Cape Town’s 'most worth it' attraction makes global experience list

There’s no shortage of “must-do” lists when you land in Cape Town. Scroll TikTok, and your itinerary has 47 stops, three outfit changes and a sunrise hike.

But are all these attractions worth it? A global analysis of over three million traveller reviews by InsureandGo found that the experiences people rave about most aren’t the easiest. They’re the ones that demand effort. Time. A bit of grit.

Cape Town plays that game very well. Out of 20 destinations on the list, the Cape of Good Hope ranked 16th globally, with 13.6% of reviews describing it as “worth it.”

If it’s easy, it’s probably mid

InsureandGo examined review language across a range of expensive, busy or hard-to-reach attractions to identify which experiences travellers feel are genuinely worth the time.

Kings Canyon Lookout in Australia’s Northern Territory ranked first globally, gaining 28.7% of reviews. The spot is accessible only by a long drive through the remote Outback.  

Skellig Michael Monastery came in second. Reaching the monastery includes climbing 600 uneven stone steps in unpredictable Atlantic weather. Travellers described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that photographs can’t capture.  

The Cape of Good Hope hits different

Coming in at 16th place was our very own Cape of Good Hope. With a worth-it score of 13.6%, reaching the southwestern tip of the African continent is a full-day commitment.

The south easter is unapologetic. Driving there takes effort. Be alert for the baboon or two plotting something chaotic. But that wild, end-of-the-world feeling? Unmatched! No surprise this spot made the global “worth it” list. It’s dramatic. A little inconvenient. Completely unforgettable.

Time Out Tip: The Cape of Good Hope is often confused with the southernmost tip of Africa. That's actually Cape Agulhas.

Why it’s worth the visit

The historical significance can’t be ignored. First rounded by Portugal’s Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, it was originally named The Cape of Storms with its treacherous waters.

Cape Point is an easy cliffside hike from the Cape of Good Hope. The area features the famous Cape Point Lighthouse, striking cliffs, and expansive ocean views.

Keep an eye out for diverse fauna, ostriches, and bontebok. And those “cute” baboons? Always secure your belongings. They’re the cheekiest kind of bag snatchers. 

Further afield across Africa 

Abu Simbel Temples in Aswan, Egypt ranked 5th overall. Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls Rainforest Entrance earned this Southern neighbour a spot at number 14, Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun Tomb) in Luxor, Egypt, clinched 17th position. At the same time, Namibia’s Sossusvlei Deadvlei made it to 19th place.

See the full list.   

1. Kings Canyon Lookout — Australia — 28.7%
2. Skellig Michael Monastery — Ireland — 26.3%
3. Franz Josef Glacier Viewpoint — New Zealand — 21.9%
4. Great Wall (Jinshanling Section) — China — 21.8%
5. Abu Simbel Temples — Egypt — 21.0%
6. Batad Rice Terraces — Philippines — 20.3%
7. Twelve Apostles — Australia — 19.7%
8. Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe — Switzerland — 19.7%
9. Quiraing — Scotland, UK — 17.6%
10. Moraine Lake — Canada — 16.0%
11. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise — Switzerland — 15.6%
12. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb — Australia — 15.2%
13. Mitre Peak Viewpoint (Milford Sound) — New Zealand — 15.1%
14. Victoria Falls Rainforest Entrance — Zimbabwe — 14.6%
15. Uluru — Australia — 14.6%
16. Cape of Good Hope — South Africa — 13.6%
17. Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun Tomb) — Egypt — 13.4%
18. Shanghai Tower Observation Deck — China — 12.8%
19. Sossusvlei Deadvlei — Namibia — 12.2%
20. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park — United States — 12.1%