Africa for Beginners: Cape Town

One of the most vibrant and lively tourism spots in South Africa is Cape Town. Cape Town is a tourism paradise in itself. However, besides that, it is a city that mesmerizes visitors with its unique culture, natural landscapes, and activities. Since Cape Town was a colonial region in the past, it's possible to see many different cultures here. With its beaches, botanical gardens, mountains, and slopes, it promises unforgettable moments for holidaymakers. Here are some important things you need to know about Cape Town that we've prepared for you.

How to Get to Cape Town?

Since there are no direct flights to Cape Town from our country, it is possible to land in the city with a connecting flight. You can reach Cape Town with connecting flights via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt. Additionally, Cape Town has exempted Turkish Republic citizens from visas for up to 90 days. Therefore, it is possible to travel to Cape Town without a visa when the necessary conditions are met.

When is the Best Time to Go to Cape Town?

You can choose the months of November to March when warm and sunny weather prevails to go to Cape Town. If you prefer a milder climate, the best months are April to May. If you plan to climb steep places like Table Mountain, you may struggle during the winter when there is heavy snow. Therefore, it would be best to prefer summer or spring months.

What to See and Do in Cape Town?

Visit Natural and Cultural Sites

In Cape Town, one of South Africa's busiest cities in terms of tourism, you can witness impressive natural landscapes. The first of these is Table Mountain, offering a summit and a breathtaking view you haven't seen anywhere else. Table Mountain is especially a favorite of trekking enthusiasts. Here, you can rock climb, trek, and camp. Another interesting point of Cape Town is Devil's Peak. Cycling is also possible in this area, which is a favorite route for trekking enthusiasts.

DFor those who want to swim, it should be noted that there are beautiful beaches in the city. Clifton Beach, consisting of 4 white sands, is one of the ideal places for swimming and sunbathing. At Camps Bay, another popular beach in the city, it is possible to do various water sports. Boulders Beach, where you can see African penguins in their natural habitats, is a unique place that is almost impossible to find later for taking photographs. In addition to these, we recommend adding Cape Peninsula, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch, and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens to your travel list.

Join the Activities

If you're into adventure, Cape Town offers various activities that might suit your taste. First off, there's surfing and kitesurfing. If you love surfing, you must visit Camps Bay and Muizenberg beaches. It's worth noting that these beaches attract many tourists, especially for surfing. If you're up for exploring both natural and urban areas of Cape Town by bike, you can rent bikes from various rental places and tour different parts of the city. Cape Town is extremely ideal and enjoyable for biking around.

Another tourist attraction in Cape Town is the famous wine tasting tours. You can taste wines with different aromas on these tours and purchase your favorites. Wines produced from vineyards in this region are distributed worldwide, making it quite renowned for wine production. Another exciting activity you can do in the city is whale watching. It's possible to see whales between June and November every year. Cape Town is also a great place to explore the underwater world. Diving or snorkeling tours are conducted in many spots, allowing you to embark on an exciting underwater journey.

If you want to discover both the natural and cultural beauties of Cape Town, you can join various tours. For example, the Robben Island Tour is one of the most popular tours among tourists. By exploring this island with a guide, you can learn more about South Africa's history. If you're thinking of buying some souvenirs while in Cape Town, then you must visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area. This area is filled with numerous shops and stores where you can find countless souvenirs. Additionally, restaurants, bars, and cafes are mostly located in this area. If you enjoy visiting museums, you can explore the Iziko South African National Museum or the District Six Museum to discover the country's rich history and culture.

Explore the Cuisine

Since the city has been influenced by various cultures over time, its food culture has also developed accordingly. In Cape Town, you can try both traditional South African dishes and selections from international cuisines. Restaurants and cafes offer options suitable for almost every palate. You can try Bobotie made from lamb, Samoosas which are one of the specialties of Indian cuisine, and Yellow Rice (Sarı Pilav) colored with turmeric and enriched with spices. Alongside these flavors, you can taste different street food items such as Gatsby, Bunny Chow, and Vetkoek, which are important parts of street food culture.