Local rituals and the classics
WHEN IN ROME…
- Amble along the Sea Point promenade in the evenings
- Go for ice cream at Fish Hoek beach
- Set your watch to the noon day gun, which is fired at midday every day (except Sundays)
- Catch a bite to eat and a movie at the Labia Theatre on Orange Street
- Walk on Noordhoek beach
- Buy fresh fish from Kalk Bay harbour
- Stock up on cheese, wine, tapenades and organic goods at the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock on a Saturday morning.
- Buy a granadilla lolly from the vendors on Clifton beach
- Walk the dogs in Cecelia Forest
- Go to cricket at Sahara Park Newlands
- Meet friends for coffee on Kloof Street
- Head to Kirstenbosch on a Sunday for the Summer Sunset Concerts
- Buy flowers from the Adderley Street flower sellers
SIGHTSEEING CLASSICS
Sleepover at the Aquarium
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront. 021 418 3823
Pack your sleeping bag and picnic basket, and stay overnight at the Aquarium with all the creatures of the deep. The adventure includes breakfast and freshly brewed coffee. You’ll need to become a ‘Soulmate’ to do this, which involves filling in a membership form and paying a yearly fee of R140 (adults), R65 (children if the adult has membership), free for children under four. First come, first served and be sure to call to see when they’re on.
Visit the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Rhodes Drive, Newlands. 021 799 8800
www.sanbi.org
Cape Town’s famous botanical garden will give you the full glory of our floral kingdom in early summer. At this time of year the succulent vygies (lampranthus) are an impressive icy pink and bright orange, the Cape Chestnut (Calodendron capenses) and the pom-pom trees (Dias cotinifolia) are both covered in brilliant pink flowers. For a two-hour Kirstenbosch Medicine Walk with a traditional healer, call African Soul Tours, 082 3967806, info@africansoultours.co.za, www.africansoultours.co.za. Opening times 8 am to 7 pm.
Hike up Lion’s Head
Start and end Signal Hill Road, at the Base of Forestry Road
Duration Two hours
Terrain Gravel road, rocky single track, steep section with chains and ladders
Difficulty Most of the walk is steep but easy-going. You need to use chains to climb up the last section, or you can avoid these by taking a slightly longer route around. The last incline is vey steep. Take lots of water.
Catch the train to Simon’s Town
0800 65 64 63, www.capemetrorail.co.za
Trains leave Cape Town Station on the hour, but those with a restaurant carriage leave from Tuesday to Friday at 8:40 am, noon and 3:06 pm, on Saturday at 8:47 am, 12:05 pm and 3:36 pm and on Sunday at 8:30 am and 11:25 pm. Return ticket R24. Not always a safe option but if you’re feeling adventurous, make sure to take the first-class carriage and avoid travelling in the late afternoon.
Learn about South Africa’s past on Robben Island
A ferry departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway, Clock Tower Precinct V&A Waterfront
021 419 1300
This three-and-a-half hour tour includes a boat trip across Table Bay, a visit to the maximum security prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner, a 45-minute bus tour with guided commentary and an opportunity to explore the island. Departure times: 9 am, 10 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm.
Go on a township tour
Head out into the township areas around Cape Town – Khayelitsha, Langa and Gugulethu – where people live on the bare necessities, and see another side to the city. Several tour operators head for different townships in and around Cape Town:
Zibonele Tours. 021 511 4263, www.ziboneletours.com
Nomvuyo’s Tours. 021 465 4585, www.nomvuyos-tours.co.za
Sea More-Express Tours. 021 554 3321, www.seamore-express.com
Explore the city
BY FOOT
Wanderlust
021 487 6800, www.wanderlust.co.za. R100 (three hours)
Guided tours leave Monday to Friday at 11 am, Saturday at 10 am from in front of the Cape Town Tourism Office, cnr Castel and Burg Streets.
Footsteps to Freedom Walking Trail
021 465 2032 or 083 452 1112 (Garth), www.footstepstofreedom.co.za
Retrace 350 years of dramatic history by walking South Africa’s most historically intense square mile. Guides will recount the history of sites such as the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, the Slave Lodge, Parliament Buildings and District Six Museum. Departs daily at 10:30 am, Monday to Saturday, weather permitting.
Walk the ancient storm water tunnels that run beneath the city
021 462 0992
BY BUS
021 511 6000, www.citysightseeing.co.za
Perfect for those who want to see as much as possible in a short space of time. Tours work on a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ basis and the two circuits include 26 stops. Choose the Red Route City Tour with a stop on Table Mountain or the Blue Route Mini Peninsula Tour with a stop at Kirstenbosch. Tours operate daily from 9:30 am. Central stops include the Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront and Cape Town Tourism in Burg Street.
Discover South African history, culture and art
www.iziko.org.za
Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Road, Gardens. 021 481 3800
South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Gardens. 021 467 4660
Take a drive to Cape Point
Opening times 7:30 am to 6 pm. 021 780 9010
www.capepoint.co.za. Admission fee R45
Take the cable car up Table Mountain
www.tablemountain.net
Experience a 360 degree view of the Mother City and catch the sunset as it stretches across our beaches from Camps Bay to Table View. First car departs at 8:30 am, and the last car goes up at 6 pm (Oct) 7 pm (Nov), and comes down at 7 pm (Oct) 8 pm (Nov). Adult return ticket R130, Children under 18 return ticket R68, Students’ return ticket R88 (with valid student card).
Go souvenir shopping at Greenmarket Square and surrounds
The square has just become more pedestrian friendly as vehicle access is now restricted. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. Cnr Shortmarket and Burg Streets. Cape Town Tourism. 021 426 4260
Visit Rhodes Memorial
M3 freeway, Newlands. 021 686 4441
Built in memory of the former prime minister of the Cape Colony, Cecil John Rhodes, this is a good spot for taking in the panoramic views of Table Bay, False Bay, and the Hottentots Holland mountains. The tea room in an old stone cottage serves good nosh for breakfast and lunch, and you can work off the scones with a walk up to the Block House or into the forest.
Hire a fancy car and take a drive
Call 021 791 8222 for road and weather conditions (toll tariff R23 one way). For car hire contact Motor Classic, 021 461 7368.