The enthusiasm and energy of a new, proud nation comes to life on the streets and in the City Centre of Cape Town in the Western Cape, South Africa. A rich diversity of shopping opportunities, art, music, cuisine, theatre, entertainment and nightlife awaits the visitor. And for the sporty and adventurous, there is something to suit everybody’s adrenaline rush – from all kinds of conventional sports to water sports to helicopter flips.
The beautiful Mother City has so much to offer, but since it is not our intention to present a comprehensive tourism brochure – rather consult the various tourism information bureaus for detailed information – we’ll stick to wetting your appetite with our Travel Information and some highly recommended attractions and things to do:
CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE: Built between 1666 and 1679, this pentagonal fort is the oldest colonial and best preserved structure of its kind in South Africa. Guided tours daily – experience cultural exhibitions, military history and colourful ceremonies, the dungeons, blacksmith, fine wines and Cape Malay cuisine.
THE GARDENS: Established in 1962 by Jan van Riebeeck, the first colonial governor in South Africa, to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to passing ships, the Company Gardens is a green, peaceful oasis in the middle of a bustling modern city, worthy of a stroll and house the SA Museum and Planetarium, the SA Cultural History Museum, the SA Jewish Museum, the SA National Gallery with contemporary works of art.
CRAFT MARKETS: Get a taste of Africa at Green Market Square and the pedestrian walk at St George’s Mall where vendors sell anything from African crafts to clothes, jewellery and books to bric-a-brac. Visit also the craft markets of Greenpoint, Noordhoek and Khayelitsha.
CABLE CAR UP TABLE MOUNTAIN: The summit of Table Mountain is more than 1 000 metres high, provide spectacular views and sports a restaurant, shop, telescopes and walkways.
CAPE MALAY QUARTER: Also called the Bo-Kaap, guided walking tours will give you insight into the influence of the colourful Malay culture on the SA cuisine and architecture in Cape Town.
LONG STREET: Famous for all kinds of fascinating shops selling antiques, collectibles, clothing and books, a vibrant nightlife and good restaurants.
Explore the city on the open-top bus and get to know more about the history and culture of the Mother City.
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is a working habour that has been turned into South Africa’s most visited tourist attraction. It has over 270 contemporary stores, street entertainers, live music shows at the open air amphitheatre, 11 cinemas, an Imax theatre, 7 hotels, the Two Oceans Aquarium where you can swim with the sharks, boat trips, harbour cruises, helicopter charters, art and craft markets, designer clothes, African souvenirs and jewellery shops, a variety of top restaurants, historic sites, a working brewery – to mention a few.
Robben Island
The departure point for ferries and a tour of the maximum-security prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years, is at the Clock Tower.
Things to do in Cape Town Central, South Africa
Visit the V&A Waterfront for excellent restaurants and shopping Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront Take a trip to Robben Island from the V&A Waterfront Take a harbour sunset cruise from the V&A Waterfront Visit the oldest building in the country, the Castle of Good Hope Spend some time in the historic Company Gardens Visits the craft stalls at Green Market Square for a taste of Africa Explore the Bo-Kaap with its Cape Malay flavour Take the cable car up Table Mountain Take a helicopter trip over the Peninsula Visit Long Street with its antique and book shops Explore the city on the open-top bus Drive the scenic coastal road from Green Point to Chapman’s Peak Hike up Table Mountain Take a charter cruise from the harbour
The Southern Suburbs
Visit Mostert’s Mill, one of only two Dutch windmills in the Cape, in Rosebank Visit Rodes Memorial on the slopes of Table Mountain where antelope roam freely Newlands Stadium and cricket fields Have a picnic in the Newlands Forest with its an amazing tapestry of trees Shop at award-winning Cavendish Square Shopping Centre in Claremont Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – over 5 000 species of indigenous flora Visit Constantia Valley and the wine estates
Atlantic Coast, Cape Town, South Africa
Do one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world – the Chapman’s Peak Drive Visit the Green Point craft market on Sundays Stroll along Sea Point Beachfront Promenade Swim in the Olympic-sized swimming pool at Sea Point Visit the four elite beaches amongst the boulders of Clifton Enjoy the view from a restaurant at Camps Bay Visit Llandudno for surfing and scuba diving Tan at Sandy Bay, South Africa’s only nudist beach Visit the Hout Bay harbour with its Yacht Club Marina and Mariner’s Wharf Sunset cruises from Hout Bay harbour Scuba diving, surfing, kite surfing, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing Abseil from Chapman’s Peak Cruise from Hout Bay to see the seals
Peninsula, Cape Town, South Africa
Take a train ride from Simonstown to Muizenberg Swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town Visit the Toy Museum and Maritime Museum in Simon’s Town Visit Gemstone Factory in Simon’s Town Visit Just Nuisance’s Grave in Simon’s Town Swim at Fish Hoek beach Snorkel off Sunnycove beach in Fish Hoek Golf at Clovelly Go caving in the mountains near Kalk Bay Browse amongst antique shops in Kalk Bay Visit the old fashioned fishing harbour in Kalk Bay Horse riding at 8 km Long Beach near Noordhoek For excellent surfing, angling, crayfish boat trips visit Kommetjie Visit Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve Take a walk at Cape Point to see the Fynbos (indigenous flora} Visit the ostrich farm – camel rides Walk in Silvermine Nature Reserve Surf at “The Hoek” or walk along the beach at Noorhoek Sunset beach rides – with champagne at Noordhoek Scuba diving, surfing, kite surfing, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing, power boating Blaauwberg Region, Cape Town Metro, South Africa Enjoy the view of Table Mountain from 48 km of white, sandy beaches Top angling spots as well as surfing, wind and kite surfing Shop at Canal Walk, the biggest shopping centre on the continent Sail on the Rietvlei Dam in the Nature Reserve Milnerton Golf Club Visit Sanccob, famous rescue centre for polluted marine birds and penquins. Watch whales (July to September) and year-round dolphin watching at Bloubergstrand Visit Melkbosstrand, the gateway to the West Coast Koeberg Power Station and Nature Reserve Tygerberg Region, Cape Town, South Africa Visit the Grand West Casino Complex with 2 hotels, Olympic sized ice rink, 60 restaurants Take a township tour to Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats Entertainment and sport at the Velodrome Shop at the Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in Bellville The Durbanville Wine Route has six wine estates open for tastings Durbanville Golf Club
Oostenberg Region, Cape Town Metro, South Africa
Oostenberg has six own wine estates with wine tasting and hamper picnics Visit the Tygerberg Zoo, Drakenstein Lion Park and Animalzone Visit the Wijnland Auto Museum – biggest collection of classic and vintage cars in the country Kuils River Golf Club offers an 18-hole course and welcomes visitors Helderberg Region, Cape Town Metro, South Africa Visit the Helderberg Wine Route, starting at Somerset West Visit the Stellenbosch winelands Swim at long, white, safe swimming beaches of Strand and Gordon’s Bay Visit the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West Visit the Fynbos Biosphere near Betty’s Bay Magnificent coastal scenic Clarence Drive to Rooi Els Watch whales from August to November from Gordon’s Bay Scuba diving, surfing, kite surfing, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing in area Shop at Somerset Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in the Western Cape Take a drive along the beautiful coastal False Bay road to Muizenberg Visit historic Vergelegen Wine Estate Visit Monkey Town with 24 species or monkeys Golf at Erinvale, Somerset West and Strand Golf Clubs Go for shark diving in Gansbaai further along the coast See the cheetahs at Spier Wine Estate
Monika Moser is author of this article on Travel Information Cape Town. Find more information about Cape Town City Centre here.
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