CAPE WINELANDS:
The Cape Winelands is situated 45 minutes away from Cape Town. Whether it is its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage or its world-renowned wines, the Winelands region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer. The excellent wines produced in this area are world-renowned. You will be spoilt for choice between small, boutique wineries and the larger, more commercial wine estates. Come experience the hospitality and beauty of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek and Pniel, the heartland of wine production. The Cape Winelands is famous for its finest restaurants in the Cape, offering from traditional fare to the more exotic. And don't miss out on other culinary delights produced in the region such as cheese, olives, herbs, berries and much more. With its ragged mountains and fertile valleys, the Winelands is paradise to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Invigorating hikes through the many nature reserves in the area will have you marveling at the indigenous fynbos that flourishes here.
TABLE MOUNTAIN:
Table Mountain is Cape Town's most famous landmark and one of the city's greatest attractions. The mountain has magnificent views in all directions which gives one a feeling of being on top of the world and that is what makes this such a popular destination. The mountain is part of a nature reserve and wooden walkways and designated paths allow you to wander around without damaging the unique plant life. Table Mountain has a restaurant, a shop that sells refreshments and a curio shop. Dassies (rock hyrax) which are more closely related to the elephants than any other species look like giant guinea pigs laze around on the rocks in the sun and accept little scraps from curious visitors.
ROBBEN ISLAND:
Robben Island is situated 11km from Cape Town, in the middle of Table Bay, within clear sight of the city. Robben Island is possibly the best known prison island in the world. Having served over the centuries as a penal settlement, leper colony and lunatic asylum, its notoriety has, more recently, centred around the fact that President Nelson Mandela and many of his colleagues were imprisoned here during the apartheid era. Regular trips are made to the island, a world heritage site, by a ferry which departs from the V&A Waterfront. The tour includes a visit to Nelson Mandela's prison cell and the limestone quarry where prisoners work unceasingly day after day. There is the chance to view the wildlife and take photographs of Cape Town across the bay, with Table Mountain as the backdrop.
VICTORIA AND ALFRED WATERFRONT:
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is 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.
CENTURY CITY:
Century City is situated on the N1 highway, a mere 10 minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. Century City is Africa’s most exciting shopping and leisure destination. At its heart lies Canal Walk, a spectacular shopping mall, offering you a choice of more than 400 stores, and a buffet of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. For the nature lover, there’s Intaka Island, where you can discover the untouched beauty of wetland conservation area, rich in birdlife and indigenous fynbos. But if it’s excitement you’re after, Ratanga Junction Theme Park features over 30 heart-stopping rides and attractions for the adventurous soul to dare (Seasonal operating hours only). In addition, there is the MTN Science Centre, a world-class interactive science centre with more than 280 exhibits, South Africa’s largest cinema multiplex, Grand Prix karting, helicopter tours, and a golf driving range to mention just a few. It’s not surprising then that at Canal Walk, you will discover something new everyday.
KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. These beautiful gardens represent the flora of Southern Africa and the Cape floral kingdom, known as Fynbos, in particular. There is something to see whatever time of the year, and a few surprises which you will find if you stroll slowly and pause to ponder. Amongst the shrubs you may see stone sculptures large and small which are part of a permanent exhibition of Shona art from Zimbabwe.
BO-KAAP:
This neighborhood, located on a hill south-west of downtown is the area historically inhabited by mainly Muslim descendants of slaves from South-East Asia (hence an older term for the area - 'Malay Quarter'. It's a common location for film shoots, as there are some very colourful buildings, quaint streets, mosques. views over Cape Town and some great food sold on the side of the street. It's well worth wandering around for an hour or so, as well as visiting the Bo-Kaap Museum (a view of a prosperous Muslim family from the 19th Century).
THE CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE:
The Castle of Good Hope, Buitenkant Street, ☎ +27 (0)21 464-1260. Popularly called 'The Castle' by locals, it has extensive displays of historical military paraphernalia, a history of the castle, an art collection and the William Fehr Collection (including old Cape Dutch furniture). You can eat inside the Castle at the restaurant or café, as well as buy wine. R20 entrance free.
RHODES MEMORIAL:
Rhodes Memorial, ☎ +27 21 689 9151 (roy@rhodesmemorial.co.za). Build in recognition of the contributions of Cecil John Rhodes to the Southern African region.
SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENT:
South African Parliament. Cape Town is the legislative seat of South Africa (the Presidential seat is in Pretoria and the Supreme Court is at Bloemfontein). A tour of this compound will acquaint you with South Africa's recent history and its political system. The tour includes visits to the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and the old apartheid-era assembly which is now only used for caucus and committee meetings. Tours are offered a few times per day in various languages. Free entrance and tours.
Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront, ☎ +27 (0)21 418-3823 (aquarium@aquarium.co.za). Open 9:30AM to 6PM. An excellent modern aquarium. R70 entrance fee.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES:
Bo-Kaap Museum, 71 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap, ☎ +27 (0)21 481-3939 (info@iziko.org.za). Open 9:30AM to 4:30PM Monday to Saturday. R5 entrance fee.
District Six Museum, 25A Buitenkant Str, ☎ +27 (0)21 461-8745 (info@districtsix.co.za). District Six is an area near downtown Cape Town which remained multiracial well into the 1960s against all attempts by the government to declare it a "white only" area. Eventually the residents were all evicted and the buildings were bulldozed. The area remains uninhabited. The museum provides information about the area, the eviction, the Group Areas Act, and the people who used to live there. The director of the museum is a former resident. There is a small bookstore with an excellent selection of books on South Africa's history, District Six and apartheid. Admission is free.
Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Estate, Constantia, ☎ +27 (0)21 795-5140 (info@iziko.org.za). Open daily 10AM to 5PM. One of the oldest wine estates in South Africa R8 entrance fee.
Slave Lodge, cnr Adderley and Wale Streets, ☎ +27 (0)21 460-8240 (info@iziko.org.za). open 8:30AM to 4:30PM Monday to Friday and 9AM to 1PM on Sunday. One of the oldest building in Cape Town R7 entrance fee.
South African Jewish Museum, 88 Hatfield Street, ☎ +27 (0)21 464-1267 (info@sajewishmuseum.co.za). Open Sunday-Thursday 10AM to 5PM and Friday 10AM to 2PM. Closed Saturday. The Museum is interactive and hi-tech, using different media to present highlights of South African history, and examining the Jewish community's[42] story of individual and organisational roles and contributions. R35 adults, R15 students.
South African Maritime Museum, Union Castle Building, V&A Waterfront, ☎ +27 21 465 1546 (jboshoff@iziko.org.za).
South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Gardens, ☎ +27 (0)21 467-4660 (info@iziko.org.za). 10AM to 5PM Tuesday to Sunday. Located in the Gardens area of Cape Town off Government Ave (about a 20 minute walk from downtown). Contains extensive displays of South African art, as well as information on the history of censorship of art during apartheid R10 entrance fee.
PERFORMING ARTS:
Artscape Theatre, D F Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 421 7695 (artscape@artscape.co.za).
Armchair Theatre, 135 Lower Main Road, Observatory, ☎ +27 (0)21 447 1514.
Baxter Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, ☎ +27 (0)21 685 7880 (linda.louw@uct.ac.za). Theatre performances, comedy, jazz and others
Labia Screen, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, ☎ +27 (0)21 424 5927 (labiatheatre@labia.co.za). Has an African Screen showing African-made and African-oriented films all year round.
On Broadway, 88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 424 1194 (info@onbroadway.co.za)
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