Also known as South Africa’s Mother City, Cape Town is a large city with a complex history. Once home to the native Khoisan, Cape Town was settled in the 17th century when the Dutch used the city as a pit stop for ships sailing to the East Indies. After a turbulent history of slavery and apartheid, Cape Town has become a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty, history and multicultural offerings.
In the center of the city, you’ll find Table Mountain, so named for its flat, table-like appearance. You can reach Table Mountain by cable car and enjoy sweeping vistas of the city and beaches below. Within Cape Town, visitors can spend an afternoon window-shopping along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or stay up all night on Long Street, an energetic district reflecting Cape Town’s cultural diversity. Another popular district is Bo-Kaap, known for its brightly colored buildings and Malay community.
For a better glimpse into the diversity of Cape Town, check out the photo tour below.
(Main image: Jason Bagley used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
