Mother City of Africa, and the Western Cape, an area which is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

General Description

With a wider metropolitan area covering 40 mls N to S and up to 15 mls across, Cape Town is known as the "Mother City", in recognition of the fact that it was the first real metropolis in the country (the word comes from the Greek "meter", meaning mother, and "polis", meaning city). Originally settled by the Dutch in the late 17th century, it boasts a mix of architecture reflecting its history: solidly built Cape Dutch mansions and homesteads (farmhouses), handsome Victorian and Edwardian civic buildings dating from the time of British rule and modern skyscrapers in the city centre. There are 4 main areas. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, at the revitalised W end of the old docklands, is a massive Covent Garden-style shopping and entertainment development with a marina and historic attractions; 24-hr security makes it a very pleasant and, above all, safe place to stroll for tourists and locals alike. The central commercial area of the city is good for upmarket shopping as well as playing host to a number of museums, churches, street markets and guided historic walks. The pleasant beach suburbs to the W resemble smart British seaside resorts. The inland suburbs, which stretch 10 to 15 mls E and S from the centre, also look amazingly British but are of little interest to the tourist, except for Newlands, with its international sporting events, and - farther S still - the beautiful wine-growing countryside of the Constantia Valley. Cape Town is considered one of South Africa's safer cities, with CCTV coverage and security guards policing the streets on foot and horseback, but care is still required. Busy public areas should be safe, but avoid them after dark or when quiet at weekends; cash points should never be used at night - it's better to go into a bank during daytime. Visitors should ask at their hotel or at the tourist office for the latest position with regard to security.

Public Transport

Bus every 10 mins from V&A Waterfront to centre. Proper large local buses are reasonably safe to use but not necessarily convenient or regular. Trains and local minibus services are not regarded as safe and not recommended. Taxis can be similarly unsafe unless booked by your hotel, who usually have contracts with reputable companies and fixed-fare schedules. Car hire can be a more convenient option but care should be taken when driving, especially at 4-way junctions.

Location

Location: On the extreme SW tip of South Africa. 875 mls SW of Johannesburg. 1,050 mls SW of Durban. 475 mls W of Port Elizabeth. The international airport is 12 mls E.
Position: On the N coast of the "hook" of the Cape of Good Hope, with the Atlantic to the W and False Bay - almost the start of the Indian Ocean - to the E. Built around the base of various spectacular volcanic mountains: Signal Hill and Lion's Head virtually overlook the city, while Devil's Peak, Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles separate the extensive S and E suburbs from the Atlantic.
Dialling Code: 21
Website: www.cape-town.org

Serving Airports

Cape Town International (CPT)
Flight time from the UK: 12 hrs

Market/Suitability

All types, from ex-colonial regulars of the old P&O steamship days to globe-trotting backpackers. Most tours stop for 3 days as part of a larger countrywide itinerary, but the whole Cape area is one of the most attractive parts of the country and could easily justify a week as part of a 2-centre visit.

Beaches

A dozen or so all down the Atlantic coast, where the water can be cold and have an undertow; Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay are among the most popular. False Bay beaches are farther from the city, but offer warmer water. Many have fine, white, powdery sand.

Shopping

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has a vast covered area of over 270 tourist shops, boutiques, eateries and a large covered craft market (open weekends and holidays only). St George's Mall and Adderley Street in the city centre for larger stores, while neighbouring Long Street has lots of bric-a-brac, antiques and book shops. Flea market in Greenmarket Square every day except Sun. Flower market in Adderley Street.

Entertainment

Daytime: plenty of city sightseeing including V&A Waterfront, Table Bay harbour, museums and galleries, castle, Parliament building, Tuynhuis (State President's mansion) and Groote Kerk church (oldest in SA); Table Mountain cable car; brewery tours; Robben Island, the maximum-security prison where Nelson Mandela was held; cricket and rugby at Newlands Stadium.
Nightlife: bars, discos and nightclubs congregate around Sea Point area.

Eating Out

Plenty of choice, from local cuisine to European and Malay, and of universally good quality; many restaurants are in hotels. Prices are generally reasonable. Fish and shellfish are specialities.

Accommodation

From 5-star business hotels and historic old colonial properties to simple, modern motels. Service is improving from its previous patchiness in response to the demands of growing international tourism. Prices are slightly less than the UK. Like the rest of the country, the area can be short of accommodation at certain times.

Local Excursions

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Various spectacular coastal or mountain drives. Beautiful scenery of Constantia Valley wine region. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. West Coast National Park, with its flora and fauna. Nearby "Wine Route" towns, such as Paarl and Stellenbosch.

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