Official Language:
English & Afrikaans plus others!
Secondary Language:
Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
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Currency:
South African rand
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Population:
1 million people call Cape Town home
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information in Cape Town South Africa: Breezy Summer temperatures average in the 80's °F The Cape's weather is really never too hot, nor too cold, and even midwinter offers stunningly clear and invigorating days which are best described as "champagne weather". October-December Average Max. Temp. 75°F/24°C Average Min. Temp 51°F/11°C.
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Cape Town, the oldest port in southern Africa, is regularly heralded as one of the most beautiful cities on earth. The massive sandstone bulk of Table Mountain, often draped in a flowing "tablecloth" of clouds, forms an imposing backdrop to the city while pristine, uncrowded beaches line the cliff-hugging coast. Mountainous slopes sustaining the world's most varied botanic kingdom (some 9,000 species strong) overlook fertile valleys carpeted with vines, and minutes from the city center you can spot zebra and wildebeest grazing unperturbed by the hubbub below. A global hot spot (Newsweek rated it as one of the world's 8 new meccas, and in a recent BBC poll, the city ranked fifth in "50 Places to See Before You Die"), the city feels -- and is -- very different from the rest of Africa. Situated in the far southwestern corner, Cape Town is physically separated from the rest of the continent by a barrier of mountains. The hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters are Mediterranean, while the Atlantic Ocean is as frigid here as it is off the coast of Maine.Unique, too, is the Cape's architectural heritage -- Cape Dutch homesteads, neo-Gothic churches, Muslim minarets, and English-inspired Georgian and Victorian buildings speak of the influences of a multifaceted colonial past.Inevitably, colonialism has left its mark on the residents of Cape Town as well; the majority of the population is made up of the mixed-blood descendants of European settlers, Asian slaves, and indigenous people.
Cape Town was founded in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck as a supply base for the Dutch East India Company and is the oldest city of European origin in South Africa. It remained under Dutch control, and was aided by a French garrison from 1781 to 1795, until captured by British forces in 1795 during the Napoleonic Wars. The settlement reverted to Dutch control for a short time in 1803 and was again occupied by British troops in 1806. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, before the building of the Suez Canal, Cape Town was a major station for ship-provisioning. It became the capital of the British Cape Colony in 1814 and was made the legislative capital of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961) and the present Republic of South Africa.
This Afrikaans-speaking group is referred to as the "coloureds," a divisive designation conferred during the apartheid era, when they were relocated behind Table Mountain into the grim eastern interior plain known as the Cape Flats. Since the scrapping of influx control in 1986, this area has seen phenomenal growth, and today squatter towns form a seamless ribbon of cardboard-and-corrugated-iron housing that most visitors only glimpse on their way from or to the airport. Cape Town's newest residents come from the poverty-stricken Eastern Cape, others from as far afield as Somalia, Angola, and Mozambique, making it one of South Africa's fastest growing cities -- and unfortunately, the gangster-ridden Cape Flats have made it the most violent, a situation that city manager Wallace Mgoqi is trying to address by investing R145 million in urban renewal projects. Although violent crime is mostly contained in these areas, visitors to Cape Town should take the same precautions they would in any large city.Many who come to Cape Town choose to just whip straight out from the airport to the Winelands, where you can stay amid some of the best-preserved examples of Cape Dutch architecture in the area and sample award-winning wines. This is a great area in which to base yourself if you're looking for a relaxing, rural escape, with the bright lights of the city a mere 60-minute drive away; the coastal town of Hermanus, "capital" of the Whale Coast, a 70-minute drive away; and the lakes, lagoons, and forests of the Garden Route an easy 4- to 5-hour drive along the N2.
If you'd rather stay away from the hiking and the sand, then perhaps wine tasting would be enjoyable. If so, the best place to go is Constantia and the Winelands. Feel the sophistication and witness the wealth of the surrounding estates. This countryside defines relaxation and comfort. There is no sense of time and no pressure to rush, and your only duty is to enjoy the essence of its atmosphere.Wherever your interests lie, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is also a great place to visit. Here you will find a newly built treasure containing more restaurants and stores than one could possibly imagine. Watch a movie, stroll down the promenades, and view the moon reflecting off the canals. Cape Town is romantic, it is alive, and it never fails to warm its visitors with its radiance.
Cruise ships dock at the Portnet in Cape Town. Once you arrive at the port, there are several choices of transportation to take you around beautiful Cape Town, South Africa.Transportation with The Waterfront Shuttle runs every 10 minutes and travels to many of the top tourist sights. It goes all the way from Waterfront to Adderley Street, with various stops in between. The Green Point is a shuttle that runs every 20 minutes from Beach Road to Sea Point. The Golden Arrow is another bus service that is quite extensive and runs practically everywhere.T axis probably offer the most convenient way of travel. However, not many run on the streets at all times, which makes hailing them quite an effort. A better way is to call ahead or go to a major taxi center, which can be found at the top of Adderley Street, at Greenmarket Square, and at the Tourist Rendezvous Travel Centre. The best taxi company is Sea Point Taxis (tel 021/434-4444).In Cape Town The bus system is quite accessible and easy to figure out.The last mode of transportation is by train. All the trains depart from Cape Town Station on Adderley Street. The Cape Metro (tel 021/405-2991) goes to many of the suburban towns on the South side and to a few other sights.
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Attractions |
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Bo-Kaap Museum:
This small but engaging museum gives an insight into the lifestyle of a prosperous, 19th-century Cape Muslim family and a somewhat idealized view of Islamic practice in Cape Town. The house itself, built in 1763, is the oldest in the area. Many of the Muslim Bo-Kaap residents are descendants of the slaves imported from the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia (hence the term Cape Malays although few of them actually hailed from what is today called Malaysia).
Cape Medical Museum:
On the way to the Waterfront from Green Point, the Cape Medical Museum is worth a few minutes. Of particular interest is its display on Dr James Barrie, a woman who kept herself disguised as a man for years so she could practice as a doctor; she performed the colony's first successful Caesarian operation in 1818.
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve:
Truly awesome scenery, some fantastic walks and deserted beaches, plus the chance to spot rare wildlife is what a visit to the Cape of Good Hope is all about. If you come on one of the many tours that whip into the reserve, now part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, pause long enough at the tourist center for you to walk to Cape Point and back, and then zip out again, you'll not even have seen the half of it. If possible, hire a car and take your time to explore the reserve the way it should be: on foot.
If the weather is good - or even if it isn't - you can easily spend at least a day here. It's particularly beautiful in spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom. There are a number of picnic spots as well as a decent restaurant at Cape Point, generally packed with the tour bus crowds. It's not a difficult walk, but if you're feeling lazy a funicular railway runs up from beside the restaurant to the souvenir kiosk next to the old lighthouse. Pick up a map at the entrance gate if you intend to go walking, but bear in mind that there is minimal shade in the park and that the weather can change quickly.
Castle of Good Hope:
Built to defend Cape Town, this stone-walled castle has not seen action in all its 350 years, unless you count the more recent stormings by hoards of school kids and tourists. It's worth coming for one of the tours, although you can quite easily find your own way around. Besides extensive displays of militaria, some interesting ones on the castle's archeology and the reconstruction of the so-called Dolphin Pool, the highlight is the bulk of the William Feur Collection, which includes some fabulous bits of Cape Dutch furniture, such as a table seating 100, and some more paintings by John Thomas Baines. Also within the Castle grounds are a noted wine shop, a cafe and a good restaurant.
City Bowl Walking Tour:
A sightseeing walk around the City Bowl could take the best part of a day, depending on the stops you make. The Castle of Good Hope is an appropriate place to start. Immediately to the west is Grand Parade, the former military parade and public execution ground and now home to a lively market every Wednesday and Saturday. Nearby, the impressive old Town Hall has been superseded by the hideous civic.
Other stops might include the District Six Museum, Church Square, Groote Kerk, the Slave Lodge, cobbled Greenmarket Square and the Old Townhouse balcony overlooking the bustling square and a colorful Monday to Saturday crafts and souvenir market.
Cultural History Museum & Slave Lodge:
It is located at the junction of Adderley and Wales Streets (021/461-8280) and is definitely the premier spot for learning about Cape Town's past. The heritage of South Africa comes to life in this great location, packed with fascinating exhibits and wonderful displaysThis rather muddled museum occupies the former Slave Lodge of the VOC and contains displays on that period as well as bits and pieces from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and the Far East. It's worth pottering around, particularly for history buffs, and will likely be recast one day as a museum about slavery in the Cape.
The Slave Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in South Africa, dating back to 1660. Up until 1811 the building housed as many as 1000 slaves who lived in damp, unsanitary conditions. Up to 20% died each year. The slaves were bought and sold just around the corner on Spin St. From the late 18th century the lodge also doubled up as a brothel, a jail for petty criminals and political exiles from Indonesia and a mental asylum.
District Six Museum:
This museum is as much for the people of the now vanished District Six as it is about them. The displays are moving and poignant: a floor covered with a large-scale map of District Six, former residents having labelled where their demolished homes and features of their neighbourhood were; reconstructions of home interiors; faded photographs and recordings.
Most memorable of all are the staff, practically all displaced residents, each with a heartbreaking story to tell. If you only see one museum in Cape Town, make it this one.
Martin Melck House :
(96 Strand Street, tel 021/419-6533). This is a Lutheran Church surrounded by a picturesque courtyard, and the inside shows off the works of South African modern artists. If you're interested, it is possible to purchase these works, as well. Greenmarket Square (Shortmarket and Burg Streets) allows the present and the past to join hands.
Michealis Collection:
Donated by Sir Max Michaelis in 1914, this Greenmarket Square art collection is in the Old Townhouse, which used to be the city hall. The Dutch and Flemish paintings and etchings from the 16th and 17th centuries (including works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Anthony van Dyck) suit the somewhat gloomy atmosphere. Nip upstairs for views from the balcony overlooking the square, or come for lunch or a drink in the relaxed cafe in the back garden.
Rust-en-Vreugd:
This delightful 18th-century mansion was once the home of the state prosecutor. It now houses part of the William Fehr collection of paintings and furniture (the major part is in the Castle of Good Hope). Paintings by John Thomas Baines show early scenes from colonial Cape Town, while the sketches of Alys Fane Trotter are some of the best you'll see of Cape Dutch architecture. There's also a pleasant garden.
South African Jewish Museum:
Entry to this imaginative museum is through the beautifully restored old synagogue, from where a wooden gangplank leads to galleries with displays on the vibrant history of the nation's Jewish community. Downstairs you'll find a partial recreation of a Lithuanian shtetl (village). Don't miss the nearby Cape Town Holocaust Centre and baroque Great Synagogue.
South African Museum & Planetarium:
At the mountain end of the Company's Gardens, South Africa's oldest museum is beginning to show its age. There are, however, plans to upgrade it and the building contains a truly fascinating collection of objects, starting with a fossilized human footprint believed to be 117,000 years old! Next comes the Lynton Panel, one of the most amazing examples of San rock art. There's also a planetarium.
South African National Gallery:
This exquisite gallery in the Company's Gardens always has interesting exhibitions as well as permanent displays; check out the portrait of Desmond Tutu, the remarkable carved teak door in the courtyard, and a dinosaur sculpture made from wire. There's a good shop with some interesting books and a pleasant cafe.
Table Mountain:
If you are the adventurous type, go by foot and take in all of its natural wonders. Table Mountain is Cape Town's most prominent feature and a world famous landmark. This majestic mountain is visible from almost everywhere in Cape Town and is often used as a beacon by which to find direction. Hike up Table Mountain for an unforgettable view. The cable car is such an obvious and popular attraction you might have difficulty convincing yourself that it's worth the trouble and expense. It is. The views on the way up and from the top of Table Mountain are phenomenal, and there are some good easy walks on the summit.The mountain is home to over 1400 species of flowering plants, which are particularly spectacular in spring. For an adrenalin rush like no otherconsider doing the abseil. It's also possible to walk up the mountain from both the City Bowl side or the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens side.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront:
Always known simply as 'the Waterfront,' this rehabbed area is a buzzing place where pockets of dockside life remain alongside good attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium and quite a lot of nightlife. Despite all the development, it remains a working harbor and that is the source of most of its charm. Although it's tempting, don't walk between the city and the Waterfront; muggings do happen here.
Atlantic Coast:
The Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. The beaches are the trendiest on the Cape, with the emphasis on sunbaking. Although it is possible to find shelter from the summer south-easterlies, the water comes straight from the Antarctic and swimming is nothing if not exhilarating.
Camps Bay:
With the spectacular Twelve Apostles of Table Mountain as a backdrop and soft, white sand, Camps Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. That it is within 15 minutes of Cape Town's city center also makes it very popular, particularly on weekends. The beach is often windy and again the water is decidedly on the cool side. There are no lifesavers and the surf is strong, so take care if you do swim. Accommodation possibilities here are generally upmarket and you'll have to tough it out for a restaurant or cafe table with a view along Victoria Rd, particularly at the height of summer. The atmosphere is seductive though and you should aim to see at least one sunset from here during your stay.
Cape Flats:
For the majority of Cape Town's inhabitants, home is in one of the townships sprawling across the shifting sands of the Cape Flats. Rife with crime and poverty, their dusty streets alive with people and wandering livestock, most white Capetonians, and many coloreds too, wouldn't dream of visiting here and will advise you to do likewise. Don't listen. For travelers who've toured any other Third World hellhole, what you'll see here will come as little surprise. What is shocking is that it exists in close proximity to such wealth and apparent indifference, and that the vast majority of residents show white visitors such courtesy and friendliness. Taking a tour - the only way you can safely travel here besides making friends with and being accompanied by a resident - is one of the most illuminating and life-affirming things you can do while in Cape Town. Better still is to stay overnight and experience true African ubuntu.
Clifton:
Along from Sea Point are the four linked beaches at Clifton, accessible by steps from Victoria Rd. They may be the trendiest beaches on the Cape, almost always sheltered from the wind, but the water is still cold. If you care about these things, No 1 and 2 beaches are for models and confirmed narcissists, No 3 is the gay beach, and No 4 is for families.
False Bay:
The beaches on False Bay, to the southeast of the city, are not quite as scenically spectacular (nor as trendy) as those on the Atlantic side, but the water is often 5°C warmer or more, and can reach 20°C in summer. This makes swimming far more pleasant. Suburban development along the coast is more intense, presumably because of the train line which runs all the way through to Simon's Town, the most interesting single destination besides the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The train is the best way to get here: the line hugs the coast from Muizenberg to the terminus at Simon's Town, offering spectacular views. Also consider hopping off at the fishing village of Kalk Bay, a delightful destination in it's own right. During October and November, False Bay is a favored haunt for whales and their calves.
Groot Constantia:
South of Kirstenbosch is Constantia, the oldest of South Africa's wine-growing regions. Groot Constantia, the original estate established by Simon van der Stel in 1685, was divided up after his death in 1712; today you can also visit Buitenverwachtig and Klein Constantia. One more winery, Steenberg Vineyards (which also makes wine for the nearby Constantia Uitsig estate), completes the Constantia wine route. If you're short of time, head for Groot Constantia, which is among the grandest vineyards and homesteads in the Cape.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens:
These gardens are among the most beautiful in the world. They have an incomparable site on the eastern side of Table Mountain, overlooking False Bay and the Cape Flats. The 36-hectare landscaped section seems to merge almost imperceptibly with the 492 hectares of fynbos cloaking the mountain slopes. The main entrance at the Newland's end of the gardens is where you'll find plenty of parking, the information center, an excellent souvenir shop and the conservatory. Further along Rhodes Drive is the Ryecroft Gate entrance, the first you'll come to if you approach the gardens from Constantia.Apart from a portion of that famous hedge planted by van Riebeeck back in 1660, some magnificent oaks, and the Moreton Bay fig and camphor trees, the gardens are devoted almost exclusively to indigenous plants. About 9000 of Southern Africa's 22,000 plant species are grown here. You'll find a fragrance garden that has been raised so you can more easily sample the scents of the plants; a Braille Trail; a koppie (hill) that has been planted with pelargoniums; a sculpture garden; and a section for plants used for muti (medicine) by sangomas (traditional African healers). There is always something flowering but the gardens are at their best between mid-August and mid-October.
Robben Island:
Robben Island is situated about 12km into the sea in the middle of Table Bay. Separated from the Cape mainland by a narrow channel of seawater, the island is a remote place, considered inaccessible for centuries. The author Lawrence Green described Robben Island as "The Island of Exiles", an appropriate title, given that the island has been used primarily as a prison ever since the Dutch settled at the Cape in the mid-16th century. Proclaimed a UN World Heritage Site in 1999, Robben Island is unmissable. Used as a prison from the early days of the VOC right up until the first years of majority rule, Robben Island's most famous involuntary resident was Nelson Mandela.Most likely you will have to endure crowds and being hustled around on a guided tour that, at 2.5 hours, is woefully too short - such is the price of the island's infamy. Still, you will learn much of what happened to Mandela and other inmates, since one will be leading your tour. The guides are happy to answer any questions you may have, and although some understandably remain bitter, as a whole this is the best demonstration of reconciliation you could hope to see in Cape Town.Booking a tour is essential as they are extremely popular; otherwise be prepared for a long wait. The tour entails being guided through the old prison, and includes a 45-minute bus ride around the island with commentary on the various places of note, such as the prison house of Pan-African Congress (PAC) leader Robert Sobuke, the lime quarry where Mandela and many others slaved, and the church used during the island's stint as a leper colony.
Southern Suburbs:
Heading south around the bulk of Devil's Peak will take you into the expensive residential suburbs clinging to the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. While the studenty area of Observatory has a laid-back, hippie air, by the time you reach leafy Newlands you'll be in no doubt that this this is still a rich and mainly white place to live. This said, the area around Claremont station is a fascinating study in contrasts, with black and colored traders crowding the streets around the ritzy Cavendish Square mall. Higher up the slopes are views across the Cape Flats towards the mountain ranges around Stellenbosch and, on a clear day, to the succeeding ranges that eventually rise up into the great Southern African plateau.
Cable Car:
This is fastest way to reach the top. Whichever mode of transportation you use, your will love the view from the top of this mountain that stands 3,500 feet above the city.The Dutch had a significant influence on Cape Town.
The exhilerating ascent of Table Mountain in the cable car is a definite must for any visitor. Even the locals are awed time and again by the 360º view of Cape Town from the cable car. The cable car was first opened in 1929 and today conveys some 600,000 people to the summit annually. On the summit there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop, from which letters bearing the Table Mountain postmark can be sent. Short walks from the cable station take visitors through the splendour of the flora of Table Mountain, punctuated by occasional sightings of dassies and framed by the surrounding azure of the Atlantic Ocean.
Two Oceans Aquarium:
It is situated on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, opened its doors in 1995. The Aquarium is Africa's largest underwater nature reserve.(Web:http://www.aquarium.co.za/)
Ratanga Junction:
Africa’s first full scale theme park, offers more than 30 heart-stomping rides and thrilling attractions, spread across 20ha of sheer entertainment, for the adventurous soul to dare. There are numerou. web:http://www.ratanga.co.za
Cape Town's Vanda Waterfront:
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront One of the world's most popular top tourism destination, receiving over 20 million visits annually, and offers a world-class retail, lifestyle and entertainment centre, located in Portswood Close, Portswood Ridge, Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa web: http://www.waterfront.co.za
Beaches:
Mountains that dip into their reflection, mirrored by the sparkling blue ocean, outline the rich sands of Cape Town's beaches. A beach that offers something for everyone is Blouberg (R27 to Milnerton and Bloubergstrand). Not only is there a phenomenal view of Cape Town, but it also contains two unique sections of beach. One section, Little Bay, is most suitable for families, picnics and those with sunbathing in mind. There is also Big Bay, which is the prime location for surfers. You may even be able to catch a surfing contest taking place here. The spot for the attention junkie is Clifton Beach (Adderley St.). Here is where everyone comes to show off and to watch others doing the same. It's a fun and happening spot, but this also causes quite a parking problem.
Llandudno & Sandy Bay:
Although it's only 18km from the city center, Llandudno seems completely removed from Cape Town, let alone Africa. It's a small, exclusive seaside village clinging to steep slopes above a sheltered beach. There are no shops. The remains of the tanker Romelia, wrecked in 1977, lie off Sunset Rocks. There's surfing on the beach breaks, best at high tide with a small swell and a south-easterly wind. You'll also need to head to Llandudno if you want to get to Sandy Bay, Cape Town's nudist beach and gay stomping ground. This said, it is a particularly beautiful stretch of sand and there's no pressure to take your clothes off if you don't want to.
Outdoor sports canoeing and white water rafting are quite exhilarating here. The best place to go for these activities is a company known for its safety and reliability, Felixe Unite River Adventures (021/683-6488). If diving is more your thing, definitely try it out in Cape Town. Explore the waters that the great white shark calls home by descending the depths in a protective cage and viewing them up close. A great opportunity to do this is at Aquasport (tel 021/419-1835). If you are more of a land-lover, then perhaps horseback riding sounds like fun. Just picture riding along the beach as the sunset gives way to the moonlight. Make it a reality and call Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding (tel 021/789-2341).ShoppingCape Town has a multitude of wonderful stores overflowing with African arts and crafts. To make shopping more of an event, go to the Red Shed Craft Workshop (Victoria Wharf, Waterfront). Here you can witness the artists knitting sweaters and blowing glass right in front of your eyes for you to take home as a reminder of how precious Cape Town truly is. Perhaps you would like to make a fashion statement back in your hometown with authentic African clothing. A great variety of clothing for both adults and children can be found at Mnandi (90 Station Rd., Observatory, tel 021/47-7937). However, be sure to end your shopping excursions at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a multi-million dollar shopping and entertainment complex that will take your breath away!
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Cape Town:
Cape Town Travel Information
Visiting Capetown
www.capetourism.org
www.southafricatraveler.com
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