Cape Town CBD accommodation

Cape Town CBD Travel Guide

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Cape Town is South Africa’s second largest city and regularly floats around the Top Ten in surveys of Favourite Everythings for its restaurants, history, multicultural atmosphere, weather, mountain, beaches and so on. And on. It wa ... more...

So it’s not surprising that Cape Town features on many people’s bucket lists in one way or another. It's an awesome city. It’s vibey, has great shopping, is jammed with culture, heritage and art and all this is set in incredibly beautiful natural surroundings.

Cape Town’s CBD is one of the world’s few city centres that have not fallen into disrepair and disuse with the mall-ification of the modern world. The heart of the business district is abuzz with locals and travellers eating, shopping and enjoying the energy of this unique city. Beautiful old buildings are constantly being restored. Trendy restaurants abound, coffee culture is booming and at night the party people flock from pub to club all along Long Street. With world famous beaches, the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain all minutes away, Cape Town CBD is a hugely popular spot for those looking for accommodation in the heart of things.

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 130km/h and is known as the Cape Doctor because it clears the air of smog. And Van Hunks, obviously.

Local is Lekker

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. And Cape Town Castle’s ghosts include a priest, a Governor of the Cape, a huge dog and a dancing Lady Anne Barnard!

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

Shopping

Long Street – trendy clothing and hip designs. Try Darkie and MeMeMe.

Greenmarket Square – one of the oldest markets in Cape Town. Souvenirs, arts and crafts

Cape Town Festivals & Fun

The Coon Carnival (2nd January) Yes, it really is called that, although the powers-that-be have now renamed it the Kaapse Klopse or Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. The minstrels take to the streets and strut their stuff in colourful glitzy New Orleans garb.

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

Iziko 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

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. 021 426 1017

Pubs and clubs

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

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Cape Town CBD accommodation

Cape Town CBD Travel Guide

Laying the Table

Local is Lekker

History & Heritage

Critics Cuisine

Orange Collection has 12 accommodation places in Cape Town CBD

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