SECTION 4: CITY GUIDES | < BACK | NEXT >

4.1 CAPE TOWN

Cape Town is a truly cosmopolitan city that offers fine dining, excellent shopping opportunities and a wealth of exciting activities. Situated on the south western tip of Africa, Cape Town is often considered the gateway to the  beautiful Western Cape – a region famed for its exquisite scenery. White sandy beaches, majestic mountains  and verdant vineyards accentuate this world class destination. 

Cape Town Restaurant Guide: http://www.wininganddining.co.za/western-cape/cape-town

What’s on in Cape Town: www.whatsonincapetown.com

SHOPPING

Canal Walk www.canalwalk.co.za/
V & A Waterfront  www.waterfront.co.za
Cavendish Square  www.cavendish.co.za
Constantia Village  www.constantiavillage.co.za/
Greenmarket Square Market www.greenmarketsquare.com/
Hout Bay Craft Market, open every Sunday, weather permitting, from 09h30 to 16h00. Entrance is free. ( 082 850 9752.
Milnerton Flea Market ( 073 151 2573.
Guga S'Thebe Arts & Culture Centre in Langa. ( 073 447 9983 for guide

OUTDOOR

Table Mountain ( 021 424 8181, http://tablemountain.net
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden ( 021 799 8899, www.sanbi.org
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve ( 021 780 9010, www.capepoint.co.za

HISTORIC MUSEUMS & CULTURE 

Robben Island ( 021 409 5100, www.robben-island.org.za
Castle of Good Hope Open daily at 09:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Sundays. ( 021 787 1249
Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Weekdays 10am   5pm, Saturdays 10am   1pm. The AVA is an important not for profit gallery in central Cape Town ( 021 424 7436.
Company Gardens - Take a leisurely stroll up Government Avenue. This pedestrian road with beautiful trees and historical buildings is lined with majestic oak trees on either side and squirrels will vie for your attention if you had the foresight to bring along a bag of peanuts! In Government Avenue you are surrounded by many of the city’s most famous attractions including the Company Gardens (founded by Jan Van Reinbeck in 1652), Houses of Parliament and De Tuynhuys. The South African National Art Gallery, The South African Museum and Planetarium are all worth a visit. http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/parks/facilities/Pages/CapeTownGardens.aspx
Bo Kaap Museum Following the abolition of slavery, the historic Bo Kaap area in Cape Town became home to many Muslims and their history and culture are commemorated at the Bo Kaap Museum. Displays, temporary exhibitions and special events continue to celebrate different aspects of Muslim culture.  ( 021 424 3846 www.iziko.org.za/bokaap
District Six Museum ( 021 466 7200 www.districtsix.co.za

EXPLORE

Wine Tastings:
Stellenbosch Wine Route  www.wineroute.co.za
Constantia Wine Route www.constantiawineroute.co.za
Durbanville Wine Route www.durbanvillewine.co.za
Paarl Wine Route www.winecountry.co.za
Franchhoek Wine Route www.fwvta.co.za 

Groups of more than 10 are required to book.

Kalk Bay Harbour and False Bay. Walk along Boyes Drive, watching out for whales in season. Take one of the many pathways towards the sea and lose yourself among the maze of eclectic cottages. When you reach the stores and eateries on Main Road, you can browse, or grab a drink at the Brass Bell or Cape to Cuba, and then head back up to your car. www.kalkbay.org

Best beaches – Llandudno, Camps Bay, Clifton, Scarborough & Boulders Beach

Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront ( 021 418 3823 www.aquarium.co.za

High tea at Mount Nelson Hotel served every afternoon between 14h30 and 17h30. (  021 483 1737, www.mountnelson.co.za

Waterfront Sea Charters and see Cape Town from the sea on a modern 16 meter catamaran, slicing through the water from the V&A Waterfront along the coast of the Cape Peninsula. ( 021 790 5256 www.tiggertoo.co.za

The Planetarium in Cape Town. Daily: Monday to Friday shows at 14h00; Tuesday evening show at 20h00 and Saturday and Sunday shows at 12h00, 13h00 and 14h30. www.iziko.org.za/planetarium/index.html

World Of Birds. The largest bird park in Africa ( 021 790 2730.

ADVENTURE

Top mountain biking spots

Tokai Forest, with its huge variety of purpose built trails, is the best place on the peninsula to mountain bike. Unfortunately, this also means it’s the most crowded. There are other, quieter places where you can go for a jaunt in the fynbos. Head to Silvermine Nature Reserve (part of Table Mountain National Park on the top of Ou Kaapse Weg), park in the dedicated mountain bike parking lot and enjoy the spectacular climb and descent on the seven kilometer trail. Another option is Deer Park on Table Mountain which has a network of gravel roads stretching across the face of the mountain with terrific city views. www.mtbonline.co.za/mountainbiketrails.htm

Walk or Climb to the top of Table Mountain  ( 021 465 3412. www.mcsa.org.za

SCUBA The Cape offers excellent diving grounds. Both currents, the cold Benguela and the warm Agulhas, create a marine life rich in species and a great diversity of underwater landscapes, in the Atlantic and in the Indian Ocean. TWO OCEAN DIVERS in Hout Bay, ( 021 7908833

SURFING The beaches in Cape Town, on the Cape Peninsula and around False Bay are a paradise for surfers. The often strong winds at the Cape bring strong breakers about. Surfing is a very popular hobby. The water is cold, though, and even in the Indian Ocean one should wear a wetsuit. OCEAN II OCEAN in the city centre ( 021 4189620

PARAGLIDING and HANG GLIDING The stunning mountains of the Cape provide ideal conditions for paragliding.

In Cape Town itself it’s very popular to jump from Lion’s Head. After a slightly strenuous climb, one is rewarded with a long flight in front of the spectacular setting of the Twelve Apostle Mountains and the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. ( 021 6742097.

SKYDIVING www.skydivecapetown.za.net
Thunder City – Fly antique jets ( 021 934 8007 www.thundercity.com

Big Game Fishing  - ( 021 786 5667 www.bigbluefishingcharters.com
Pelagic bird watching - Cape Town Pelagics runs one day (open ocean) pelagic birding trips out of Simon’s Town. ( 021 531 9148, www.capetownpelagics.com
Kayak with penguins - (  082 501  8930, www.kayakcapetown.co.za

Dragon Boat Racing – V&A Waterfront. (  082 564 6257.

Indoor climbing - CityRock is Cape Town’s centre for all things related to the sport of Rock Climbing. ( 021 447 1326.

Horse riding on Noordhoek Beach.  2 hour horse ride 09:00 to 16:00 ( 082 774 1191

Ratanga Junction  - theme park. ( 0861 200 300 www.ratanga.co.za

Helicopter Tours ( 021 462 6755 www.cape-town-helicopter-tours.com

COOL SPOTS

Cape Town, with its laid back locals, doesn't have hundreds of clubs to offer but there is enough of a variety to keep party seekers happy. One of the most popular clubs is Opium in the vibey Greenpoint area. With a cigar bar, whiskey lounge and regular events and DJ's it is an extremely popular venue.

Somerset Road towards Greenpoint offers the Budda Bar and the Buena Vista Social Club for a sultry Cuban feel. The top end of Somerset Road and the De Waterkant area the popular Chilli 'n Lime.

NIGHTLIFE

Trendy bars along the Camps Bay strip offer cocktails and sundowners and a place to be 'seen' - try Caprice or Sandbar for a sundowner drink or Baraza for drinks accompanied by local DJ's. For a straight-off-the-beach drink and some good music stop in at La Med beach bar in Clifton. Also on the Atlantic Seaboard, Wafu in Mouille Point has a fantastic wooden deck which overlooks the sea - perfect for chilling with a cocktail and some of their speciality Asian tapas.

Long Street in the city centre offers an eclectic mix of entertainment and is within walking distance of the many backpackers lodges found in the area. For a trendy hang-out in the city, try Po Na Na Bar on Heritage Square. For a mellow and laid back evening, try Kennedy's Cigar bar with its plush interior, cigars and bourbon. And, for an ultra-cool experience head for the Planet bar at the Mount Nelson hotel for exotic cocktails, champagne, caviar and oysters.

In trendy Kloof Street, Asoka Son of Dharma is a sophisticated lounge and bar with an upmarket yet comfortable feel.

The V&A Waterfront caters for a variety of tastes including live Jazz at the Green Dolphin restaurant and a lively dinner and pub atmosphere at Quay Four and Ferrimans.

In Greenpoint, Pulse is a trendy sports bar featuring big screen sports events, good food and dancing.

The southern suburbs offer a handful of venues frequented mostly by locals including Cubana Cafe on Claremont Main Road and the Forrester's Arms pub and De Wijnhuis wine bar in Newlands. Also in Newlands, Caveau at the Mill (sister to the original Caveau in town) is located within the historic Josephine Mill and offers a huge selection of wines. In Observatory you'll find a collection of hippie and student type bars including Rolling Stones pool hall. In Kalk Bay there's the waterside Brass Bell for a casual meal and drink, as well as the Morrocan inspired Polona in the harbour.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch From comedy, ballet to Shakespeare. http://www.baxter.co.za

Artscape Theatre Take in a show at the popular Artscape Theatre. Artscape Theatre Centre is the main performing arts centre in Cape Town. It was opened in 1971 and is located on reclaimed land in the Foreshore area. The complex includes an opera house, theatre and studio theatre. (  Dial a Seat 021 421 7695 or book at Computicket. www.artscape.co.za

Grand West Casino Boasting state of the art facilities, Grand West Casino has 60 casino tables, offering American Roulette, Blackjack, Raise 'em Poker and Punto Banco. 1750 smart card slot machines and for added slots pleasure there is African Express. www.grandwest.co.za

GETTING AROUND

Car Hire

Africa-Car-Hire.com ( 078 669 4444 www.africa-car-hire.com

Europcar ( 021 935 8700

Tempest Car Hire ( 021 935 8650

Sixt ( 021 422 1480

Avis ( 021 934  0330

Metered taxis

Rikkis taxis is Cape Town's most popular taxi service, offering private and shared rides. Rikkis phone boxes are located at various points throughout the city, where you can order a taxi for free, or you can call on ( 0861 745 547

Cabs on Call ( 021 797 7142

Excite Taxis ( 021 448 4444
The Green Cab Co ( 086 184 3473 – Vehicles run on LP Gas that has 87% less ozone depleting potential.

Public transport

Shuttle buses will transport visitors from the airport to a central transportation hub in Hertzog
Cape Town Metro line runs from the city central station through the southern suburbs to Simon's Town. Tickets can be bought at the stations along the route, ( 0800 65 64 63,   www.capemetrorail.co.za.

Safari Tours ( 021 780 1391 www.e-gnu.com

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