Cape Town panorama
Why? Choose a holiday in Cape Town for great restaurants,
spectacular scenery, lovely beaches and a Mediterranean climate.
The city is the gateway to the Garden Route, as well as to the
numerous game parks in the Eastern Cape, a short flight from Cape
Town.
When? December to March is peak season for holidays in Cape
Town, although the weather can be lovely in spring and autumn with
crisp, clear days ideal for sunbathing and sightseeing.
Who for? All ages will enjoy the famous beaches along the
Atlantic Ocean, a walk on Table Mountain, and swimming with the
penguins at Boulders Beach. The winelands are a draw card for wine
and food lovers. The gay scene is centred on the fashionable De
Waterkant area in Green Point, where many of the best restaurants
are also to be found.
More info. Our Cape Town travel guide is updated regularly
and includes information on entry requirements, safety, currency
etc (see the Basics section). For a review of what to see in Cape
Town visit the Attractions and Excursions pages. Note that you can
print off a full travel guide to Cape Town to take with you on your
trip, and you can email the travel guide to a friend.
Overview
The lure of Cape Town lies in its spectacular setting and the
beauty of its natural environment, as well as the rich
cultural diversity of its people.
It has had a long and turbulent history and the effects of
Apartheid still linger in the minds and hearts of the people.
Transformation however has led to a feeling of hope in this new
‘Rainbow Nation’, which can be experienced in the
cosmopolitan city centre of Cape Town. Flower sellers,
business executives, parking attendants, office workers and
shoppers all rub shoulders in a setting of both historical and
modern buildings, backed by the city’s most famous landmark,
Table Mountain. The colourful Malay Quarter, the remains of
District Six, St George's Cathedral, Government Avenue and the old
Castle are historically significant, while world-class African
and international restaurants tempt travellers with their culinary
delights. Although an African city, Cape Town has a marked
European influence and visitors can experience the excitement of
Africa from the comforts of First World surroundings.
Cape Town's unique setting means that it can be enjoyed from
various vantage points: Table Mountain and Lion's Head
provide breathtaking vistas over the city bowl and the Cape
peninsula with its beautiful beaches; trips to Robben Island offer
a dramatic sweep of scenery across to Table Bay; and
harbour tours and old buildings await exploration at the
cosmopolitan Waterfront. Many scenic routes meander along
magnificent stretches of coastline and inland terrain leading to
special places like Cape Point, the meeting place of the cold
Benguela and warm Mozambique currents, and Chapman’s Peak
boasts one of the most picturesque drives in the country.
It is a city with four distinct seasons, each
working its particular magic on Cape Town and bringing
with it a flood of associations - summer and white sandy
beaches, autumn's crisp colours, the ferocity of stormy seas
in winter, and spring's show of Cape ‘fynbos’
flowers.
From culture, history and scenery - to an unforgettable
experience. This is a special place with much to contribute towards
its growing reputation as a favoured travel destination.
