Cape Town Holidays

As befits a city set on the coast with a defining feature as dramatic as a flat topped mountain set bang in the middle, most of Cape Town’s attractions centre around Table Mountain. Any self-respecting tourist would probably make this their first port of call. Take the revolving cable cars or do the strenuous climb, whichever way you make it to the top; this is the quintessential Cape Town experience. The views alone make coming to Cape Town worth it – Robben Island in the distance, the ships in the harbor, the sprawling city, the Twelve Apostles Range and the true blue waters of the Atlantic spread out below you. Explore the diverse flora and fauna on top, enjoy the memorable sunsets and watch out for the white cloud that drapes the top of the mountain and is actually called tablecloth.

Head onto Cape Point with its dramatic scenery, deserted wind-whipped beaches, the jackass penguins at Boulder, the superb Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the colorful beach huts at St James and Muizenberg. Drive down one of the most spectacular coastal roads in South Africa – the Chapman’s Peak Drive from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. The jaw-dropping views of the ocean, the whale watching opportunities and the famed Clifton beaches make this drive an absolute must-do. A mere 30 minutes away is another must-do for visitors - the Constantia Wine Estates Tour.

Adrenaline junkies can have their fill of terrifying activities; on offer are shockers on land like kloofing, abseiling down Table Mountain and hang gliding. While those looking for aquatic thrills can ride the waves at the beginners favourite Muizenberg, go scuba diving or get up close and personal with a shark when you go cage diving. The faint hearted should go hiking along superb trails and enjoy the warmer water along the False Bay beaches.

Moving onto urban attractions, the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a working harbor cum historical site cum shopping area cum entertainment district all rolled in one. Restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, arts and crafts markets tempt you with fares and the largest aquarium in Africa the Two Oceans Aquarium beckons. This is also the starting point for boat trips to Robben Island. The former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated is now an evocative shrine to him and a stark reminder of the long and troubled years of South Africa’s political oppression.

South Africa’s oldest city centre is ideally explored on foot. The tiny area showcases fine examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian architecture and is home to historic buildings like the Castle of Good Hope and the former slave market at Greenmarket Square. Move on the city’s quaintest suburb of Bo Kaap – pastel coloured homes line cobbled streets while small mosques call the faithful to prayer in this predominantly Muslim area. Township Tours tend to start at the moving District Six Museum which recounts Cape Town’s Apartheid past and the plight of a people displaced by segregationist rules.

Tip * Booking your Tours, Transfers & Airport Parking before you go will save your money & time and ensure a stress free start to your holiday

The city is served by the Cape Town International Airport. Situated 12 miles from the city centre the airport is the second largest airport in South Africa and has recently been spruced up in preparation for the World Cup. The airport has both domestic and international terminals which are linked by a five-storey common terminal with 120 check-in desks and 20 self service kiosks. The airport offers direct flights to a number of destinations in Europe, Africa, South America, USA and Asia; flights which are not direct generally have a stop at Johannesburg. Some of the major airlines flying into Cape Town include Lufthansa, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and of course South African Airways. Skytrax awarded Cape Town International Airport the ‘Best Airport in Africa’ award in 2009.

The airport offers all the modern amenities that passengers have come to demand like ATM’s, currency exchange, restaurants including the largest Spur restaurant in Africa, duty-free shops, medical services, conference centre, VIP lounge, VAT refund services, a Cape Town tourism desk at the international terminus and a Vodacom shop where visitors can buy local SIM cards for use during their stay here. Car hire in Cape Town can be booked with a number of major companies with desks at the airport. Hertz, Avis, National Alamo, Budget, Europcar and Tempest all have counters at the airport.

Getting to the City

Transportation from the airport into Cape Town is largely dependent on shuttle bus services and taxis. The new Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit System proposes a link between the city and the airport and is expected to be operational in time for the World Cup. A number of operators offer a door-to-door service for pick up and drop to the airport. The journey time is about 45 minutes depending upon your destination and time of travel and tickets for the same can be purchased at kiosks inside the terminal. Alternatively you could call and book them two days before your travel time. Rates are dependent on the number of people traveling, the operator and the time of travel. A surcharge is levied during nighttime travel into and out of the city. If you are a single traveler it makes economic sense to share a shuttle bus ride into the city.
Metered taxis are available outside the terminal and take about 30 minutes to get you into the city.
Most luxury hotels offer guests complimentary airport transfers. Do inquire and book your transfer when you make reservations.

South Africa’s most popular holiday destination can be quite busy during the peak summer season, so book your flights to Cape Town well in advance. The city is sprucing up in preparation for the World Cup so you will have a greater choice of hotels. Cape Town is a relatively safe city however you still need to take the same precautions as you would in any large city, do not wander alone after dark, take care of your valuables and don’t flaunt them and if you are headed to the Townships make sure you do so as part of a tour. The Cape Town Tourism desk at the airport offers all the information you require, alternatively log onto www.tourisncapetown.co.za.

Getting There

Cape Town is well connected to the rest of the world with international flights coming in from Europe, the USA and Asia to the Cape Town International Airport. A scenic way of arriving at the city is by water, large ships dock at Duncan Dock while smaller liners dock at the V&A Waterfront.
Trains come into the city’s Adderley Street Station from Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Queenstown. The train ride from Cape Town to Simon’s Town runs along the coast and is a scenic wonder. Buses too run from here to major cities in South Africa and to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.
The major highways starting from Cape Town include the N1 from Johannesburg, the N2 along the coastal Garden Route and the N7 from Namibia.

Getting Around

The public transport in Cape Town is not very tourist friendly. Most visitors prefer to hire a car, especially if they plan on exploring the scenic areas around the city. Car hire companies offer desks at the airport and major hotels. Car theft and hijacking is a problem so lock your car and avoid hitchhikers.
Metered taxis are your best option for transportation at night, you can’t hail a taxi but have to phone for one or take them from the taxi stands. Rikkis are three-wheeled contraptions with open sides which will take you where you wish to go but will continue to pick up and drop passengers along the way. Minibus taxis are another way to traverse the city; however they can get very crowded.
The Cape Town Explorer Bus is a great way to get to all the attractions. It follows a hop-on-hop-off model, starts at the V&A Waterfront and you can catch one every 45 minutes.

When to Go

Cape Town is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, so the summer months (October-March) are warm and dry, while winter (June-September) tends to be cool and wet. Spring, autumn and summer are the best times to visit.

Calendar of Events

Capetonians honour the outdoors with the grueling Cape Argus Cycling Tour, the Two Oceans Marathon and The Big Walk; they salute the arts with Encounters, the International Jazz Festival and the marvelous Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts and they celebrate life with the Mother City Queer Project.

Capetonians really know how to let their hair down. The summer months are particularly conducive to festive nights. From moving to the rhythm of live Marimba to the mellow sounds of jazz and from sipping sundowners along the Atlantic to dancing the night away in a hip nightclub, whatever floats your boat – Cape Town’s nightlife has you covered.

Start your night out with cocktails at one of several beachfront bars at Camps Bay move onto the somewhat staid nightlife at the Waterfront and then hit the hip and happening top end of Long Street. Cape Town’s gay scene is centered on Somerset Road in Green Point strip, while the younger crowds prefer to while the night away in Claremont. The city has a host of theatres putting up great shows and a wealth of outdoor concerts on offer during the summer. Your best bets would be Baxter Theatre, Theatre on the Bay and the Maynardville Open Air Theatre. Pack a picnic and head for the scenic Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts in the gardens for a great evening out. Event listings can be found in the Mail & Guardian, Cape Times or the local daily The Argus.

Shopping in Cape Town runs the gamut from the chickens made from recycled plastic bags and sold at every street corner to the traditional arts and crafts of Africa and from textiles and carvings and pottery to contemporary South African art and superb local wines. Like every major metropolis today the city has its fair share of malls and shopping centres but the charm of shopping in Cape Town lies in its colourful markets, where you can find everything from the ubiquitous African souvenirs to a one-off piece of jewelry.

Main Shopping Areas

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is at the centre of shopping in Cape Town. The craft market, the location with lovely views of Table Mountain, outdoor cafes and the enormous Victoria Wharf Shopping Mall are the main draws here. Canal Walk at Century City and Cavendish Square in Claremont should satisfy your retail craving if you looking for international brands, but for something more eclectic head to Long Street where besides the usual African curios you could also shop for antiques, art and even guns. Neighbouring Church Street is also known for antiques. For a more up market experience tread the cobblestone streets of De Waterkant and browse for art, textiles and furniture.

Markets

Greenmarket Square in the heart of the city centre has stalls covering everything from clothes to tribal arts and crafts, but it is the lively atmosphere that is the main draw here. Surrounded by beautiful buildings this was a farmer’s market dating back to the 1700’s. Other markets of note include the fresh food and organic products market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, the Sunday craft market in Hout Bay and the Milnerton Flea Market for antiques.