Discover the Best of Cape Town: Must-Visit Places Near Taj Cape Town
Known as the 'Mother City' of South Africa, Cape Town is celebrated for its striking natural beauty interwoven with a rich cultural tapestry spanning over 300 years. With the iconic Table Mountain forming an epic backdrop to bright blue seas and eclectic cityscape, travellers who base themselves at the luxury Taj Cape Town hotel find some of Africa's premier attractions a short journey away. We detail the must-visit gems to uncover near this ideally located Cape Town hotel.
Here are these things to do in Cape Town.
1. Shop Local at The Old Biscuit Mill
Once home to a historic biscuit factory, the Old Biscuit Mill precinct in edgy Woodstock is one of the best Cape Town tourist attractions. It has found new life as Cape Town's trendiest creative enclave. Contemporary art galleries and design studios now fill the high-ceilinged brick buildings where bakers once plied their trade.
Outside, a leafy courtyard comes alive every Saturday morning when the immensely popular neighbourgoods Market takes place.
2. Pick Up Distinctive Souvenirs at Africa Nova
Finding authentic African souvenirs in Cape Town can prove challenging amongst cheap imported souvenirs. For the top Cape Town tourist attractions, step into the chic boutique interiors of Africa Nova in De Waterkant to uncover an expertly curated collection of contemporary ceramics, soft furnishings, and sculptures handcrafted exclusively in South Africa.
With creativity flowing from Cape Town's design capital next door, skilled artisans abound, and Africa Nova provides an outlet for local talents. Admire the works by artists breathing new life into traditional crafts like the Zulu pottery of Ardmore Ceramics and Selectio's hand-sculpted wildlife pieces.
3. Walk Around Colourful Bo-Kaap
Among the different places to visit in Cape Town, Photogenic Bo-Kaap, with its rainbow-bright terraced houses, makes the most Instagrammable locale. As the oldest residential area in the city centre, this former township has a rich cultural history of over 200 years.
Ambling through the modest cobbled streets allows glimpses into how the Cape Malay community and their descendants still living here have preserved their Islamic traditions and cuisine. This is a tourist place in Cape Town that you should not miss.
4. Encounter Local Wildlife at Boulders Beach
Beautiful Boulders Beach promises pristine shores where giant granite boulders flank the sand, hinting at the turbulent storms that battered them for millennia from their plinths in the mountain behind. Yet the main attraction at this sheltered haven is found at the water's edge. In this Cape Town things to do, an African Penguin colony numbering around 3,000 birds waddle, preen, and tend attentively to fluffy chicks. It is one of the best places to visit in Cape Town that you must keep to your priorities.
5. Honour History at The District Six Museum
Now an empty expanse of lush grassland adjacent to Cape Town's city centre, District Six once teemed as a predominantly coloured working-class neighbourhood until the apartheid regime declared it 'Whites Only' in 1966. That year, apartheid forcibly removed over 60,000 non-white residents, bulldozing their homes and businesses and leaving tight-knit families scattered across Cape Town. The District Six Museum stands as a vibrant testament, so this historical scar is never forgotten and honours those exiled.
6. Be Awestruck at Cape Point
The Table Mountain National Park, encompassing vast swathes of mountain and coastline stretches southwards for nearly 60 kilometres to Cape Point - the southwestern most tip of the Cape Peninsula. Stop numerous times along Chapman's Peak Drive to soak in the phenomenal sea views where rugged cliffs plunge into crystalline waters. Further south, the road winds down towards brooding Cape Point where the treacherous waters witnessed over 50 shipwrecks.
7. Marvel at Diverse Flora within Kirstenbosch Gardens
Verdant forests, landscaped gardens, and indigenous fynbos thrive across 47 hectares against a staggeringly beautiful backdrop - Table Mountain's soaring cliffs to one side and cityscapes to the other. As part of South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom, famed for phenomenal biodiversity, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens cultivate a treasured natural heritage where endangered and endemic species prosper. Strolling through Kirstenbosch's myriad themed gardens and forested glades presents photo opportunities at every turn.
8. Soak up Hip Seaside Culture at Camps Bay
One cannot honestly say you have 'done Cape Town' without seeing the parade of beautiful people at Camps Bay's beach scene and enjoying golden hour cocktails from a trendy bar terrace. Just ten minutes from the city centre, upscale cafes, and bistros line the buzzing beachfront strip, tempting tourists and locals to crave fresh Mediterranean fare paired with swimming in balmy waters against the splendid mountain backdrop.
9. Shop and Dine at the V&A Waterfront
Regarded as Cape Town's premier shopping destination, the charming V&A Waterfront Lines, the scenic working harbour fringed by robust Dutch buildings. Spend hours browsing through boutiques and galleries promoting leading local designers alongside luxury retailers - with everything from finely crafted African art to couture fashion under one easily walkable roof. Work up an appetite as there are restaurants with alfresco terraces where you can enjoy gourmet seafood fresh from nearby fishing boats
Conclusion
With Cape Town tourist attractions easily accessible from the comforts of Taj Cape Town, guests of this prestigious hotel can look forward to uncovering Cape Town's phenomenal highlights accompanied by gracious hospitality and luxury. Venture out to marvellous beaches, breathtaking nature reserves, and fascinating galleries before returning to enjoy award-winning dining within the hotel's J Wellness Circle Spa. From culture and adventure to gastronomic experiences, Taj Cape Town is the perfect base for creating extraordinary memories.