5 Reasons Why This City In Africa Is Breaking All-Time Tourism Records

Last Updated 4 months ago

South Africa’s top tourist destination is a cosmopolitan and diverse city.

Visitors can enjoy stunning views, cultural attractions, and world-class food. You’re also a stone’s throw away from beautiful beaches and incredible wildlife.

The latest figures show that Cape Town’s tourism numbers are higher than they have ever been.

Between January and April 2023, the number of U.S. arrivals to Cape Town International Airport was up 155% when compared to the same period in 2019.

5 Reasons This African City Is Breaking All Time Tourism Records.

So why is this city in Africa breaking all-time tourism records?

The Best Of Both Worlds

Interested in exploring a bustling African city but want to see the famous wildlife and vistas too? Cape Town offers both experiences.

Cape Town boasts a massively varied landscape, and there are few places in the world where you can enjoy an urban jungle alongside forests, beaches, mountains, oceans, winelands, and grasslands at the same time. But in Cape Town, these attractions all sit side by side.

You can spend the morning exploring world-class museums and the afternoon on the beach.

Cape Town’s most unique and iconic beach is Boulder’s Beach where you can hear the waves crash as a crowd of endangered African penguins waddle along the shore.

And no matter where you are in the city you can see Table Mountain which is considered one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Enjoy The Adventure

Cape Town is known as the adventure capital of Africa and it is the perfect place for adrenaline junkies to try something new.

Because of the natural attractions offered by the city, such as mountain ranges and ocean spaces, it’s a great place to get outdoors. And the year-round sunny climate means that there’s never a bad time of year for outdoor adventures either.

Adventurous activities that are popular in South Africa include hiking or climbing in the mountains. Paragliding or abseiling if you want to take to the skies. And diving or even shark-cage diving are on offer for ocean lovers.

If you’re looking for a brand-new thrill then Cape Town is a great place to be.

Food and Drink

South African wine is considered to be the best affordable wine in the world. And there’s nothing quite like drinking it straight from the source!

The Constantia Winelands are over 300 years old and while in Cape Town you can visit this vineyard as well as explore wine routes, festivals, tastings, and visit wine estates too.

Buitenverwachting wine estate on eastern slopes of Constantiaberg wine route cape town south africa

You’ll need something to soak up all that wine, and luckily Cape Town is considered to be a culinary capital. The food available here has a really cosmopolitan feel and you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city.

African food is featured heavily, of course. But so is Middle Eastern, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Mexican. South Africa is a great destination for foodies, and there are now 5 South African chefs that have been awarded a Michelin star.

A Warm Welcome

South Africa is a country with a difficult past and a turbulent recent history. Despite this the people of Cape Town are largely friendly and welcoming to visitors.

Because tourism is such an important industry in Cape Town the people tend to be hospitable and warm to tourists in the country. They are often keen to share their culture.

A crowd at a festival in Cape Town South Africa

But it’s not all sunshine and flowers.

It is important to remain aware of your surroundings and avoid any displays of wealth when you travel in South Africa. Crime levels in the country are rising, and street crime can be a concern.

The U.S. State Department has also listed ‘smash and grab’ attacks on vehicles as an issue Americans visiting South Africa should be aware of.

Brightly-Painted Houses In Cape Town, The Legislative Capital Of South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa

Despite this, South Africa is only given a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution travel advisory by the U.S. State Department. This means that there are increased levels of crime and civil unrest, but South Africa is still considered a safe place to visit.

A Rich History

South Africa is a country that has been shaped by its past. From the dark history of apartheid to the more recent taxi drivers strike which descended into violence.

This has helped to form and shape the Cape Town we visit today.

Aerial View Of Cape Town, South Africa, On A Sunny Afternoon, Taken During A Helicopter Tour

Cape Town still has an air of post-covid excitement. Put simply, the people are happy to be free. And despite the poverty in the city this is reflected in the richness of the food that is cooked here and in the adventure that is considered a way of life for many South Africans.

Cape Town is a world-class city and an exciting place to be.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com