Culture Trip - Singapore Airlines

Table Mountain might stand as the most familiar symbol of Cape Town, but there are also vibrant neighbourhoods, a bustling working harbour, pristine vineyards, idyllic beaches and endlessly beautiful views, making this one of the world’s most remarkable travel destinations.

Constantia Vineyards

Cape Town’s wine is consistently rated among the best in the world, and there are dozens of estates in various regions to visit. But those in Constantia, just a short drive from the city centre, offer outstanding views over some of the oldest vineyards in South Africa. Even non-wine-drinkers will be happy to soak up the sights from any one of the suburb’s expert tasting rooms and restaurants, many of which serve some of the Cape’s most celebrated cuisine. Zachary notes: “Walking through the vineyard made me appreciate the wines that I offer to my passengers.”

Bo-Kaap

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Today, the V&A Waterfront is the most popular tourist attraction in Cape Town. It’s the first stop for many visitors to the city, who relish the outdoor dining areas, markets and panoramic views of Table Mountain – set to the upbeat sounds of local buskers. But it wasn’t always so polished. The Waterfront began as the city’s first working harbour, and its present-day charm still lies in the comings and goings of tugboats, the occasional bellow of a container ship’s horn and the handful of prestigious yachts fortunate enough to float past into the sheltered docks.

The Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most photogenic urban attractions. The colourful houses may have you reaching instinctively for your camera, but there’s so much more to appreciate. As one of the oldest neighbourhoods, it’s got a fascinating – yet sombre – history. Many of the Bo-Kaap’s first residents were sent as exiles and slaves to the Cape by the Dutch, and they became known as the Cape Malay – but this vibrant and warm community has left an indelible mark. “I was able to appreciate the rich culture of the Cape Malay folks,” says Zachary, who met local chef Zainie for a cooking class at her home. “The intimate conversations I had just reminded me of how welcoming the people of Cape Town are.”

Lion’s Head

Few peaks in the world can deliver views as stunning and accessible as those to be had atop Lion’s Head. The roughly one-hour hike to the top of this challenging mountain will leave most casual walkers out of breath, but the 360-degree views that await are worth every step. Although many consider Table Mountain the ultimate summit, there’s no better return for your physical exertion than the vistas from the famous Lion’s Head. You’ll get a great view of Table Mountain, too.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak Drive offers an intriguing juxtaposition of human versus nature. The famous road, which snakes impossibly along the side of a mountain, is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most impressive engineering feats; and yet even this is dwarfed by the sheer drama and beauty of the nature it exposes along the way, especially at sunset. As a result, the unlikely road leads to one of the world’s most scenic mountain passes – and it’s nearly impossible to avoid the temptation to pull over at each of the dramatic viewpoints along the way. “Cape Town is a sprawling metropolis at the edge of the world,” says Zachary. “But there’s always an opportunity to be surrounded by beautiful and scenic landscapes.”