See and Do in Cape Town
Cape Town might have less business opportunities than its big brother city in Gauteng but it has far more going for it in terms of world class attractions and things to see and do.
Whether you’re into historic sites and moving museums, or scenic cruises and gorgeous beaches, Cape Town has plenty to keep its expat residents occupied on weekends and in the latter half of the scandalously short work days.
A good start for getting orientated is to catch the topless, hop on-hop off Explorer bus which cruises around town linking all the major sites via 13 stops.
Need to stretch those legs? Unusually for a South African city, Cape Town centre is safe and suitable for exploring on foot. Maps and self-directed itineraries are available from Cape Town Tourism on Long Street. The key, must-see sites that a surprising number of locals have never themselves experienced are, naturally, Robben Island, former prison to Nelson Mandela; Table Mountain which can be accessed by walking path or cable car; and the Winelands, a short drive or bus tour away.
Even if you find yourself with an itch to explore Cape Town’s periphery you won’t be disappointed. Spend a day absorbing the scenery of the Cape Peninsula with a slow meander over the cliff-hugging, hair-raising Chapman’s Peak drive and onto Cape Point, the unofficial meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Be sure to stop off at Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown and learn about the bite-size African penguins that make the area their habitat.
Castle of Good Hope
By some margin the oldest building in the country, the pentagonal Castle was built in 1679 to replace the first mud fort built by Jan van Riebeck. The stone walls were previously lapped by waves before a land reclamation project in the 19th century.
www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
Tel: 021 787 1249
Greenmarket Square
From slave market to fleamarket, Greenmarket Square has undergone many transformations. Located in the heart of the CBD and lined with hotels, chic stores, coffee shops, this square is packed with African craft vendors and is a great place to pick-up a traditional souvenir.
Table Mountain
Named for the tablecloth of cloud that regularly covers its plateau, this mountain is the most popular tourist attraction and the worldwide symbol of the city. There are numerous walking routes up the mountain, but the rotating cable car is the most popular way to access the stunning views from the top.
www.tablemountain.net
Tel: 021 424 8181
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Famous for its astounding collection of plantlife, rolling lawns and sculptures, Kirstenbosch enjoys a magnificent setting on the slopes of Table Mountain, a short drive from the city centre. The Sunday sunset concerts held in summer are a great though busy time to visit.
www.kirstenbosch.co.za
Tel: 021 799 8783
Clifton and Camps Bay beaches
The Atlantic seafront has the closest beaches to the city centre and some of its best. Clifton beaches 1 to 4 are known for privacy and granite boulders; Camps Bay for its pristine stretch of golden sand and cosmopolitan vibe.
District Six Museum
District Six was until the 1960s a vibrant coloured area near the city centre before the forced removal of its residents by the Apartheid government. Visit this excellent museum to understand the experiences of its residents and subsequent repercussions, still being felt today.
www.districtsix.co.za
Tel: 021 466 7200
Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront
The Waterfront is popular with expats, locals and tourists for its variety and safe surrounds. After all, it’s a busy harbour, richly historical site and the city’s busiest shopping and restaurant centre. It’s a busy, vibrant and fun place suitable for both sunny days and cold and windy weather.
www.waterfront.co.za
Tel: 021 408 7600
Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap is the historical Malay Quarter of the city, known for its brightly coloured houses and proud Muslim heritage. Less of a tourist site, rather a colourful and resilient reminder of the multi-cultural heritage at the heart of Cape Town’s history.
Two Oceans Aquarium
This world-class aquarium is based at the V&A Waterfront and houses over 3,000 sea animals from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Educational and hugely entertaining.
www.aquarium.co.za
Tel: 021 418 3823
Whether you’re into historic sites and moving museums, or scenic cruises and gorgeous beaches, Cape Town has plenty to keep its expat residents occupied on weekends and in the latter half of the scandalously short work days.A good start for getting orientated is to catch the topless, hop on-hop off Explorer bus which cruises around town linking all the major sites via 13 stops.
Need to stretch those legs? Unusually for a South African city, Cape Town centre is safe and suitable for exploring on foot. Maps and self-directed itineraries are available from Cape Town Tourism on Long Street. The key, must-see sites that a surprising number of locals have never themselves experienced are, naturally, Robben Island, former prison to Nelson Mandela; Table Mountain which can be accessed by walking path or cable car; and the Winelands, a short drive or bus tour away.
Even if you find yourself with an itch to explore Cape Town’s periphery you won’t be disappointed. Spend a day absorbing the scenery of the Cape Peninsula with a slow meander over the cliff-hugging, hair-raising Chapman’s Peak drive and onto Cape Point, the unofficial meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Be sure to stop off at Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown and learn about the bite-size African penguins that make the area their habitat.
Recommended sightseeing in Cape Town
Castle of Good Hope
By some margin the oldest building in the country, the pentagonal Castle was built in 1679 to replace the first mud fort built by Jan van Riebeck. The stone walls were previously lapped by waves before a land reclamation project in the 19th century.
www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
Tel: 021 787 1249
Greenmarket Square
From slave market to fleamarket, Greenmarket Square has undergone many transformations. Located in the heart of the CBD and lined with hotels, chic stores, coffee shops, this square is packed with African craft vendors and is a great place to pick-up a traditional souvenir.
Table Mountain
Named for the tablecloth of cloud that regularly covers its plateau, this mountain is the most popular tourist attraction and the worldwide symbol of the city. There are numerous walking routes up the mountain, but the rotating cable car is the most popular way to access the stunning views from the top.
www.tablemountain.net
Tel: 021 424 8181
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Famous for its astounding collection of plantlife, rolling lawns and sculptures, Kirstenbosch enjoys a magnificent setting on the slopes of Table Mountain, a short drive from the city centre. The Sunday sunset concerts held in summer are a great though busy time to visit.
www.kirstenbosch.co.za
Tel: 021 799 8783
Clifton and Camps Bay beaches
The Atlantic seafront has the closest beaches to the city centre and some of its best. Clifton beaches 1 to 4 are known for privacy and granite boulders; Camps Bay for its pristine stretch of golden sand and cosmopolitan vibe.
District Six Museum
District Six was until the 1960s a vibrant coloured area near the city centre before the forced removal of its residents by the Apartheid government. Visit this excellent museum to understand the experiences of its residents and subsequent repercussions, still being felt today.
www.districtsix.co.za
Tel: 021 466 7200
Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront
The Waterfront is popular with expats, locals and tourists for its variety and safe surrounds. After all, it’s a busy harbour, richly historical site and the city’s busiest shopping and restaurant centre. It’s a busy, vibrant and fun place suitable for both sunny days and cold and windy weather.
www.waterfront.co.za
Tel: 021 408 7600
Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap is the historical Malay Quarter of the city, known for its brightly coloured houses and proud Muslim heritage. Less of a tourist site, rather a colourful and resilient reminder of the multi-cultural heritage at the heart of Cape Town’s history.
Two Oceans Aquarium
This world-class aquarium is based at the V&A Waterfront and houses over 3,000 sea animals from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Educational and hugely entertaining.
www.aquarium.co.za
Tel: 021 418 3823
