Tour: These are the most beautiful vacation spots in South Africa

South Africa spreads over an area of 1.22 million square kilometers. That is about three and a half times the size of Germany. On a tour, stops in large cities are just as enticing as in picturesque coastal towns. To make your decision easier, we take you to the most beautiful vacation spots in South Africa.

The metropolis of Cape Town is a must on a trip to South Africa. The city is situated on a peninsula with a stunning backdrop: surrounded by the two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, at the foot of Table Mountain, and with beautiful vineyards in the hinterland. Cape Town is a jack-of-all-trades and offers a lot on vacation.

There is an urban flair and a multicultural society with a moving history, as well as a scenic variety. You can surf at dream beaches, hike up the Table Mountain massif, taste wine, stroll through hip neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap, learn about the history of apartheid and much more. One of the most impressive places, the Cape of Good Hope, is only about 25 miles away.

Not far from Cape Town lies the small university town of Stellenbosch amidst idyllic vineyards. The small town was founded by European settlers who wanted to start a new life in South Africa. Today, Stellenbosch is the center of wine production: wine-growing in South Africa has been practiced since the 17th century, and the wines from the Stellenbosch region are famous worldwide.

In addition to fine wines, education also plays a significant role. Stellenbosch is home to one of the oldest universities of the Cape Republic. The University of Stellenbosch originated from a high school founded in 1866. Due to the many students, there is a vibrant bar and restaurant scene. The old town enchants with its architecture: typically, numerous Cape Dutch houses, but there are also Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Only an hour's drive from Cape Town lies the perfect spot for whale watching. The small coastal town of Hermanus is known as the best place in the world to watch whales from the land. Between June and December, several hundred Southern Right whales frolic in the bay off Hermanus. Every year in September, there is even a festival held exclusively 'for the whales.'

What is unique about Hermanus: The marine mammals come within a few meters of the cliffs. A cliff path runs along the coast for 15 kilometers. Along the way, there are numerous well-placed viewing points and benches.

Those who want to be surrounded by sea and waves on vacation are in the right place at Langebaan on the West Coast. The small holiday resort is known for its water sports offerings and is practically the St. Pete Beach of South Africa. Here you can enjoy sunshine almost all year round, safe waters, and constant wind.

The highlight is the Langebaan Lagoon in the West Coast National Park. It is considered a paradise for kitesurfers, windsurfers, kayakers, water skiers, and fishermen. Also located here is the crescent-shaped Kraalbaai Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa.

Those traveling to South Africa to take the famous Garden Route almost always start in Mossel Bay. The port city has two sides. On one hand, numerous oil refineries and other industries have settled there. But don't let that deter you.

On the other hand, Mossel Bay is a popular tourist spot with dramatic cliffs, stunning beaches, and some great surf spots. The town is well-prepared for its visitors. There are affordable hostels and cafes, as well as luxurious lodges and hotels.

A highlight on the Garden Route is the coastal town of Knysna, located on a 20 square kilometer lagoon on the Indian Ocean. Once known for fishing, the timber industry, and other small industries, today much revolves around tourism. Around the town center, more and more vacation home developments and residences of wealthy South Africans and Europeans are emerging.

The coastal town looks like paradise with its lagoon and the surrounding landscape. From the sandstone formations known as 'The Heads,' you have a stunning view of the lagoon. If you like, you can go water skiing, canoeing, or wakeboarding, hike in the Featherbed Nature Reserve, or visit the elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park. On Main Road and its side streets, there are many shops, restaurants, and malls.

A superlative of South Africa can be found in Kimberley, the capital of the Northern Cape Province. The city is known as the diamond metropolis. In 1866, the first diamond was found. By 1870, about 50,000 people were working in the diamond fields around Kimberley. During the diamond rush, which lasted until 1914, Kimberley was a magnet for immigrants from all over the world.

Today, visitors come not just for the diamond history but mainly for the Big Hole, the largest man-made hole in the earth! It is a leftover opencast mine from the former Kimberley Mine. The dimensions are spectacular: The hole has a circumference of 1.6 kilometers, a diameter of 460 meters, and a depth of 240 meters.

Many tourists to South Africa don't have the small town of Sutherland in the Northern Cape on their list, but the town of 2,800 inhabitants holds a secret: It offers some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world! Therefore, a visit revolves around the starry sky.

Sutherland is completely isolated within the Karoo National Park. No stray light disturbs star-gazing, and there's usually a nearly cloudless sky. In town, you can attend a star show program at the Sutherland Planetarium. 17 kilometers to the east is the South African Astronomical Observatory, one of the largest star telescopes on Earth.

One of the most beautiful travel destinations in South Africa is the city of Port Elizabeth, renamed Gqeberha in February 2021. However, the new name has not yet really caught on in common usage. After Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, Port Elizabeth is the fourth-largest city in South Africa and has over a million residents.

Located on the Garden Route, many travelers pass through the city. Despite Port Elizabeth's size, the focus is not on the attractions but the beaches and the sun. Gqeberha boasts being South Africa's city with the most sunny days! No surprise that the city is a hotspot for water sports activities like diving, wind, or kitesurfing. Numerous beaches are located close to the city.

Just an hour's drive west of Port Elizabeth is the holiday town of St. Francis Bay. It's not just beaches and sun that entice people here, but also an architectural uniqueness in South Africa. Almost all the houses in the town are thatched. Only the harbor district, built in a Mediterranean style, is an exception.

St. Francis Bay is known as a water sports paradise. South African families particularly enjoy visiting. At the beach, there are excellent conditions for wave riding. During whale season from August to October, you can even watch whales in the bay of St. Francis. Dolphins are also seen.

In the eastern part of the South African central plateau lies Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. Five million people live here. Johannesburg is known for its vibrant cultural diversity. Highlights include the observation deck 'The Top of Africa' with a panoramic view from 202 meters high, the 'Market Theatre Complex' with shows, galleries, pubs, and restaurants, and 'Gold Reef City': On the site of a former gold mine, houses and streets from the gold rush era have been faithfully recreated.

Those who want to dive into the country's harrowing past should visit the 'Apartheid Museum,' which documents the apartheid era. The 'Constitution Hill Museum' is impressive. Once a notorious men's prison during apartheid, this interactive museum deals with the themes of racism and violence.

Just 30 miles from Johannesburg lies Pretoria, the 'political heart of South Africa' and the official capital of the country. As such, the metropolis of one million inhabitants houses numerous public ministries, embassies, and foreign representations.

Pretoria has exciting architecture with colonial influences and many Art Deco elements. Particularly noteworthy are the Anglican Church, the mint, the Palace of Justice, the Voortrekker Monument, the Nelson Mandela statue, and the Union Buildings, which serve as the administrative seat of the South African government. The city is also surprisingly green and boasts numerous colorful gardens and shrubs as well as more than 100 parks, nature reserves, or aviaries.

The third-largest city in South Africa often stands in the shadow of Cape Town and Johannesburg but has a lot to offer. Durban is a coastal city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and is known for its African, Indian, and colonial influences.

Durban is regarded as a vacation mecca for South Africans. It boasts 300 sunny days a year, a well-developed beach promenade, and numerous extensive beaches on the Indian Ocean. The city is also known as 'Surf City,' as Durban's bathing and surf beaches stretch from the harbor in the south to the chic suburb Umhlanga in the north. A highlight is the Ushaka Marine World, a water park with slides, water games, an aquarium, and a restaurant complex.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.