Cape Town, often referred to as the "Mother City" offers visitors a unique cultural heritage and easy going atmosphere. Forming part of the city of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, the city is famous for its harbor – the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point, Cape Town is also Africa's most popular tourist destination.

Visitors to Cape Town have a huge selection of spectacular, world class beaches to choose from. The shape of the Cape coastline and backdrop of the scenic mountains means that there is always a sheltered beach to enjoy. Choose your swimming conditions, form the warm Indian Ocean and cooler Atlantic Ocean

Cape Town has been voted the world's top tourist destination on many occasions, not surprising when one has at your disposal its six distinct regions: Cape Town Peninsula, Winelands, West Coast, Overberg, Garden Route, Karoo and Central Karoo. Each of these areas offering indescribable beauty, a variety of experiences and value for money with its diverse range of attractions, sights and activities, from lavish and luxurious to back packing on a budget. Since the peninsula spreads out over a vast area, (the distance from Simon's Town in the south, to Bloubergstrand in the north is close to 100 km), a car is probably essential for getting to the less accessible areas.

At first sight Cape Town seems to be quite small and neatly arranged. The reason for this is because of the massive "Table Mountain" that surrounds the town centre. The terrain between mountain and harbor is called the City Bowl. Here you can visit some of the oldest parts of Cape Town like Oranjezicht, Tamboerskloof, Gardens and the Bo Kaap
The City Bowl is packed with shops and offices. However there are a number of tourist attractions, for instance, the Castle of Good Hope, City Hall, Company's Garden, the Parliament buildings and many museums. All these attractions can be reached on foot.

Once one leaves the city, travel by car is recommended. Cape Town is an ideal self drive destination. The City of Cape Town has invested heavily in an integrated ITS strategy for the City of Cape Town, this system is currently in progress. The aim is to develop and implement systems that will improve services to travelers in the City of Cape Town and its outlying areas.
On both sides of the N1 freeway to Paarl lie the Northern Suburbs. Bellville, Parow and Durbanville, these are the residential areas of Cape Town. There is also no shortage of beaches with Milnerton, Tableview and Bloubergstrand all having stunning white beaches and breathtaking views of Table Mountain.

The Southern Suburbs east of Table Mountain are very popular with visitors, including Rondebosch, Claremont, Observatory, Mowbray, Newlands, Wynberg, Kenilworth, Bergvliet, Tokai, Conatantia and others

At the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula lies Hout Bay, Noordhoek and Kommetjie. At the Indian Ocean side lies Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg, all with good beaches.

Further suburbs can be found all around False Bay. Somerset-West, Strand and Gordon's Bay. They offer beautiful beaches, but they are far from the centre of town.

Places to visit in Cape Town:
Hire a car and explore Cape Town at your own pace. Cape Town is generally easy to navigate - roads are well laid out and when in doubt, look for the mountain to orientate yourself. Areas of interest and tourist attractions are well sign-posted and most information brochures include maps that highlight attractions.

The Planetarium in Cape Town.
Iziko's popular "theatre of stars" is one of only two planetaria in South Africa and amongst only a handful in Africa. Changing shows offer excellent "edutainment" to viewers of all ages, be they kids, teens or seniors. Fasten your seatbelts for a journey into another world - at the speed of light! The Planetarium is a celestial theatre in the round, utilising the complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the wonders of the universe.

Boulders Beach.
Spend a restful day at Boulders Beach. The water is warm (Indian Ocean), white sandy beach and penguins as beach mates!

Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Point Nature Reserve
The Cape Point or Cape of Good Hope, situated at the south-western tip of Africa, is a place well known for treacherous seas, troubling many a ship as they passed from Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean or visa-versa. Table Mountain National Park overseas this beautifully scenic area which is home to an entire floral kingdom and many populations of animals.

Green Market square:
In Cape Town city centre there is one of Cape Town's oldest and most popular markets known as Green Market Square. The cobbled stone square has a wide variety of African curios, clothing, candles and speciality stands.

Table Mountain Cableway:
There is something very special about Table Mountain; it leaves a majestic and powerful impression on all that have visited the amazing City of Cape Town.
From the top of the mountain you are treated to panoramic views of Cape Town and Table Bay. The mountain adds so much character to the City of Cape Town and its no wonder that it is such a famous landmark. Weather permitting, the modern cable car which revolves as it climbs offers you the chance to reach the summit within 6 minutes.
Once there you are treated to a view that you will never forget. Facilities on top of the mountain include: a souvenir shop restaurant, cocktail bar and summit room.

Robben Island:
For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometres from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. The Robben Island Museum Tours Department includes some ex-political prisoners who act as tour guides on Cape Town's World Heritage Site. The three and a half hour tour includes a return trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45 minute bus tour with a guide providing commentary

Places to visit in Cape Town:
Hire a car and explore Cape Town at your own pace. Cape Town is generally easy to navigate - roads are well laid out and when in doubt, look for the mountain to orientate yourself. Areas of interest and tourist attractions are well sign-posted and most information brochures include maps that highlight attractions.

The Planetarium in Cape Town.
Iziko's popular "theatre of stars" is one of only two planetaria in South Africa and amongst only a handful in Africa. Changing shows offer excellent "edutainment" to viewers of all ages, be they kids, teens or seniors. Fasten your seatbelts for a journey into another world - at the speed of light! The Planetarium is a celestial theatre in the round, utilising the complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the wonders of the universe.

Boulders Beach.
Spend a restful day at Boulders Beach. The water is warm (Indian Ocean), white sandy beach and penguins as beach mates!

Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Point Nature Reserve
The Cape Point or Cape of Good Hope, situated at the south-western tip of Africa, is a place well known for treacherous seas, troubling many a ship as they passed from Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean or visa-versa. Table Mountain National Park overseas this beautifully scenic area which is home to an entire floral kingdom and many populations of animals.

Green Market square:
In Cape Town city centre there is one of Cape Town's oldest and most popular markets known as Green Market Square. The cobbled stone square has a wide variety of African curios, clothing, candles and speciality stands.

Table Mountain Cableway:
There is something very special about Table Mountain; it leaves a majestic and powerful impression on all that have visited the amazing City of Cape Town.
From the top of the mountain you are treated to panoramic views of Cape Town and Table Bay. The mountain adds so much character to the City of Cape Town and its no wonder that it is such a famous landmark. Weather permitting, the modern cable car which revolves as it climbs offers you the chance to reach the summit within 6 minutes.
Once there you are treated to a view that you will never forget. Facilities on top of the mountain include: a souvenir shop restaurant, cocktail bar and summit room.

Robben Island:
For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometres from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society. The Robben Island Museum Tours Department includes some ex-political prisoners who act as tour guides on Cape Town's World Heritage Site. The three and a half hour tour includes a return trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45 minute bus tour with a guide providing commentary