World Cup Host Cities
Each of the World Cup host cities has its own distinct feel and personality. From the bustling, cosmopolitan cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg to the small towns of Polokwane and Bloemfontein, here’s what you need to know to plan your trip to any of these cities.
Cape Town
South Africa’s most popular tourist city, Cape Town offers fine dining, great shopping, gorgeous beaches, and the natural beauty of Table Mountain, Cape Point and the nearby winelands.
Johannesburg
A sprawling city and the largest in South Africa, Joburg is the center of commerce in the country. It’s also home to the nation’s Apartheid Museum, a must-do for many visitors.
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Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is South Africa’s fifth largest city. Located along the Garden Route, it offers lovely beaches, historical museums, fine dining and fresh seafood, and excellent diving.
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Durban
Durban is a cosmopolitan city and popular beach retreat on the eastern end of South Africa.The main activities here are relaxing on the beaches, soaking up the sun, surfing, and adventure sports.
Polokwane
The small city of Polokwane serves as the gateway to the north in South Africa. It’s the closest city to Kruger’s north gate, but otherwise doesn’t offer much to attract tourists.
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Bloemfontein
Deep in the interior of South Africa, Bloemfontein sits in the middle of a large grassland area. Full of history, the city offers the largest concentration of historical monuments, as well as great stargazing and plentiful skydiving opportunities.
Pretoria
Located just 30 miles north of Johannesburg, Pretoria is the capital of South Africa. The city is generally felt to be a smaller, less frenetic and commercial version of Joburg.
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Rustenburg
Not far from Johannesburg, Rustenbug is a small city with not much to offer for tourists. However, very nearby you’ll find several national parks and nature reserves.
Photo by goeftheref