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There is nowhere like Cape Town, see here things to do in the mother city.

Perched between the ocean and the mountain, with a national park as its heart, it´s a place to renew and reconnect. A leading travel destination of the rich and famous, 'the fairest Cape', is known throughout the world for its scenic splendour and cosmopolitan sophistication. It is in the city that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum with cultural diversity.

It was voted as Favourite Foreign City according to the UK Telegraph 2004. And the city is certainly one of the most popular long haul travel destinations in the world.

The "Mother City", is the oldest city in our country and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. It also has the top five national attractions in South Africa that should appear on every travelling visitor´s itinerary all year round.

Thinking about travelling to the city and want to know of things to do, don´t miss a visit up Table Mountain; the V&A Waterfront, a unique shopping and holiday experience on a scenic working harbour; Robben Island, the former home of Nelson Mandela; the wine routes, where some of the world´s best wines are produced and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, internationally acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world.

The unique topography of the region makes it easy to orientate oneself as long as you remember that with Table Mountain behind you and Robben Island before you, you are facing north, looking across Table Bay and up the west coast of Africa.

Between beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, elegant Georgian townhouses, traditional dancers and minstrels performing in the city streets, the smell of spicy Malay cooking, the taste of a well-made 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.

Travellers will never be bored in the city with all the things to do. Table Mountain offers some of the best climbing in the world. The surfing and diving are fantastic. There is mountain biking or sand boarding and sea kayaking, where you may see seals, dolphins or penguins.

A highlight is a walk up Lion's Head before dark on a full moon summer's night, 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 paragliding pilot, and land on the beach in time for sun-downers.

The cities multitude of varied shopping malls and flea markets, live music, art exhibitions, ballet and symphony concerts to enjoy.

When to go:

The city is a year-round travel destination with warm summer days and cool winters. Enjoy sunshine of up to 14 hours a day along with the warmth of the locals.

 Climate

• The climate is described as Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters. The Cape has a mostly temperate climate. Near the coast, summer temperatures range from a pleasant low of 15°C (59°F) to highs of 27°C (80.6°F). Inland temperatures are some 3 to 5 degrees higher, making for gorgeous summer days and nights.
• Coastal winters see the mercury dropping to a mild 7°C (44.6°F) at night – rising to a comfortable 18°C (64.4°F) by day. Away from the beach, morning arrives at an invigorating 5°C (41°F), with midday temperatures in the region of 22°C (71.6°F).
• To many, March and April signals the arrival of idyllic weather. Summer's heat subsides, the wind settles, and autumn/fall casts its crimson, orange and yellow mantle over the vineyards, generating red, russet vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea.

• In winter (May – July), the snow-capped peaks of the Winelands and the Cederberg, and the lush, moist earth inevitably lead to log fires and steaming cups of hot chocolate in cosy taverns, restaurants and coffee shops. This is the time of year that we get most of our rain so expect some cloudy days, interspersed with wonderful sunshine that rivals the best of the British summer.
• However, with the onset of spring (Aug – Oct), the fast-retreating winter gives way to the sun, awakening a riot of colour of the spectacular wild flower displays sending residents and guests back onto the world-famous Atlantic coastline of perfect beaches. This time of year is well-known for the Cape Doctor, the southeaster wind that brings delight for surfers and wind-sport enthusiasts.
• Summer is from November to February. Expect long warm days of up to 14 hours of sunshine each day. Beaching and other outdoor activities are at a peak – often starting early or in the cooler afternoons to avoid the heat of the summer sun.

Getting to the city and away:

By Bus, There are three major long haul bus companies in the the city. They are Greyhound, Intercape Mainliner and Translux.

By budget car or luxury car, SA has a comprehensive road network that crosses kilometres of beautiful countryside and makes driving a pleasure.

By Air, The main airport in the province is cities International airport, 20 minutes from the city centre.

By Train, Trains can be a great way to travel between the major cities and towns.

Organised tours, There are a diverse number of organised tours in and around most major cities and towns in the province.

Safety issues

When tourist visit or travel to the mother city and the surrounds, there are basic travel safety measures to follow to ensure your visit is a fantastic experience.
The province is as safe as any other travel destination in the world. As a visitor to and guest of our beautiful province, your enjoyment and well-being are of utmost importance to us. As in other countries, there are a few basic precautions you should take during your visit to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible.

• Separate your cash and credit cards and don’t carry all your cash with you.
• Store parcels out of sight in the boot of the car.
• Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Do not allow strangers to assist you in your transactions at automated teller machines.
• Try to obtain a route map before you set out and plan your route beforehand.
• Try to explore in groups and stick to well-lit streets especially at night.
• Never pick up strangers.
• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Always drive with your doors locked and your windows closed.

If unsure of any area, approach the local police station or tourism office for further advice and guidance. Although incidents against tourists in S. Africa are rare, it is advisable for you to be aware of basic emergency procedures in the unlikely event that you are a victim of crime. If you have been victimised, call the police emergency number (10111) and briefly explain what happened. If you are using a cell phone dial 112 for emergency services. There is also a one-stop call centre to assist you. You may call the Tourism Information and Safety Call Line at 083 123 2345 any time, day or night, seven days a week. Tourists can ask about services (accommodation, transport, etc), queries of any kind, and what to do in an emergency.

Attractions | Things to See in the city:

The city boasts 5 of the top 10 most visited tourist attractions in SA. These include the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and Cape Point.

Robben Island

No one - and especially no South African - should miss a visit to Robben Island. Today a World Heritage Site, it was once one of the most infamous of political prisons. Get there by ferry from the Nelson Mandelathe country, Robben Island guards the entrance to Table Bay.

The name hails from the Dutch word for seals, “robbe”. The island was home to Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned there along with other political prisoners. Now a living museum, the island and its ghosts are visited voluntarily. As a place of history, education and insight into SA’s past, this is an essential excursion. The return boat trip (half an hour each way) to this World Heritage Site and a guided tour around the museum by an ex-inmate is an experience never to miss.

Click here on www.robben-island.org.za for all information regarding booking a ferry ticket to go to background information.

Kirstenbosch

Covering five square kilometres (two square miles) on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it is home to more than 8 500 indigenous plant species, and is known as one of the Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the world.

Established in 1913, it only grows indigenous South African plants. Kirstenbosch is best known for its proteas (best in winter and spring) and summer sunset concerts and picnics. There are hiking trails through the fynbos as well as guided tours, including twilight nature walks. Kirstenbosch is a birdwatchers delight. Pack a picnic basket or have a meal at the restaurant. Don’t forget to visit the Kirstenbosch shop or the Botanical Society Bookshop. For in-depth information regarding this magnificent gardens, click on www.nbi.ac.za.

Getting there:

• Either join a schedule day tour that includes a visit to Kirstenbosch.
• Catch a bus from City Centre to Kirstenbosch.
• Or contact us for a private tour to Kirstenbosch.
• Rent a car or motor bike and do it yourself.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of the country's greatest landmarks and towers 1,086m above the City.

It is visible from as far as 200 km out to sea on clear days and is often covered with cloud called the tablecloth. A revolving cable car carries visitors up and down in about 5 minutes and numerous walking and hiking paths lead up and across Table Mountain. Spectacular views of the city, the Cape peninsula, the coastline and the ocean can be seen from 11 viewpoints on the summit. Table Mountain is more than a place of dramatic scenic beauty, it is also a place of richly diverse flora. Over 1,470 plant species occur on the mountain, more than in the British Isles. Complimenting this is the fauna such as the Table Mountain Ghost Frog that is found nowhere else in the world. Consider yourself the poorer if you did not see this majestic mountain.

If you do not have your own transport in the city, buses and taxis are available to transport you from the City to the Cableway. You can also join various scheduled day tours that will include Table Mountain.
- Bus, The Camps Bay Bus will drop you off at Kloof Nek. They depart from Adderley Street outside the Golden Acre. It is a 1.5 km walk uphill from Kloof Nek to the Lower Cable Station.
- Minibus taxis, depart from outside the Post Office on Plein Street next to the Grand Parade.
- Riki taxis
Riki taxis will collect you from anywhere in the city and transport you to the Cableway. You can call for a Riki taxi on (021) 423 4888.
- Topless Tours, The explorers topless buses offers guided tours that drop off at the Lower Cable Station.

Please note:

• The Cableway does not take bookings due to the fact that they are weather dependent!
• The cable cars depart every 10-15 minutes
• The operating times vary from 08h00 in the morning in summer (08h30 in winter) to 22h00 in summer (18h00 in winter).
• Please contact the Tableway Company at (021) 424 8181 to find out about operational status, weather conditions on the top as well as visibility before heading off.
• Also check out special offers like 'Wine and Ride' (inclusive of a restaurant meal with a superb view), Sunset Special Half Price, SA Pensioners and more.
• Prices normally start from as little as R 58 for children under 18 to about R 115 per adult in summer time (return fairs).

V&A Waterfront:

This is the country`s most visited travel destination.

Put against a backdrop of sea and mountain views, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A), is home to designer label stores, national retailers, boutiques and services, along with a spread of restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets. There are also two cinema complexes and craft markets, offering visitors the best of everything the city has to offer. The development of office locations and luxury apartments complements the vibrancy of the V&A. The V&A is a centuries old harbour that remains fully operational. Spend a day or five trawling the Waterfront and you’ll understand why it has been a favourite destination of Capetonians and visitors since its 1992 re-awakening.

The Two Oceans Aquarium:

The Two Oceans Aquarium, situated at the V&A Waterfront, is a window on the local oceans, offering glimpses of the diverse life found off the SA coastline

Over 3000 living animals, including fishes, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, birds and plants can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve. From the pulsating moon jellies in the ‘Ocean Drifters’ exhibit to the giant spider crabs from Japan and the African penguins in the ‘Story of Water Exhibit’, the Aquarium is a dynamic place which constantly offers new opportunities for visitors to discover more about the wonders of the sea.
The Aquarium offers unique opportunities such as diving with the sharks and copper hat diving, sleepovers for children, facilities for conferences and functions and the daily feeding at 15h30 of the fishes in the Predator Exhibit.

Company Gardens:

Established in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company as a vegetable garden, the Gardens (as it is known by the locals), is a leafy green centre.

The gardens are situated between Orange Street – with the Mount Nelson Hotel on the one end – and Adderley Street with the St Georges Cathedral on the other end. It is next to the South African House of Parliament. The Gardens have been described as ‘an oasis of calm in the city rush’, and with the trees, the squirrels and lunch-hour love birds it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of one of the country's most important cities. Spots of interest include a sundial dating from 1787, a Saffren Pear Tree (believed to be SA’s oldest cultivated tree), a statue of Cecil John Rhodes, a rose garden and pools with brightly coloured fish. The SA National Gallery, the SA Museum and the Planetarium are situated within the grounds of the Company Gardens.

Museums:

If you're interested in the cities history, visit the District Six Museum, the SA Museum, the Bo-Kaap Museum, the Jewish Museum or the Castle of Good Hope - all of which lie within a few city blocks of one another (you'll find various interesting museums and galleries lining Government Avenue and the Company Gardens at the top of Adderley Street).

District Six museum:

District Six was established as the sixth municipal district in 1867. Freed slaves, merchants and immigrants moved in and formed a bustling community with a thriving cultural life. In 1966 apartheid law declared District Six a whites-only area. By 1982 all residents had been forcibly removed and their houses demolished. The newly refurbished District Six museum pays tribute to this community. It hosts regular exhibitions, and houses a “Memory Room”, featuring an impressive sound archive. A coffee bar serves light snacks.

Getting there:

• We can arrange private tours, collecting you from anywhere in the city and transport you to the Museum.
• The Cities explorer topless bus offers guided tours that drop off in front of the Museum.
• It is not too far from the city centre and you can actually walk there if you are more of the energetic type.

Penguins at Boulders in Simon's Town:

They are comical, clumsy and very eye-catching in their black and white dress. In 1982 two breeding pairs of African penguins (once known as Jackass penguins thanks to the braying sound they make) moved into prime beachfront estate at Boulders beach between Simonstown and Cape Point. Today there are over 3 000 of these birds living here and the area is now a National Park. Penguins can be viewed up close as they frolic in the water and waddle on land. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who is watching who. You’re likely to see penguin pairs strolling along the boardwalks and in the park. This is the one place in the world you will be able to swim and sunbathe with penguins. In a survey done by the BBC, Boulders Beach was rated one of the five best beaches to visit before you die. All in all, a great place to meet the locals.

Getting there:

• Join a daily scheduled tour including a registered tour guide - they do stop at the penguins.
• Contact us for a private tour.
• join a bicycle tour and cycle some sections.
• Rent a car or motor bike and do it yourself.
• Go via train from the city to Simon's town and walk about 2 kilometres to Boulders Beach.

Chapmans Peak:

This coastal drive is surely one of the most scenic drives in the country. Tourist will have no better view of Hout Bay and the Sentinel, and if you are lucky, you might even see whales playing in the ocean below. Designed and built by Thomas Bain(an engineer who is responsible for the construction of a number of mountain passes in the province – including Bainskloof Pass), it cuts into the mountain walls and winds along near vertical cliffs. There are plenty of viewpoints so ensure you have your camera. The views are majestic and ever changing. Reopened in December 2003, the drive has been made even better with more lookout points, and safer. This is truly a city icon not to miss. For more information click on Chapmans Peak Drive.

Getting there:

• Join a daily scheduled tour including a registered tour guide.
• contact us for a private tour.
• Rent a car or motor bike and do it yourself.

Restaurants:

Cape cuisine, The Dutch established the city to provide fresh produce for ships travelling between Europe and the Far East. This history of the Cape expresses itself in the food – a fusion of tastes and flavours – and delicious wine. European and Eastern traditions fuse with African ingredients to create s

Something quite unique. Wherever you go in the the city, locals will only be glad to offer you their specialty. From freshly caught line fish and crayfish to “biltong” (dried beef) and “potjiekos” – a stew made in a cast iron pot and cooked over a slow heat to allow the flavours to simmer together. Or perhaps you prefer a hot Malay or Indian curry or bobotie – a dish made of mince (grounded beef or mutton) with an egg topping that is baked in the oven. The art of creating a good bobotie is to get the combination of spices right.

Castle of Good Hope:

The Castle is the oldest monument of European settlement in the country. Building on the Castle started in 1666 and took 13 years to complete. For 150 years the Castle formed the centre-point for civilization in the city. Today the Castle is a military museum with a restaurant with a visitor information centre. The five bastions of the Castle are Leerdam, Buren, Catzenellenbogen, Nassau and Oranje. The courtyard houses the Kat Balcony. Built in 1695, proclamations and announcements were made from this balcony to the soldiers, slaves and civilians at the city. Today the balcony is the entrance to the William Fehr Collection of historical paintings and period furniture. The courtyard is a tranquil place with a magnificent view of Table Mountain. See the changing of the Guard daily at 12h00, or visit the dungeon and you may be introduced to the resident ghost….

The Province has very few health issues to be concerned about. No inoculations are needed and the health infrastructure is of a good standard. SA is facing a crisis with HIV/AIDS and visitors are advised to take precautions.

Water
High quality water is available everywhere in the province and tap water is safe to drink. Many local manufacturers produce bottled water from sources around the mountain ranges. Hikers drinking water from streams maybe at risk of waterborne diseases. Though the water in most mountain streams is safe to drink, it is advisable to purify the water first or to drink bottled water.

Malaria
The province are malaria-free, and no vaccinations are required for cholera or smallpox. If you are on chronic medication, please keep a prescription or part of the packaging showing the generic name. If you wear spectacles, ensure you have a copy of your lens prescriptions. You can have spectacles replaced by any optician. Opticians offer great service at value for money prices.

Medical Services
Medical services are of a very high standard in the city and the surrounding areas. In the event of an emergency, use one of the major private clinics. You may contact the police on 10111 for directions to the nearest hospital. You may also contact the ambulance services on 10177. Many doctors do house calls and are listed under Medical in the telephone directory.

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Courtesy: Satour

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