Travel Eye on Cape Town (South Africa)

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Overview

The lure of Cape Town lies in its spectacular setting and the beauty of its natural environment, as well as the rich cultural diversity of its people. 

It has had a long and turbulent history and the effects of Apartheid still linger in the minds and hearts of the people. Transformation however has led to a feeling of hope in this new 'Rainbow Nation', which can be experienced in the cosmopolitan city centre of Cape Town. Flower sellers, business executives, parking attendants, office workers and shoppers all rub shoulders in a setting of both historical and modern buildings, backed by the city's most famous landmark, Table Mountain. 

The colourful Malay Quarter, the remains of District Six, St George's Cathedral, Government Avenue and the old Castle are historically significant, while world-class African and international restaurants tempt travellers with their culinary delights. Although an African city, Cape Town has a marked European influence and visitors can experience the excitement of Africa from the comforts of First World surroundings.

Cape Town's unique setting means that it can be enjoyed from various vantage points: Table Mountain and Lion's Head provide breathtaking vistas over the city bowl and the Cape peninsula with its beautiful beaches; trips to Robben Island offer a dramatic sweep of scenery across to Table Bay; and harbour tours and old buildings await exploration at the cosmopolitan Waterfront. 

Many scenic routes meander along magnificent stretches of coastline and inland terrain leading to special places like Cape Point, the meeting place of the cold Benguela and warm Mozambique currents, and Chapman's Peak boasts one of the most picturesque drives in the country.

It is a city with four distinct seasons, each working its particular magic on Cape Town and bringing with it a flood of associations - summer and white sandy beaches, autumn's crisp colours, the ferocity of stormy seas in winter, and spring's show of Cape 'fynbos' flowers.  

From culture, history and scenery - to an unforgettable experience. This is a special place with much to contribute towards its growing reputation as a favoured travel destination.

Locality

Capetown is on the extreme south west tip of South Africa, (it is 875 mls SW of Johannesburg, 1,050 mls SW of Durban and 475 mls W of Port Elizabeth. International airport is 12 mls E). It is to the north coast of the "hook" of the Cape of Good Hope, with the Atlantic to the west and False Bay, almost the start of the Indian Ocean, to the East.

Entertainment/Activities/Things To Do:

There is a dozen or so beaches, all down the Atlantic coast, where the water can be cold and have an undertow. Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay are among the most popular. False Bay beaches are farther from the city, but offer warmer water. Many have fine, white, powdery sand.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has a vast covered area of over 270 tourist shops, boutiques, eateries and a large covered craft market (open weekends and holidays only). St George's Mall and Adderley Street in the city centre for larger stores, while neighbouring Long Street has lots of bric-a-brac, antiques and book shops. Flea market in Greenmarket Square every day except Sun. Flower market in Adderley Street.

During the daytime there is plenty of city sightseeing including V&A Waterfront, Table Bay harbour, museums and galleries, castle, Parliament building, Tuynhuis (State President's mansion) and Groote Kerk church (oldest in SA); Table Mountain cable car; brewery tours; Robben Island, the maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela was held; cricket and rugby at Newlands Stadium.

The nightlife offers bars, discos and nightclubs which congregate around the Sea Point area.

For food there is plenty of choice, from local cuisine to European and Malay, and of universally good quality; many restaurants are in hotels. Prices are generally reasonable. Fish and shellfish are specialities.