Cape Town

Cape Town

ZA
Population3,740,026
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. Cape Town is the country's second-largest city by population, after Johannesburg, and the largest city in the Western Cape. The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. The city is known for its harbour, its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by The New York Times, and was similarly ranked number one by The Daily Telegraph in both 2016 and 2023. Located on the shore of Table Bay, the City Bowl area of Cape Town, which contains its central business district (CBD), is the oldest urban area in the Western Cape, with a significant cultural heritage. It was founded by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the VOC Cape Colony, the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in southern Africa. The metropolitan area has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, which includes False Bay, and extends to the Hottentots Holland Mountains to the east. The Table Mountain National Park is within the city boundaries and there are several other nature reserves and marine-protected areas within, and adjacent to, the city, protecting the diverse terrestrial and marine natural environment.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch is a botanical garden nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. The garden is one …

Irma Stern Museum

Irma Stern Museum

Rust en Vreugd

Rust en Vreugd

Rust en Vreugd (meaning Rest and Joy), is a historic house and garden, located on Buitekant Street at the edge …

Koopmans-de Wet House

Koopmans-de Wet House

Koopmans-de Wet House (locally KOORP-munz də VET) is a former residence and current museum in Strand Street, Cape Town, South …

South African Sendinggestig Museum

South African Sendinggestig Museum

The South African Sendinggestig Museum (also known as the South African Slave Church Museum) was established in 1977 and is …

Old Town House Museum

Old Town House Museum

Bo-Kaap Museum

Bo-Kaap Museum

Tree Canopy Walkway

Tree Canopy Walkway

District Six Museum

District Six Museum

District Six Museum is a museum in the former inner-city residential area and, District Six, in Cape Town, South Africa …

South African Jewish Museum

South African Jewish Museum

The South African Jewish Museum is a museum of South African Jewish life, history and identity. The museum is situated …

National Council of Provinces

National Council of Provinces

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is the upper house of the Parliament of South Africa under the post-apartheid constitution …

Groote Schuur

Groote Schuur

Groote Schuur (pronounced [ˈɣroːtə ˈsxyːr]; Dutch for 'big shed') is an estate in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1657, the …

Iziko Slave Lodge

Iziko Slave Lodge

The Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, South Africa, with a history spanning more than …

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public non-profit museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Zeitz MOCAA …

Waterworks Museum

Waterworks Museum

The Waterworks Museum is located on the northern side of Table Mountain, between the Woodhead and Hely-Hutchinson Reservoirs, in Cape …

Iziko South African Museum

Iziko South African Museum

The Iziko South African Museum, formerly the South African Museum (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Museum), is a South African national museum located …

Noon Gun

Noon Gun

The Noon Gun has been a historic time signal in Cape Town, South Africa, since 1806. It consists of a …

Heart of Cape Town Museum

Heart of Cape Town Museum

The Heart of Cape Town Museum is a museum complex in the Observatory suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It …

Cape Medical Museum

Cape Medical Museum

The Cape Medical Museum is situated in the Old City Hospital Complex in Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa. Its …

Chavonnes Battery Museum

Chavonnes Battery Museum

The Chavonnes Battery was a fortification protecting Cape Town, South Africa, built in the early 18th century. It is now …

Begin Your Journey

Create a personalized itinerary and unlock the finest experiences Cape Town has to offer

Plan Your Trip