Boulders Beach penguins in Cape Town

Cape Town has been voted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And is a must-see city on any tourist list of holiday places to visit in South Africa. Let us show you this beautiful city on your next South African holiday.

Cape Town is fondly called, ‘The Mother City’, and is in the Western Cape Province. It is at the southwest tip of Africa; where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It is approximately 1600km’s from Johannesburg.

A Mediterranean climate means it experiences pleasingly warm summers while winters are cool and wet.

Table Mountain dominates the city. Catch the revolving cable car up the 1086m summit. For the more energetic; walk up or down; or both ways. To get a fantastic view of this beautiful city. The ‘Cape doctor’ is a southeasterly wind that causes clouds to sit on top of Table Mountain like a table cloth; hence the name. We recommend going up the mountain on the 1st clear day you have so you don’t miss it.

Best Cape Town holiday
Cape Grace Hotel and Table Mountain

Cape Town attractions

The first thing people think of when planning a visit to Cape Town is Table Mountain. But there is so much more to this beautiful city. Close by is the scenic Cape Winelands where you can taste some of the finest wines. Visit Hermanus to see the whales or dive with sharks. See below for more. We offer Cape Town day tours to all the popular attractions.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is one of the most visited attractions in Cape Town. It offers an assortment of shopping, eating, entertainment, and sightseeing facilities. All set within a working harbor. The Cape Town/Two Oceans Aquarium is also on the V&A Waterfront. It is home to over 3000 living sea animals including sharks, fish, turtles, and penguins. Diving with ragged-tooth sharks (sand tigers), shoals of large predators, rays and a turtle is also available. Open Water One or Discover Scuba qualification is required.

Robben Island tours also depart from The V&A Waterfront. Robben Island is the former prison where Nelson Mandela; and many other anti-apartheid activists spent so many of their adult years. This is a short boat/ferry ride from The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The full tour takes about 3 – 4 hours.

Cape Point

The most southern point of the Cape Peninsula is Cape Point. It has some 26 shipwrecks recorded. Some of them present good diving spots. A funicular takes visitors on a scenic trip up to an old lighthouse. This is a bird-watching paradise.

Cape Town beach holiday
Cape Town beach holiday

Beaches in Cape Town

Cape Town’s beaches are also what make it such a popular holiday destination. The picture-perfect Camps Bay and Clifton; are the trendy beaches on the Atlantic side of Cape Town. The Atlantic Ocean beaches have beautiful clear blue waters and white sandy beaches. Be prepared, the sea is very cold on the Atlantic side of Cape Town. If you are looking for warmer water, the False Bay/Indian Ocean side (Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Boulders) is your best bet.

Cape Town holiday - Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg Beach

Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town is home to a unique and endangered land-based colony of African Penguins, one of only a few in the world. The site is a popular tourist destination. The Boulders section consists of 3 x pristine beaches, 1 x penguin viewing area, and 3 x boardwalks. The boardwalks allow for the viewing of the birds; whilst keeping them safe. Boulders Beach is ideal for children as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents, wind, and large waves. Look out for Penguins swimming in the waves too.

A must-do in Cape Town is to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive. This is one of the world’s most spectacular scenic drives. The road is regularly closed for maintenance so do check if it is open when you are in Cape Town.

Other attractions

There is a lot more to Cape Town than the beauty of this city. It is rich in history and is South Africa’s oldest city. There are several museums in the city which are well worth a visit. The Bo-Kaap is a historic part of Cape Town. It was developed in the 1700s to house predominantly Muslim workers after slavery was abolished. This multicultural area, tucked safely into the fold of Signal Hill has cobblestoned, steep, and narrow streets and brightly painted Cape Dutch and Edwardian houses.

Every year, the residents of Bo-Kaap, District 6, and other areas hold the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival or Tweede Nuwejaar which means the second New Year (previously called the ‘Coon Carnival’). Celebrations usually start on New Year’s Day. Over 10 000 costumed, banjo-picking musicians and dancers parade and march through the streets of Cape Town city. Often compared to the Rio Carnival, it is a celebration of life and the New Year. The more garish the costume or loud the banjo tunes, the better.

Safari near Cape Town

If you have limited time in South Africa; there are a few private game reserves near Cape Town that we can recommend and that you could do a day tour from Cape Town to or spend a night or two.

Fairy Glen Game Reserve is about an hour away and also offers horseback safaris. Aquila Game Reserve is the smallest of the private game reserves; and is about 90 minutes from Cape Town, making it the closest. They offer a shuttle service that picks you up from your Cape Town hotel for day safaris. They also cater for overnight and fly-in safaris from Cape Town.

Approximately 2 ½ hours away, is Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve which is also home to a Cheetah conservation project. A three-hour scenic drive from Cape Town; on Route 62; is Sanbona Wildlife Reserve that has White Lions. Garden Route Game Lodge is 3½ hours from Cape Town.

Gondwana Game Reserve also has the Big 5 and is near George on the Garden Route. About a 4-hour drive from Cape Town. Botlierskop Game Reserve is 4½ hours drive with horseback safaris too.

Safari near Cape Town at Sanbona
Safari near Cape Town at Sanbona

If you are looking for an authentic Big 5 safari experience, we would recommend Addo National Park or Shamwari. These are both near Port Elizabeth which is approximately 800 km away. There are regular flights to Port Elizabeth (approximately 1 hour’s flight). Or combine Cape Town with a self-drive holiday along the Garden Route to really see South Africa and the beauty it has to offer. If you possibly can, we’d definitely recommend rather going to Kruger National Park due to the diversity of animals and the larger numbers.

West Coast National Park

A short drive out of Cape Town is the West Coast National Park. This stretches from Yzerfontein to Langebaan. Against the backdrop of the azure blue lagoon, white dunes, rare fynbos, green wetlands and unbounded waves, there is much to experience. A paradise for hikers, cyclists & mountain bikers, birders and nature-lovers alike. The West Coast National Park is home to over 250 bird species. Making it a bird-lover’s paradise. Huge pods of southern right whales visit from August until October. Langebaan also offers incredible kite-surfing.

Cape Town Accommodation ↓
The Cellars-Hohenort Vineyard

The Cellars-Hohenort (Constantia, Cape Town)

The 5-star Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa rests on the slopes of Table Mountain and is in “Cape Town’s Vineyard”; the Constantia Valley. Best rates and special offers.

Luxury winelands accommodation

Steenberg Hotel (Constantia Winelands)

The 5* Steenberg Hotel, Spa, Golf Resort and Vineyards – Steenberg Farm. Special offers and play golf and stay packages at reduced rates.

Active holiday in Cape Town

Last Word Constantia (Constantia Winelands)

Last Word Constantia is the ideal base from which to explore Cape Town while being in the heart of South Africa’s wine farms + golf courses

Victoria and Alfred Hotel in Cape Town V&A Waterfront

Victoria & Alfred Hotel (Cape Town)

The award wining Victoria & Alfred Hotel on the V&A Waterfront – close to the city and beaches. One of the best addresses to stay in Cape Town

Luxury Cape Town Accommodation

Dock House Boutique Hotel (Cape Town)

Dock House Boutique Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, offers the ideal balance between convenience and complete privacy for your holiday

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (Cape Town)

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa situated near Camps Bay offers the best romantic accommodation in Cape Town. Also ideal for families, weddings

Cape Town surfing holiday

Last Word Long Beach (Cape Town)

Last Word Long Beach – a 5 star boutique beach hotel in Cape Town. A surfers paradise, honeymoon hot spot and ideal family holiday paradise

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront hotel

Queen Victoria Hotel (Cape Town)

5* Queen Victoria Hotel and The Manor House offer luxury accommodation on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. For the best place to stay in Cape Town

Cape Milner Boutique Hotel

Cape Milner Boutique Hotel (Cape Town)

The Cape Milner Boutique Hotel is in a secluded, yet convenient location to explore Cape Town’s highlights and beaches. Close to Kloof Street

OneOnly Cape Town hotel

One&Only Cape Town

One&Only Cape Town is at the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and framed by Table Mountain; an oasis of elegance amid the vibrant playground of one of the world’s most loved cities

Mount Nelson Hotel entrance

Mount Nelson Hotel (Cape Town)

The iconic Mount Nelson Hotel is well-positioned in Cape Town for beaches, city, and nightlife – an old dame who’s had guests such as Winston Churchill, John Lennon, and Nelson Mandela. Best rates offerred.

Table Bay Hotel (Cape Town)

Situated on the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, The Table Bay Hotel is the ultimate 5-star luxury accommodation

Fairmont Cape Grace Hotel

Cape Grace Hotel (Cape Town)

Luxury 5* accommodation at the Cape Grace Hotel on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. Honeymoons, anniversaries, other offers to get the best rates

More Quarters Hotel entrance

More Quarters Hotel (Cape Town)

More Quarters Hotel is a collection of converted heritage townhouses/apartments and the 4-bedroom Residence (Villa) in Cape Town for holidays

Luxury Cape Town Boutique Hotel

Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel (Cape Town)

Award winning Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel and Residence is in a quiet suburb of Cape Town, close to all the attractions in and around the city

Luxury Cape Town Accommodation

Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront (Cape Town)

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront is a luxury seaside hotel in walking distance of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town

Ellerman House

Ellerman House (Cape Town)

Ellerman House is a private boutique hotel with accommodation in rooms or villas; within walking distance to the beaches. Best rates & offers