Cape Town is a hugely popular tourist destination, beloved by many travellers, including Tunde Folawiyo. Vibrant and culturally diverse, it is home to a wealth of gourmet restaurants, historical sites, natural attractions and free outdoor entertainment. Here, we share just a few of our favourite places to visit in this sunny South African city.
Cape Point Nature Reserve is undoubtedly one of the area’s most scenic spots, and is a must-see for anyone who appreciates beautiful flora and fauna. Lying within the Table Mountain National Park, it spans over 7750 hectares, and has been named as a National World Heritage Site. Nature enthusiasts will adore this attraction, as it is home to hundreds of bird species, as well as baboons, zebras and an abundance of other fascinating creatures. There are multiple hiking trails which stretch along the coastlines; for those who want a physically challenging trek, the trails along False Bay are best, whilst those who want to take a gentle stroll are better off heading to the Atlantic side.
Cape Point, from which the reserve derives its name, is undoubtedly one of the most popular spots in the entire reserve. It can be reached from the car park relatively quickly, although it’s worth noting that the incline is quite steep and so may not be suitable for those with low levels of fitness. In such cases, it may be better to take the cable railway. The views, once you reach the top, are breathtaking; you’ll be able to take in Dias beach, the rugged cliffs and both of the peninsula coastlines.
If you’re more interested in art and culture than in nature, then you might want to visit the South African National Gallery, which is housed inside of the Company’s Garden. Anyone that enjoys travelling like Tunde Folawiyo, has visited this city, will be familiar with this building. Founded during the late 19th century, with the help of a donation from Sir Thomas Butterworth Bayley, it houses a whole host of beautiful artwork created by Flemish, Dutch, French, British and African artists.
Whilst many of the pieces date back to the colonial era, there are a number of modern works kept here as well. If you pay a visit to this gallery, you can expect to see permanent displays of textiles, sculpture, paintings and photographs, as well as temporary exhibitions of other artwork. Although this gallery has struggled to retain its sources of funding over the years, it remains one of South Africa’s most respected art museums, and is a wonderful place to learn more about this country’s turbulent but fascinating history.