Cape Town, South Africa trip 2016 -
Tourist attractions in Cape Town, South Africa -
Cape Town tourism & vacations - Cape Town beach - Cape Town activities
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Cape Town is the second largest city in
South Africa and is the capital of the
Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa (the
Houses of Parliament are here). It is located in the south-west corner of the country near the
Cape of Good Hope, and is the most southern city in
Africa. It is a stone's throw from
South Africa's world-famous
Cape Winelands around
Stellenbosch,
Paarl and
Franschhoek.
See in Cape Town, South Africa
===================
Bo-Kaap This neighbourhood, 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, Buitenkant
Street, ☎ +27 (0)21 787 1260, The Castle of Good Hope is South Africa's oldest surviving building. It was built between 1666 and 1679. It is 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).
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, ☎ +27 (0)21 799-8899 / +27(0)21 799 8783,
Open daily
8AM to
6PM (7PM September to March). Created on land given to the
South African people by
Cecil Rhodes Kirstenbosch is one of the worlds most stunning gardens in possibly the most stunning location set below the
Castle Bustress cliffs of table mountain.
View the hugely diverse and beautiful plants and flowers of the Cape flora. Plants from all of the regions of South Africa are on display, including rare succulents from the
Richtersveld, a giant baobab tree, and interesting medicinal plants. There is also an avenue planted with a tree from every country in the
Commonwealth, started during Rhodes time some of these trees are now an impressive size. Numerous paths wander through the grounds situated on the back side of
Table Mountain. Several restaurants, a gift shop and indigenous nursery are also available.
Robben Island, ☎ +27 (0)21 413-4200, Robben Island is located just off the coast from Cape Town, this was the location used during the apartheid days to hold political prisoners, including
Nelson Mandela and the late
Walter Sisulu. The tour consists of a guided bus tour around the island, before meeting a former political prisoner for a tour of the prison area.
The island itself is quite scenic, with African penguins usually seen on the tour. The bus tour stops to allow you to take in the view, and buy a snack.
Tours run several times per day, seven days a week from the Nelson Mandela
Gateway near the clock tower at the
V&A; Waterfront.
Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. There are three trips a day at 9:00,
11:00, and 13:00. The tour takes
3.5 hours including the ferry ride to and from the island. R250.
Rhodes Memorial, ☎ +27 21 689 9151 (roy@rhodesmemorial.co.za), The memorial is situated on the slope of
Devils Peak mountain to the side of Table Mountain and commands one of the best views in to the Cape interior. Designed by
Sir Herbert Baker, who also designed the
Union Buildings in
Pretoria as a memorial to pioneer
Cecil John Rhodes. It's built in the style of the
Greek temple at
Segesta on Rhodes favourite spot on the lower slopes of
Devil's Peak. Rhodes's own wooden bench is still located below the memorial. The memorial is fronted by a large statue of a man on a horse, this is one of three called
Physical Energy by
George Frederic Watts, the others being in
London's Kensington Gardens and in front of the
Zimbabwe National Archive in
Harare. The memorial is part of the
Table Mountain National Park which is a great spot for picnicking.
South African Parliament, ☎ (
021) 403
2266, 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.
Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A; Waterfront, ☎ +27 (0)21 418-3823 (aquarium@aquarium.co.za), Open 9:30AM to 6PM. You can come and watch the sharks be fed every Sunday at 3:00 PM. There is an extensive series of events calender for each month.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, ☎ +27 (0)21 408-7600, A huge shopping and entertainment area at the slopes of Table Mountain, next to the harbour.
- published: 04 Apr 2016
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