Western Cape :
Cape Town and Surrounding Areas
Overview
Warmed by the African sun and dominated by the presence of the towering Table Mountain,
lies the exhilarating and sophisticated Cape Town metropolitan area, mother city
to the Western Cape and South Africa. Here you will find a city brimming with natural
and man-made attractions, exceptional natural beauty and international facilities
of the highest standards. It's a place where old and new harmoniously converge -
in history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people. The City
is a rare cultural gem, resulting from the amalgamation of Indonesian, French, Dutch,
British and German settlers, the local Bushman and Hottentot tribes and the Bantu
tribes from the north.
Things to do and see
The Cape Town area and surrounding towns, truly offer something for everyone. For
the nature lover, there are numerous walks and trails surrounding and leading up
to the top of Table Mountain. Whether you choose to climb or use the cable car,
getting to the top of Table mountain offers an unforgettable experience. From here
you can enjoy the many scenic vistas of over one of the most beautiful areas
in the world. A visit to the world renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must
or if you just want to relax, there are many exquisite beaches along the coastal
areas of False Bay and the Atlantic where you can soak up the African Sun. Some
of the more well known beaches include Clifton, Llandudno, and Blouberg Strand.
Further down the Cape Peninsula you can visit the very popular Cape Point, set in
the Cape Nature reserve, which protects the fynbos of the area.
For the culturally inclined, you can experience some of Cape Town’s fascinating
history by visiting the many museums in the area, including the Castle
on the foreshore.
Robben Island is a very popular tourist attraction that can be reached via many
ferries and boats, leaving from the V& A waterfront. The V & A waterfront
in itself offers its visitors a wonderful taste of everything Cape Town has to offer.
With its many
restaurants, movies, coffee shops, and world famous Two Oceans aquarium,
the V & A waterfront is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Cape Town.
The city also offers many concert venues where you can experience anything from
opera to experimental theatre.
If you want to go shopping you are spoilt for choice. The city offers many upmarket
shopping malls and for the more adventurous, the open air shopping experience at
Greenmarket Square is a great opportunity to find some exclusive hand made craft.
For the more adventurous, you can choose anything from abseiling down Table Mountain
to go carting at Kenilworth. There is ice skating, mountain biking, rock climbing
and
horse riding. Water sports include scuba diving, sailing, and windsurfing.
Cape Town is a city of culture, which is reflected in its architecture, cuisine,
music and dance and its people. Together with a warm summer and temperate winter
climate, its many natural wonders, its myriad of activities and attractions, the
Mother City is an ideal holiday destination throughout the year.
Climate
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate and with is low rainfall, and comfortable
to hot temperatures the period from November to March is the best time to visit
the city. The city gets most of its rain in the winter months between June to August
when the temperatures remain mild between 13 and 18 degrees celcius.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation options, the visitor is spoilt for choice. Hotels
abound, from large, well-known international names, situated in the heart of the
city, to more exclusive, personalised establishments hidden far from the madding
crowd. The city's growth into one of the world's most popular destinations has given
birth to a culture of hospitality and service, sensed in both esteemed Five Star
favourites and in smaller bed & breakfasts.
Your budget won't be a limitation, because the city offers a range of choices to
please both soul and pocket. Whether you are looking for a five star hotel, a cosy
B&B, an exclusive guest house, a romantic cottage or a self catering apartment,
Cape Town will not disappoint you with its wide range of accommodation options.
Towns and cities in the area
The popular towns and suburbs in the Cape Town Metropolitan area include the following
: Bakoven, Bantry Bay, Bellville, Bishopscourt, Bloubergstrand, Campsbay, Clifton,
Constantia, Durbanville, Fish Hoek, Gardens, Green Point, Hout Bay, Kalk Bay,Kommetjie,
Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Muizenberg, Noordhoek, Oudekraal, Parow, Rondebosch,
Sea Point, Simon’s Town, Somerset West and Tokai.