Cape Town and the surrounding areas have long been ranked among South Africa’s top travel destinations.
The Western Cape boasts stunning beaches, lush forests, and a fantastic food and wine culture, to name but a few of its highlights, and, believe it or not, now there are even more reasons to make your way to the Mother City.
Cape Town is So Hot Right Now
Cape Town is even more extraordinary than usual at the moment, with unseasonal appearances by pods of breeding whales, some of the warmest weather in years, and a new film about Quin, a fearless seal from Seal Island that’s making a big splash on Netflix.
There’s so much to love about the western caperight now, it’s no wonder the area’s become a hotspot for remote workers, too with Cape Town being named a top destination for digital nomads who choose to workation in the Mother City.
The final cherry on the cake for Cape Town this year is the announcement that the city and four nearby towns ranked among the Tourism Sentiment Index’s top 100 Most Loved Destinations.
It’s no wonder every savvy traveller from locally and abroad is booking flights to Cape Town from Johannesburg at fever pitch.This is where they’re going and why you should head there too:
Knysna #19
Home of oysters and mysterious forest beasts, Knysna boasts an inimitable seaside vibe with the bonus of a splendid naturally forested backing.One of the best destinations in the Garden Route, a visit to Knysna is a holiday you will never forget.
The Knysna heads are a beacon for avid sailors and cruisers in the lovely lagoon alongside, while wonderful estuarine waterways beckon kayakers and canoeists to explore lovely expanses a little further inland.
This tranquil village has a long history as a fishing town, presenting a feast of seafood, dripping-fresh from the ocean. Friendly people, interesting sites, quaint shops, and seaside restaurants are some of the top highlights on offer in Knysna.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the Garden Route National Park, Steenbok Nature Reserve, and Knysna Elephant Park to see more of the areas famed fauna and flora as well as abundant birdlife.
If you prefer a more laid-back experience, you’ll find no shortage of luxurious spas for winding down, and three excellent golf courses, ideal for oceanside ambling.
Stellenbosch # 23
As a hub of the Western Cape winelands, this laid-back student town is awash with tourist attractions and local delights.
The area is home to over 100 wine estates as well as numerous places dishing up farm to table and organic foods. You’ll find some of the country’s best restaurants in town, as well as some unique eateries offering outstanding al fresco dining in a family- and pet-friendly environment.
As South Africa’s second-oldest town, Stellenbosch boasts a long, rich, history portrayed in interesting museums dotted throughout the town, but it’s most famous for its wonderful tranquil spaces filled with oak trees and green lawns.
Nature lovers and mountain bikers alike can take things up a notch with a visit to Jonkershoek nature reserve, while avid food and wine enthusiasts have so many ways to make their way around. You can choose to explore the winelands via scooter, Cobra, helicopter, tuk-tuk, Segway or customised tours.
Hermanus #41
Hailed as one of the best land-based whale-watching destinations worldwide, Hermanus is abuzz with action during the springtime, but it’s a wonderful place to enjoy any time of the year.
Quaint fishermen’s cottages filled with delights awaiting discovery line the streets of this peaceful town, where the whale crier interrupts your reverie every so often with news on the latest sightings. This colourful character communicates in a type of morse code that reveals the whales’ whereabouts, using a kelp horn.
Hermanus is also at the heart of an excellent wine route, where you’ll find no shortage of highly original wines unique to the area. If you prefer beer, head to one of the jovial local pubs where you’ll find refreshing craft beers on tap.
Naturally, seafood is top choice in this oceanside village, but you’ll also find eateries offering excellent Italian dining experiences, farm food, and fine dining. Everywhere you go, you’ll enjoy the welcoming hospitality so typical of the Cape coast.
Cape Town #54
No list of best destinations ever seems complete without mention of South Africa’s leading tourist magnet, the Mother City, herself.
There’s very little you can’t see or do in this vibrant, beautiful city, which is one of the country’s most culturally diverse and creatively inclined. Cape Town is world renowned as the culinary capital of South Africa, offering easy access to the winelands as well as the East and West Coast’s dining delights.
Whether your preference is to chill out and enjoy a relaxed time eating, drinking, and sunbathing, or an adrenaline junkie seeking an active vacation, Cape Town won’t disappoint.
You can shop till you drop in top boutiques, dance the night away at high-end nightclubs, or feed your mind at hundreds of museums, theaters, and galleries around the city.
With two oceans lapping its shores, Cape Town is the site of many seafaring activities including kayaking, sailing, cruises, and surfing. The true adrenaline-seeker can soar aloft on a hang-glider, hitch a ride on a helicopter, abseil down Table Mountain, or dive into the depths of the ocean in a steel cage to admire the sharks.
Cape Town has something to offer every kind of vacationer including families, groups, couples, and those who prefer to travel solo. It’s also a mountain bike haven for riders of all levels.
It’s convenient to get around using one of South Africa’s best public transport networks and easily accessible from Johannesburg, Durban, and numerous other international airports.
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International travel is still a hot topic for debate at the moment. The skies are open and the airlines are flying to and around South Africa,but it won’t be long before more flights are added to many more destinations.
If you’re lucky enough to live in South Africa, you’ll find no shortage of domestic flights into the Mother city.So, head there soon to enjoy the best time of the year in Cape Town before making your way out to any one, or all three of the other top 100 Most Loved Destinations.
The summers are long in South Africa and the Western Cape boasts an annual average of 3100 hours of sunshine, with the cooler weather only creeping in mid-to end April.If you can’t manage it this year, there’s always another summer on the horizon, so start planning now.
