Cape Town Holidays
South Africa, Africa
Cape Town is arguably the most beautiful city in Africa – in fact, you could make a good argument for it being one of the most scenic cities in the world. The best place to see the view is, of course, Table Mountain. Take the cable car up; during the ride and at the top you'll be able to see the city, the bay, the peaks and the sea laid out in front of you, all the way to Robben Island. And, although it looks lovely in the view, its even better to experience up close – as are the wine regions in the city's hinterlands.
What to Do in Cape Town
Around the city centre, there's a world-class aquarium, a theatre, an enormous craft market and shopping mall, and some excellent restaurants. Further afield is the Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden, and the plush southern suburbs have some of the best beaches.
Go to Cape Point to see where two oceans meet; the restaurant there has some great views. On the way, you'll pass Fish Hoek and Simonstown – these villages can easily be reached on the train from Cape Town, and they're good options if you'd rather not stay in the city itself. If you're interested in finding more about South Africa's apartheid years, then a trip to Robben Island is a must. You should also see the District Six Museum. If you'd like to see whales, then go to Hermanus.
Cape Town has great access to the Garden Route, and also much of the rest of South Africa.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
The V&A Waterfront is one of the best places to stay – although it’s a little bit short on budget accommodation, the easy access to everything is arguably worth paying for. Most holidaymakers will end up here at least some of the time – it's the best place to book excursions around the city and the Winelands, as well as longer trips.
Backpackers are likely to end up in Long Street, which is a mix of hotels and groovy pubs. If you want to stay in the Winelands, then Franschhoek is a fantastic destination, but there are also places to stay in Stellenbosch; as well as being a good destination for wine, Stellenbosch has a large Afrikaans-language university, so there's some lively nightlife too.