Destination information
With so much to see and do in Cape Town, holidays in this beautiful city provide the perfect blend of stunning scenery, gorgeous beaches and intriguing culture. Holidays to Cape Town are best explored by car, as you can take a drive to Camps Bay with its pristine beaches and seafront restaurants and visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is home to plenty of shops, bars and restaurants overlooking the harbour, which comes alive at night.
The best way to begin your adventures is with a cable car ride (a walk is more exhilarating!) up the mountain, from where you'll be able to survey the city's different historic areas (all easy to explore on foot) and its gorgeous beaches, just a 15-min drive from the centre of town.
Head for Camps Bay for a stroll on the sands, followed by a mouth-watering meal overlooking the sea. Cape Town's docks have been triumphantly converted into the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a large complex of shopping, dining and entertainment. Take the ferry from there to Robben Island, home of the now defunct prison that housed Nelson Mandela. Cape Town is also now rated amongst the world's top gay-friendly cities, with De Waterkant Village at the centre of its thriving entertainment scene.
Sightseeing ideas
Table Mountain
This huge, time-sculpted slab of shale, sandstone and granite that rose from the ocean some 250 million years ago is South Africa’s most instantly recognisable feature. With a plateau of approximately 3 miles wide at the top, it can be seen from miles around and offers some 350 paths to the summit. It can be ascended either by hiking or taking the cable car to its summit. You will be rewarded for your efforts with the most incredible vistas, from this vantage point you can literally see for miles. The fact that the mountain alone has more plant varieties (some 1,470 species) than the entire British Isles is flaunted with pride, and it is thought to be the most climbed peak in the world.
Kloof Street
Situated at the base of Table Mountain in the Tamboerskloof area of Cape Town, soak up the vibrant atmosphere whilst taking in the architecture of days gone by. This is a great place to eat and drink with many choices of restaurant from Italian to Vietnamese.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain this waterfront marina is one of the most visited locations for its excellent shopping,dining out and waterbased tours. With Table Mountain as its backdrop and collection of world class hotels this is the place to go for award winning food from around the world.
Camps Bay
Located at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this is a beautiful area to visit. The beach at Camps Bay is stunning, with its white sand and turquoise waters, here you can relax and look in wonder at the awesome mountain range that forms the backdrop of Camps Bay.
Oranjezicht
This upmarket subrb of Cape Town is ideally located on the slopes of Table Mountain. A stylish and fashionable location which is conveniently situated to enjoy the nearby beaches, shopping malls, restaurants, vineyards and night clubs.
Star attractions
- Table Mountain
- Superb Food and Shopping
- Robben Island
- V&A Waterfront
- Castle of Good Hope
- Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
- Cape Point
Postcards from... Top ideas from our travel experts