This website uses cookies.We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our website’s functionality and performance and better experience for our users. If you require more information, please view our Cookie Policy.

mobile-logo
  • Safari Adventures
    • Safaris
    • 2025 Safaris
    • 2026 Safaris
    • Small group Safaris
    • Luxury Safaris
    • Celebration and Honeymoon
    • Custom Group Travel
    • African Safari Deals
    • Get a Quote
  • Destinations
    • Destinations
    • Botswana
    • Egypt
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Mauritius
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Rwanda
    • Seychelles
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania and Zanzibar
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
  • logo
  • Safari Guide
    • A Day on Safari
    • A Day on Safari
    • What to Pack
    • Safari FAQs
  • Inspiration
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Safari Blog
    • Traveler Reviews
  • About
    • About Us
    • About Us
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Lion World Cares
    • TTC Loyalty
    • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Safari Adventures
    • Safaris
    • 2025 Safaris
    • 2026 Safaris
    • Small group Safaris
    • Luxury Safaris
    • Celebration and Honeymoon
    • Custom Group Travel
    • African Safari Deals
    • Get a Quote
  • Destinations
    • Destinations
    • Botswana
    • Egypt
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Mauritius
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Namibia
    • Rwanda
    • Seychelles
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania and Zanzibar
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
  • logo
  • Safari Guide
    • A Day on Safari
    • A Day on Safari
    • What to Pack
    • Safari FAQs
  • Inspiration
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Safari Blog
    • Traveler Reviews
  • About
    • About Us
    • About Us
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Lion World Cares
    • TTC Loyalty
    • Contact Us

Call Today!:1-800-387-2706

3 Reasons Cape Town Is A Top Travel Destination

January 1, 2020

Explore Breathtaking Landscapes, Rich History, and Culinary Delights That Await in Cape Town


In the annual “Best in Travel” Awards, renowned guidebook publisher Lonely Planet awarded Cape Town the number two position on its top cities in the world list. The honor is just one of the many accolades for South Africa’s “Mother City” after being named, World’s Best City by Travel + Leisure. So what exactly makes Cape Town such a must-visit destination? Here are three reasons: food and wine, culture and scenery, and social responsibility.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

1) Cape Town is Africa's Culinary Hub

Love food and wine? There's no better place for you than Cape Town. In 2014, the city was named the #3 best food city in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, and it's easy to see why: the city's hip restaurants, bistros, cafes, and pubs spoil travelers with options that will satisfy all tastes.

Azure Restaurant
Azure Restaurant Dining Room. Photo credit: Red Carnation Hotels.

Azure Restaurant at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is one of our favorite restaurants in the city because it combines international cuisine with local South African flavors for an exquisite fine dining experience. Guests looking to venture into the heart of Cape Town should consider sampling Lion World Travel President Lucille Sive's seven favorite restaurants.

Cape Winelands
Vineyards in Franschhoek. Photo credit: South Africa Tourism.

Beyond food, the city also offers world-class wine. With a climate similar to the Mediterranean in Europe, the Cape region is ideal for wine production. When you are dining, look for local wines that come from the Cape Winelands region including Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Hemel en Aarde, and the Elim Wine Route. Better yet, add a visit to the Winelands to your itinerary to taste the wine directly from the source and to see how South Africa's award-winning wine is produced.

2) Cape Town is Home to Many Scenic & Cultural Wonders

Cable Car to Table Mountain
Cable Car to Table Mountain. Photo credit: South Africa Tourism.

Few cities in the world are as naturally beautiful as Cape Town. The flat-topped Table Mountain that frames the city is a unique landmark that is best experienced up close. We encourage guests to take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain to take in spectacular views of the coast and the city. On her recent trip to Cape Town, Africa Specialist Elizabeth Panchyshyn described the views from Table Mountain as one of her favorite experiences in South Africa. We couldn't agree more!

Beyond Table Mountain, there's the Twelve Apostles mountain range, a lesser-known, stunningly beautiful series of mountains that runs along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Africa Specialist Mary Ellen spent some time hiking the mountain range on her recent experience in South Africa and absolutely loved it. The mountain range is easily accessible to any guests staying at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, which backs onto the mountains.

Table Mountain Cable Car
Cable Car to Table Mountain. Photo credit: South Africa Tourism.

Culturally, Cape Town is home to a growing list of art galleries, museums, and more. Lonely Planet cited the upcoming opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa as the latest triumph in Cape Town's cultural scene. Perhaps the highlight of any cultural visit to Cape Town, however, is Robben Island. Travelers take a ferry ride to Robben Island and are able to tour the prison where Nelson Mandela spent many years as a political prisoner. A visit to this former prison is a moving experience, not to be missed by anyone with an interest in South Africa's recent political history.

3) Socially Responsible and Sustainable Travel is What Cape Town is All About

Cooking class at the Amy Foundation
Cooking class at the Amy Foundation. Photo credit: The Amy Foundation.

We are big believers in using travel to make a positive impact on the communities and the environment that our guests visit. That's why we support numerous charities and initiatives in Africa through Lion World Cares. Cape Town has plenty of opportunities for guests to support important initiatives in the city. For example, guests can spend an afternoon visiting the Amy Foundation, a local charity that provides after-school programs in dance, drama, sports and music to children as a way to help keep kids off the streets and engaged in a fun environment. Lion World Travel President Lucille Sive visited the Amy Foundation and was lucky enough to see how children in the cooking classes are preparing for careers in the culinary arts.

Cape Wheel
The Cape Wheel. Photo credit: Slowmover, CC ASA 3.0.

Cape Town's iconic Cape Wheel is home to the "Turn for Good" program. Not only is the wheel a great way to get spectacular views of the city, but by buying tickets to the Cape Wheel, travelers are choosing to support wildlife conservation in South Africa. For every adult and family ticket sold, the Cape Wheel donates a portion of the proceeds to the Wilderness Foundation's Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative, a program that supports rhino anti-poaching practices throughout the country.

It's no secret that we are huge fans of Cape Town. The city's amazing culture, stunning scenery, and culinary expertise make it the ideal destination for the savvy world traveler. Click here to learn about the Cape Town day tours we offer, and be sure to speak to one of our Africa Specialists about what you would like to do in Cape Town to get the most out of your trip there!

 

Return to the Safari Blog Homepage >

 

Related Safaris: Best of South Africa

Safaris

  • All African Safaris
  • Small Group Safaris
  • 2026 Safaris
  • 2025 Safaris
  • Get a Quote

Safari Guides

  • A Day on Safari in Africa
  • What to Pack
  • Safari FAQs

Help

  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Travel Requirements

About

  • About Us
  • Awards & Accolades
  • Lion World Cares
  • TTC Loyalty
  • Contact Us
Newsletter
1-800-387-2706
Call Now

#LIONWORLDTALES

#LIONWORLDTALES

Subscribe to
our Newsletter
Subscribe to our Newsletter
 
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE

Find your Safari

African Safaris Exclusive Vacation Packages Safari Experiences Request a Safari Quote

What to Expect

Your Travel Well Being View Brochure FAQ-Know Before You Go A Day On Safari Travel Restrictions Terms & Conditions

Community 

Newsletter Signup #Lionworldtales Contest Traveler Reviews Safari Blog MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Animal Welfare Policy

About

About Us Lion World Cares TTC Loyalty Contact Us Privacy Policy Covid Privacy Notice Cookie Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Exclusive Vacation Packages

Celebration Travel

Agent Login

↑ top
© 2025 Lion World Travel Ltd. part of the Travel Corporation family of brands

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is a trademark of The TreadRight Foundation, registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions, and is being used under license.

© 2025 Lion World Travel. All Rights Reserved.
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Lion World Travel’s Privacy Policy.
TICO #1004818 and #1031815