Category: Sights

Located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in the world. Often mistakenly thought to be the southernmost point of Africa, it marks the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is famous for its rugged beauty, dramatic cliffs, and diverse wildlife. The cape is part of the Table Mountain National Park and attracts visitors for both its natural splendor and its historical role as a navigational landmark for sailors during the Age of Exploration.

The Company’s Garden in Cape Town is a historic public park located in the heart of the city, originally established in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company as a supply garden to provide fresh produce to passing ships on their voyages to the East. Over the centuries, the garden has evolved into a lush, green space surrounded by significant cultural and historical landmarks, including the South African Museum, National Gallery, and the parliament buildings.

Table Mountain, one of the most iconic landmarks in South Africa, stands proudly above Cape Town, offering breathtaking views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding Cape Peninsula. The mountain, which rises to an elevation of 1,085 meters, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Table Mountain National Park. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking, but one of the most popular ways to reach the summit is via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, a modern cable car system that has been transporting tourists to the top since 1929.

Robben Island, located off the coast of Cape Town, has a long and significant history, dating back to the 17th century when it was initially used by the Dutch as a place of exile and quarantine for the indigenous Khoikhoi people. Over the centuries, the island served various purposes, including as a prison, a leper colony, and even a military base. However, it is most renowned for its role during apartheid, when it became a symbol of the brutality and injustice of the regime. During this period, the island was used by the South African government as a high-security prison to house political prisoners, particularly those who opposed apartheid. The harsh conditions and isolation of Robben Island made it a place of suffering, but also of resistance and resilience for the many prisoners who were sent there.

Cape Town is a city at the sea or better said near the point where two oceans meet: the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. For sure a city like this needs an aquarium and here it is – the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It was opened in 1995 and shows 300 fish species in 30 tanks plus penguins and seals. You can find all the inhabitants of the seas here, from jelly fish, klipfish, moray eels and anemonefish to sea horses.

A place that tourists visit frequently at Cape Town is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (or short V&A Waterfront) – the area around the harbor of the city. It is named after Queen Victoria of England and her son Alfred who laid the foundation for the wave breaker in front of the harbor. The area is fascinating as it consists of the still active harbor, wharfs where ships are repaid as well as a very touristy section with bars, restaurants and a vast shopping mall.