There is nowhere quite
like Cape Town. It is in Africa, and of Africa, but yet so different.
Perched between the ocean and the mountain, and with a National Park as
its heart, it's wild and wonderful. But it's also the oldest city in our
country, and it has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years.
It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum,
as nowhere else in the country do we have such cultural diversity. Between
beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, elegant Georgian townhouses, traditional
dancers with painted faces performing in the city streets, the smell of
spicy Malay cooking, the tang of a well-matured wine, and the sound of
the snoek horn advertising the wares of fish vendors, this city will fill
your senses. The bells of St George's Cathedral alternate with the plaintive
tones of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer. Visitors give a startled
jump, and Capetonians calmly glance at their watches, when the noon gun
booms above the city - a relic from the days of sail when sea captains
had to check their chronometers.
You will never be bored in Cape Town. Table Mountain offers some of the
best climbing in the world, and it's right here in the city. The surfing
is fantastic; the diving is cold but good. You could go mountain biking,
or try sandboarding. Go sea kayaking - you may see seals, dolphins or
penguins. A great thing to do on a full moon summer's night is to walk
up Lion's Head before dark, watch the sun set on one hand and the full
moon rise on the other and then walk down in the silvery light. Or, if
the wind is right, you could fly off Lion's Head with a qualified tandem
paraglider pilot, and land on the beach in time for sundowners. Oh, you'll
never be bored.
If all this sounds too gung ho for you, don't worry. You can shop till
you drop at Cavendish, Canal Walk or the Waterfront where you'll be spoilt
for choice. There is so much live music, so many temporary and permanent
art exhibitions, so many movies, plays and even opera, ballet or symphony
concerts, that you will have absolutely no excuse to stay in your hotel
room. Of course, you'll just have to find the time to sample some Cape
wine. You could visit a different museum every day for a week, and you
just have to see Robben Island.
Cape Town has something for everyone. As well as catering admirably for
the top end of the market with its many excellent quality establishments,
it also has more backpackers hostels than any other city worldwide. It's
also the home of the backpackers special, the Baz Bus.
Cape Town Attractions
Beaches
Cape Town's many clean, natural beaches are considered among the most
beautiful in the world, spectacularly situated between sea and mountain,
from False Bay to the Atlantic Coast. Sun-worshippers, nature lovers and
watersports enthusiasts alike are spoilt for choice!
Just 10 minutes from the city centre, Clifton and Camps Bay are sheltered
from the southeaster wind, and are perfect for sunbathing, frisbee throwing,
swimming and sundowners. Surfing spots abound, as well as excellent spots
for scubadiving, boardsailing and fishing. For those afraid to brave the
invigorating sea temperatures of the Atlantic coast, a scenic drive to
False Bay offers warmer waters at popular Muizenberg, Kalk Bay or Simonstown.
For 'naturalists' wanting to get a little closer to the elements, Sandy
Bay, a nature reserve, is also an unofficial nudist beach!
With the exception of Boulders Beach in False Bay, entrance to all Cape
Town's lovely beaches is free. All our city asks is that visitors respect
the unspoilt natural environment by taking their litter home with them
and refraining from making fires.
Table Mountain
It's a hiker's paradise, with walks of varying degrees of difficulty to
suit nature lovers and serious rock climbers alike. Remember to watch
the weather when planning a hike, and to make sure you've taken care of
all the basic safety precautions! Lower Station, Phone (021) 424 8181.
This World Heritage Site is Cape Town's most unique identifying landmark.
Its summit soars 1 086m above sea level and can be reached by means of
a revolving cable car. Visitors can marvel at the awe-inspiring 360°
view of Cape Town while enjoying a meal or refreshing drink at the restaurant,
or wandering the rocky trails lined with beautiful fynbos. The mountain
is, in fact, covered with a wide variety of wild flowers and is the natural
home of the famous silver tree.
Robben Island
A national monument, Robben Island is one of the most significant historical
sites in South Africa. First used by the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
as a refreshment station, it later became an asylum and leper colony.The
Island was then controlled by the Army and Navy, after which it fell into
the hands of the Department of Correctional Services in 1960. It gained
notoreity as a gaol for those considered dangerous to the previous government,
including its most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, for whom the island
was 'home' for over two decades.A limited number of tourists can now visit
Robben Island every day, with guided tours of the prison and a museum
as well as walking and cycling tours for a closer look at the wildlife.
Visitors arrive by means of catamarans or historic vessels which depart
from the V&A Waterfront. Phone (021) 419 1300. Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Gardens
A garden world-famous for its indigenous plants (over 5000 species) and
for its magnificent setting on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Visitors
can stroll the vast grounds or admire the view whilst picnicking on the
rolling lawns of Kirstenbosch. There is a delightful restaurant renowned
for its Sunday breakfasts and teas, as well as a shop where one can buy
postcards and plants.Guides for interested parties can be arranged, while
regular guided walks take place every Tuesday and Saturday. Phone (021)
762 1166.
Castle of Good Hope
Built between 1666 - 1679, the Castle - situated in Buitenkant Street
in the heart of Cape Town - is the oldest building in South Africa. It
is a pentagonal fort with a moatand bastions at each corner, each named
after the titles of the Prince of Orange. The Castle houses a military
museum with three linked themes: the military history of the Cape, the
military history of the Castle and the history of the Cape regiments past
and present. It also houses the William Fehr Collection of paintings and
antiques, and visitors can dine or relax with a refreshing drink at a
restaurant on the premises. Phone (021) 469 1249/50South African Museum
The SA Museum - situated in Queen Victoria Road in the city centre - was
founded in 1825 and is the oldest and largest museum in the country. Its
exhibits include a fossil gallery, a Whale Well (dominated by a 20m long
skeleton of a blue whale), the only example of a quagga foal, the famous
Linton rock paintings that are described as a major treasure, the mysterious
Lydenburg Heads (c.500 AD), and the highly acclaimed Wonders of Nature.
Natural History videos are regularly shown, and presentations at the Planetarium
next door take place daily. Phone (021) 424 3330SA National Gallery
South Africa's premier art museum - situated in the lush Company Gardens
in the city centre - houses large collections of southern African and
international art, with exhibitions featuring paintings, photography,
sculpture, beadwork and textiles. Phone (021) 465 1628.
The Company Gardens
Situated off Upper Adderly street in the city centre, the oldest garden
in South Africa was established by Jan van Riebeek in 1652 as a vegetable
garden to supply fresh produce to passing ships. Today it contains a wide
variety of indigenous and exotic plants, shrubs and trees, an aviary and
a restaurant. Its sun dial dates back to 1787 and its bell tower, to 1855.
Below the restaurant is a saffron pear tree, the oldets cultivated tree
in South Africa and believed to have been planted shortly after Van Riebeek
established a settlement here.
Good Hope Nature Reserve
The southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, this nature reserve boasts 7 750
hectares of indigenous flora and fauna. Visitors can look out for baboon,
bontebok, zebra, Cape grysbok, steenbok, grey rhebok, eland, springbok,
grey mongoose and over 150 species of bird. In the reserve, at the end
of the Table Mountain chain, is world-famous Cape Point, the dramatic
and visually awe-inspiring promontory, where one can dine in style or
throw caution to the winds where the two oceans are said to meet. Visit
their Website, or phone (021) 780 9100 or (021) 780 9204.
Groot Constantia
Situated off Constantia Road in Wynberg, Groot Constantia is the Cape's
oldest homestead - the farm originally allocated to Governor Simon van
der Stel. At the Manor House, visitors can admire furniture and antiques
dating to the mid-1700s, and, in the Wine Museum, a rare selection of
wine drinking and storage vessels dating from between 500BC and the 19th
centure. Visitors can also enjoy cellar tours, purchase wine from the
Estate and dine here. Phone (021) 794 5067. The stately Groot Constantia
Manor House.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Situated at the Victoria and Alfred basins in Table Bay Harbour, the Waterfront
is one of South Africa's leading tourist destinations and a favourite
with local residents who work, play, shop - and, soon, will also be able
to live - there! Original buildings have been renovated and new ones built,
all in Victorian style, contributing to the timeless charm and appeal
of this complex in the midst of a working harbour. Visitors can enjoy
world-class shops, a variety of fascinating museums, an excellent selection
of restaurants, pubs and coffee shops, craft markets, historical walking
tours, cinemas (including an Imax!) and theatres, the Telkom Exploratorium,
outdoor entertainment, helicopter flips and much more. The Waterfront
is home to some of the Cape's most renowned hotels, and is a superb venue
for conferences. One can also visit South Africa's largest aquarium, the
Two Oceans Aquarium, which represents some 300 aquatic species. An information
centre, good security and ample parking add to the Waterfront's popularity
and to visitors' pleasure!
Ratanga Junction
Cape Town - and South Africa's - first full-scale theme park, at Century
City, offers unparalleled entertainment for the whole family, transporting
guests into a land of fantasy and adventure, providing hours of fun with
something for every age. Its many attractions range from adrenaline-pumping
thrill rides to family and kiddie rides, interactive play areas and variety
and stunt shows. The park is predominantly for families by day and adults
by night, with entertainment and prices to match. Situated in the heart
of the park, Ratanga Island houses the restaurants, pubs, shops, a theatre,
stages and a video wall, all offering compelling evening entertainment.
From 7pm to the early hours every night is party time!
Hout Bay Harbour
A traditional, working harbour with rustic fishing boats and the constant
activity of fishermen plying their trade. Hout Bay Harbour boasts the
world-famous Mariners' Wharf, comprising a harbourfront emporium of live
lobster and fish markets, seafood bistros and restaurants, shell, souvenir,
art and nautical-style shops, and old wine and liquor store, and a pearl-in-an-oyster
outlet. Visitors can enjoy round-the-bay boat trips, watch the antics
of the cape fur seals in the summer months and see the rare black cormorant
and the common black-backed gull at nearby Duiker Island.
Rhodes Memorial
Built of Table Mountain granite as a tribute to the memory of Cecil John
Rhodes, Prime Minister of the Cape from 1890-1896, Rhodes Memorial nestles
in the mountainside off Rhodes Drive, Rondebosch. There are free running
fallow-deer on the mountain slopes and, to the east, a magnificent panoramic
view of the Cape Flats, False Bay and the Drankenstein Mountains. At the
back of the monumentis a delightful thatch and stone tearoom. |
