For many people, Cape Town is the ultimate holiday destination; its history, culture, beautiful scenery and countless beaches, bars, shops and restaurants make it the ideal spot for almost every travel enthusiast, regardless of their particular interests. In this article, we take a look at a few of the city’s most popular attractions.
Boulders Beach is a well-known coastal spot, loved by both locals and tourists alike. As its name suggests, this beach is surrounded by large graphite boulders, which are not only a magnificent sight to behold, but are also very effective in providing visitors with shelter from any chilly breezes. This area is a lovely spot for swimming, sunbathing and surfing.
However, the reason for its popularity lies not in its aesthetics, but in the creatures which frequent its shores; namely, a colony of rare African Penguins. These birds first began to settle here 31 years ago, and have since become one of the main attractions of this beach. If you want to observe them at close range, then it’s best to take a stroll along the boardwalk by Foxy Beach.
If, like Tunde Folawiyo, you’re interested in sports, then we recommend a trip to Cape Town Stadium. This enormous venue is made up of three tiers, and can seat up to 55,000 spectators. It has been the host for eight of the 2010 World Cup matches, and has also been used as a venue for music concerts and other functions. A tour of the facilities will allow you to see the pitch up close, take a peek inside the backroom areas and learn more about the history and construction of the building itself.
For those who prefer history to sport, a trip to Rhodes Memorial is a must. As a regular visitor of this city, Tunde Folawiyo is no doubt familiar with this attraction. Built in honour of Cecil John Rhodes, who played a vital role in the development of the sub continent, this can be found at the foot of the city’s most famous hill, Devil’s Peak. The man who designed this structure, Sir Herbert Baker, is thought to have been inspired by a Greek temple in Segesta. It features 49 steps (representing Rhodes’ age when he died), which lead up to a monument made from series of granite pillars.
The structure itself is stunning, but the terrace on which it is placed also provides some truly spectacular views of the city; if you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, you’ll be treated to the sight of Cape Town’s vistas, as well as the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland mountains.