Think you know everything there is to know about the Mother City? Think again. First Car Rental brings you a Top 10 list of fun and interesting facts you might not know about Cape Town. Book an affordable car from First Car Rental Cape Town to explore and enjoy the city’s hidden gems.
1. Romance on the Mountain
Table Mountain may be one of the oldest mountains in the world, dating back around 280 million years, but romance on top of this mountain never gets old. It's estimated that two couples get engaged on the mountain every month. And did you know? Table Mountain only looks flat from one side—the overlying mountains to the southwest are known as the Twelve Apostles. The mountain is home to an estimated 2,200 species of plants, many of which are endemic to the area and found nowhere else in the world. Hire a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to visit this iconic natural wonder.
2. Everyone is Young
Despite being the oldest city in South Africa, the 2011 national census reports that almost half (43.2%) of the Western Cape's population is below the age of 25. It could be said that Cape Town is a fountain of youth, attracting young and vibrant individuals from all over. Rent a car from First Car Rental and explore the youthful energy of this dynamic city.
3. Trophy Homes
Cape Town is home to some of the most luxurious and upmarket homes in South Africa. These properties come with a steep price tag of over R200 million, and seven of the most expensive suburbs in the country are located on the Atlantic Seaboard alone. According to property group Seeff, about R1 billion worth of trophy homes were sold across Cape Town in 2015, with most sales occurring in suburbs like Clifton, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, and Fresnaye. Book a luxury car rental from First Car Rental to explore these exclusive neighborhoods.
4. Mensa - A Constellation Named After a Mountain
Table Mountain is the only mountain in the world to have a constellation of stars named after it. Mensa, which is the Latin word for 'table,' is one of twelve constellations drawn up in the 18th century by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. After a visit to South Africa, Lacaille noted how Table Mountain was often covered in clouds when a south-easterly stormy wind blew, inspiring him to create a 'table' in the sky under the clouds. Hire a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Table Mountain.
5. Tobogganing in Africa
Cape Town is home to Africa's first downhill tobogganing track, aptly named 'Cool Runnings' after the famous film about Jamaica's first bobsled team. Located just 25 km outside of the city center on Carl Cronje Drive, visitors can hurtle down a half-pipe in a bobsled, flying through twists and curves along the 1.25 km track. It’s fun for kids and adults alike, and it’s completely safe. Rent an SUV from First Car Rental to enjoy a thrilling day at Cool Runnings.
6. Tavern of the Seas
The Port of Cape Town is also known as the 'Tavern of the Seas' and is one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world, retaining both strategic and economic importance. The port is equipped with significant repair and maintenance facilities used by several large fishing fleets and parts of the West African oil industry. Cape Town's port handles the largest amount of fresh fruit and is second only to Durban as a container port. Additionally, many cruise ships berth in the port, thanks to the city's many tourist attractions. Rent a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to explore the vibrant port area and its surroundings.
7. Bo-Kaap's Brightly Colored Houses
Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town's most distinct neighborhoods, characterized by its brightly painted houses. The original residents of this area were descendants of slaves brought in from Africa and Asia, and they were Muslims. To celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan, it is tradition to dress in brightly colored clothes and paint houses in vibrant hues. In the 1760s, when numerous “huurhuisjes” (rental houses) were leased to slaves, all the houses had to be white. When this rule was eventually lifted, the slaves, who were allowed to buy the properties, painted their houses bright colors as an expression of their newfound freedom. Book a car rental from First Car Rental to explore this historic and culturally rich area.
8. Long Street's History
Did you know? Long Street was originally called De Derde Berg Dwars Straat, which roughly translates to 'the third road parallel to the mountain.' The name was changed to Long Street in the 1790s. Long Street is one of Cape Town's oldest streets and is, not surprisingly, quite long at 1.7 km in length. Running from the Cape Town Convention Centre through the middle of the CBD to Kloof Street, Long Street is a major part of the city's street culture. With a host of interesting shops, restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafés lining the street, it’s one of Cape Town’s funkiest bohemian haunts. Hire an economy car from First Car Rental Cape Town to explore the lively Long Street.
9. Hoerikwaggo - The Mountain of the Sea
The indigenous people of the Cape, the Khoikhoi, referred to Table Mountain as Hoerikwaggo, which translates to 'Mountain of the Sea.' It wasn’t until 1503 when Portuguese explorer Antonio de Saldanha, the first European to hike the mountain, named it Taboa de Cabo, meaning 'Table of the Cape.' In 1652, Dutch settlers started calling it Tafelberg, which translates from Dutch to its current name, Table Mountain. Rent a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to hike the legendary Hoerikwaggo.
10. The Sea View Castle
Cape Town's famous landmark, the Castle of Good Hope, is the oldest colonial building in South Africa, built between 1666 and 1679. At one time, the star-shaped building had waves lapping at the entry point, prompting the entrance to be moved. The structure, which was once a fort, served as a welcoming port for sailors traveling around the Cape—a journey that was often arduous. Despite popular belief, it was not built by Jan van Riebeeck; a temporary clay and wooden fort was constructed during his time at the site, which is now the Golden Acre shopping center. Today, the castle serves as a ceremonial base for Cape regiments of the South African Defence Force. Book a car rental from First Car Rental and visit this historic site.
Now that you’re clued up on all the quirky facts about Cape Town, pack your bags and rent a car from First Car Rental to explore the Mother City like never before.
