Towering 1,085 meters above Cape Town with its distinctive flat summit stretching nearly three kilometers from end to end, Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on Earth and the defining landmark of South Africa’s most beautiful city. The rotating cable car whisks visitors to the top in just five minutes, where a network of well-maintained walking paths winds across the summit plateau past unique fynbos vegetation, rock hyraxes (small furry mammals related to elephants), and viewpoints that will leave you breathless. On one side, the Atlantic Ocean stretches to the horizon; on the other, the city sprawls across the Cape Flats toward distant mountain ranges. The mountain is home to over 1,470 floral species — more than the entire United Kingdom — many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. For the adventurous, numerous hiking routes of varying difficulty lead to the summit, including the popular Platteklip Gorge trail.

Pro tip: Check the webcam on the cable car website before heading up — the mountain frequently disappears under its famous “tablecloth” cloud, and you do not want to pay for a ride into white mist. Clear mornings are your best bet.