Things to know: For entry, exist, travel advisory and visa requirements, visit South Africa's international travel information with U.S. Department of State

Airlines offering nonstop air service: United Airlines has nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cape Town, South Africa’s Cape Town International Airport (CPT) three times weekly.

If you wish to book direct, please visit: United Airlines

The most famous landmark in Cape Town is the towering Table Mountain, which rises 3,563 feet above the city. The mountain’s sandstone plateaus offer stunning views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. For the indigenous Khoi-Khoi and San communities, Table Mountain is a sacred site where their chief god, Tsui-Goab, is believed to have wandered. They call the mountain Hoerikwaggo, meaning “Mountain in the Sea,” and still hold traditional ceremonies there. The name was changed to Table Mountain (Taboa da Caba) by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1503 because its flat top looks like a long table. It is considered one of the oldest mountains in the world, with rocks that date back 600 million years. Visitors can experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site in many ways. 

The most popular activity is riding the cable car on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The cars, with glass sides and slightly worn floors, offer a 360-degree panoramic view as you ascend the mountain. At the summit, enjoy walking through a stunning landscape of flowers, plants, and wildlife while taking in the breathtaking scenery. You can also spend time at the wine lounge, bar, restaurant, and three shops selling locally sourced souvenirs. For those who enjoy physical activity, guided hikes are available up and down the mountain and along various trails.

Those seeking an adrenaline rush will enjoy hiking up Lion’s Head Mountain, which stands 2,195 feet above sea level. The moderate trail with switchbacks and fixed chains takes most hikers about two to three hours. Lion’s Head hosts the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the most diverse floral regions in the world.

Journey to the southwestern tip of the African continent to explore the striking cliffs and beautiful wildlife of Cape Point. This exciting nature reserve features hiking trails, a lighthouse, and the chance to see rare species, including the Cape Mountain zebra. Enjoy the stunning coastal scenery of the Cape of Good Hope, located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. The rocky shoreline connects to trails that offer views of ostriches, baboons, and the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Discover the rich variety of South Africa’s plant life at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and home to many rare and endangered plant species.

Cape Town’s beaches offer more than just sun, sand, and splashes; visit the famous colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach, the only place in the world where you can see these birds up close. Surf or relax in the brightly colored Victorian beach huts at Muizenberg Beach, play on the sparkling sandy shores of Clifton, an upscale Cape Town neighborhood, or dance, drink, and dine in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range at the lively beach of Camps Bay.