Cape Town’s 5 Must-Visit Landmarks

Cape Town’s 5 Must-Visit Landmarks Written by Alex. Published on 13th July, 2018. Category: Travel Guides

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most popular and most loved destinations, and with good reason; the port city is blessed with a variety of must-see landmarks and iconic attractions. Situated on a peninsular beneath the majestic table Mountain and dotted by historic African and Dutch architecture and natural environments, Cape Town is an iconic city that is well worth the visit.

If you’re lucky enough to be on South Africa’s southwest coast or planning a trip there, here is our list of the top 5 landmarks in Cape Town:

1. Table Mountain

As mentioned above, it’s hard not to notice the imposing backdrop towers above Cape Town. Visitors here can catch breathtaking views of the city by taking one of the rotating cable cars that climb all the way to the mountains’ flat top.

There are free guided tours available at the summit of Table Mountain but visitors are also free to explore on their own. The sweeping 360 views here are best seen on a cloudless day.

2. Rhodes Memorial

Erected as a memorial to the British-born Cecil John Rhodes who spent most of his life enmeshed in South African politics, the Herbert Baker- designed monument is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions.

The memorial features the classical architecture that Rhodes was widely known to admire and is influenced by a Greek temple in Sicily. There are eight bronze lions that flank the installation’s 49 step staircase representing each of Rhodes’ years of life.

3. Robben Island

Whether you take business flights to Cape Town or are travelling there on a budget, Robben Island is a historically significant must-see that anyone in the city should visit.

Notoriously known as the location of the island prison that housed World statesman and former South African president Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is another of Cape Town’s top 5 landmarks. The living museum now situated there is serviced by regular boat trips to and from Cape Town’s busy harbour.

4. Cape of Good Hope

As one of the great capes of the South Atlantic Ocean, the Cape of Good Hope has long been of special significance to sailors, and where the two oceans, Indian and Atlantic meet.

Without question, a trip to Cape Point is probably one of the most awe inspiring vistas you’ll ever see. Bracing fresh air, blue skys, stunning ocean views, combined with an abundance of wildlife, which could include ostrich, zebra, baboons, mongooses, black eagles and even Peregrine Falcons!

Arrive early to avoid the tourist rush….

5. City Hall and the Houses of Parliament

The City Hall in Cape Town is notably famous for being the site of Nelson Mandela’s first public speech in 1990. The Hall is designed in an Edwardian style and was built using coloured limestone from Bath. The historic building now serves as a venue that hosts cultural events and concerts and is still in pristine condition.

Another unique Cape Town Landmark is the city’s Houses of Parliament, a building with an intriguing history and designed to reflect both neoclassical and Cape Dutch architecture.

The list above features the top 5 landmarks in Cape Town which are all must see attractions for visitors to the city. In addition, other landmarks such as Cape Town Stadium, Long Street, and its wine-lands are also worth a look, further proof of the area’s unmatched beauty and iconic landmarks that are its main draws.