5 things you absolutely have to do in Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa is not only one of the most populous countries in the world, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And its capital city, Cape Town, is at the heart of everything that draws travelers in.

Founded in the mid-1600s, Cape Town has grown to become a key destination in the region. It’s a city that’s not without its problems which impact locals and tourists alike. But it’s still a place that’s worth traveling to as long as you plan accordingly.

Experience the inner city

The Central Business District of Cape Town has gone through a dramatic change over the past 20 years. What was a ghost town at night has become a thriving center of restaurants, shops, and high-rise buildings of permanent residents.

There are, of course, issues that come along with any gentrification process, some of which have proven to be detrimental to the local populace. At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the allure of this area to tourists.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art

Located at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art is a prime destination for art lovers from around the world. It’s only been open since 2017, making it relatively new to the scene but no less intriguing.

The Zeitz Museum has become renowned for its collection of contemporary art from Africa and African artists from around the world. Additionally, the building itself is interesting as it’s a reclaimed historic grain silo that was built in 1921.

Hit Cape Town’s beaches

Cape Town rests on the southern tip of Africa, right on the coast of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. It also wraps around False Bay. The nice thing about this location is the combination of incredible weather and an almost ludicrous number of amazing beaches to choose from.

There are beaches for people who want to surf and people who want to play in the waves. If you like wildlife, there are beaches where penguins regularly hang out and whale spotting is the norm at the right time of year. Decide on your priority and go from there.

Stop by Neighbourgoods Market

Saturdays are for chilling out and enjoying everything Cape Town has to offer. A great place to get a real sense of that is the delightfully named Neighbourgoods Market. Open 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM every Saturday, it’s definitely a spot to add to your list.

This is the place to find an incredible variety of primarily locally sourced produce and products. On top of that, there is an impossible selection of street food vendors located there. If you want local fare, you’ll find it. If you want something else entirely, you’ll find it.

Sample the vibrant local wines

South Africa is well known for the high-quality wines the region produces and exports to the rest of the world.  And that is doubly true in the immediate area around Cape Town. There are several marvelous wineries all near the city, waiting to be explored.

Naturally, you can sample the best this industry has to offer at any number of Cape Town restaurants. At the same time, there’s nothing quite like heading to the winery itself and sampling its wares right at the source.