Cape Town Travel Guide
Freedom and slavery, incarceration and release, hope and despair--all these are exemplified in the Mother City, which sits on the shores of Table Bay at the southern tip of South Africa. This is Cape Town, the place of opposites and contrasts where the cultural heritages of three continents--Europe, Africa and Asia--converge to give visitors a spectrum of choices unparalleled by any other tourist destination. And you don't have to go far to experience it all: most attractions are within 30 minutes of each other, thanks to Cape Town's vast network of freeways and railroads. So whether you want to go paragliding at Lion's Head or savor the wine country of Stellenbosch or go for a heavy dose of history and culture at the city's many museums, it's all within easy reach.
Sights
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to popular and breathtaking Table Mountain, where you can rappel 112 meters down the "Long Drop" to the foot of the mountain. As a reminder of the resiliency of the human spirit, Robben Island, the former prison home of Nelson Mandela, is also not to be missed. Other points of interest include Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Woodstock Cave, Sea Point Promenade and the Hout Bay Museum. To experience the real Africa, you can also take a tour of Cape Flats, an expansive, low-lying township that became known as "apartheid's dumping ground."
Dining
Good food and great wine are a natural part of life in Cape Town. Because of its seaside location, seafood is a specialty. Check out the various delights at the more than 70 restaurants at V&A Waterfront. Fine food and wine can also be enjoyed at many of the vineyards near Cape Town. Try Constantia Wine Farm, where you can sample the menu at Buitenverwachting Restaurant overlooking the vineyards. Rust en Vrede and the restaurant at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch are also worth visiting.
Shopping
V&A Waterfront is not only a hotbed of restaurants, it also holds more than 400 retail stores that offer great shopping for all budgets. If that's not enough for you, check out Greenmarket Square at the city center. Antique collectors will be intrigued by the choices at the Antiques Craft Market at Long and Wale Streets. And be sure to make a stop at Cape Town North, where you can check out the Canal Walk Shopping Center, which is built around a series of canals. Be ready to spend and splurge in Cape Town because the shopping choices are endless. And don't forget to bring an extra suitcase.
Where to Go in Cape Town
