6 Best Tourist Destinations in South Africa

South Africa is one of the most visited countries on the continent and the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town are popular tourist destinations for travelers from around the world.

Best Tourist Destinations in South Africa

Although there are many different places in South Africa to visit. Here are the top 6 tourist attractions in South Africa that you cannot avoid visiting:

1. Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape-Town-Western-Cape
Cape-Town-Western-Cape

Cape Town is known for its cultural diversity and social tolerance, which is quite evident to the visitors to South Africa. This city is bestowed with a variety of great sights, experiences, dining spots, and outdoor activities entertaining travelers of all ages and interests.

With breathtaking scenery, from the white-sand beaches of the Cape Peninsula to the iconic cliffs of Table Mountain, or a wide assortment of world-class restaurants and local wines- Cape Town has it all.

2. Hermanus, Western Cape

Hermanus-Western-Cape-5
Hermanus-Western-Cape-5

Situated 120 kilometers southeast of Cape Town, the seaside town of Hermanus is well-known for the whale-watching capital of South Africa.

Here you can see the migrating southern right whales pass within a few hundred feet of the Hermanus shoreline.

You can enjoy the traditional cuisine gourmet at the restaurants that line scenic Gearing’s Point. The whale-watching season lasts from July to November, but there are also plenty of other attractions worth seeing in Hermanus year-round.

3. The Cape Winelands, Western Cape

The-Cape-Winelands-Western-Cape
The-Cape-Winelands-Western-Cape

To the east of Cape Town lies the Cape Winelands, a spectacular place popular for its mountains and fertile valleys. It’s full of astounding scenic beauty, its culture which is represented by the stunning Cape Dutch architecture of its towns and outlying farms, and its world-famous vineyards.

You can rent a car in Cape Town to explore the vineyards independently, book a stay at hotels or hop aboard the Franschhoek wine tram to take in a variety of vineyards and sample different wines.

4. Knysna, Western Cape

Knysna-Western-Cape
Knysna-Western-Cape

The Garden Route of South Africa is world-famous for its range of enchanting coastal towns, and Knysna is arguably the most beautiful of them all.

Located between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna has a wide range of charismatic guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, art galleries, boutiques, and craft spots. It’s widely known for its seafood restaurants, featuring oysters freshly harvested from the town’s picturesque lagoon.

You can also take a hike to the top of the twin cliffs known as the Knysna Heads; spend leisure days on the golden beaches of Leisure Isle and nearby Brenton-on-Sea; or can also watch the world’s largest terrestrial animal at the Knysna Elephant Park. 

5. The Transkei, Eastern Cape

The-Transkei-Eastern-Cape
The-Transkei-Eastern-Cape

The Transkei region is a wild, unspoiled area of incredible natural beauty that extends from the Great Kei River to the Umtamvuna River in the Eastern Cape.

Transkei is the birthplace of world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo.  You can watch the traditional Xhosa way of life in its remote rural villages, and rondavel huts and herds of indigenous Nguni cattle.

With its abandoned beaches, the Transkei is also the perfect place for fishermen, hikers, surfers, and nature lovers. 

6. Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban-KwaZulu-Natal
Durban-KwaZulu-Natal

Durban is known for its golden beaches, tropical climate, and rich Indian culture. IT is dominated by the flavorful curry restaurants and at night an impressive array of bars and nightclubs await visitors. Visit Moyo at the end of uShaka Pier for the best mocktail. You can also experience the perennial vacation atmosphere of Durban’s Golden Mile, home to some of the most popular surf spots in South Africa in the daytime.

You can also shop and stroll around the colorful stalls of Victoria Street Market or spend your money in upscale malls like the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga.

Synopsis

So pack your bags and plan your next visit to South Africa as it’s abundance of sight-seeing places and loads of fun.

About the author

Mamta Sharma