Visitors will be impressed with South Africa’s amazing selection of outdoor activities, as well as the abundance of restaurants, pubs, and lodging options, which together make it an easy and enjoyable country to travel through. The top cities in South Africa provide a multitude of things to see and do. Here are the top 10 travel cities in South Africa.
1. Grahamstown
Grahamstown’s central district features some lovely ancient buildings and churches that evoke pictures of old England and hint at its key location in Settler Country, where it was formerly the epicenter of terrible warfare between Europeans and the Xhosa.
Today, it is known for its thriving cultural scene, which includes the sizable National Cultural Festival, and for having a busy university. There are many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in this lovely location, in addition to a wide range of outdoor activities.
Numerous natural reserves are nearby, where you may visit to observe the Big Five, which includes lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and buffalo, who are all in decline.
2. Polokwane
Polokwane, a dirty city that serves as the administrative and industrial center of the Limpopo Province, is located between Pretoria and the border to the north. Gated communities are tucked away amidst the urban sprawl, a bustling but hectic area with a minor traffic issue. Although it is not unpleasant to visit, many tourists only use it as a transportation hub for nearby attractions.
3. East London
The Eastern Cape’s coastal city of East London is particularly unimpressive due to its lack of color and sense of character. As a result, guests are urged to proceed immediately to the waterfront, which is charming when positioned against the bay.
If you enjoy surfing, Nahoon Beach is a great area to visit. You can also find parks and beaches that are well-kept along the coast. As a transportation hub, many tourists utilize East London as a starting point for trips to the Transkei or the charming small towns that line either side of the city’s shore.
4. Bloemfontein
This calm, tranquil city has a rural vibe despite being South Africa’s center of justice. Consequently, although lacking big attractions, it is a pleasant area to spend some time in.
The fact that it is situated near multiple crossroads and is in the middle of the country means that many travelers stop there en route to other locations. The greatest time to go is during the Manguang African Cultural Festival in October, which has a nice art museum, some retail centers, and fine dining establishments.
5. Knysna
Knysna is located next to a stunning lagoon and is surrounded by stunning, old-growth forests and majestic mountains. Its breathtaking setting elevates it to the list of Garden Route’s winding, picturesque features.
Although the area was tragically severely affected by wildfires in June 2017, there are still many lovely places to visit, with the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park being especially worthwhile. This artistic, laid-back city may get rather crowded during the summer because of its picturesque surroundings, a wide selection of hotels, and delicious eateries.
6. Port Elizabeth
Although things are always getting better, Port Elizabeth isn’t the most beautiful spot you’ve ever seen due to rampant modernization and the heavy industries upon which the city is built. There are numerous excellent hotels and restaurants, as well as a few attractive old buildings, sprinkled throughout the city center.
The wonderful beaches that flank the Indian Ocean are the main draw for tourists. From here, you may go surfing, engage in water sports, and occasionally view dolphins and whales. The adjacent Addo Elephant National Park, which sits on Algoa Bay, is a great site to see some unique species.
7. Pretoria
Pretoria, the nation’s executive capital, is a lovely area to stroll around and is only fifty kilometers from Johannesburg. Its lush streets are lined with charming antique buildings.
Plan your trip to coincide with the jacarandas’ stunning spring bloom. Pretoria, which still has a predominately Afrikaner population, was formerly the epicenter of the heinous apartheid rule but is now a modern metropolis with a multicultural population thanks to its foreign embassies.
The different cultures and people who make South Africa home are represented in several intriguing museums. Compared to its adjacent city, it is safer, more laid back, and has a lot of lively nightlife.
8. Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest metropolis in South Africa and the economic hub of sub-Saharan Africa, with about ten million citizens. Tellingly, however, approximately half of the population resides in townships, including the renowned Soweto, where poverty and crime are major issues due to extreme income disparity.
The Apartheid Museum is a must-visit, but there are also many other fantastic museums to see if you want a revealing and eye-opening glimpse into South Africa’s tragic past. The city is surprisingly friendly, despite its problems and overwhelming sprawl, and its contagious energy will entice you to keep exploring all of the fantastic shopping, athletic events, and dynamic urban culture.
9. Durban
Due in part to its enormous port, the biggest in Africa, the third-largest city in South Africa is a lively town. Since the end of apartheid, the city has welcomed a large number of adjacent Kwa-Zulu inhabitants, making Durban one of the most African cities in the nation. In addition, the city’s sizable Indian population lends it an Asian flair, as evidenced by the streets, markets, and eateries you’ll see.
Durban, which is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, has a charming harbor and a shoreline that runs alongside the wide public beaches that attract many Jo’burgers. Because of the port, the city has a slightly gritty atmosphere, but recent improvements have made Durban much better than it was before.
10. Cape Town
Thanks to the glittering waters that lie in front of it and the iconic Table Mountain that serves as such a lovely background, the most visited city in the nation is achingly beautiful to see. It is a thrill to explore this ethnic area because of the variety of people and foods there.
Fantastic restaurants, bars, and fun nightlife are housed in its magnificent, eclectic architecture. Cape Town, which is lively but laid-back, is located in the country’s far southwest. In the area around it, you may visit the exquisite vineyards in Stellenbosch, go whale watching, go shark diving, or take in the breathtaking scenery of Table Mountain National Park.
Off the shore, on Robben Island, visitors can learn about South Africa’s recent turbulent history along with the townships that dot the city. Cape Town is unquestionably a must-see in this fantastic country since it offers a wealth of fantastic outdoor activities, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a nice mood and appearance to the city.
