Destinations / Cape Town >>

Surely one of the cities of the world.

Certainly up there with Rio De Janeiro and Sydney in terms of natural beauty and beaches. But with the added bonuses of also having winelands, whale-watching and a fascinating cultural diversit. Cape Town, perched on the southern tip of Africa, is a must-see for any self-respecting traveller. You can’t hope to get inside a city with so much to offer in a short period of time, but you can have a helluva lot of fun trying!

But all that glitters is not gold. Within the shadow of Table Mountain lie some of the most wretched townships in South Africa, as you will see on your trip from the airport into the city centre. Too many tourists become victims of crime because they see the European, cosmopolitan vibe and apparent affluence and become careless. If you've got one of our GPS and phone devices you can relax knowing you will not get lost or end up in the wrong part of town. It is preloaded with the best attractions and safe routes through the city, our security advice and driving tips and a panic button should you get into trouble. Cape Town is actually quite a difficult city to drive in, with notoriously erratic taxi drivers, windy roads with changing names, poor signposting, one-way systems and several big mountains that get in the way! A satellite navigation device is definitely recommended.

Where ever you go in ‘The Mother City’ the constantly changing view of Table Mountain dominates and it’s a view you never tire of. In fact Table Mountain and other geological features dominate Cape Town so much that they effectively divide the city into many smaller ones, each complete with their own atmosphere, attractions and even micro-climates. So your most important decision when planning your visit is to choose the area that will most suit you.

Many international tourists end up in one of the many international chain, high-rise hotels near the lively Victoria & Albert (V&A) Waterfront. With few exceptions, we are not fans of these over-priced and characterless establishments that could be anywhere in the world. However they are well-positioned for the numerous restaurants, curio shops and ferries to Robben Island from the Waterfront.

If you want the convenience and atmosphere of being in the 'City Bowl' there are many better-value, privately-owned boutique guest houses in the Gardens / Oranjezicht area, set further back towards the mountain. Select the right one and you can expect personal attention from helpful hosts, stylish decor and convenience for excellent bars and restuarants. Camps Bay and the Waterfront are still within easy striking distance.

Sea Point and Green Point also also excellently located for the city centre attractions and many hotels offer that all-important view over the wind-swept Southern Atlantic. Liberally spinkled in equal portions with bars, restaurants and eclectic characters, these make a good base between the Waterfront and the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.

However Camps Bay is where we prefer to stay when visiting Cape Town. The pristine white beach under the Twelve Apostle Mountains conveniently faces west for sun-downers and the young, cool and thirsty of Cape Town congregate in the many eateries to see and be seen. The city bowl and cable way to Table Mountain are just a short drive, taxi ride or tourist bus trip away. A warning though - many guest houses market themselves as being "in Camps Bay and just 500 metres from the beach" without mentioning this 500 metres is a very steep uphill climb. So choose your location carefully.

To the south Hout Bay offers a nice, sometimes wind-sheltered, beach with excellent-value accommodation options in a self-contained suburb that is a convenient base to explore the Cape Peninsula. However, you're not really in Cape Town proper and it's quite a drive into town. Even further south and to the east are the settlements of Simon's Town, Muizenburg and Kalk Bay. These are increasingly popular with international tourists and South Africans alike, drawn to their working harbours, fine seafood and 'time-passed-us-by' feel.

Constantia is the oldest wine-growing region in South Africa and if the idea of staying in a historic Cape Dutch building nestled between affluent mansions and vineyards with fine dining on your doorstep is your thing, Constantia is an good, but often-overlooked, option. You would hardly know you're near the sea but that can have its advantages - when it's blowing a storm in Cape Town, Constantia often has blue skies (although the reverse is also true!).

In terms of activities, must-do’s include the white beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton (some of the best city beaches in the world), taking a cable car to the top of the mountain – you can climb it but it is a strenuous hike - a shorter but still challenging hike with great views is Lions Head. Drive along the stunning Chapman’s Peak Drive down to the Cape Point Peninsula. Take an afternoon over a classic French lunch with an African twist in the oldest wine growing region around Constantia. The short ferry ride to Robben Island, followed by a tour by one of the former inmates brings the horrific reality of Apartheid and the miracle of South Africa's reconciliation into stark clarity. Our second favourite-ever beer was had watching the sun drop into the Atlantic in Camps Bay, our favourite was the next one. Follow it up with a lively night on Long Street. Under the summer sun the sea may look very inviting, but everyone is astounded just how cold it is. Survive more than five minutes and you’re braver than us!.