CAPE TOWN’S BEST TWO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS

With so many activities to do and attractions to visit in Cape Town, you might have a difficult decision to make on which activities to do and attractions to visit during your visit. However, if you want to learn about South Africa’s political history and have the city’s best views, I would highly suggest visiting the World Heritage Site, Robben Island, and one of the seven wonders of nature, Table Mountain.

ROBBEN ISLAND – HERITAGE SITE

Robben Island has a rich history and is one of the few places in South Africa that bears the sheer historical importance of our country. A trip to this former prison serves as a reminder of South Africa’s troubled political past. Robben Island offers a fascinating insight into the reconciliation and resilience that played a key role in the development of a new South Africa.

Just a 12km (7.5 miles) ferry trip from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, this World Heritage site stands as a constant reminder of South Africa’s turbulent political past and inspiring testament to the triumph of the human spirit. Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of legends while learning more about the powerful legacy of Robben Island from a former inmate who will guide you while on the island. You will also have the opportunity to visit the former president, Nelson Mandela’s prison cell and tour the maximum-security prison.

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION AND HIGHLIGHTS

1. A guided bus tour around Robben Island.
2. A return ferry trip from V&A Waterfront to Robben Island.
3. The ferries leave at 09:00 am, 11:00 am, 13:00 pm, and 15:00 pm, weather permitting.
4. The standard tour to Robben Island is 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides.
5. A visit to the Robben Island maximum-security prison and interaction with an ex-political prisoner.

HOW TO GET TO ROBBEN ISLAND

Robben Island is accessed only by ferries that depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The ferries leave at 09:00 am, 11:00 am, 13:00 pm, and 15:00 pm, weather permitting. The ferry ride is half an hour each way. Book your tour ticket here.

ROBBEN ISLAND TOUR RATES AND TICKETS

1. Adults with South African ID: R400.00
2. Children with South African ID: R210.00 (children under the age of 18)
3. Adults (SADC): R600.00
4. Children (SADC): R310.00 (children under the age of 18)
5. For international visitors, click here for rates and to book your tickets online.

TABLE MOUNTAIN – WONDER OF NATURE

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront, and Table Bay. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway to the top. Table Mountain is one of the 7 Wonders of Nature and gained natural park status in 1998. In 2004, the Cape Floristic Region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the top will leave you breathless and excited to return. This is the reason why approximately 1 million people use the Aerial Cableway to go to the top of Table Mountain every year.

ABOUT THE TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY

Since 4^th October 1929, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has been providing visitors with a world-class Cableway experience when accessing the top of Table Mountain. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company operates in a National Park and World Heritage Site. The cableway offers visitors a unique experience when making their way up Table Mountain.

Aerial Cableway is a small circular and enclosed state-of-the-art cable car complete with a gradually rotating floor to give you 360-degree views of Cape Town and Table Bay. This incredible 5-minute ride to the top comes within metres of the sheer cliff face below the upper Cableway station.

At the top, explore the mountain at your own pace and look out for the vast array of fauna and flora – from the thousands of indigenous plant species to snakes, lizards, mongooses, numerous birds, and the popular rock hyrax also known as dassie.

FACILITIES AND THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY

1. Free Wi-Fi connectivity.
2. Lifts are available for visitors with disabilities
3. In bad weather, the Cableway may be closed.
4. Table Mountain is an official New 7 Wonder of Nature.
5. Annual maintenance shutdown from July to September.
6. Restaurants are available at both lower and upper stations.
7. First up 08:30 am, last up 17:00 pm, and last down 18:00 pm.
8. For your convenience, there are four retail outlets stocking a great selection of merchandise from affordable goodies to luxury items.
9. The Cableway is generally quieter in the afternoon, so you are encouraged to buy an afternoon ticket, which is valid from 13:00 onwards. A late afternoon ticket also means that you will most likely catch a glimpse of the sun setting over Mother City and Camps Bay from the top.

Book your ticket here.

GETTING TO TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY

The lower Cableway station is situated on Tafelberg Road, just a 10-minute drive from Cape Town city centre. There are several quick and easy ways to reach the Cableway station, such as by car, Bolt, Uber, metre taxi, or the local MyCiti bus. If arriving in your own vehicle, keep an eye out for the signs throughout the city pointing you in the direction of Table Mountain Cableway – it is clearly marked from all major directions.

USING THE PARK AND RIDE SERVICE

Park your vehicle at the free parking area on the corner of Kloof Nek and Tafelberg Roads, and catch the FREE MyCiTi Shuttle to the Lower Cableway Station. Table Mountain Cableway is sponsoring your ride, so there is no need for a MyConnect (MyCiti) card.

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