting experiences. Whether through sightseeing tours, exploring cultural landmarks, or discovering natural wonders, the top attractions in Cape Town are worth seeing.
One of the must-visit sights in Cape Town is Signal Hill. Rising 350 meters above the city, this flat-topped landmark connects Kloof Nek to Lion’s Head and is part of Table Mountain National Park. It begins with a slow drive up the hill along a paved, winding road from the city side, either near Kloof Nek or Sea Point, gradually reaching the summit.
Stopping along the way, where permitted, provides spectacular panoramic views of Cape Town. From the top, the city unfolds against the backdrop of Table Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and Robben Island, revealing Cape Town’s natural beauty (NOBORIBETSU HOKKAIDO THINGS TO DO).
Signal Hill has
historical significance as a lookout for incoming ships, and the iconic Noon
Gun, fired daily since 1806, remains a living reminder of Cape Town’s maritime
past. The hill also preserves the rare Peninsula Shale Renosterveld, a unique
vegetation type that has nearly disappeared elsewhere in the city.
From Signal
Hill, Robben Island is clearly visible. Located about 12 kilometers off the
coast in Table Bay, it is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27
years in captivity during apartheid. The island, which also held other
political prisoners, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum, preserving
South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
The Cape Town
Stadium can also be seen from the hill. Located in Green Point near the city
center, this stadium was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and continues to
host international football matches, concerts, and other major events. Its
modern design and location along the Atlantic coastline make Cape Town
International Stadium a prominent landmark from Signal Hill.
Signal Hill is also home to several Muslim shrines, including the shrine of Sheikh Mohamed Hassen Ghaibie, reflecting the multicultural heritage of Cape Town. There are also options ranging from hiking trails to paragliding from the summit, as nature activities in Cape Town.
Bo-Kaap (Malay
Quarter), Cape Town
Formerly known
as the Malay Quarter, Bo-Kaap is a historic neighborhood located on the slopes
of Signal Hill, just above Cape Town’s city center. It is visited after Signal
Hill, typically as a 15-minute stop to step out of the car or tour bus and view
its steep cobbled streets lined with brightly colored houses. Most tours
include Bo-Kaap, as it is one of the most visually distinctive neighborhoods in
Cape Town.
Bo-Kaap was
established in the mid-18th century and was originally home to enslaved Muslims
brought to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. After the abolition of
slavery in 1834, freed slaves settled in the area, making Bo-Kaap a center for
Islamic culture and Cape Malay heritage. The Auwal Mosque, built in 1794, is
the oldest mosque in South Africa and remains an important place of worship in
the neighborhood.
Entering the
brightly painted houses is not allowed, partly due to challenges from the
influx of visitors and to respect the needs and rights of the local community.
The
neighborhood also contains the largest concentration of pre-1850 architecture
in South Africa, preserving its historical character amid modern developments.
Bo-Kaap is home to several mosques and kramats (Islamic shrines), reflecting
its deep-rooted Islamic heritage. The Bo-Kaap Museum, located in one of the
oldest buildings, showcases the lifestyle of a 19th-century Muslim family and
the cultural contributions of early Muslim settlers. Bo-Kaap remains an
important example of Cape Town’s cultural heritage.
Castle of Good
Hope, Cape Town
The Castle of
Good Hope is located in the center of Cape Town, at the corner of Castle and
Darling Streets. It is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa
and a prime example of Dutch East India Company (VOC) architecture, built
between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company.
Originally
constructed as a maritime replenishment station and military stronghold, the
Castle served as the center of civilian, political, and military life at the
Cape from around 1679. Its pentagonal shape and five bastions - Leerdam,
Buuren, Katzenellenbogen, Nassau, and Oranje, are distinctive features of its
design.
The Castle
houses several museums, including the Castle Military Museum and the William
Fehr Collection, which showcase period paintings and antique Cape furniture.
The daily Key Ceremony, held Monday to Friday, replicates the ceremonial
unlocking of the Castle.
Even after
closing time (09:00 to 16:00), the Castle of Good Hope can still be viewed from
outside, highlighting its historic architecture and prominent location in Cape
Town.
Cape Town City
Tour
An unrushed
city tour is a convenient way to get around Cape Town. A two-hour drive gives
enough time for knowing about the daily life in the city, including traffic,
street food, local routines, and key landmarks.
Along the
coastline, the Sea Point Promenade is a long stretch along the Atlantic Ocean,
connecting Mouille Point to Bantry Bay. In the evening, it is used for
recreational activities like jogging, cycling, or simply sitting on benches to
watch the sea and sunset.
A drive through
hillside neighborhoods such as Fresnaye, Oranjezicht, and the Bantry Bay slopes
is about glimpsing the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Large modern houses,
some facing the ocean, are owned or resided in by top Hollywood celebrities and
internationally known royal families.
In the heart of
the city, the drive passes government buildings, which are the landmarks in
Cape Town. Among them is Cape Town City Hall, a historical landmark reflecting
early 20th-century architecture. The Cape Town city tour is ideal for the time
factor and for comfort, allowing travelers to sit back and be driven around
while viewing Cape Town’s nature, peak-hour busyness, and how the city quiets
down when night falls.
