It’s that time of the year when everyone is making plans for the future and thinking about places to visit in 2018. One of the destinations that should definitely be included on your bucket list for 2018 is the amazing South Africa’s Cape Town. From colorful streets of Bo-Kaap and picturesque Kirstenbosch Gardens to dozens of wine estates, the Mother City offers plenty of magnificent attractions worth visiting.
1 Kirstenbosch Gardens
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A public garden with plenty of attractions, Kirstenbosch Gardens is one of Cape Town’s most popular tourist attractions. It houses its own floral kingdom with numerous plant species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Take the bridge that will take you above the tree canopies for spectacular Table Mountain views or pack a picnic and enjoy the nature. There is a great restaurant here at the Kirstenbosch Gardens that offers delicious South African specialties and International dishes.
2 Table Mountain
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Mother City’s most prominent landmark should be on every traveler’s bucket list. There are two ways to reach Table Mountain. You can go for a hike or take a cable car. In case you plan to hike, keep in mind that it will take you between 2 and 4 hours to reach the top of Table Mountain. The hiking trails are amazing and offer picturesque views of the city. The Cableway is an easier option and it takes around 5 minutes to reach the top. Make sure to check the weather before booking the tickets for this cable car.
3 Colorful Streets of Bo-Kaap
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A culturally diverse neighborhood close to Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap has residents whose roots come from India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, etc. The neighborhood is famous for its colored houses that attract hundreds of tourists daily who come here to take photographs. You can also sign up for a cooking class and learn how to make delicious meals by adding Asian flavors to your cooking. Make sure to visit the museum in Bo-Kaap that showcases the history of this picturesque and peaceful neighborhood in the Mother City.
4 Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
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Built in the 19th century when Prince Alfred tipped the first load of stone to start with the construction of the breakwater, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a historic harbor that is in every traveler’s itinerary or bucket list of places to visit while staying in Cape Town. Today, V&A Waterfront is packed with great restaurants, nightclubs, museums, and boutiques. Don’t forget to visit the famous Water Shed where you can buy authentic souvenirs made by local artisans.
5 Old Biscuit Mill
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Opened every Saturday until 2 PM, Old Biscuit Mill is a great food market where you will find everything from South American cuisine to Greek specialties. The options are endless here and cater to all tastes. For example, there is a place selling Spanish paella on one corner, while dim sum and sushi are sold on the other corner of the market. Besides mouth-watering food, there are local retailers and artisans selling souvenirs.
6 Wine Estates
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Did you know that Cape Town and the surrounding areas are home to more than 600 wine estates? If this isn’t enough to put the Mother City on your bucket list for 2018, I don’t know what is. Most of these wine estates offer tasting tours and food and wine pairing events. If you are feeling adventurous, there are places where you can pick your own grapes, stomp them, and produce your own wine. In case you didn’t know, Chardonnay from South Africa was named as the best in the world four years ago.
