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Cape Town is the third populous city in South Africa, famous for its harbour as well for its natural setting in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Often regarded as one of the world‘s most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism.

Cape Town originally developed as a victualling station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and Asia more than 200 years before the advent of the Suez Canal in 1869. Jan van Riebeeck‘s arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in sub-Saharan Africa. The centre of Cape Town is located at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula.

The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. In winter, which lasts from May to August, large cold fronts come across from the Atlantic Ocean with heavy precipitation and strong north-westerly winds. Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa due to its good climate, natural setting, and relatively well-developed infrastructure. Many tourists also visit Cape Town‘s beaches, which are popular with local residents. Due to the city‘s unique geography, it is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere. Beaches located on the Atlantic Coast tend to have very cold water as the water is mostly glacial melt from Antarctica. The water at False Bay beaches is often warmer by up to 10 °C.

Both coasts are equally popular, although the beaches in affluent Clifton and elsewhere on the Atlantic Coast are better developed with restaurants and cafés. The most famous beach in Cape Town, Boulders Beach, is known for its colony of African penguins. Surfing is also popular and the city hosts the Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year.

The city also has several notable cultural attractions. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, built on top of part of the docks of the Port of Cape Town, is now one of the city‘s most popular shopping venues, with several hundred shops and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Part of the V&A‘s charm, as it is locally known, is that the Port continues to operate and visitors can watch ships enter and leave. The V&A also hosts the Nelson Mandela Gateway, through which ferries depart for Robben Island.

Cape Town International Airport serves both domestic and international flights. It is the second-largest airport in South Africa and serves as a major gateway for travellers to the Cape region. Cape Town has direct flights to most cities in South Africa as well as a number of international destinations. As of June 2006, Cape Town International Airport is being upgraded to handle an expected increase in air traffic as tourism numbers will increase in the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Cape Town Int-Airport was among the winners of the World Travel Awards for being Africa‘s leading airport.

GO THERE FOR

The History – Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, with a rich colonial history that has gifted the city with some distinctive old buildings and cultural historic sites. The 'Historical Mile' between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay will take you past Posthuys, the oldest building in South Africa as well as many other places of historical interest.

The Winelands – The Cape Winelands is the largest wine producing region in the Western Cape. With a selection of over 200 cellars to choose from, you are guaranteed to taste some of the finest wines in the world. Whether it’s the magnificent natural beauty, rich cultural heritage or world-renowned wines, the Winelands Region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer.

The Beaches – Cape Town has some of the best beaches the world has to offer, so if you're a sand-and-sea lover be sure to take some time out to relax and soak up the sun. There are many spectacular beaches around Cape Town, and some of the most beautiful are only five minutes away from the city centre. All of them have soft white sand and are set in very scenic locations.

Table Mountain – Standing proud, Table Mountain exerts a powerful and charismatic pull. The top of the mountain offers spectacular views in all directions and a bird's eye view of the city; it is a definite must-see for any visitor.

DON'T MISS

The Kirstenbosch Gardens- The Kirstenbosch Gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. The gardens are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams, ponds and well-laid out pathways for easy walking.

Robben Island – Take the Robben Island Ferry (catamaran) and experience a tour of the island and a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell where he spent 27 years of his life.

V&A Waterfront – The mall is more than just a shopping destination; it is a Cape Town attraction not to be missed. The Waterfront boasts many activities, shops, restaurants and not to mention spectacular views. It is conveniently situated in one of Cape Town’s busiest centres.

Table Mountain Cable Car – The Table Mountain cable car provides spectacular views while rising to the summit of one of the world’s most identifiable landmarks. The phenomenal view, Table Mountain's ecology and the restaurant make visiting the sight a spectacular experience.

Cape Point – Drive along the Atlantic Seaboard to Cape Point where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic oceans meet. There you will find the National Park, penguins at Boulders Beach as well as the Two Oceans Restaurant.

High Tea at the Mount Nelson – The world famous Mount Nelson Hotel is renowned for its stately elegance and charm; High Tea has become a very popular way to spend an afternoon.

WHEN TO GO

Most tourists come during the spring and summer months; from October to March although with the warm summer (average high 25?C/77?F) and temperate winter climate (average low 7.8?C/46?F) Cape Town is an ideal holiday destination throughout the year. Similar to the Mediterranean climate, there is little extreme in temperature due to the prevailing winds. However, winters tend to be wetter and cooler owing to the northwesterly gales at that time of year. The peninsula’s shape creates microclimates so weather is very much localized, it is important to be specific when checking the weather in your destination when you are travelling in order to not avoid disappointment.

Public Holidays and Days of Interest:
1st January – New Year’s Day
21st March – Human Rights Day
Variable – Good Friday
Variable (Monday after Easter Sunday) – Family Day
27th April – Freedom Day
1st May – Worker’s Day
16th June – Youth Day
9th August – National Women’s Day
24th September – Heritage Day
Variable (End of September) – Hermanus Whale Festival
16th December – Day of Reconciliation
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – Day of Goodwill

BASICS

Country Code: +27
City Code: 21
Emergency: 10111
Electricity: 220/230V, South African 3-pin plug
Language: Afrikaans, English
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Exchange Rate: GBP 1= ZAR 11.54, 1 ZAR 1 = 0.09 GBP
Time: SAST (UTC +2)
Cape Town International Airport:
General Enquiries: +27 (0)86 727 7888
http://www.acsa.co.za/

GETTING AROUND

From The Airport...
Public transport in Cape Town is not as developed as other metropolitan cities and though a great deal of it is geared towards getting people from the outer townships into the city, it is probably easiest (and safest) to hire a car to get you from the airport to your destination. Rental prices are reasonable and petrol is cheaper than in a lot of European countries.


Around Town...
The city centre is compact and it is entirely possible, if you don't intend to move too far, to get around by foot. If you’d rather not walk, be warned that you are very unlikely to find a metered taxi waiting around on the street - they need to be booked in advance. You will be able to get on the minibus taxis which can be flagged down anywhere on their route but - despite being a cheap and easy option - can get uncomfortably full at times.