Explore Table Mountain in Cape Town

Table Mountain in Cape Town is one of the most recognizable images in Africa, and as soon as you arrive in the city you'll notice its pretentious plateau peering down and pulling the entire city below, calling visitors to it. Not only will you not be able to avoid the magnetism this majestic mountain, but you shouldn't try to because you'll want to take a trip to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town. There, you can peer down on the city as if you were a bird nesting in a cloud above and stroll along paths to viewpoints where you'll be able to see as far as Cape Point, the peninsula of False Bay. An adventure is in store for you at Table Mountain in Cape Town.

Table Mountain has represented power and hope for centuries. Nelson Mandela said that he and the other political prisoners often gazed at Table Mountain and saw it as a "beacon of hope" during their years of incarceration. For centuries, Table Mountain has been a symbol for Cape Town and a place that the locals felt a personal connection to. Yet, it wasn't until the 1920's that people could easily visit its summit.

Since the cableway's opening in 1929, Table Mountain in Cape Town has had more than 16 million visitors, and over the years, the cableway has evolved and progressed. Currently, the newest cable cars have floors that actually rotate so that guests can see a 360-degree view while travelling up and down the mountain. You're sure to lose your breath at the awe-inspiring views.

Once you get to the top of the cableway, there are many fun activities. If you feel like going for a nice walk and getting away from the rest of the visitors, consider taking a picnic lunch with you. Walk at your leisure and eat at a more remote spot with an amazing view. Table Mountain in Cape Town also has a fantastic restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. It has a full-service wine menu with a mélange of local wines. If you're visiting in the summer, take the cableway in the late afternoon so that you can see the sunset; sipping on a cocktail and looking over the city at sunset is a wonderful romantic adventure.

If you're more interested in learning more about Table Mountain in Cape Town, take a free guided walk that leaves directly outside the upper cable station. Times of the walks change occasionally; so be sure to consult the information desk, if you're interested. With over 2 km of trails, Table Mountain provides you with stunning views of Clifton, Sea Point, the V&A Waterfront, Table Bay, Robben Island, the Cape Flats, and the Cape Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Look down to Lion's Head, Signal Hill, and Devil's Peak. Be sure to bring a camera because the views from Table Mountain in Cape Town are marvelous!

For a real workout, hike up Table Mountain in Cape Town via Platteklip Gorge and take the cableway down. Although the hike is only 3 km in length, this strenuous trek will take you about 3 hours. Because of its difficulty, it's not recommended for kids or seniors. Along the walk, hikers experience the mountain as people did for centuries before the cableway even existed. Revel in the sense of accomplishment once you've reached the top and take the relaxing cable car back down.

No matter how you decide to spend your time on Table Mountain in Cape Town, you're guaranteed to have some lasting memories. So don't forget the camera. And to make sure they're pleasant memories, carry with you some sunscreen and a windbreaker to battle against any winds.