Boulders Beach

Looking for a perfect day trip from Cape Town? Boulders Beach is just down the road from Simons Town on the False Bay coast, so not only is the water is a little warmer and the scenery stunning, but you'll find an interesting wildlife relationship in action: here it's the penguins who rule and the people who make way for their diminutive neighbours. If you get to the beach early on a summer day you will be able to get yourself a spot on the beach where the public can picnic, build sandcastles and possibly even catch a wave with one of the Boulders' most famous residents because the beach belongs to the penguins. But for a truly memorable view of these endemic birds, take to the boardwalks that lead you over the dunes and vegetation and thread their way through the noisy, bustling colony of birds. Watch them come in from the sea and be raucously greeted by those they left behind, or simply preen and sun themselves. They used to be called jackass penguins, a name that will quickly become apparent as you get to know - and hear - these endearing creatures (but don't try to touch them, they can be grouchy).

Camps Bay

Camps Bay has long been a favourite destination for overseas visitors to Cape Town. Just behind Table Mountain, nestled beneath Lions Head and the majestic Twelve Apostles, and boasting a magnificent palm fringed sandy beach, Camps Bay is a real gem. The cosmopolitan beachfront is vibrant throughout the year and people throng the pavement cafes and restaurants enjoying the ambience. All the attractions of Cape Town are close at hand; the V & A Waterfront, the Table Mountain cableway and the City centre, yet Camps Bay enjoys a special uniqueness - come and experience it!

Cape Point

Visitors have "flirted" with South Africa’s Cape Point Route but now its time to get intimate and start a meaningful love affair we are not a one night stand; we are worth at least three! Welcome to the Cape Point Route playground of Cape Town and the Western Cape. The Cape Point Route is easy, affordable and accessible - just 30 minutes from Cape Town City Centre and 45 minutes from Cape Town International Airport and the Winelands. This is not a "been there, bought the T-shirt" place. This is weather beaten faces and warm smiles. It’s real and it’s beautiful. With dramatic mountain ranges, and long ocean fronts, this is the stuff that you see in the movies.

Tel: 021 782 9356

Chapman’s Peak

Chapman’s Peak Drive winds it way between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world.
The 9km route, with its 114 curves, skirts the rocky coastline of Chapman's Peak, the 593m high southerly extension of Constantia Berg. The drive offers stunning 180° views with many areas along the route where you can stop and take in the scenery or sit down for a relaxing picnic. Chapman’s Peak Drive also offers some superb hiking experiences up the peak, through Silvermine Nature Reserve and the Cape Peninsula National Park and some unlikely whale watching spots. At the other end of the drive lies the village of Noordhoek and the neighbouring suburbs of Kommetjie, Scarborough and Fish Hoek.

Tel: 021 791 8222

Green Market Square

Greenmarket Square, nestled in the heart of the Central Business District of Cape Town, has seen a vast mix of cultures pass over its ancient cobbles. This area has served as a slave market, a fruit and vegetable market (hence the name Greenmarket Square) and in the late 50’s as a popular parking lot. It wasn’t until the early 80’s that Bob Hayward had the vision to transform the Square into a viable trading venue for the informal sector. These humble beginnings saw only a handful of traders brave the elements twice a week on a small section of the Square, but it was not long before it grew to become an extremely popular flea market for crafters to reap the rewards for all their efforts.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

The beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. The gardens are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds and well-laid out pathways for easy walking. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens and the sweeping views from the upper slopes are spectacular. Whether for a casual stroll, a more strenuous walk or a lazy picnic, the gardens are a must-see when visiting Cape Town.

Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands.
Tel: 021 799 8899

Long Street

Long Street is one of the oldest streets in Cape Town with a length of 3.8 kilometres. In the olden days, it was really the longest street in the town centre, reaching from the harbour up to Tamboerskloof. Remarkable are the numerous Victorian buildings with cast-iron balcony railings, which have been well restored over the last years. Particularly beautiful is the upper part up to St. Martini Church of the German parish. Long Street is one of the oldest streets in Cape Town with a length of 3.8 kilometres. In the olden days, it was really the longest street in the town centre, reaching from the harbour up to Tamboerskloof. Remarkable are the numerous Victorian buildings with cast-iron balcony railings, which have been well restored over the last years. Particularly beautiful is the upper part up to St. Martini Church of the German parish.

Ratanga Junction

More than 30 attractions include 24 rides ranging from kiddie rides to family rides and thrill rides for the more intrepid adventurers. Train rides and boat rides add to the offer. Snake shows and bird shows, guaranteed to enthrall audiences, add spice and variety to the full day's entertainment. The white-knuckle thrills and spills are only one element offered by Ratanga Junction. The other attractions are designed to entertain children, families, and those who prefer to take their thrills in more manageable doses. The white-knuckle thrills and spills are only one element offered by Ratanga Junction. The other attractions are designed to entertain children, families, and those who prefer to take their thrills in more manageable doses.
Tel: 0861 200 300
Website: www.ratanga.co.za

Robben Island Gateway

The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, the point of departure from Cape Town's Waterfront for the Robben Island ferry, was officially opened by Nelson Mandela on 1 December 2001. It is worth booking tickets in advance, as this in one of Cape Town's most popular attractions. Note that when you do they will ask for a phone number – this is because they occasionally have to cancel tours due to bad weather and choppy seas. The ferry crossing, in a catamaran, takes around half-an-hour. It can be quite a bumpy ride, but if the weather is too extreme, the trip will be cancelled. The air-conditioned cabins provide adequate, if somewhat squashed, seating. The deck area extends round the back and sides of the cat on two levels and offers a bracing view of the island or back towards Cape Town (and Table Mountain).
Website: www.robben-island.org.za

Table Mountain Cableway

The top of Table Mountain offers spectacular views in all directions and gives a bird’s eye view of the city. The upper cable car station is situated at 1067 metres and the revolving cable car makes sure that your trip up and down gives you a good look in all directions. Once on top you can follow paths to various look-outs, make use of the telescopes and enjoy a light meal or simply a sundowner drink in the restaurant. In summer, early evening is a great time to plan your trip as the sunsets are beautiful. Regardless of the weather, take a windbreaker as it can often be cool on the mountain top.

Time needed: At least 1-2hrs. Allow for queues in peak season
Tel: 021 424 8181
Website: www.tablemountain.net

The Castle

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679, this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built by Commander Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 upon establishing a maritime replenishment station art the Cape of Good Hope for the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Verenigde Oos-Indische Compagnie). On 26 April 1679 the five bastions were named after the main titles of Willem, the Prince of Orange. The Western bastions was named Leerdam; followed in clockwise order by Buuren, Catzenellenbogen, Nassau and Orange. Guided tours are conducted by Castle guides from Monday to Saturday at 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
Also offer self-guided tours by means of a map in 7 different languages.

Entrance fees (subject to change)
Adults R20.00
Pensioners R15.00
Students R10.00
Children R10.00
Booked School Groups R5.00
Tel: 021 787 1249

The National Gallery

The South African Museum and the South African National Gallery are right next to each other in the Company Gardens in the centre of Cape Town. The South African National Gallery contains a permanent collection of Contemporary South African art while also being home to various popular international travelling art exhibitions.

Tel: 021 4674660

The Planetarium

The Planetarium, which is housed in the South African Museum building in Cape Town, is a celestial theatre in the round, utilizing the complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the wonders of the universe. The ultimate in armchair travel. Inside the domed auditorium, we can recreate the night sky, so whatever the weather outside, the Planetarium sky is always clear, an extraordinary audio-visual experience for old and young.
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Cape Town
Tel: 021 4813900

Two Oceans Aquarium

The southern tip of the African continent is the meeting place of two mighty and bountiful oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in these two oceans. The Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town and over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve. The Two Oceans Aquarium showcases life from the mighty Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Over 3,000 living animals can be seen in this marine kaleidoscope. This is where the two oceans meet! See the Aquarium from a fish eye view. Excellent diving conditions, great visibility and guaranteed shark sightings!

Tel: 021-418-3823
Website: www.aquarium.co.za

V&A Waterfront

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina. We invite you to discover the experience... live, work, shop and play at the V&A Waterfront.

Tel: 021 408 7600
Website: www.waterfront.co.za