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7/31/2019 Hotels4U CapeTown Travel Guide
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AT A GLANCE
Cape Town or the Mother City offers something for
everyone. Whether you want to stay in luxurious
surroundings or go backpacking on a budget, this South
African gem is guaranteed to provide a holiday youll never
forget. The diverse range of attractions from - mountains to
museums - means theres always something to do in Cape
Town, while anyone feeling adventurous will be able to go
out and explore this beautiful country.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Cape Town depends on what you actually want to do there. Its worth
remembering that the seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the UK, as
summer in Cape Town starts in October and ends in April, while the rainy season is between June
and July.
Weather
Summer: With temperatures reaching up to 30C during theday, Cape Town really comes alive during the summer months,
between October and April.
Autumn: Temperatures can vary between March and Augustand youll have to prepare for some heavy downpours in June
and July.
Winter: Expect a wet, yet mild winter from August untilOctober, which is one of the most cost effective times to travel.
Spring: The weather starts to heat up in September and October as the sun comes out.Image: Cape Town Sunset, by Jacky W
THINGS TO DO
Cape Town is home to some of the most famous sights and landmarks in the world. Whether youre
looking to experience spectacular scenery and nature or see some of the worlds most famous
historical sites, Cape Town is full of amazing things to do that are sure to live long in the memory.
Attractions
Table Mountain: Take a cable car to the top of the mountainfor breathtaking panoramic views of Cape Town
Robben Island: One of the worlds most famous places, whereNelson Mandela once spent 18 years in prison
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Boulders Beach: Home to a huge population of African Penguins in their naturalenvironment
District Six Museum: A fascinating museum and memorial to remember the events of theapartheid era
V&A Waterfront: From shopping and dining to music and boat trips, a range of funattractions can be found in the harbour here
Two Oceans Aquarium: Offers a variety of tanks, interactiveexperiences and a touch pool with fish, sharks and turtles
Castle of Good Hope: The oldest building in South Africa, thiscastle boasts a combination of military and cultural history
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: Celebrating South Africanflora, the beautiful gardens here cover an area of 528
hectares
Rhodes Memorial: Situated on the northern slope of Table Mountain and providesspectacular panoramic views out towards Table Bay and False Bay
NightlifeCape Town has a variety of excellent bars and nightclubs that create a vibrant atmosphere every
evening in the city. Bars and clubs that cater for all tastes - from trendy to more laid back - stay open
long into the early hours of the morning, whether you want to enjoy a couple of quiet drinks or party
all night.
V&A Waterfront: A mix of bars and restaurants with great atmospheres can be found here Camps Bay: The place to be in Cape Town with a trendy strip of bars and restaurants Long Street: A wide range of venues to suit everyone. Try Po Na Na Bar on Heritage Square Grand West Casino: Offers a glitzy night of entertainment with card games, food and drink Kloof Street: Another trendy area to hang out with various sophisticated lounge bars Greenpoint: A vibrant area with clubs such as Opium, plus a range of other lively bars De Waterkant: The traditional gay scene in the city with a mix of clubs including Chilli 'n Lime
Day Trips From Cape Town
Experience even more of South Africa by leaving Cape Town behind for the day. A number of day
trips are available allowing you to enjoy anything from diving with sharks to wine tasting workshops
in extraordinary surroundings.
Shark Cage Diving: Enjoy one of the most amazing experiences in the
waters around Geyser and Dyer islands as you get to dive (safely in a
cage) with deadly, yet graceful Great White sharks swimming all around
you.Travel Time: 2 hours
Cape Winelands: A number of wine estates can be found here with
spectacular mountains in the background. Wine tasting workshops
are available in the most beautiful of settings.
Travel Time: 45 minutes
http://www.sharkcagediving.co.za/http://www.sharkcagediving.co.za/http://www.capewinelands.gov.za/Pages/home.aspxhttp://www.capewinelands.gov.za/Pages/home.aspxhttp://www.capewinelands.gov.za/Pages/home.aspxhttp://www.sharkcagediving.co.za/7/31/2019 Hotels4U CapeTown Travel Guide
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Safari: Several wildlife parks and nature reserves such as the Aquila
Private Game Reserve can be found just a short distance away from
Cape Town, where youll find lions, zebras, cheetahs, wildebeests and
much more.Travel Time: 2 hours
Cape Peninsula: Travel through the beautiful area of the city to
the famous Cape Point with its rugged rocks and cliffs. Discover
the penguins at Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope Nature
Reserve and experience some of the most amazing views in the
world.
Travel Time: 1 hour
Images: Table Mountain by Joseph Ferris III / Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, by Randy OHC / Shark Cage Diving by Amy Morris / Cape
Winelands by Chris Eason / Safari in Cape Town by Pepe Pont / Cape Point by Bas Leenders
SHOPPING
A wide selection of shopping facilities can be found in Cape Town whether youre looking for
designer clothes from world famous brands, arts and crafts from traditional markets or precious
diamonds and stones. Spend hours wandering around large shopping malls or finding a bargain or
two in one of the various markets in the city.
Shopping Malls:
V&A Waterfront: One of the busiest shopping malls in CapeTown with designer shops, art galleries and restaurants
Cavendish Square: A stylish shopping centre on over three floorsthat include a range of shops, restaurants and even a cinema
Canal Walk: A majestic shopping centre with over 400 storesselling everything imaginable and attracting millions of visitors
Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre: A world-class open-air lifestylecentre that allows you to shop whilst the sun shines down
Markets:
Greenmarket Square: Set on a cobbled square, this is one of the oldest markets in Cape Townselling everything from arts and crafts to jewellery
The Red Shed Craft Workshop: Located on the V&A Waterfront, this popular indoor market isgreat for presents and souvenirs with jewellery, arts and crafts and clothing
Greenpoint Flea Market: Over 400 stalls can be found here selling a range of antiques, clothingand books, as well as a number of food stalls
Image: Market in Cape Town by SA-Venues
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FOOD & DRINK
Food in Cape Town is all about variety. Known as the Rainbow
cuisine, foodstuff can be anything from international delights from
all around the world to traditional African fare. Locally caught
seafood is incredibly popular and many restaurants along the coastspecialise in fresh fish. Some of the top restaurants or places in
more touristy areas can be pricey, so take a look around to find
somewhere that suits your budget. Meat dishes are also popular in
almost every meal and youll be able to try a range of the most
loved food in Cape Town including biltong - a salty dried meat, usually beef - and sosaties, a type of
South African kebab and ostrich.
Image: Ostrich in Cape Town by yosoynuts
Popular Cape Town Hotspots:
V&A Waterfront: One of the main tourist hotspots with a wide range of restaurants
Long Street: Attracts a multi-ethnic clientele with its numerous cafs and restaurants
Camps Bay: A cool place to hang out and eat with a great view of the beach along Victoria Road
De Waterkant: A vibrant atmosphere in the trendy area between Bo Kaap and Green Point
Kalk Bay: A variety of restaurants serving fresh fish on the east side of the Cape PeninsulaCULTURE & ETIQUETTE
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and has a rich colonial
history with some of the most famous places in the world. The city
now has a cosmopolitan cultural mix with people from a variety of
different religions and cultures living there from all around the
world. The main language used in Cape Town is known as
Afrikaans and is a mixture of English and Dutch, although English is
understood by almost everyone.
Useful Phrases
Robots - Often what South Africans call traffic lights Goeie more - Good morning Dankie - Thank you Springboks - What the South African rugby team are commonly known as Bafana Bafana - The South Africa football team, meaning the boys, the boys
Dos and Donts
DO keep valuables such as cameras and watches out of sight whilst walking around DO take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain DONT leave belongings unattended on the beach while you swim DO try traditional a range of South African food such as biltong DONT give money to the children on the street DO try and see as much of Cape Town as possible by taking advantage of various day trips
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Tipping
Just like in the UK, its very common to tip a range of services in South Africa. Usually 10% is the
standard amount to tip in restaurants, while petrol station attendants should be given a few rand for
filling your vehicle up with petrol or cleaning windscreens. Its also common to tip hotel porters, taxi
drivers and tour guides.
Image: Bafana Bafana Supporters by Patrick de Laive
TRANSPORT
Its easy to get around Cape Town using public transport such as buses, taxis and trains, while
sightseeing tour buses are also available. If youre looking to see more of Cape Town, hiring a car is a
good idea, although buses are available to take you to all the major sights if you dont fancy driving.
Getting Around
Buses: A large network of buses run mostly during the dayoffering cheap connections
Rikkis Taxis: Bright vehicles that offers a door-to-door taxiservice at a reasonable price
Car: Many car rental companies can be found around CapeTown giving you the freedom to discover this beautiful city at
your own pace
Airports: The main airport in the city isCape Town International AirportImage: Bus Stop in Cape Town by trendscout
Fare Information
Taxis: Cost between R4 and R10 depending on the length of the journeyHEALTH & SAFETY
British Embassy:UK in South Africa
Emergency Services Number: 107
http://www.rikkis.co.za/http://www.rikkis.co.za/http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=229http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=229http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=229http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=229http://www.rikkis.co.za/7/31/2019 Hotels4U CapeTown Travel Guide
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CAPE TOWN BLOGGERS: TOP TIPS
Karisa Nicholls - My Love Affair with Cape Town
Cape Town will have you totally hooked thanks to its melting pot of cultures and many diverse
things to do & see. Whether youre anoutdoorsy, adventurous type or a livin the lux life individual,
youll find plenty of things to keep you wanting more. Soak up some rays on our beautiful Clifton &
Camps Bay beaches followed by some cocktails while watching the sunset. Then head out to the
winelands for a day of wine tasting & sinful eating. Ditch the big shopping centres & do your
shopping in quirky Long St or one of the citys many markets (my top picks would be the
Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock, the City Bowl market in Gardens & the Hout Bay Market).Skip the cable car & climb Table Mountain! Head out to Mzolis for some localflavour If you cant
get to everything in one trip, dont stress, because I guarantee youll be back again soon.
Scarlet Nguni
Stroll through the Company Gardens, sneak into St Georges Cathedral to walk the labyrinth then
wander the Bo-Kaap streets for a cuppa black gold at Haas. Woodstocks fast becoming the hippest
new part of old Cape Town with a host of galleries, shops and eateries: check out the Foundrys
retro elegance before elevens at Lady Bonins Tea Parlour. Catch the train to Kalk Bay for bohemian
cool, lunch at Cape to Cuba followed by decadent chocolate tart at The Annex. Take the coastal road
around Cape Point to the lighthouse at Kommetjie before settling down for unforgettable
sundowners at Twelve Apostles. (WC 101).
Molly Smit - C is for Cape Town
Cape Towns famous for its beaches, but there are ways of interacting with them other than just
baking on the sand. Take a walk along the South Peninsula Cat Walk, starting in Muizenberg and
winding along beside the railway track past beaches and coves to Kalk Bay Harbour. Along the way
you can look out for whales, watch surfers and fishermen, stop to swim in the St James tidal pool,
pop up to Main Rd for lunch, coffee or a spot of shopping and interact with the friendliest Cape
Tonians youll meet. This is our number ONE favourite thing to do in Cape Town this summer!