You will find quite a few factors why Cape Town is definitely the most common international tourist destination in South Africa. For 1, not many cities can boast with 1,073 meter mountain as backdrop. Add for the mix the city's tumultuous history since the 1st Europeans settled here in 1652, wonderful beaches, and the choice to surf with great white sharks, and it's easy to view why more and much more tourists include it on their must-see lists.

Any Cape Town itinerary should include things like:

-A stop by to Robben Island, now a UN Planet Heritage web page, to determine where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his 27 years in prison.

-A trip towards the top rated of Table Mountain, whether or not by foot (pick one of a lot more than 300 identified routes up and down the mountain) or cable car.

-Go on an organized tour in the Cape Flats to check out townships like Guguletu (meaning "Our Pride") and Khayelitsha ("New Home") for traditional meals and music or perhaps a night out at a regional shebeen (bar).

-A drive about the Peninsula - ensure to include things like the beaches at Clifton and Camp's Bay, Chapman's Peak Drive as well as the penguins at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.

A number of the hotels are tourist destinations in their own suitable, with options ranging from a stay in Vicky Ntozini's shack in Khayelitsha for the new exclusive One&Only resort close to the V&A Waterfront. Regardless of whether you're visiting the city to paraglide from Table Mountain or for fine dining and designer shopping, there are actually hotels in Cape Town that will suit your style and budget.

If you plan to spend more time outside the city center, there are a wide variety of hotels in Cape Town's outlying areas. If you want to stay in the city bowl, the budget hotels in Cape Town's Long and Kloof Streets are a good selection if you want to be in the middle from the action. There are also far more upmarket hotels in the city center - alternative alternatives involve the Cullinan for luxury seekers plus the Extreme Hotel for those who need an adrenaline rush before bedtime.