Surrounding the base of Table Mountain overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the historic city of Cape Town is renowned for being one of the most beautiful in the world.
Cape Town is the capital city of the Western Cape and a melting pot of culture and history. A Cape Town holiday promises history, natural beauty and excitement of a cosmopolitan lifestyle. In this ‘Mother City’, there is such a diversity of attractions and activities to keep you entertained. Offering fantastic views of the city, Table Mountain dominates the skyline. For natural surroundings there are gardens, beaches and vineyards all close by. Cape Town is steeped in history and many of the museums and monuments have much to tell. For a cosmopolitan and lively experience, visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with a wide variety of shops, restaurants and craft markets.
In and Around, there are many areas of this fascinating city that you can visit, each offering something different.
City Bowl: Known as the ‘Heart of Cape Town’, there is a fantastic vibe with a range of restaurants, stalls and street life. Don’t miss out on taking a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for fantastic views of the city. In addition, the museums, galleries and other historical buildings offer plenty of interesting venues to visit.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: Fast becoming ‘the’ place to visit. With a multitude of shops selling international and local brands, plus restaurants, bars and entertainment, there is something for everyone. A wide range of accommodation makes the Waterfront an ideal place to stay.
Camps Bay: The Bay has one of the best beaches in the Cape Town region combined with an impressive backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Many cafés, bars and restaurants line the beachfront – a great location to view fantastic sunsets.
Sea Point: Situated just outside central Cape Town with amazing views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. The beachfront promenade is a focal point for locals and tourists.
Not much is known about the initial inhabitants of the Cape Town region, as no written records exist. However, there are early human remnants that have been found dating from between 15,000 and 12,000 years ago. The first Europeans to reach Cape Town were Portuguese explorers who arrived in 1486. In 1652, the Dutch East India Company took over the city and established a waystation for ships travelling between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies. Britain captured Cape Town in 1795 but returned the city to Dutch rule in 1803. The 17th and 18th centuries saw much bloodshed and conflict as ownership of Cape Town was passed between the Dutch and the British numerous times, particularly during the Boer Wars.
Much later, after the 1948 elections that established apartheid, Cape Town became racially divided and remained that way until apartheid was officially abolished in 1991. In 1994, Cape Town hosted South Africa’s first democratic elections, and the city began moving toward a more positive future.
Today, Cape Town’s beautiful beaches, ample hiking opportunities, and numerous attractions make it a top African destination. The city has an easy-going vibe, top-notch cultural sights, and, of course, diverse wildlife and fauna as its biggest draw. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder Cape Town is a bucket-list destination for many travellers.
Cape Town is known for incredible biodiversity, with the city boasting many protected areas that are also World Heritage Sites. Table Mountain itself contains around 2,200 different species of plants, many of which are unique to the area. Cape Town’s incredible species diversity is down to its varied soil types and microclimates, which allow for multiple varied plants to live in relative closeness to each other. The city has 19 different endemic vegetation types and countless wildlife species, including dolphins, seals, aardvarks and bats. However, due to urban sprawl and population growth, many of these unique ecosystems have been lost over the years. The good news is, South Africa’s natural flora and fauna is currently being protected in over 30 nature reserves around the country, including the Table Mountain National Park.
Cape Town offers amazing holidays throughout the year, and although it technically has four seasons, temperatures are mild all year round. So, whichever month you choose to visit Cape Town, there are different holiday packages to suit your interests.
Summer (November – February)
With temperatures reaching an average of 25C and minimal rainfall, summer in Cape Town is highly popular among tourists. Beaches are likely to be busy, but there are a whole host of other summer activities available to keep you entertained. Treat yourself to an outdoor movie at the Galileo Open Air Cinema or have a cocktail at one of the many trendy bars on Bree Street. Temperatures can reach 40C though, so bring your sunscreen!
Autumn (March – April)
This is the best time to hit the beach as temperatures are still warm (around 18C to 20C) but there are fewer tourists. Due to it being the off-season, you can expect great deals on accommodation, emptier beaches, and less competition for those restaurant reservations.
Winter (May – August)
Temperatures are a little cooler at this time of year, but at an average of 17C there’s still no need for a winter coat. Rainfall, although still rare, is rather unpredictable, so taking a waterproof jacket with you at all times is probably a good idea. This is the perfect time to go hiking, as the scenery is lush and green and the cooler weather is perfect for exploring Table Mountain. From July until September you can also enjoy whale watching as migratory whales pass by the Cape.
Spring (September – October)
Cape Town is awash with colour as flowers begin to bloom. Temperatures are still mild (around 15C to 17C), although as October approaches, you can experience days in the mid twenties. Days get longer and spring showers are sporadic so you can enjoy a full Cape Town holiday experience.
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As a dynamic metropolitan city, Cape Town has much to offer its visitors: lively nightlife, gorgeous beaches, delicious food and stunning nature. Whatever your interests, Cape Town has something for every holidaymaker. One of the best holiday deals is the Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari package which sees you enjoy Cape Town, travel along the spectacular Garden Route and take part in fantastic game drives. Another popular Cape Town holiday package is South Africa In Style which includes Cape Town, Western Cape and Durban.
Table Mountain, Cape Town’s defining landmark, is also one of the city’s greatest tourist attractions. There are hundreds of hiking trails leading keen hikers to the flat summit. Always carry water, food, sunblock, a ‘space blanket’ and a mobile phone with you before setting off. If hiking isn’t your thing, then take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, a five-minute ride that offers splendid views of Cape Town.
Cape Town is surrounded by excellent vineyards, many of which have their own world-class restaurants. Stellenbosch is the place to try South Africa’s most famous red wine grape, Pinotage, which is a cross between Burgundy’s Pinot Noir and heat-tolerant Cinsault. For a gastronomic treat, enjoy a local wine tour to the Spier winery and sample their internationally acclaimed wines paired with sumptuous dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Add a historical touch to your holiday by visiting the Castle of Good Hope, a fort built in the 17th century. Initially built by the Dutch East Indian Company, the fort protected the first Dutch settlement in South Africa. Today, the Castle of Good Hope is open to the public and is a place where you can learn about the colonial past of Cape Town.
For a fascinating (but grim) history of the Apartheid period, visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was once incarcerated. This island is now home to a museum offering guided tours to Mandela’s cell and the quarry where inmates worked. To get to the island, take the ferries that depart from the Victoria & Alfred waterfront.
Located in the southwest of South Africa, Cape Town is the second most populated city after Johannesburg. The city is tucked under the mighty Table Mountain and a broad bay surrounded by white sand beaches. To the south of the city is the Cape Peninsula, which comprises a 40 km mountainous stretch that extends out into the Atlantic Ocean, culminating at Cape Point. The downtown area, affectionately nicknamed City Bowl, is home to sprawling suburbs that cover a 50 km area, referred to as the Cape Flats, which joins the peninsula to the mainland.
Cape Town is part of a wider selection of SOUTH AFRICA holidays and accommodation.
