Diveshops in Cape Town: Dive Action Pro Divers The Dive Exchange The Sundiver Untertauchen

Cape Town Understand Cape Town is also known as the Mother City in South Africa. The Cape Town metropolitan area covers a large area, from Durbanville and Somerset West in the east to Cape Point in the south and Atlantis in the north. The city center itself is located in a relatively small area between Table Mountain and Table Bay. History For thousands of years Cape Town was inhabited by the Khoi. Cape Town's European history began in 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck established a trading post there on behalf of the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company). The first European settlers were mainly Dutch and German, with some French Huguenots that had to flee from their home country. The first settlers soon explored the inland and founded the cities of Stellenbosch and Paarl in today's Cape Winelands. The Voortrekkers (Pioneers of European descent) started from here to explore and settle the rest of South Africa's inland. Today Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is a world-class cosmopolitan city with numerous sites of historical significance, and a lively nightlife, as well as a big gay community. Climate The summer is long and lasts from November right through to March or April. Days are usually very hot, but the humidity is low, so it is not uncomfortable. You should stay inside or in the shade during the midday heat and use sufficient sunblock. You will fight for space on the beach around New Year's with all the local tourists but it is still a great time to visit as lots is happening. The winter months of June and July are a bit rainy, which does not mean rain every day. Often you will have one or two days of rain and a week of total sunshine, but it can rain for two weeks straight on occasion. It can also get very cold at night, with temperatures as low as 6 or 7C (this is the temperature of the ocean so it will not get colder unless you go far inland) but 10-12C normal. It will become warmer during the day, with temperatures between 14-20C typical. Sunrises and sunsets are best in the winter, as is the seafood! Best times to visit are: *October and November: The weather is getting good. Spring is in the air, but it is not as hot as mid-Summer yet. These months can be windy months. The South-Easter is known as the Cape Doctor as it blows away a great deal of pollution! * December to March: These are the prime summer months, of long hot days. The sun sets late in the evening (it stays light up until about 8:30PM in December) and there is generally a lot going on. February is the most reliable month for weather, with week after week of hot days and very little wind. *April and May: This can change from year to year, but generally speaking although it starts raining, it is still warm. There are much fewer visitors around, and you can get excellent deals on accommodation, food... more travelguide information

	The Bay Hotel	Score 8.25 from 2 reviews
	69 Victoria Road
	The hotel has superb facilities, including 4 outdoor swimming pools, a hairdresser, a tourism and business centre and a skin and body centre offering a range of relaxing and therapeutic spa treatments and pampering. All guests receive complimentary access to the adjacent tennis courts, squash courts and bowling green, as well as to a nearby gym. There are 2 rooms available for disabled guests. ... more
	CampsBayGlen	Score 0 from 0 reviews
	40 Rottingdean Road
	By car: - Arriving at Cape Town Airport, follow the N2 (Settlers Way) in the direction of Cape Town. - After approximately 10 km, take the right Eastern Boulevard (N2/Cape Town/Waterfront) atop Devil’s Peak. - Follow the N2 signs (Eastern Boulevard joins the N1 at the Foreshore). - The harbour should now be on your right-hand side, with Cape Town city centre/Table Mountain to your left. - Continue on the 2nd lane (M6 Sea Point/Waterfront) as the bridge curves to the left. - Continue straight ahead and over the island neck. - At the top of Kloof Neck, continue into Camps Bay. - Continue down Camps Bay Drive and when you see the little supermarket, turn left onto Rottingdean Road. - Continue straight ahead, through the little hairpin bend, until you see a cluster of trees. - Look out for the blue garage door. ... more
	Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Residence	Score 0 from 0 reviews
	47 Main Road
	With ample living and entertainment areas in all suites, a choice of three restaurants, state-of-the-art executive meeting rooms, a spa and wellness Centre as well as a roof deck pool and bar, the Cape Royale is set to become a landmark hotel. Pay a visit to the wellness centre, presenting you with a choice of treatments utilizing all spa facilities. Personalized service and discretion are ensured. ... more
	Waterfront Village	Score 7.825 from 17 reviews
	West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront
	Guests can enjoy access to 2 outdoor swimming pools. The Village is very secure, with undercover parking, 24-hour security, full CCTV coverage and a controlled access and entry point. ... more
	The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays	Score 7.8 from 5 reviews
	Convention Square, Lower Long Street
	This hotel is conveniently located at the entrance to the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Such an ideal position is within easy walking distance of Cape Town’s endless attractions, including a wide selection of nightlife spots, monuments, museums, shopping centres and the central business district, as well as the direct links to all the tourist highlights in and around this vibrant city. ... more
			More hotels in Cape Town

The first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Cape Town is perhaps Table Mountain. This remarkable lump of rock right in the middle of town is hard to miss. There are several myths connected with Table Mountain. For example, legend tells of an old pirate, Jan van Hunks, who after ritiring spent most of his time smoking his pipe outside his house on Devil's peak. One night a mysterious stranger came up to him and asked for some tobacco. After bragging a bit about their pipe smoking talents, they started a smoking contest thet lasted for four days. Van Hunks eventually beat the stranger. Unfortunately, that stranger turned out to be the devil, and they both dissapeared in a puff of smoke. The thick layer of smoke left over from their contest still covers Table Mountain on a regular basis and is called the Table Cloth.

The best way to get a great view over Cape Town and its surroundings is to climb Table Mountain. There is an easy way and a harder way to do this.

The easy way is to take the cable lift up. It's relatively fast, and sweat free.

If you want a phisical challange as well as a good view, you can take one of the hiking tracks up the mountain. They can be found in several places, one of them right behind the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It's a pretty steep climb, but the path is very clear, and you won't easily get lost. Because it's so steep you will have a beautifull view of the city and the sea for most of the way up. Depending on how fit you are, it's a 1-2 hour climb.

On top of Table Mountain, you can enjoy a cold drink from the bar, look at the 'klipdassies' (hyraxes, small rodents) and take in the view.

7 hours

The streets, squares, monuments and memorials of historic Cape Town provide the setting for the first part of your tour. Here, on the Footsteps to Freedom City Walk ©, look back in time at how Africa, Asia and Europe conspired to create cosmopolitan Cape Town. Absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. This leisurely stroll incorporates most of the significant historic attractions in central Cape Town such as Greenmarket Square, the Grand Parade, Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, District Six Museum, Slave Lodge, Parliament, Company's Garden and St George's Anglican Cathedral. (Tour enters the District Six Museum and St George's Anglican Cathedral). After a break for a light lunch at one of the sidewalk cafes (not included), set off for the township of Langa. Here you can look forward in time as you walk and talk with Xhosas of the Cape. Hear about their rites and rituals, culture and traditions, challenges and dreams. See their children, homes, churches, feel and smell township life. This tour is not about rushing around the Cape Flats ticking township names off a list. Rather, to pause, engage and interact. Your journey is about connecting and reflecting, and most importantly it is about people. The Footsteps Township Combination © tour starts at the official Cape Town Tourism Office. This is within easy walking distance of Foreshore hotels (10 minutes) and the V and A Waterfront (20 minutes). Undercover parking is available at the nearby Picbel Parkade in Strand Street. Tours depart in all weather conditions - fair and foul, please dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes. Click here for more information and Booking Details

Kirstenbosch is a must-see for every plant-enthusiastic. It specializes on the indigenous flora of the Cape area. The Gardes consist of a large estate covered in the typical fynbos, a mixture of smaller shrubs and flowering plants, and a cultivated area, with theme gardens. These include:

A water-wise garden, that demonstrates how to create a garden in need of far less water and maintenance than conventional gardens, no luxury during the dry African summer. A fragrance garden, with a selection of specially fragrant plants, and plants with special textures. A medicinal garden, demonstrating the medicinal qualities of the plants of South Africa. A protea garden, displaying many varieties of South Africa's national bush. This part of the Garden is most magnificent in winter and spring, when the proteas, conebushes and serrurias are in flower.

In the conservatory you can find plants that cannot be grown outdoors in the Cape area. Plants that require dry desert air, cold mountain air, or a damp and shady atmosphere are grown here. The main attraction is a medium sized baobab tree (well, medium sized for a baobab).

The Kirstenbosch Gardens are open every day of the year. Special tours can be taken, theme walks, and guided tours.

entrance fee

R15 for adults and R5 for scholars.

Botanical Society members have free entry and senior citizens have free entry on Tuesdays.