Visit the “Mother City” of Cape
Town, South Africa
Cape Town has quite rightly
been described as the most beautiful city in the world. Lying on the southernmost
point of Africa in the Western Cape, this historic city has much to offer.
Travel up Table Mountain in Africa's only cable car, enjoy the fun at the
V&A Waterfront, the colourful Bo-Kaap and the best shopping street.
There is much to do during a visit and plenty of restaurants to enjoy local
and international cuisine. Take a booze cruise, go shopping, visit historic
monuments and more.
Ensure you start things off
in a relaxed manner. Carefully
planning time to get to the airport for your holiday is important –
you would hate to miss your flight! Ensure you time things perfectly so
you can relax with a coffee before getting on the plane and flying into
Cape Town International Airport.
While the drive into the
city from the airport is not exactly pretty, wait until you see the famed
Table Mountain on the horizon, at which point you’ll know your Cape Town
holiday has officially begun.
1. Cable car ride up Table Mountain
A visit to Cape Town would not
be complete without taking the cable car up Table Mountain to enjoy 360
degree views over the Atlantic Ocean, Signal Hill, Devil's Peak and the
city. It takes just five minutes to get to the top, where you can stroll
around the Table Mountain National Park on a guided tour. After your walk,
enjoy snacks and meals at the Table Mountain Café, or browse the
souvenir shop, Shop at the Top, before heading back down the mountain.
2. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront,
Cape Town
Whether seeking retail therapy,
wishing to dine out in style or finding out about history, the V&A
Waterfront is the ideal place to be. With its stunning backdrop of
Table Mountain, there are many restaurants and bars to choose from. Visit
the upmarket shopping centre and craft markets, enjoy entertainment and
movies at an outdoor theatre, or head to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Here
you can see a variety of sea creatures including sharks, penguins, turtles,
tuna along with 300 other species.
Take a boat trip out to Robben
Island, the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela spent so many years which
is now a living museum. Here you get panoramic views of the city and Table
Mountain. Alternatively enjoy a sunset cruise out into the bay, sipping
champagne as you go. You can also catch a sailboat around the coast to
lively Camps Bay and Clifton.
3. The Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
This colourful suburb was formerly
known as Cape Town’s Malay Quarter. The Bo-Kaap is nestled on the slopes
of Signal Hill. The colourful homes are a remarkable sight and of interest
to note, some bed & breakfasts
are available here. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum to find out more about the
history behind this iconic visitor attraction.
The famous Noon Gun is close
by, which blasts out the hour every day at exactly midday. While it can
give one a fright the first time you hear it, it is the perfect way to
set your watch or phone accurately to Cape Town time!
Running through the heart
of Cape Town’s CBD, Long Street is lined with quaint Victorian buildings,
interesting shops, the best book stores, colourful souvenir locations and
many of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs. One such
restaurant is Mama Africa, where you can enjoy a raucous and real African
experience with live music, native foods and a lively bar.
