By michael vivar
The story of Cape Town, South Africa is complex and fraught. The area had its first European encounter with Portuguese explorer, Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. It was named the Cape of Good Hope as the half-way mark of a sea voyage to India.
In 1652, colonization began when the Dutch East India Company established a waystation for ships. It was slow at first but picked up in earnest when authorities imported slave labor from Indonesia and Madagascar.
Over centuries, the region changed hands between the Dutch, French and British via ostensible corporate takeover and bloody armed conflict. South Africa became a sovereign nation in 1934 with Cape Town as its legislative capital.
For decades, the Black population was subject to apartheid and denied basic rights; Cape Town became a hub against oppression. It was the site of Nelson Mandela's first speech when freed, now it's a teeming city of urban and natural wonders.
Greenmarket Square is a great place to mingle with locals. Once a slave market and place to buy vegetables, it's now a place to pick up local crafts. Respectful haggling is not only acceptable but encouraged.
This 3,600 ft high plateau looms over the city and can be scaled on challenging hiking trails. Amateur naturalists will revel in over 1,400 native plant species. Those who just want to enjoy the view can take a cable car to the top.
Robben Island was used by the apartheid government to detain political prisoners like Nelson Mandela. It closed in 1991 and is now a museum thousands visit yearly. The island has been declared a UN World Heritage Site.
The climate around Cape Town is similar to the south of France so it's no surprise they have a venerable wine culture. Spend an entire day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram – an eight-hour adventure of responsibly sipping through different vineyards.
Roller Derby is a trending sport around the world and Cape Town is all in. The Cape Town Rollergirls' official 2025 season is yet to start but iIn the meantime, they hold exhibitions, roller discos and give skating lessons.
The waters off the coast of Cape Town roil with wildlife. Numerous dive shops offer adventure packages to explore the underwater kelp forest with seals and other aquatic creatures. An introductory course is normally required for novice divers.
"This is a pretty and singular town... Cape Town is a great inn, on the great highway to the east." - Charles Darwin