Out’s annual eagerly awaited ‘Best Cities in the World’ list has just been announced … and Cape Town has taken the number one spot! The coveted title of Best City in the World 2025 is well deserved and we couldn’t be prouder!
The survey’s questions covered everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and overall city vibe. Facing fierce competition from the likes of Bangkok (#2), The Big Apple (#3), Melbourne (#4) and London (#5) Cape Town’s rise to #1 comes as no surprise to us. Where else can you hang out with a colony of African penguins, taste world-class wines, stroll Blue Flag beaches, enjoy views from one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and visit some of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, historic sites and cultural hubs? If you are planning to visit, these are the must-see attractions to add to your itinerary.
No trip to Cape Town would be complete without visiting the most popular tourist hot spots, and as Table Mountain is the city’s most iconic symbol your trip should definitely start here. You’ve got two choices to get up Table Mountain: hike or take the cable car, either way when you get to the top you will be rewarded with stunning 360° views of the city. Acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is another epic attraction to visit. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting, set against the backdrop of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. To soak up the cosmopolitan city vibes you’ll need to experience the V&A Waterfront. Located in the heart of the city between the mountain and the sea, this spectacular location offers a unique variety of upscale dining, shopping and entertainment options.
With spectacular mountain views, picture-perfect azure waters and beachfronts boasting tidal pools, marble boulders and dazzling sunsets, Cape Town is famous for its blue flag beaches. Experiencing beach life here is one of the city’s favourite pastimes and no matter where you lay your towel there is an idyllic stretch of sand and sea for every type of beachgoer. Camps Bay is usually the most popular thanks to its cleanliness, charm, and easy access to bars and restaurants (perfect for cocktails as the sun sets). Thanks to its warmer waters and big waves Muizenberg beach is a surfing hotspot but is also family-friendly with a laid-back atmosphere. Boulders Beach is one the city’s most famous coastal spots where you can swim with the resident colony of African penguins and if you’re not a fan of sharing a beach with the crowds, head to Noordhoek Beach which offers a vast and quiet swathe of sandy shoreline along the picturesque Atlantic Coast below Chapman’s Peak.
Cape Town is a dream destination for wildlife lovers with a variety of animals in and around the city due to its proximity to the mountains, oceans and forests. African penguins are perhaps the city’s most famous attractions among tourists and can be seen at Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town. Cape fur seals are one of the most curious and playful mammals, particularly when they are in the water and can be seen at any of Cape Town’s harbours such as the V&A Waterfront, Hout Bay, or Kalk Bay. The waters surrounding the Cape are also teeming with wildlife, but none as infamous as the powerful great white shark. If you’re feeling brave you can get up close to them on a shark cage diving expedition, which usually take place in Gansbaai. One of the highlights of any visit to Cape Town is whale watching, and there are a number of incredible spots where you can see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat like False Bay, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Simons Town, and Cape Point. While there are no Big 5 game reserves in Cape Town City or the greater Cape Town area, the top four game reserves for Big 5 safaris (near the city) are Aquila Game Reserve, Inverdoorn Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Mont Eco Private Game Reserve. These Big 5 safari destinations are all under 3 hours’ drive from Cape Town.
If you are looking to indulge in the Cape’s culinary delights this city will not disappoint, a walking tour led by a knowledgeable guide is a great way to do a deep dive into the city’s rich culinary culture and includes nine food and drink tastings in the Bo-Kaap and Cape Town centres. To sample an array of local and international dishes, Cape Town’s bustling weekend markets are a treasure trove of local flavours. Here you can also pick up everything from artisanal breads and fresh produce to gourmet street food and handmade desserts. If you’re a wine lover you are in for a treat as many wine estates in the picture-perfect winelands offer a surprising range of unique food and wine pairing experiences Tantalise your tastebuds with wine and sorbet, wine and cake, wine and chocolate, wine and nougat or wine and candyfloss. These delightful pairings are designed to bring out the best in these estate’s wines. One of the best ways to explore Stellenbosch’s renowned wine region is to hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, simply choose your wine tram line, hop on board, and indulge in wine tastings at each estate along the route and enjoy a perfect day of sipping, sightseeing and scenic views. For fans of fresh seafood, Die Strandloper Seafood Boma offers a rustic 10-course seafood feast right on the beach in Langebaan.
Robben Island is most famous for being the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before the fall of apartheid. The island actually has a rich 500-year-old multi-layered history, and if you’re a history buff a tour of the island is a great way to understand and honour the important aspects of South Africa’s history. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island which depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. For culture vultures, the Bo-Kaap is an area of Cape Town, formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former racially segregated area, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. The Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobblestoned streets and the best way to explore the neighbourhood is by foot where you can delight in the delicious Cape Malay cooking style, marvel at the Islamic “kramats” (shrines) and mosques and discover the local food and craft markets. If you’re an art lover, Zeitz MOCAA is the largest contemporary museum for African art which is housed in an important historical landmark—the old grain silo at the V&A Waterfront. The museum is dedicated to researching, collecting, and exhibiting African art, and houses an impressive collection of work from all over the continent. The exhibition space covers 6,000 square meters over nine floors, with 100 gallery spaces. In other words, set aside at least a full day to visit!
With a warm Mediterranean climate, staggering scenic beauty, varied wildlife, idyllic beaches, and award-winning wine and food it’s no surprise South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. If you are tempted to put Cape Town on your bucket list, get in touch with us. We can design the trip that is exactly right for you, offer expert travel advice, and manage all the bookings and logistics.
Curious? Call UK 01233 80 27 27 or visit our website www.bestofsouthafricatravel.co.uk
My wife and I have just returned from a three week tour
My wife and I have just returned from a three week tour in South Africa arranged by Best of South Africa Travel. From the very first contact with Ash we felt reassured that the service we would get would be according to our needs. We were not disappointed. She organised an itinerary that covered all we wanted to experience, and …
