Cape Town’s Top Attractions

Adderley Street flower sellers Freshly cut flowers – including fynbos species such as king and pincushion proteas, depending on the season – are available from the friendly flower sellers in Adderley Street, where this trade has operated for the past 100 years. These flowers are generally a lot cheaper than anywhere else. Read more.

African experience – eat, drink, dance and drum Eat, drink, dance and drum African style in Cape Town. Read more.

Air Force Museum Take an imaginary flight with the aviators of yesteryear with a visit to the South African Air Force Museum at Ysterplaat, where the winged wonders of a bygone era have been preserved for posterity. Read more.

Amy Biehl Memorial Amy Biehl was a young American Fulbright Scholarship exchange student who studied at the University of the Western Cape in 1993. Read more.

Art galleries in Cape Town More than 100 art galleries – as diverse as the colours daubed on an artist’s palette – await discovery in and around Cape Town. Read more.

Battle of Blaauwberg Relive a piece of South African history, push yourself to the extreme and dine on gourmet food at the scene of the Battle of Blauuwberg (now known as “Bloubergstrand” or simply “Blouberg”). Read more.

Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant Known for its brightly coloured houses and situated at the foot of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is the spiritual home of the Cape’s Muslim community. Read more.

Cafda & Stables Craft and Culture Centre The Cape Flats Development Association (Cafda) is a non-profit child and family-oriented organisation that provides numerous services to disadvantaged communities living on the Cape Flats. Read more.

Cape Minstrel Carnival The Cape Minstrel Carnival is Cape Town’s longest-running street party, tracing back to old slave traditions during the days of the Cape Colony. Read more.

Cape Town shipwrecks From the days when Portuguese explorers rounded the Cape in their wooden galleons to modern-day shipping, the aptly named “Cape of Storms” has claimed many a vessel. Read more.

Castle Military Museum The Castle Military Museum is housed in the oldest building in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope, which was declared a national monument in 1936.

The Castle Military Museum is a tribute to the brave regiments of the past, providing an insight into the political history of the country and celebrating the rich military history of the Cape. Then Minister of Defence Joe Modise officially opened the Castle Military Museum on August 1, 1995. Read more.

Church Square and the Slave Lodge Church Square and Slave Lodge, at the top corner of Adderley Street, bear witness to the turbulent past of the Cape of Good Hope. Read more.

City Hall and Grand Parade Cape Town’s City Hall was built in 1905 in Italian Renaissance style, and is one of the last Victorian-style sandstone structures in the Mother City. Despite showing its age, Cape Town’s iconic City Hall continues to be sought out by urban explorers. Read more.

City Walks Cape Town is a wonderful city to enjoy on foot, so make time to walk the streets to discover the Mother City’s culture and history. Read more.

Company’s Garden Spend some time exploring the Company’s Garden. Access to the public park, which contains a rose garden, Japanese garden, fish pond, aviary and tea garden, is free. Read more.

Creative Cape Town Breathe in the heady scent of flowers, soak up some live music, eyeball the best designers’ work and buy some art in Cape Town. Read more.

District Six Museum The District Six Museum revives the history of a vibrant community that was forcibly removed to the city’s periphery during apartheid. Read more.

Fish Hoek Man There are some very old residents in Cape Town’s coastal village, Fish Hoek, which lies in a valley on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula. There’s one particular resident who’s been around for the past 12 000 years! Read more.

Gugulethu Gugulethu is a colourful combination of vibrant life and a local example of the problems associated with poverty, making a visit to the township unforgettable. Read more.

Heart of Cape Town Museum The Heart of Cape Town Museum honours those who played a major role in one of the greatest moments in medical history – the world’s first heart transplant. Read more.

Het Posthuys and Rhodes Cottage Museum – Muizenberg The “historical mile”, set along Muizenberg’s Main Road, includes the Het Posthuys Museum and Rhodes Cottage. Read more.

Historic buildings and architecture in Cape Town As the oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town boasts a number of historical buildings, many of which are still in use today and open to visitors. The city’s architecture is a testament to the many varying influences in South Africa’s unique history. Read more.

Iziko Museums The Iziko Museums of Cape Town are an amalgamation of national museums located near the city centre, along what has been dubbed the “Museum Mile”.

Iziko is an isiXhosa word meaning “a hearth” – the traditional centre of the home where families would get together to share oral histories. The Iziko Museums continue in this vein, with 12 museums across three spheres – natural history, social history and arts – coming together to share and celebrate Cape Town’s and South Africa’s heritage. Read more.

Iziko Planetarium The Iziko Planetarium housed in the South African Museum building in Cape Town, is one of only two planetaria in South Africa. Read more.

Iziko South African Museum The Iziko South African Museum, founded in 1825 and situated in the Company’s Garden, takes care of more than 1.5-million items of cultural and scientific significance. Read more.

Josephine Mill Boundary Road in the suburb of Newlands is where Cape Town’s only surviving water mill can be found. Read more.

Khayelitsha Township Tour Take a township tour to Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats. See the view from Look-Out Hill, buy crafts and eat at an African restaurant. Read more.

Langa Get a taste of township life by visiting Langa near Pinelands. Eat, sleep, shop and party in Cape Town’s oldest township. Read more.

Lighthouses of Cape Town If pharology (the study of lighthouses) brings a twinkle to your eye, there are 10 places along the Cape coast where you’ll find them. The precursors to today’s modern automated lighthouses were large fires set on the water’s edge to warn sailors that they were approaching land. The Egyptians were the first to build lighthouses. Read more.

Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum The Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum pays tribute to the thousands of migrant labourers who suffered under the apartheid system./> Read more.

Mamre Moravian Mission Station Mamre was founded in the 16th century when the governor of the Cape, Willem Adriaan van der Stel, established a military and cattle post in the region, to prevent settlers’ cattle being stolen by the local KhoiKhoi. Read more.

Parliament Buildings The historic Houses of Parliament are found at the top of the Company’s Garden in central Cape Town. Read more.

Places of worship South Africa endorses freedom of religion in its constitution, so mainstream religions are well represented by places of worship throughout the country and Cape Town is no exception. Read more.

Rhodes Memorial The imposing Rhodes Memorial, which sits at the foot of Devil’s Peak in the Table Mountain National Park, offers visitors spectacular views towards the Hottentots Holland mountains. Read more.

Robben Island Once “home” to some of South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so. Read more.

Rust-en-Vrede Gallery The artworks of established and emerging artists jostle for visitors’ attention at Cape Town’s Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery in Durbanville. Read more.

Sheikh Yusuf Kramat For the Muslim population the Sheikh Yusuf Kramat in Faure is one of the most important spiritual shrines in the country. Read more.

South African Jewish Museum It took four years, from planning to construction, before the South African Jewish Museum was officially opened by Nelson Mandela in December 2000. Read more.

South African National Art Gallery The South African National Art Gallery, in the Company’s Garden, forms part of Iziko Museums of Cape Town. Read more.

South African Rugby Museum Cape Town sport enthusiasts are lucky enough to live in the city that is home to the South African Rugby Museum. Located just a drop kick away from the Newlands Rugby Stadium in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, home of the Stormers, the South African Rugby Museum is a full of tokens, collector’s items, memorabilia and history of one of the country’s most watched sports. Read more.

St George’s Cathedral and Groote Kerk More fondly known as “the people’s cathedral”, St George’s Cathedral in Wale Street represents the Anglican diocese mother church in Cape Town. Read more.

The Castle of Good Hope The Castle of Good Hope – the oldest building in South Africa – was once a fort, but today functions as a showcase of the Cape’s early days. Read more.

The Western Cape Provincial Archives and Records Service The Western Cape Provincial Archives and Records Service, which aims to “foster a national identity and the protection of rights”, is located at 72 Roeland Street in Cape Town. Read more.

University of Cape Town Take in the stunning architecture that typifies South Africa’s oldest university. Read more.

University of the Western Cape Over the past 50 years, the University of the Western Cape has been in the vanguard of South Africa’s historic change, playing an academic role in building an equitable and dynamic nation. Read more.

Voluntourism Enjoy all the attractions of Cape Town, while helping local communities by building houses, knitting blankets, playing soccer or just listening to a child read. Read more.

William Fehr Collection housed in Rust en Vreugd William Fehr (1892-1968) was a private art collector whose paintings, furniture and other objets d’art are housed in two of Cape Town’s most historic buildings, the Castle of Good Hope and Rust en Vreugd. Read more.

African Wildlife Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City. Read more.

Bellville Bellville is set among the Tygerberg hills, about 25km (15mi) from central Cape Town, and has spectacular views of the winelands and Stellenbosch mountains. Read more.

Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay Situated at the base of the Hottentots Holland mountains on the False Bay coast, the pretty village of Gordon’s Bay is a relaxing holiday spot. Read more.

Birding Birding, or avitourism, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in ecotourism internationally. The avitourism division of BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) has established several birding routes throughout the country. Read more.

Boulders penguin colony There are few places in the world where you can get this close to a breeding colony of penguins, swim close to them in the sea and enjoy their private sandy beach. Read more.

Camps Bay Under the looming Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head, with views out across the turquoise-coloured sea, Camps Bay sports some of the trendiest places in Cape Town to see and be seen. Read more.

Cape Garden Centre With a big outdoor playground and the largest indoor play area in Cape Town, the Cape Garden Centre is a popular attraction both in sunny weather or even when it rains. Read more.

Cape Point Cape Point is a spectacular, narrow finger of land, covered in endemic fynbos and home to picturesque bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys. Read more.

Chapman’s Peak and Noordhoek Chapman’s Peak Drive winds its way between Noordhoek and Hout Bay and is touted as one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Read more.

City Sightseeing Bus Tours The open-top double-decker buses of City Sightseeing are one of the best ways to take in the highlights of Cape Town. Read more.

Clara Anna Fontein About 30 minutes from central Cape Town is Clara Anna Fontein, the only game reserve within the greater Cape metropolitan area. Read more.

Clifton Home to Millionaire’s Row, fashionable Clifton is known as Cape Town’s St Tropez, and its four beautiful beaches attract holidaymakers in their droves. Read more.

Constantia vineyards The elegant suburb of Constantia is situated in the Cape’s oldest winelands and is home to renowned wine estates and numerous award-winning restaurants. Read more.

Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary The Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary is located in a natural wetland populated with waterfowl, migrant waders and Ethiopian snipe. Read more.

Durbanville Boasting several shopping centres, Durbanville, north of Cape Town, is one of the fastest-growing towns in South Africa with a plethora of restaurants, pubs, guest houses and bed and breakfasts to suit your needs. Read more.

Durbanville Nature Reserve Two rare plant species, indigenous veld types, short hiking trails, bird watching and picnicking are the main attractions of the Durbanville Nature Reserve. Read more.

Durbanville Rose Garden When blooms on thousands of rose bushes in Cape Town’s Durbanville Rose Garden unfurl their tender petals to the warming sun, the profusion of colour makes for a truly beautiful and uplifting spectacle. Read more.

Edith Stephens Wetland Park The Edith Stephens Wetland Park is a place where the natural biodiversity of the Cape Flats and the needs of the local communities are brought together. Read more.

Fynbos and the Cape Floral Kingdom Fynbos, meaning “fine bush”, is a unique and strikingly beautiful group of flora endemic to a small section of the Western Cape of South Africa. Read more.

Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre It may have the longest neck of any animal in the world, but did you know that the majestic giraffe has exactly the same number of neck vertebrae as humans do? Read more.

Gordon’s Bay Gordon’s Bay is a harbour town with excellent beaches, which lies against the Helderberg. Read more.

Green Point Green Point has been called the Soho of Cape Town – with its funky restaurants and busy nightclubs, the place has an energy all of its own. Read more.

Intaka Island The word “intaka”, which means “bird” in isiXhosa, is a fitting name for an island that offers a safe haven to many feathered species. Read more.

Kalk Bay Enjoy the views of the beautiful False Bay coastline as you wind your way along Boyes Drive to the scenic town of Kalk Bay. Read more.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to over 22 000 indigenous plants. Read more.

Kogelberg biosphere Home to one-fifth of all fynbos species, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Read more.

Kommetjie and Kommetjie Lighthouse Kommetjie (“small basin” in Afrikaans) gets its name from early beginnings, when settlers apparently used the natural basin as a convenient fish trap.  Read more.

Kuils River Kuils River, originally a cattle fold for the Dutch East India Company, is about 30 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. Read more.

Language Schools Live and learn English in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. Read more.

Llandudno and Sandy Bay Only 18km from the Cape Town city centre, an arc of fine white sand gives away the secluded location of one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, Llandudno. Read more.

Macassar Dunes Project The Macassar Dunes Project is located on the Cape Town coast adjacent to Macassar and Khayelitsha and is bounded by the Eerste River, Baden Powell Drive and False Bay. Read more.

Melkbosstrand Melkbosstrand’s 7km-long stretch of white sand beckons visitors to slip off their sandals and enjoy a stress-relieving stroll. Read more.

Milnerton The suburb of Milnerton – with its lagoon, beach and golf course – is the perfect spot for some well-earned rest and recreation.

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Muizenberg This laid-back seaside town on the shores of False Bay comes alive in season, with holiday-makers crowding its streets as they make their way down to what is perhaps Cape Town’s nicest swimming beach. Read more.

Observatory Observatory or “Obs” as the locals call it, is Cape Town’s bohemian suburb and lies east of the city centre. Read more.

Responsible Tourism Many tourists in this day and age are looking for more than beautiful scenery and efficient booking systems: more and more visitors are chosing destinations and experiences that practise responsible tourism. Read more.

Rondevlei Nature Reserve and hippos Rondevlei Nature Reserve is a haven for many bird and mammal species, including hippo. Read more.

Signal Hill and the Noon Gun Signal Hill is a prominent landmark from which the historic noon gun is fired, and forms the “lion’s body” for the adjacent Lion’s Head mountain top. Read more.

Simon’s Town This pretty coastal town is South Africa’s main naval base and consists of lovely Victorian buildings, quaint streets and walkways and a fascinating history. Read more.

Somerset West Surrounded by orchards, farmlands and vineyards, the scenic suburb of Somerset West lies at the foot of the Helderberg mountains. Read more.

Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) Since 1968 more than 85 000 seabirds have been taken in and treated by the dedicated staff at Cape Town’s Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). Read more.

Southern Line rail route Take a trip on a slow train – a wonderful way to appreciate the fascinating and ever-changing landscape between the Cape Town city centre and Simon’s Town. Read more.

St James Just a little further on from Cape Town’s well-known Muizenberg beach (with its ubiquitous Victorian bathing boxes) is St James. Read more.

Strand With its beautiful white 5km-long beach, the Strand is an ideal family venue for swimming, sunbathing and a variety of water sports. Read more.

The World of Birds The largest bird park in Africa, Hout Bay’s World of Birds fits neatly into a valley that provides a perfect sanctuary for a four-hectare series of aviaries. Read more.

Tokai arboretum The Tokai Arboretum is a park-like area on the slopes of Constantiaberg near the Silvermine Nature Reserve that’s ideally suited to walking, biking and learning about various tree species, including oaks and Californian redwoods. Read more.

Two Oceans Aquarium With more than 3000 marine creatures on view – including sharks, turtles and penguins – the Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the finest aquariums in the world. Read more.

Tygerberg Nature Reserve After an absence of 100 years from the area, bontebok once again roam freely throughout the 300-hectare Tygerberg Nature Reserve, thanks to the efforts of the nature conservation branch of the City of Cape Town. Read more.

Wagon trail, Sir Lowry’s Pass Early colonial pioneers in ox-wagons used Sir Lowry’s Pass to cross the mountains – and the evidence is still there to see. Read more.

West Coast Ostrich Show Ranch For a tourism experience with a difference, visit the West Coast Ostrich Show Ranch. This family-owned ostrich business includes informative tours. Read more.

Woodstock Woodstock, one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs, is located within the City Bowl and within easy access of the central business district. Read more.

Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve The 200ha Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve is a wetland, river system and estuary near Muizenberg on the False Bay coast. Read more.

Camphill Village Wellness Make a difference with a difference. Shop by tractor to help local communities at the Camphill Village. Read more.

Cape Town labyrinths Labyrinths are a common element in many different cultures, with earliest records dating back 3 500 years. Read more.

Long Street Baths Fancy a swim in an historic, circa-1908 swimming pool? If you’re keen for a change from sea and sand, head to the Long Street baths, on the corner of Long and Orange streets in the Cape Town city centre, for an old-world bathe. Read more.

Mangwanani Spa at Zevenwacht Enjoy being pampered at Mangwanani Spa at Zevenwacht Wine Estate along the famous Stellenbosch Wine Route. Read more.

Oude Molen Eco-Village and Millstone Farmstall and Café The Oude Molen Eco-Village is located on the site known as Valkenberg East, near the Cape Town suburb of Pinelands. It’s nestled in large, park-like gardens bordered by sensitive wetlands lining the Black River. Read more.

Selfhelp Manenberg Manenberg is a poverty-stricken community in which crime, substance abuse and unemployment affect two-thirds of the population. Read more.

Top spas A holiday is not a holiday without a little time for pampering, a little soul food. With creature comforts in mind, we’ve come up with a list of top-class spas that promise to relieve the stresses of a jam-packed travel itinerary (or if you’re Capetonian, just the stresses of everyday life) in a host of different ways. Enjoy! Read more.

Tsoga Centre and Philani Project A green oasis in the heart of Cape Town’s Langa township, the Tsoga Environmental Resource Centre located in Washington Street is responsible for organising programmes aimed at improving the lives of township youngsters. Read more.

Blaauwberg Beach and Kite Surfing Blouberg beach, also known as Bloubergstrand and Blaauwberg Beach, is the place to take picture-postcard shots of Cape Town and Table Mountain and it’s also a great place to go kite surfing. Read more.

Blue Rock Cable Waterski Tucked away at the foot of the Helderberg mountain range, with Somerset West on one side and Cape Town 30 minutes to the other, is a magnificent freshwater lake, home of Blue Rock Cable Waterski. Read more.

Boat and yacht charters One of the advantages of being on a peninsula is that the sea is rarely more than a few kilometres away in any direction, so why not take advantage of this and view Cape Town from a different perspective? Read more.

Cape Hunt and Polo Club Drag Hunting is an exciting cross-country equestrian sport, where drag hound packs use foxhounds that are trained to follow an artificially laid scent trail. Read more.

Caves The steep slopes of the Cape Peninsula are home to more than 100 caves, ranging in size from overhangs to deep fissures with underground tunnels. Read more.

Cycling and mountain biking The varied topography of Cape Town, from its soaring mountains to long, flat beaches, forested slopes and challenging mountain passes, presents the keen cyclist with an array of routes to choose from. Read more.

Erinvale Golf Course Said to be one of the best residential golf courses in South Africa, Erinvale Golf Course is one of Cape Town’s golfing treasures. Read more.

Fish Hoek Fish Hoek is a quaint coastal town set between ocean and mountain at the mouth of the Silvermine River on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula. Read more.

Fishing Whether it’s the excitement of fighting a large game fish out at sea or the more sedate art of fly-fishing that appeals to the angler in you, Cape Town offers a wide choice of saltwater and freshwater options. Read more.

Golf Cape Town and the greater Western Cape Province offer golfing enthusiasts some of the most majestic and scenic championship-status courses in South Africa. Read more.

Great rides Feel the kiss of the salty wind astraddle a classic car or motorcycle, while taking in the magnificence of Cape Town’s mountain and ocean scenery. Read more.

Helderberg and Nature Reserve The beautiful Cape Helderberg region offers a wonderful combination of nature and winelands just 45km (28mi) from Cape Town. Read more.

Helicopter and aeroplane trips Soaring in a helicopter or plane over the broad expanse of Cape Town, from its majestic mountain ranges down to its sparkling ocean, is a wonderful introduction to the diversity offered by South Africa’s Mother City. Read more.

Horse riding in Cape Town For those who enjoy seeing the countryside at a gallop with the wind blowing through their hair, horse riding in Cape Town can be a pleasant and affordable experience. Read more.

Hout Bay Scenic Hout Bay is a lively coastal town with a lovely swimming beach and a picturesque harbour where you can buy the best fish and chips in the world. Read more.

Indoor Rock Climbing Gym Contrary to popular belief, climbing is not a pursuit limited to the very strong. It has a lot more to do with mental ability and technique, so put your skills to the test at CityROCK Indoor Climbing Gym in Observatory, Cape Town. Read more.

Killarney Race Track Watch the speed freaks tear up the tar at Cape Town’s Killarney Race Track. Read more.

Lion’s Head Lion’s Head forms part of the Table Mountain range and provides a scenic backdrop to the City of Cape Town. Read more.

Microlighting See the world from a new perspective – from the windswept harness of a microlight, more fondly known as “the motorbike of the skies”. Whether you’re soaring above the waves or skimming overland with the rush of wind in your ears and adrenline-filled ozone in your nostrils, nothing can equal the intense sensory experience of microlight flight. Read more.

Newlands cricket stadium Newlands cricket grounds, officially known as Sahara Park Newlands, with its spectacular views of Table Mountain, is full of sports history and atmosphere.  Read more.

Newlands rugby stadium Newlands rugby stadium, officially known as DHL Newlands, is where the Springboks play their international matches in Cape Town. The stadium is also the home ground of the Stormers and Western Province rugby teams. Read more.

Noordhoek Beach horse riding Noordhoek is popular for horse rides along a white, sandy beach that stretches for miles. Read more.

Paragliding It has long been a human dream to soar like a bird on lofty thermals – and paragliding comes pretty close. There couldn’t be a better place to experience the thrill of paragliding than high above the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, and the Twelve Apostles. Read more.

Quad biking Traversing the beautiful Cape countryside on a quad bike offers a unique perspective on local flora and fauna, with a little excitement thrown in for good measure. Read more.

Ratanga Junction Picture this ... You’re strapped into your seat, hanging under the track of a looping roller coaster that’s hurtling down a twisting track at about 100km/h. Screams fill the air, and you’re not sure you’ll live to savour the memories ... If that sounds like fun to you, then Ratanga Junction’s the place you need to be! Read more.

Sandboarding Sandboarding is one of the most exciting adventure sports offered in South Africa. It requires the same skills as snowboarding but is generally easier to learn and needs a lot less clothing. Read more.

Scarborough Along the winding road from Kommetjie past Witsands and Misty Cliffs, approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town city centre, you’ll come upon a pretty seaside village flanked by pristine beaches, scenic mountains and a camel-shaped rock formation – this is Scarborough. Read more.

Scuba diving in the Cape The best thing about diving in Cape Town is that you have two oceans to choose from – the warmer Indian Ocean to the east and south, and the colder Atlantic Ocean to the west. Read more.

Sea kayaking Sea kayaking is a year-round activity that can be enjoyed by reasonably fit people of all ages. Read more.

Silvermine Nature Reserve Silvermine Nature Reserve forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and encapsulates part of the Cape Peninsula mountain range, from Kalk Bay through to Constantiaberg. Read more.

Skydiving in Cape Town Taking in the beauty of Cape Town from altitude is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read more.

Steenbras River Gorge Hiking Trail The Steenbras River Gorge near Gordon’s Bay will be closed for restorations and rehabilitation until June 2012 at the earliest. Read more.

Surfing If you’ve always harboured a desire to master the art of surfing, a holiday in Cape Town is the ideal time to learn this most enjoyable sport. Read more.

Swimming in Cape Town – beaches and pools South Africa’s Mother City offers an array of beautiful, white, sandy beaches and a refreshing, crystal-clear ocean set against an azure sky. The Cape Peninsula separates two of the great oceans of the world, the cold Atlantic Ocean and the slightly warmer Indian Ocean, which meet officially at Cape Aghulas. And if the ocean’s too cold, there’s also a great choice of public swimming pools in Cape Town. Read more.

Table Mountain On November 11, 2011, Table Mountain was named among the New7Wonders of Nature, following a lengthy international public voting process. You can get to the top of Cape Town’s most famous icon in just five minutes by taking a cable car up, or spend the better part of your day hiking it. Read more.

Table Mountain National Park and Hoerikwaggo Trail The Hoerikwaggo Trail in the Table Mountain National Park takes in all the natural attractions of the park – beaches and mountains – as well as some city highlights. Read more.

Walks Walking is one of the best ways to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Cape Town. As long as it’s not raining, any weather will do. Read more.

Whales, sharks and seals The ocean and small islands around Cape Town are teeming with marine life. Keep your eyes on the water to ensure you don’t miss the whales, sharks, seals and dolphins that frequently put on a show for visitors. Read more.

Artscape Theatre Centre If you are in the mood to take in a show, a spellbinding ballet or moving opera then the Artscape Theatre Centre is worth a visit. It’s one of Cape Town’s modern landmarks, home to the Artscape performing arts company, as well as one of the main performing arts centres. Read more.

Athlone and Galaxy Disco Enjoy authentic Cape Malay dining, listen to some swinging jazz, party till you drop and then eat again in Athlone. Read more.

Cape Town International Convention Centre The Cape Town International Convention Centre is the ideal venue for conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, concerts and other big events. The centre takes up 6.1ha on the city’s Foreshore and is within easy reach of the V&A Waterfront, major hotels and the rest of the city centre. Read more.

Cape Town kids Keeping children occupied over weekends and during school holidays is always a challenge for busy parents, but those on holiday in Cape Town have a wide choice when it comes to entertaining their little ones. Read more.

Cape Town Science Centre The Cape Town Science Centre officially opened its doors at its new premises in Observatory on December 28, 2011, with a mission to make a hands-on contribution to South Africa’s future by strengthening its science and technology culture through interactive methods of teaching.

The centre attracts between 126 000 and 138 000 visitors annually, and has more than 300 permanent interactive exhibits.

Read more.

Cape Town Stadium Cape Town Stadium hosted eight matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ under the name Green Point Stadium. This included the quarter-final between Germany and Argentina, as well as the semi-final between the Netherlands and Uruguay. Read more.

Celebration House Celebration House has been described as “the answer to a bride’s mother’s prayers!” Read more.

Century City Located on the N1 just outside the Cape Town city limits, Century City, is a mini city network providing work, leisure and fun activities to those looking for an ultimate lifestyle away from the hubbub of the Cape Town City Centre .

The suburb is spread over 250ha and has a golf course, various residential properties and Canal Walk shopping centre. Read more.

City Bowl Suburbs With the mountains on one side and the sea on the other, the City Bowl contains the heart of the Mother City. Read more.

City centre When it comes to fun and entertainment, Cape Town is the mother of all cities. Read more.

Coffee and people watching Examine Capetonians as they work and play by spending time with them in their favourite coffee shops. Read more.

Die Hoenderhok Theatre Enjoy live music from some of South Africa’s top musicians or a touch of theatre in tranquil elegance. Read more.

Fugard Theatre The newest feather in Cape Town’s cultural cap, the 270-seater Fugard Theatre is located within the historic Sacks Futeran building in Cape Town’s District Six, with the renovated Congregational Church Hall in Caledon Street as its entrance. Construction of The Fugard Theatre was underwritten by its founding producer Eric Abraham, and is named in honour of Athol Fugard, South Africa’s greatest playwright. Read more.

GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World Take the family to GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World for hours of entertainment, including gambling, restaurants, ice-skating and ten-pin bowling. Read more.

Labia Theatre and Little Theatre For nearly 30 years, the Labia Theatre has lured discerning moviegoers to enjoy classic films in an old-world ambience. Read more.

Live music South African musicians are always out and about providing live shows at Cape Town clubs such as Mercury Live, The Assembly and Zulu Bar. Read more.

Long Street If you’re looking for fun vibes and an excuse to stay out all night, visit Long Street, party capital of the Mother City. Read more.

Maynardville Open-Air Theatre One of the best-loved outdoor theatres in the Cape is Wynberg’s Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, where around 20 000 patrons attend a variety of performances each year. Read more.

Milnerton Playhouse The Milnerton Playhouse is tucked behind the Milnerton Library at 87 Pienaar Road, and was built in 1989 for the Milnerton Players’ Dramatic Society. Read more.

Mouille Point Mouille Point, lying just north of Sea Point, is a well-heeled suburb with a number of cushy apartment blocks and short-term accommodation for tourists. Read more.

Mzoli’s Place Mzoli’s Place, situated just outside Cape Town in the township of Gugulethu , is known for its vibrant parties, diverse patronage and of course, their signature meat.

Kwa-Mzoli, as locals call it, is the ideal place to introduce oneself to township culture, the friendly people, big personalities, street fashion and the partying that never stops. Read more.

Noordhoek Farm Village Tucked under the welcome shade of massive oak trees at the southern end of Chapman’s Peak Drive lies the delightful Noordhoek Farm Village. Read more.

Photography Even if you don’t know much about photography or your camera, a photographic day tour in the Cape is the perfect way to learn how to use your camera and take some awesome photographs. Read more.

Sea Point Sea Point offers visitors a variety of pubs, music clubs, coffee shops, restaurants and a lovely promenade along which to walk. Read more.

South African National Circus The South African National Circus (SANC) prides itself on presenting a “circus arts human performance with an African twist”, which appeals to all ages and across all cultures. The talented performers are trained by world-class SANC artists in Hartleyvale, Observatory. Read more.

Spoken Word at Zula Bar On the last Wednesday of every month the Zula Bar comes alive with an evening of words and “anything lyrical”, from live music and soul hop, to street poetry, beatbox, rap and everything in between. Read more.

The Baxter Theatre Centre The Baxter Theatre Centre is situated in Rondebosch, in the Southern Suburbs, and is one of the pre-eminent theatres of the Cape Town social and cultural scene.

The Baxter hosts and produces local and international groundbreaking and award-winning shows. Annual events like the Nando’s Festival, the Vodacom Funny Festival and the Baxter Dance Festival are very popular, as well as classical music concerts, dance, music, drama, ballet, opera and live and intimate theatre. The Baxter’s offerings are diverse. Read more.

The Playhouse Theatre The 60-year-old Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society (HHDS) owns The Playhouse Theatre, on the corner of Lourensford and Swalle Roads in Somerset West. Read more.

Theatre in the District The Theatre in the District is an iconic remnant of what was once a bustling, colourful Cape community. Read more.

Theatre on the Bay With its central location and beautiful ocean vistas, Camps Bay’s Theatre on the Bay promises a good mix of local and international drama, musicals, comedy, cabaret, music and dance. Read more.

Theatres in Cape Town Cape Town’s arts scene is exciting and innovative – and there are a number of local theatres showcasing the best of our home-grown artistic talent. Read more.

Tobogganing Cool Runnings is making the most of people’s need for speed by opening the first toboggan track in Africa. Read more.

Zip Zap School of Circus Arts If the sight of trapeze artists arcing to and fro over a gasping crowd gets your adrenalin going, pay a visit to the Zip Zap School of Circus Arts. Read more.

Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair and Kirstenbosch Craft Market Visit the Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair and the Kirstenbosch Craft Market where dealers, décor divas and antique collectors gather in search of good bargains. Read more.

Book shops What’s the good of a holiday without a good book? There’s no shortage of great book shops in Cape Town where bookworms can while away the hours and browse at their leisure. Read more.

Canal Walk Shopping Centre Canal Walk Shopping Centre merges the world’s most desirable brands with shopping convenience, and inspired entertainment with everyday leisure – all in a commanding, majestic setting. Read more.

Cape Town International Airport Cape Town International Airport is Africa’s third-largest airport. Having undergone an upgrade for the FIFA World Cup™, the airport now offers passengers and visitors a memorable experience and a great venue for conferencing and shopping. Read more.

Cavendish Square Shopping Centre The award-winning Cavendish Square in Claremont is one of Cape Town’s most upmarket shopping centres, and is home to more than 200 stores. Read more.

Church Street by day (Antiques) For the perfect lazy day, take a stroll along Church Street where you’ll find everything from lunch and coffee to antiques and art galleries. Read more.

Constantia Village One of most attractive shopping malls in Cape Town, the southern suburbs’ Constantia Village was designed with careful attention to aesthetics to enable it to blend unobtrusively into its stunning mountain and vineyard surrounds. Read more.

Country Craft Market The Country Craft Market held during summer at Southey’s Vines, 186 Main Road, Somerset West, was established in 1983 and is renowned for top quality, hand-crafted products. Read more.

Diamonds and jewellery There are a number of designers and manufacturing jewellers of distinction in and around Cape Town. South Africa is world renowned for its gold and diamonds, so where better to create – and shop for – stunning accessories? Read more.

Factory shopping Although Cape Town offers the tourist an overwhelming choice of some of South Africa’s finest shopping malls, it can make a pleasant change to visit some of the city’s factory shops, where bargains can often be found. Read more.

Hout Bay craft market Slotted neatly between the mountains and the ocean, you’ll come upon the picturesque village of Hout Bay, where crafters ply their trade. Read more.

Iziko lo Lwazi Craftworkers Hout Bay’s informal settlement, Imizamo Yethu, is home to approximately 20 000 people who live mostly in shacks in overcrowded, impoverished conditions. Read more.

Khayelitsha Craft Market Khayelitsha, meaning ‘our new home’ is one of Cape Town‘s biggest townships. It’s a mix of formal housing and informal shacks on the Cape Flats, about 20km from the city centre. Read more.

Local designer stores Cape Town boasts many upmarket malls and shopping centres where shoppers are truly spoilt for choice. Yet sometimes you’re searching for something that little bit different. Why not pay a visit to some of the Mother City’s designer outlets, where exclusivity is guaranteed and African style abounds? Read more.

Markets Cape Town is renowned for its markets – and Greenmarket Square and Milnerton Flea Market are two of the most popular. Read more.

Montebello Craft and Design Centre The Montebello Design Centre is one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. The centre features more than 20 arts and craft studios and workshops, an historic greenhouse and nursery, a forge, stunning restaurant and organic deli farm shop. It’s a non-profit development project aimed at promoting good local craft and design, and generating job creation. Read more.

Nitida Food Market Set in the beautiful Durbanville Hills region of Cape Town, the Nitida “Degustazione” Farmers’ Market promises lovers of good food “something different and exciting” to eat. Read more.

Porter Estate Produce Market Stock up on a week’s supply of fresh farm fare in the beautiful surrounds of Cape Town’s Constantia Valley. The weekly outdoor Porter Estate Produce Market is held every Saturday, weather permitting. Read more.

Somerset Mall Located in the heart of the Helderberg region, Somerset Mall is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the Cape. Read more.

Tyger Valley Shopping Centre One of the best-known landmarks in Cape Town’s northern suburbs is the 275-store Tyger Valley Shopping Centre. Read more.

V&A Waterfront The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination, attracting millions of visitors every year – and for good reason, given the location’s combination of shops, restaurants, nightspots, tourist attractions and museums in the city’s historic harbour. Read more.

Willowbridge Shopping Centre Fashioned after high-street shopping in the world’s great cities, Willowbridge offers a unique open-air retail experience. Read more.

Willowbridge Slow Market What is “slow food”, you might wonder? The answer is quite simple: it’s the opposite of fast food! Think fresh, healthy, organically grown produce of all kinds and you’ll find it every Saturday from 09h00 to 14h00 at the Willowbridge Slow Market, at the Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre in Tyger Valley. Read more.

Bakeries and delicatessens Cape Town is well supplied with good bakeries and delicatessens. Read more.

Cape Malay cuisine It’s said that the secret to the distinctive flavour of Cape Malay cuisine is a careful blend of spices – the most important of which is turmeric – incorporated into an array of tasty traditional dishes. Read more.

Cape Winelands tours Breathtaking natural scenery, longstanding cultural heritage and world-class wine-producing estates characterise the Cape Winelands region, a tourist Mecca that always ranks highly on visitors’ itineraries, summer and winter alike. Read more.

Constantia Wine Route Constantia Valley is the oldest wine-growing area in Southern Africa and features superb wine estates, fantastic shopping opportunities and a variety of excellent restaurants. Read more.

Crayfish, mussels and seafood Cape Town is, without doubt, a seafood-lover’s haven. From choice Cape West Coast lobsters (crayfish), to fresh fish and mussels, seafood restaurants are as plentiful as the kelp fronds that line the seashore. Read more.

Durbanville Wine Valley Fantastic wines, excellent restaurants and gorgeous views of the Tygerberg Hills… The Durbanville Wine Valley has so much to offer – and it’s just 20 minutes from Cape Town.

Read more.

Gold of Africa Museum and Gold Restaurant The address 96 Strand Street, Cape Town, is better known as the Gold of Africa Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the ancient art of African goldsmithing while simultaneously inspiring contemporary design. Read more.

Helderberg Wine Route The Helderberg region has its own wine route which incorporates more than 20 wine estates. Read more.

Mariner’s Wharf Enjoy some of the freshest seafood that Cape Town has to offer, while breathing in the salty tang of a cool sea breeze at the Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay.

Read more.

Top Restaurants If you’re interested in fine dining, fusion cuisine, homegrown fare or distinct African flavours, rest assured that Cape Town is the foodie capital of South Africa. Whether you’re looking for a light snack in the summer sunshine or a hearty winter’s meal near a warm hearth, the Mother City is the ultimate culinary destination. Read more.

Vergelegen wine estate Although its translated name means “situated far away”, the Vergelegen wine estate, historical homestead and grounds are only a 40-minute drive from the Cape Town city centre, near the town of Somerset West. Read more.

Wine farm restaurants, Morgenster olive oil Enjoy a drive to a tasting experience with a difference, learn to cook African style and wash it all down with some delicious wine. Read more.