What to do in and around Cape Town
Two Oceans Aquarium (021) 418 3823
The southern tip of the African continent is the meeting place of two mighty and bountiful oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in these two oceans. The Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town and over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, seals, turtles and penguins can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve.
(Highlights: Shark Diving, Kids Activities, Shoreline Café, Conservation Projects)
Castle of Good Hope (021) 787 1249
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hope.
(Highlights: Tour of Castle, Change of Guard, military museum and art Galleries, De Goewerneur Restaurant)
The Cable Car
Table Mountain (021) 424 8181
Table Mountain is famous for its extra-ordinary floral biodiversity, mainly fynbos. Table Mountain alone has over 1500 species of plants, roughly the same number as are found throughout the British Isles. Table Mountain National Park is the richest corner of the Cape Flora Region and the richest single flora area in the world. Take the cable way to the top of the mountain in under 10 minutes and enjoy 360 degree views of the city or alternatively hike up Platteklip Gorge.
(Highlights: Hiking, Fauna and Flora, magnificent views, Restaurant)
Robben Island (021) 413 4200
For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometres from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs. The 3 hour tour includes a boat trip to Robben Island, followed by a commentated bus tour of the island and ends off with a tour inside the prison by one of the ex-political prisoners.
(Highlights: Boat tour, bus tour of Robben Island, Commentary by ex-political prisoner, Nelson Mandela’s cell)
Hop on hop off Bus Tour (021) 511 6000
Bus on the way to Table Mountain
Discover many of the great sites of Cape Town in this relaxed way. The round tour lasts 2h15, with frequent departures. Break your tour at any of the Explorer stops & continue later. Headphones are provided and commentary is conducted in most languages. There are 2 routes available. One tour includes the Waterfront, city centre in detail, Table Mountain for a panoramic view and includes a coastal drive back through Camps Bay: the other is longer via Kirstenbosch and Hout Bay. This is a “Hop on, Hop off” service, which allows you to use this tour as a convenient way to access all major highlights in Cape Town (including a visit to Camps Bay beach) during the day. Tickets can be purchased on the bus.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (021) 408 7600
Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa’s most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina.
(Highlights: Cinema, Boat Rides, Restaurants, Entertainment and LOTS of shopping!)
Ratanga Junction (0861) 200 300
Something for Everyone. This is usually only open during school holidays and peak periods. Please check before going. More than 30 attractions including 23 rides ranging from Kids Rides to Family Rides and Thrill Rides for the more intrepid adventurers. The white-knuckle thrills and spills are only one element offered by Ratanga Junction. The other attractions are designed to entertain children, families, and those who prefer to take their thrills in more manageable doses.
Grand West Casino (021) 505 7777
At Grand West Casino you can enjoy a range of activities for the whole family. While the kids get their ice skating boots on or explore the arcade; Mom and Dad can try their luck on any of the numerous Slot Machines and tables.
(Highlights: Casino, Night Life and Dining, Events, Ice Skating, Children’s Theme park and Games and Cinema)
Lady Barnard's Pool at Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (021) 799 8783
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country. It was founded in 1913.
(Highlights: Diverse fauna and flora, great walks, art, tea garden and restaurant)
World of Birds (021) 790 2730
World of Birds is the largest bird park and sanctuary in Africa and one of the few large bird parks in the World. Over 3000 birds (and small animals) of 400 different species are uniquely presented in more than 100 spacious landscaped walk through aviaries, allowing you the most intimate closeness with nature.
(Highlights: Birds, monkeys, tea garden, other reptiles and mammals)
Company Gardens (021) 424 2625
Situated at the top of Adderly Street in Cape Town, the company gardens is the first garden in which vines were planted. The oldest surviving vines still grow in the garden. From the gardens you have access to the Natural History Museum that has a great whale exhibit and the Planetarium which often has great kid’s shows (and for adults too!)
(Highlights: Beautiful Gardens, Parliament, SA Museum, Planetarium, Mandela Rhodes place, old Catholic Church)
Green Market Square (021) 426 1052
In Cape Town city centre there is one of Cape Town’s oldest and most popular markets known as Green Market Square. The cobbled stone square has a wide variety of African curios, clothing, candles and speciality stands. There are restaurants and cafes that surround the square if you wish to rest your feet and take a break from your shopping. The history of the market dates back to when ships passing the Cape would use the area for trading their goods and stocking up on produce before they continued along on their voyages. You will find that the market is always alive with people and has a great atmosphere and sense of character about it.
(Highlights: African Curios, culture, restaurants, clothing)
Mount Nelson High Tea (021) 483 1000
Delicious!!!
Afternoon Tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel includes traditional afternoon tea favourites such as pastrami sandwiches, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, tasty South African cheeses and biscuits, quiche and savoury pies, not forgetting the ever popular scones with strawberry jam and a grand assortment of tea cakes. A wide variety of teas including Rooibos, Lapsang Souchong, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Orange & Cinnamon, Green tea & Mint, and Jasmine Green accompanies these taste sensations. Tea can be enjoyed in the lounge, out on the terrace or in the beautiful gardens.
Footsteps to Freedom (021) 671 6878
Footsteps to Freedom invite you to reach into the soul of Cape Town, by retracing 350 years of dramatic history. Specially trained tourist guides will bring to life the challenges facing the early Dutch settlers, the pain of slavery, the Cape as a colony, the tragedy of apartheid, and the joy and triumph of our new “Rainbow Nation”.
The three hour walking tour takes in historical sights like the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, and slavery sites like the Slave Lodge and Slave Tree. At the Parliament Buildings and District Six Museum you will hear about apartheid and get to understand the effects of racism and discrimination on the lives of ordinary South Africans.
(Highlights: Historical Sites, Cultural Experience, walking tour)
Have a swim with the penguins
Penguins at Boulders Beach
Boulders Penguin Colony is home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat and there is also a new information centre. Children will love the penguins and their antics and Boulders Beach is also worth a stop for safe and enjoyable swimming.
(Highlights: Penguins, Beautiful Beaches)
Cape of Good Hope (021) 780 9010
The Table Mountain National Park encompasses the incredibly scenic Table Mountain Chain stretching from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south and the seas and coastline of the peninsula. The narrow finger of land with its beautiful valleys, bays and beaches is surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the warmer waters of False Bay and has within its boundaries two world-renowned landmarks – majestic Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope “Where the 2 Oceans Meet”.
(Highlights: Beautiful Coastlines, Shipwrecks, Old Lighthouse, Tram to top of point, fauna and Flora, animals)
Chapman's Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak Drive (021) 791 8222
Chapman’s Peak Drive between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast on the south-western tip of South Africa is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. The 9 km route with its 114 curves skirts Chapman’s Peak, the 593 m southerly extension of Constantia Berg and follows the rocky coastline to unfold stunning views in both directions
(Highlights: Beautiful Coastlines, Picnic, photography, whale watching, hiking)
Imhoff Farm (021) 783 4545
Located en-route to Cape Point, Imhoff farm is the perfect place to stop and explore. The farm offers a number of curios and exciting shops, as well as camel rides, horse rides and a snake and reptile park for the kids to enjoy.
(Highlights: Camel Rides, Curios, horse rides, snake and reptiles, restaurants)
Cape Point Ostrich Farm (021) 780 9294
The Cape Point Ostrich Farm offers guided tours to familiarise you with the life cycle of the ostrich. Enjoy ostrich specialities at the scenic tea garden or purchase a wide range of ostrich products, available from the shop.
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