CAPE TOWN
Area: South Africa


Location:
On the extreme SW tip of South Africa 875 miles SW of Johannesburg, 1,100 miles SW of Durban, 475 miles W of Port Elizabeth. International airport 12 miles E.

Telephone code from UK:
27 21

Website:
http://www.capetown.co.za

Position:
On the N coast of the "hook" of the Cape of Good Hope with the Atlantic to the W and False Bay _ almost the start of the Indian Ocean _ to the E. Built around the base of various spectacular volcanic mountains: Signal Hill and Lion's Head virtually overlook the city while Devil's Peak, Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles separate the extensive S and E suburbs from the Atlantic.

Description:
The whole Cape extends 40 miles N to S and to a maximum of 15 miles wide. Cape Town is known as the "Mother City" since it was the first part of the country to be settled when Dutchman, Jan van Riebeek, set up a ship-provisioning business here for sailors going round the Cape. It has a mix of architecture: Cape Dutch mansions and homesteads (farmhouses) are characterised by yellow or white plastered walls with high, decoratively-curved gable ends or alternatively straight triangular pediments protecting green corrugated iron roofs; more familiar handsome Victorian and Edwardian civic buildings are left from the time of British rule; there are modern skyscrapers in the city centre and an ethnic Malay quarter. The city can be considered as four main areas. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront development at the W end of the old docklands area is a master plan to develop a sort of Covent Garden from a run-down part of town. Started in 1990 it already has shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, cobbled pedestrian areas, a market, street entertainers and historic attractions like the old Mitchell's brewery. 24-hour security makes it a very pleasant and, above all, safe place to stroll for tourists and locals alike. A marina is on the way and the whole development is not due for completion until 2004. The central commercial area of the city is probably only of interest to the tourist for shopping and passing through to other sights. With the normal due care required in most big cities these days, busy public areas should be safe, but after dark or when quiet at weekends it is best left to the locals just in case. The much more pleasant western beach suburbs are sheltered from the "Cape Doctor" _ the strong SE wind _ by the mountains. They have the look of smart English seaside resorts _ including sea gulls _ and the names will be familiar but some of the buildings are a little more modern and more Mediterranean in style. The inland suburbs stretch 10_15 miles E and S from the centre and also look amazingly British but are of little interest except for Newlands with its international sporting events like rugby and cricket tests. Finally, perhaps the most beautiful countryside is to be seen further S in the wine-growing areas of the Constantia Valley.

Suitability:
Table Mountain is one of the great sights of the world so all types are drawn to visit Cape Town. It therefore caters for everyone from ex-colonial regulars of the old P&O steamship days to world-hopping backpackers. Most tours stop for 3 days as part of a larger countrywide itinerary but the whole Cape area is one of the most attractive parts of the country and could easily justify a week as part of a two-centre visit.

Accommodation:
Like the rest of the country, short of accommodation at certain times. Service is generally rather patchy, naive or inexperienced demonstrating South Africa's recent isolation to the demands of international tourism. Hopefully increased business will provide training and subsequent improvements.

Shopping:
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has tourist shops, boutiques plus a large covered craft market (open weekends and holidays only). St George's Mall and Adderley Street in the city centre are the main streets for larger stores while neighbouring Long Street has lots of boutiques. A flea market is held in Greenmarket Square on weekdays. Flower market in Trafalgar Place. Cavendish Square mall in Claremont suburb.

Beach:
A dozen or so all down the Atlantic coast where the water can be cold and have undertow. Others on False Bay side are further from the city but offer warmer water. Many have fine white powdery sand. Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay are amongst the most popular. Local directories available in hotels or the local "What's On" free magazine provide more detailed lists.

Entertainments:
Daytime: plenty of local sightseeing. V&A Waterfront, museums, galleries, castle, parliament building (government sits here 6 months a year but steps are afoot to stay permanently in Pretoria), Company's Gardens opposite, Tuynhuis (State President's mansion), Groote Kerk church (oldest in SA), Table Bay harbour, Table Mountain cable car, brewery tours. Nightlife: bars, discos and night clubs congregate around Sea Point area.

Eating:
Plenty of choice from local through European to Malay, and of universally good quality. Prices are generally reasonable. Fish and shellfish are specialities. Many restaurants are in hotels.

Public-transport:
Bus every 10 minutes from V&A Waterfront to centre. Proper large local buses are safe to use but not necessarily convenient or regular. Trains run through Newlands area and S to Simon's Bay. Local minibus services are not recommended as they are usually not licensed, mechanically safe or secure for tourists. Taxis can be similarly unsafe unless booked by your hotel with a known transport company. Car hire can be a more convenient option.

Local-excursions:
Plenty of scenic trips in Cape Peninsula area including Cape Nature reserve on S tip. Various spectacular coastal or mountain drives especially Chapman's Peak Drive. Beautiful scenery of Constantia Valley wine region. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Nearby "Wine Route" towns like Paarl and Stellenbosch.