Cape Town Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Cape Town, South Africa check out our Cape Town guide to car hire in Cape Town.
|
|
 |
|||
|
||||
The main tourist destination in South Africa, the list of attractions waiting for visitors to Cape Town is breathtaking. No matter what your interests or reason for coming to the city, there is bound to be something to excite you during your stay.
The city lies slightly to the north of the Cape of Good Hope in the far south east of the country, with the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain behind it. The main tourist area is around the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, where there are a profusion of jazz bars and restaurants, and many pleasant colonial style hotels. More nightlife can be found on Long Street, although this is most popular with backpackers and students.
Lying just offshore, you can visit Robben Island, the notorious Apartheid prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for more than a quarter of a century.
To the north of Cape Town, you can visit the famous Winelands, and spend a few days tasting the latest vintage in the vineyards around towns like Stellenbosch. South of Cape Town, the resort of Hermanus offers some good beaches and also the chance to see migrating whales as they pass by on their seasonal travels.
Cape Town lies at the western end of the Garden Route - a beautiful drive along the south coast as far as Port Elizabeth and beyond. The journey takes a few days, and passes through some of the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in the country - particularly in the spring when all the flowers are in bloom.