Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Credit: Thomas Bennie
CAPE TOWN
MOUNTAINS, COAST & VINEYARDS
Mountains tumble toward shimmering blue water in Cape Town, where nature is never far from view. South Africa’ s second-largest city— with convenient nonstop flights on United from Washington Dulles— sits between the slopes of Table Mountain and the Atlantic, placing hiking trails, beaches, and wildlife within easy reach of its urban neighborhoods. Venture beyond the city, and the landscape shifts again, giving way to the vineyards and mountain valleys of the Cape Winelands.
BETWEEN MOUNTAIN & SEA
Table Mountain forms Cape Town’ s iconic silhouette, rising over 3,500 feet above the city. Before it became an international landmark, the mountain held profound cultural significance for the Indigenous Khoi and San peoples of the region. Its Khoi designation, Hoerikwaggo, is frequently translated as“ Mountain in the Sea,” a description for a massif that appears to rise almost directly from the adjoining coastline.
Today, visitors can climb its trail network or ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the summit. The rotating cable car offers changing views during the ascent, but reaching the top reveals how dramatically Cape Town is shaped by its geography. Walking paths cross the mountain’ s distinctive vegetation, while viewpoints look toward the city, surrounding peaks, and the Atlantic coastline.
At sea level, Cape Town’ s wild side continues. At Boulders Beach, boardwalks wind through a protected colony of endangered African penguins, bringing visitors remarkably close to birds waddling through the vegetation and along the sheltered shoreline. From there, the Cape Peninsula offers an excuse to keep following the coast, where beaches, mountains, and rocky headlands continually compete for attention.
Camps Bay offers a more urban seaside experience, nestled beneath the Twelve Apostles mountain range. It features a wide beach facing the Atlantic, with restaurants and cafés lining the waterfront. As the sun sets over the ocean, the mountains in the background create one of Cape Town’ s most iconic views.
RIDE THROUGH THE WINELANDS
Less than an hour from Cape Town, city streets give way to rolling vineyards, historic estates, and mountains in the Cape Winelands. South Africa’ s wine tradition dates to the 17th century, but the country’ s most distinctive grape arrived centuries later. South Africa created Pinotage in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir with Cinsaut, producing a red grape that would become closely associated with the country’ s wine industry.
One of the easiest ways to explore is aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. The hop-on, hop-off experience carries passengers between estates around the Franschhoek Valley, turning the journey itself into part of the day as vineyards and mountains pass outside.
“ I recommend spending a night or two in the Winelands,” says travel content creator Alexa Moore.“ It’ s breathtaking.” Possible stops include Klein Goederust, the first fully Black-owned wine farm in Franschhoek, which offers visitors a chance to see how a new generation of winemakers is helping shape its future.
GO BEYOND: LESOTHO
Cape Town may offer dramatic mountain scenery, but travel farther into southern Africa and the landscape rises considerably. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, the independent Kingdom of Lesotho is
FLYWASHINGTON. COM 16 AUTUMN / WINTER 2026