Cape Town & Cape Peninsula accommodation

Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Travel Guide

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The Mother City nestles in one of the most dramatic scenic settings of any city in the world. It is contained in the bowl created by the imposing mountains of Table Mountain, Devil’sPeak, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill and Table Bay is a vibrant and important port. Cape Town is a cosmopolitan mix of culture, business, industry, leisure and history. Over 60% of travellers to South Africa include Cape Town in their itinerary, and the city has a great deal to offer from entertainment, restaurants, culture, adventure, sandy white beaches, nature and beauty, numerous world-class tourist attractions and its proximity to wine estates.

Table Mountain, which is part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, is one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions. The exhilarating ascent up Table Mountain is a must for any visitor. Access on foot via routes such as Platteklip Gorge, Kasteelspoort or Skeleton Gorge, requires a fair degree of fitness, while the more leisurely option is via the ultra modern cableway. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, reached via Kloof Nek Road or by bus which leaves from Adderley Street, operates daily from 08h30 to 18h00 and from Dec.to Apr. from 08h00 to 22h00, weather permitting. At the upper cable station, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop. From the various look-out points on the top of the mountain, there are breathtaking views of the city below, the peninsula and Robben Island. Lion’s Headand Signal Hill, off Kloof Nek Rd, has a gentle path, which spirals around Lion’s Head. The route has breathtaking views and makes a pleasant climb to the summit. Chains are provided at the steeper parts. Signal Hill is an excellent vantage point for views of the city. Cannons fired on the slopes used to inform the residents of the arrival of ships, and the present noon-day gun is fired from here daily except on Sundays.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, off Rhodes Drive, Newlands, is situated on the south-eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The gardens were established in 1913 to cultivate South Africa’s indigenous plants. There is a restaurant, tea-room and curio shop. Opendaily. In summer, Sunday evening concerts are held in the Gardens.

Laying the Table

Table Mountain was first named Taboa de Cabo by the Portuguese Admiral Antonio de Saldanha. The mountain’s flat top is often covered by a thick cloud which is therefore known as the tablecloth. The San believe that the cloud is a huge white animal skin, thrown there by their god Mantis, to smother a blaze. The dassies (or hyrax) on the mountain are revered by the San as the reincarnation of Mantis’s wife. (The Mantis female eats the male after mating, so she is worth looking after). Another legend suggests that the cloud was deposited there during a smoking competition between the devil and a local pirate called Van Hunks. Great name for a pirate! The south-easter can blow over the mountain at up to 130 km/h and is known as the Cape Doctor because it clears the air of smog. And Van Hunks, obviously.

Thrills & Spills

Abseiling, climbing and hiking on Table Mountain and in the newly-established Table Mountain National Park

Cruises around the harbour and to (and from) Robben Island. It’s a return trip these days...

Helicopter flights, carriage rides, horse rides

Golf – the Royal Cape is the oldest golf course in SA.

Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town. Share it with the penguins.

Clifton Beaches – Get the right one though: Clifton 1 & 2 is Strictly For Glitterati, 3 is gay and 4 is for families

Camp’s Bay Beach – with the trendiest beach strip (no, not nudist) on the peninsula Llandudno & Sandy Bay – the latter is nudist but stripping off is voluntary.

Muizenberg Beach – for sunrise and surfing. Watch for shark-warnings.

Bloubergstrand – for that iconic picture of Table Mountain

Did you know?

Kommetjie’s Slangkop Lighthouse has a range of 33 nautical miles. It is one of four with the longest beams in SA

Top Traveller's Tips

Chapman’s Peak – the spectacular toll road from Hout Bay to Noordhoek is often closed after rockfalls. So beware of closures ... and rockfalls! 114 curves in 9km. www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za

Cape Point – 360 degree views, high cliffs, a lighthouse and baboon stealing your lunch at The Two Oceans restaurant. www.capepoint.co.za

V&A Waterfront – more than just shopping. Boat trips, magicians, minstrels and museums. www.waterfront.co.za

Table Mountain – Take the cable car or climb but, as the sign says, “This is not an easy way up”. Abseiling, on the other hand, is an easy way down. www.tablemountain.net

Signal Hill – A noonday gun every day but not on Sundays (for fear of heart attacks in church maybe?). 021 426 5639

Groot Constantia – visit Simon van der Stel’s mansion and SA’s oldest wine estate, established in 1685. www.iziko.org.za/grootcon

SA’s favourite architect, Herbert Baker, built Groote Schuur, St George’s Anglican Cathedral and numerous cottages for Cecil John Rhodes

Robben Island – erstwhile prison to Mandela and his cohorts. Now a moving pilgrimage site. www.robben-island.org.za

Two Oceans Aquarium, Waterfront – underwater passages, shark dives and (unconnected) feeding. www.aquarium.co.za

Gold of Africa Museum – a glistering celebration of South and West African gold. www.goldofafrica.com, 96 Strand St

Castle of Good Hope – Visit the oldest building in SA for Changing of the Guard and the Key Ceremony. www.iziko.org.za/castle, Castle St.

Rhodes Memorial – Kipling’s inscription says it all: 'The immense and brooding Spirit still shall quicken and control. Living he was the Land And Dead his Soul shall be her Soul.' www.rhodesmemorial.co.za

Company’s Gardens – a hark-back to Cape Town’s days as a victualling station and home to a pear tree dating back to 1652

District Six Museum – moving memories of forced removals www.districtsix.co.za

Kalk Bay – delightful port village known for its bookshops. www.kalkbay.org

Simon’s Town – Naval base and home to the kennel of Just Nuisance, a naval dog.

World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park - The largest bird park in Africa, just a short, scenic coastal drive from Cape Town, World of Birds is unique in that visitors can walk freely through the 100 aviaries where the birds, animals and plants mix in a large landscaped tropical garden setting. www.worldofbirds.org.za

Cape Town Ostrich Ranch - Cape Town Ostrich Ranch is well positioned, only a 20-minute drive from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. www.ostrichranch.co.za

History & Heritage

Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum – in the centre of Cape Town’s Muslim Quarter. www.iziko.org.za/bokaap

Iziko South African Museum – a museum of more than 1.5 million specimens ranging from the dinosaurs to recent times. www.iziko.org.za/SAM

Iziko Slave Lodge – a museum of slavery and slave family roots. www.iziko.org.za/slavelodge

South African National Gallery – an art collection of international importance. www.iziko.org.za/sang

South African Jewish Museum (and Holocaust Foundation) – insights into the vast contribution of Jewish people in SA. www.sajewishmuseum.co.za 88 Hatfield St

Festivals & Fun

Asoka – A vibey venue with cool Asian-inspired decor and weekly DJ events. 021 422 0909 / 68 Kloof St, Gardens

Caprice – the social spot on the beach for food and cocktails. 021 438 8315 / 37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay

The Planet Bar – perfect for 'night-caps' or pre-dinner drinks 021 483 1737 / Mount Nelson Hotel, Gardens

Karma – A cool club overlooking the ocean that only lets over 23 year olds in - No one gets there before 11pm. 021 438 7773

Critics Cuisine

Ginja Castle St, Cape Town - regularly rated at the top of the range. Bookings essential 021 426 2368

Mama Africa Long St Cape Town - exotic meats and live music. Funky colourful and ethnic. 021 424 8634

Aubergine, Gardens Cape Town – under-rated with an ever-changing menu, heritage buildings, good vegetarian range 021 465 4909

Jardine Cape Town - George Jardine’s gastro-spot is very highly thought of 021 424 5640

Mzoli's Place Klipfontein Rd Gugulethu – a unique township experience. Buy your meat and join the braai! (No phone).

Noon Gun Longmarket St Bo-Kaap – Cape Malay Fusion, distinctly Cape, family style with views 021 424 0529

Cafe Pescado St Georges St Simon’s Town – value-for-money seafood 021 786 2272

Mariner's Wharf Hout Bay – sit out on the deck and watch the beach action. This place has been going for years and its always busy 021 790 1100

Olympia Cafe Main Road Kalk Bay – popular seafood, good value menu on blackboards. A must-do for lunch 021 788 6396

Ons Huisie, Bloubergstrand, an old home with an exceptional restaurant 021 554 1553

Panama Jacks, Fresh seafood served in a lively shack atmosphere 021 447 3992

The Green Dolphin Restaurant, Continental cuisine, the tang of the sea and the thrill of jazz 021 421 7471/5

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Cape Town & Cape Peninsula accommodation

Cape Town & Cape Peninsula Travel Guide

Laying the Table

Thrills & Spills

Did you know?

Top Traveller's Tips

History & Heritage

Festivals & Fun

Critics Cuisine

Orange Collection has 54 accommodation places in Cape Town & Cape Peninsula

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