Table Mountain

Cape Town's dominant mountain, world famous Table Mountain overlooks the entire city and lends Cape Town a unique backdrop. You can choose to ride the cable car up to the top or spend a few hours climbing up its side using the designated paths. Once up there, the view of the Cape is breathtaking and gives a whole new perspective on the tip of Africa. If the mountain is covered with the famous tablecloth because of the south easterly wind, avoid paying the entrance fee and going up, save your money and go on a clear day.Find out more at www.tablemountain.net.

Cape Point and Good Hope

Africa's southern most tip, the views from the peak are fabulous. Part of a National Park, you can visit the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope.

Take care, it can be awfully windy and look out for the baboons, they may be cute but they certainly aren't nice!

V&A Waterfront (Victoria and Alfred)

This recent development of the harbour area near the city centre has a large shopping centre and excellent restaurants. Also nearby is an excellent market and the Cape Town Aquarium where you can see scuba divers feed the sharks daily in the afternoon.

Cape Town Castle

Nestled below Table Mountain is the Castle where the first settlers on the Southern Tip of Africa built their fortress. The castle is the oldest building in South Africa and is strategically positioned to look out to sea and the mountains. The views over the rest of Cape Town and its surroundings are an interesting history lesson.

Signal Hill

Travel up the road past the turning point to Table Mountain and follow the signs to Signal Hill. This is yet another fantastic look out point and it is from here that the cannon is fired everyday at noon.

Boulders Beach

Travel towards the naval base of Simons Town and stop off at Boulders Beach to meet some smartly dressed lads. Yes - it is here that you can see hundreds of Jack Ass penguins strolling around! There is an entrance fee here but it is worth it.

Hout Bay Bird Park

Directions to the Bird Park are well indicated once you get to Hout Bay. The Bird Park is beautifully arranged and you will be treated to a huge variety of birdlife. Phone ahead of time and find out when the monkey cage is open so that you can go in and be entertained by the busy little things.

Long Street

The main drag through Cape Town. The bars and restaurants come vibrantly alive until the early hours of the morning. Cape Town can boast to be one of the hottest clubbing destinations in the world so check it out, you will not be disappointed.

Beaches

Take a drive down to anyone of Camps Bay, False Bay, Llandudno and Clifton Beaches. The houses are stunning and the beaches are very popular. Be sure to get there early to find your spot. Bear in mind that the water around Cape Town is rather cold and you may not enjoy swimming in it. Bring a good book, some beach activities such as tennis and a wetsuit if you plan on surfing or snorkeling.

Sunsets

The sun setting over the sea is always something worth seeing. There are many spots along the beaches but why not try the Blue Peter Hotel. The hotel is a renowned location in Blouberg Bay to watch the sunset. The hotel has a great bar and also boasts a great view of Table Mountain.

Robben Island

Once a prison for political prisoners and home to Nelson Mandela and Dennis Brutus for many years. The entire island is now a museum and can be reached by boat from the V & A Waterfront.

You can find more information on Robben Island at www.robben-island.org.za

Specialist Tour Guide

To experience Africa and Cape Town from a local point of view you can visit our associate specialist tour guide for Cape Town Guided Tours

Go to the beach

Spend a day on any one of Cape Town's beautiful beaches absorbing the rays. Try surfing, diving or kite-surfing but be careful, the water is very cold!!

Visit the Market

Situated in Green Market Square, there are numerous stalls selling African Carvings, textiles and curios. Make sure you negotiate, as the first price they offer is never the lowest one!

Eat at the Waterfront

The Waterfront shopping plaza has some excellent restaurants and a charming atmosphere through the day and evening.

Township Visits

To truly understand the diversity of this city and country, you may want to visit a township. Do this only under the guidance of a recognised tour guide. It is now possible to stay over for the night as there are many Bed and Breakfasts. If you enjoy tasting a bit of variety in culture and scenery this is a must do.

Go scuba diving

Scuba diving in the Cape area has great kelps forests, seals and wrecks. Find out more about diving around Cape Town on our Cape Town diving page.

Visit the winelands

South Africa's popular wine area includes the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek. Some of the wine estates have wine tasting and light meals. You can spend the day driving and taking in the scenery or park, take a break and sample some of the excellent wines produced by South Africa's top vineyards.

For more information on the Cape Winelands, visit Stellenbosch.

The following are some popular wine estates:
Delheim L'Ormarins Seidelberg	Rhebokskloof Vergelegen

The Garden Route

If you have the time to visit the country a bit and have rented a car, why not drive along the coast and visit the Garden Route. Interesting points along the way are Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Storms River village and the Tsitsikama Forest.

Visit Hermanus

Situated on the East side of the Peninsula, this is the Whale watching center within close vicinity of Cape Town. The town also has a large variety of shops and restaurants. For more information on Hermanus and the whale route, visit our page on Hermanus.

Beer

South Africa's beer selection includes the local SA Brewery products Castle, Hansa, Black Label and Amstel. The Namibian Windhoek and Tafel imports are also very popular together with a wide range of foreign imports.

Braaivleis

Braaivleis translates as barbecued meat. The braai is an institution in South Africa and is almost always complimented with several drinks.

Boerewors

Boerewors is a South African type of sausage. It's like a staple in South Africa and is almost always available at a braai.

Cape Wines

The Western Cape of South Africa has some excellent red and white wines produced. Many wine estates are open for visits, purchases and tastings by visitors and locals alike. Some of the estates are absolutely beautiful, particularly the older ones with old homesteads and cellars. Franschoek, Stellenbosch, Robertson and Paarl are of particular interest.

Cap Classique

Cap Classique is South Africa's very own Champagne made using the traditional Methode Champagnoise. There are some really good ones using the standard pinot noir and chardonnay combinations.

Chapman's Peak Hotel

Located in Hout Bay, this hotel restaurant offers the freshest calamari pan-fried in a garlic butter sauce. Very affordable and well worth a visit.

Seafood

Being so close to the coast one would expect the seafood to be of a great quality and standard. Feast on crayfish, lobster, mussels, calamari and prawns. A local favourite is a salty fish called snoek - smoked, grilled or fried, have some but look out for the bones.

Biltong

Biltong is dried meat. You can also get dried boerewors called droewors. Beef is probably the most commonly used meat but game such as kudu, springbok and impala is also widely used. It's a great snack.

Pies

Pies are available almost aeverywhere. In supermarkets, rest stops, fast food joints and several other places there are pies.

Potjiekos

Potjiekos is a popular meaty South African type of stew done in a steel pot called a potjie on an open fire called a braai. It's slow cooked with chicken, beef or lamb and is usually accommpanied by a few drinks.

Bobotie

Bobotie is a Cape Malay dish made of rice, minced beef, egg and sultanas. It is really good and great with some extra chutney.

Rusks

Rusks are cooked oats, nuts ad berries usually eaten at breakfast or as a snack and dipped in coffee. They are rock hard so the dipping in coffee is advised.

Koeksisters

Koeksisters are honey dipped twirls of dough. Great little treat.

Milktart

A cheap, popular and easy dessert, milktart is a little pie with a creamy milk filling.

Hotels

You can find excellent hotels in Cape Town and South Africa. Many of the main hotel sites will have listings for you. Find Cape Town Hotels.

Hostels

There are plenty of hostels and cheap accommodation in Cape Town. Prices vary from hostel to hostel but are generally affordable. Search and book Cape Town hostels.

Airport-City

The Airport is about 45 minutes away from the city.

The national carrier of South Africa is South African Airways and you can book flights with them at www.flysaa.com

Find out more about the airport of Cape Town at www.airports.co.za

Buses

There is a good bus network around town. Fares are cheap and the routes cover the major sights around the city.

White Van Taxis

Best to stay away from these. The locals make a lot of use of this mode of transportation. You can spot them as they are usually overcrowded and pullover almost anywhere alongside the road.

Official Taxis

These are probably your best bet around town unless you have rented a vehicle.

Car Rental

If you feel capable of navigating the Cape roads and highways then this will be the best option for you. Remember that South Africa is a right-hand drive country like the United Kingdom. Gasoline prices are very affordable by first world standards but don't say that to the locals, they'll ask you if you are joking.

Walk

Central Cape Town is safe to walk through and visit during the day. However, stay aware and avoid specific danger areas at night. Don't bother visiting the Cape Flats, you won't like it at all.

Friendly

You can count on the Cape's residents to say hello to you and help you out but do beware when in strange neighbourhoods, not everybody has a friendly face.

Having said that, South Africa has a reputation for being a dangerous country. Be vigilant, avoid unlit areas at night and seek safety in numbers and you'll be just fine.

Language

South Africa has 11 official languages so you will hear a variety of dialects but the most widely spoken are English and Afrikaans.

Time Zone

GMT +2

Currency

South African Rand divided into 100 cents

Useful Links

Cape Town Travel