Unveiling Cape Town's Unique Culture, Landmarks, and Natural Beauty​

Cape Town is sometimes referred to as the "mother city" of South Africa due to its distinction as the location of the first European colony in the nation. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful seaside city that it is often named among the best destinations for international students and other visitors. The University of Cape Town is in the heart of town, making it an ideal place for study abroad students who want a fantastic all-around experience.  Here are a few factors that attract travelers and study-abroad students to this region of South Africa.

Natural Beauty

Cape Town and the Western Cape region are known for consistently providing spectacular landscapes. Very few locations on Earth have as diverse a scenery as Cape Town. The city is home to fynbos, one of the world's most distinctive floral biomes, beaches, gardens, mountains, coastlines, grasslands, nature reserves, and vineyards.

Camps Bay, close to the city center, and Diaz Beach, further down the peninsula, are only two of the many world-class beaches in Cape Town. Boulders' Beach, home to the endangered African penguins, is perhaps Cape Town's most unusual and can be seen near Cape Point.

Landmarks

Cape Town is a tourist's dream, with many artificial and natural wonders that must be seen to appreciate the city entirely. Many of these locations are among Cape Town's top five attractions, and there are plenty of hiking and walking pathways to discover them all. Along with other notable sites such as Signal Hill and Lion's Head, Table Mountain is the most well-known and internationally noted.

University of Cape Town

The prestigious University of Cape Town is publicly funded and located in the South African city of Cape Town. Originally founded in 1829 as the South African College, it became the oldest continuously operating institution in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa in 1918 when it was awarded official university status.

History

The city of Cape Town, South Africa, and its history are steeped in dramatic events. From the hundreds of years that the Khoi-San lived in the southern parts of the continent to the colonization and slave trade that brought people from India, Indonesia, and the Middle East to the area, and of course, South Africa's painful apartheid history that should never be forgotten. Cape Town is arguably best known for being the home of Nelson Mandela, the inspiring South African president.

Culture

The rich cultural fabric of Cape Town is a product of the city's varied past, which includes the legacies of the indigenous Khoi and San peoples, the impact of Dutch colonization, and the traditions and efforts of the Cape Malay population. The city's history is built around the hunting, fishing, and gathering practices of the Khoi and San people, known as the Bushmen, who lived in the area for millennia.

Cuisine

If you're looking for South Africa's best restaurants, go no further than Cape Town. A few years ago, it was named the finest culinary city in the world by Condé Nast's Readers' Choice Awards, proving that it is home to some of the country's best and most imaginative chefs. Cape Town has various breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, from Italian to Mexican, Middle Eastern to African, Chinese and Indian. You can also get light bites, complete meals, tapas, takeout, delivery, and more.

When you are ready to experience Cape Town for yourself, schedule a meeting with an SAF counselor to learn more.