Cape Town is famous throughout the world for its majestic mountain and ocean setting.

Over the centuries, visitors have marvelled not only at the peninsula's natural splendour but also at the cultural diversity of the Mother City - the blending of Eastern, African and Western ways of life, which is constantly evident in architecture, dress and local customs.

There is so much to do and see in Cape Town. We have outlined some of the main pastimes below. 

                                                         The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Visit the Waterfront with its array of craft shops, restaurants and entertainment. For more than 80 years the Waterfront was a thriving harbour however after the Second World War, decline and dilapidation set in until 1988 when it was decided to redevelop the area.

Now visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and browse through the craft markets, watch an open-air concert, enjoy a meal, or simply to sit and admire the spectacular view of Table Mountain and the activities of a working harbour.

Also at the Waterfront are the following:

·         The Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront - an enjoyable place to go if the South-Easter is blowing or if Cape Town is having a cloudy day.  The Aquarium shop offers a wide selection of aquatic souvenirs, gifts, books and videos. The Bay front Blue Restaurant is open daily. Open 0930 to 1800 - last tickets sold at 1700.

·         The Art and Craft Market - here you can buy anything from lampshades to belts, fabrics and T-shirts, or you can simply spend time browsing among the stalls admiring the crafts.

·         The BMW Pavilion houses the IMAX cinema, with its cinema screen showing images up to seven storeys high. Excellent for children. Shows daily from 0900 to 2300 during summer and 1100 to 2100 during winter. Tel - 021 419 7364.

·         Cruises around the harbour and to Robben Island - see below under Boat Trips.·         Victoria Wharf shopping - over 200 speciality and designer shops. Open Monday to Saturday from 0900 to 2100, Sunday 1000 to 2100.·      

   Chavonnes Battery Museum - open for individual visits and guided tours from Wednesdays to Sundays and most public holidays - 021-416-6230 during office hours, 09:00 - 16:00·         Waterfront Water Taxi - The much anticipated water taxi from the Waterfront has started operating. 

Departures are from the V&A Waterfront or any of the stops as listed below. You will pay per Stop you go past as follows:  Stop 1 - The Two Oceans Aquarium, Stop 2 - Cape Town City Lodge, Stop 3 - The Westin Grand Hotel, Stop 4 - The Convention Centre, Stop 5 - The Harbour Bridge Hotel.  Operating hours are from 0900 – 1600, 7 days a week currently. 

The crew will give information during the trip, but they are not qualified tour guides. 

The trip is a short one, taking only half an hour from the Waterfront to the last Stop, Stop 5 - The Harbour Bridge Hotel.  The taxi runs on a scheduled basis but private trips can be booked and will be costed on request, 

                                                                                 Central city sights

·         Greenmarket Square - is a colourful African craft market selling a range of goods.  It's great fun to browse around the market but be aware that pickpockets find this a paradise!

·         The Company Gardens - The establishment of a garden was the main reason for the existence of the European settlement at the Cape. Now the vegetable garden for scurvy-stricken sailors has become a botanical garden for indigenous and exotic trees and a rose garden with outdoor cafes. When strolling down Government Avenue in the Gardens you will be able to see the Houses of Parliament, the Cultural History Museum, the South African Museum, the South African National Art Gallery and the South African Library.

·         The Castle of Good Hope - houses the Military museum and the excellent William Fehr Collection of antiques, artefacts and paintings of early Cape Town. The Castle was built by the Dutch between 1666 and 1679 to replace their original mud-walled fortress. Open daily from 0900 to 1600 with tours of the castle at 1100, 1200 and 1400.

·         Malay Quarter - spend some time walking the narrow cobbled streets of the picturesque Malay Quarter with its colourful flat roofed houses dating from the 17th and 18th century. This area was originally settled by former slaves who came to the Cape from Indonesia, India as well as Malaysia. The area is still predominantly Muslim. Located on the slopes of Signal Hill above Buitengragt Street (e.g. Wale Street, Rose Street, Dorp Street). The Bo-Kaap museum gives a glimpse into the life of the Cape Malay family in the 19th century. 71 Wale Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday 0930 to 1630.

                                                                                          Museums

·         South African Museum - top of the Company Gardens. It has an exhibit on the different African people of South Africa, their history and culture, as well as a natural history section, (secondary interest) and a Planetarium. 25 Queen Victoria Street.  Open daily 1000 to 1700. The South African National Gallery, also in the Company Gardens, has a growing display of contemporary South African Art and Craftwork. Open daily 1000 to 1700 except Mondays when it opens at 1300.

·         Koopmans-De Wet house - is a something different, showing the typical colonial interior of a Cape Town House in the late 18th and early 19th century, and houses a superb collection of antiques, carpets, paintings and porcelain. 35 Strand Street between Long and Burg Streets. Open Tuesday to Saturday 0930 to 1630.

·         The Gold of Africa Museum - comprises a workshop, design library, wine cellar, sculpture garden, museum shop and a gold boutique. It houses a collection of over 350 African gold artefacts from the 19^th and 20^th centuries from West Africa. Martin Melck House, 96 Strand Street. Open daily 1000 to 1700.

·         The District Six museum - is a small museum depicting the history of the 'District Six' area, which was a vibrant multi-cultural area in the '60s. The people of the area were forcibly removed by the Apartheid government under the Group Areas Act and this museum brings alive the former residents of this area.

                                                                            Table Mountain

The revolving cable car to the top of Table Mountain gives stunning, vertiginous views over Cape Town and its surroundings. Once on top, viewing decks that literally 'hang' visitors over the edge of the mountain offer wonderful photographic opportunities. Although queues have improved it is still best to avoid the peak times (mid morning to mid afternoon).

The cable car can be reached by taking Kloof Nek Road to the roundabout and then taking the cable car approach road at the top. It does not operate in very poor visibility or in high winds. Please take a sweater with you even if it is a hot day as the weather can be changeable on the mountain. In winter you should take a warm jacket. Open daily. First cable car is at 08:30 and last cable car varies according to season with early evening rides in summer.