TRAVEL TIPS
CAPE TOWN
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Cape Town, the legislative capital of South
In October and November, the weather is
Africa, is a sophisticated city and the gateway
getting warmer in Cape Town. Spring is in the
to the majestic continent of Africa. It’s a place
air, but it is not as hot as mid-summer yet.
where old and new converge.
These months can be windy months.
Warmed by the African sun, the city lies at the
December to March are the prime summer
foot of the TableMountain on Africa’s south-
months of long hot days. The sun sets late in
western coast, where the Indian Ocean and the
the evening (it stays light up until about 8:30
Atlantic Ocean converge.
p.m. in December) and there is generally a lot going on. You will fight for space on the beach
Immense natural beauty and the fast pace
around New Year’s with all the local tourists,
and bright lights of a great urban centre meld
but it is still a great time to visit as there are a
effortlessly here. Firmly positioned on the
lot of things happening in the city.
international map, Cape Town offers a great variety of things to do and places to see,
February is the most reliable month for
whatever your tastes, inclinations or budget.
weather, with week after week of hot days.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPE TOWN
The months of April and May can change from
rain for two weeks straight on occasion. It can
year to year, but generally speaking it is still
also get very cold at night in the winter, with
warm. There are far fewer visitors around at
temperatures as low as 6-7° C (42 - 45° F). It
this time of year, and you can get excellent
gets warmer during the day, with temperatures
deals on accommodation, food and most
reaching between 14 and 20° C (57 and 68° F).
tourism services. The summer months in Cape Town are from December to March. Days are usually very
TRANSPORT
hot, but the humidity is low, so it is not uncomfortable. During these months, it’s advisable to stay inside or in the shade during the midday heat. The winter months of June and July tend to be
Cape Town’s public transport is not really extensive and is somewhat expensive. Cape Town is, nevertheless, equipped with some trains and buses.
rather wet, which does not mean rain every
Cape Metrorail runs the suburban network
day. Often there will be one or two days of
of trains, consisting of five routes, which
rain and a week of total sunshine, but it can
serve four different parts of the city. The
Cape Town-Simon’s Town route, which hugs the coastline, just metres from the ocean, is particularly spectacular. Public buses run regular and safe services to most destinations. Bus fares are based on the distance travelled and prices vary accordingly. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding or from the main terminal. Clipcards or passes are also available at the Grand Parade terminal. Hiring a scooter or renting a bicycle are also options and can be a fun and cheap way to get around the city.
ATTRACTIONS Almost everything is possible in Cape Town, from a guided city tour through an adrenaline kick in an old fighter jet. The easiest way to get an overview on things to do, restaurants, clubs, tours etc., is to drop into the visitors centres
tourist attractions. Take a cable car to the
which you will find in almost every area (V&A
top. Always take something warm to wear
Waterfront, City Bowl, and Green Point).
when going up the mountain, even if it is 30°C (86°F) at the bottom of the mountain. Weather
V&A Waterfront is situated between Robben
conditions at the top of the mountain are not
Island and Table Mountain, in the heart of Cape
the same as at the bottom.
Town’s working harbour. It has become South Africa’s most visited destination. Set against
Platteklip George — If you’re feeling fit, try
a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain
climbing the simplest and most common route
views, exciting shopping and entertainment
up the mountain. It’s a steep 2 hours but well
venues are intermingled with imaginative
worth the effort and you can take the cable car
office locations, world-class hotels and luxury
back down. This is well worth it just for the views
apartments in the residential marina.
over the city, Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island.
Table Mountain, Cape Town’s defining
Cape Peninsula — Go to the Cape of Good
landmark, is also one of the city’s greatest
Hope via Simon’s Town and the African
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPE TOWN
penguin colony at Boulders. Visit Cape Point
Kom near Kommetjie or Misty Cliffs on the
in the Table Mountain National Park. Then
coast road near Scarborough. You could head
take Chapman’s Peak Drive throughHout Bay
up the west coast and sample Milnerton, Table
and along the trendy Atlantic seaboard via
View or Big Bay, although Big Bay is often
Llandudno andCamps Bay, stopping off at one
crowded with people kite surfing due to the
of Clifton’s famous four beaches.
windy conditions.
Swimming — Beaches on the warmer False Bay side of the peninsula are the most popular with swimmers for obvious picture perfect reasons. St James has the most picturesque
WHERE TO STAY
tidal pool on the stretch betweenMuizenberg and Kalk Bay, while Clovelly and Fish Hoek
Accommodation in Cape Town ranges from
beaches wrap around a sheltered bay with
hostels, of which there are many, to luxury
soft, white sands. Fishing boats, Hobie cats and
accommodation. The city’s growth into one
kayaks launch from here too.
of the world’s most popular destinations has given birth to a culture of hospitality and
Surfing — Cape Town is one of the best
service, ranging from Five Star favourites to
places to surf. Muizenberg is a good place for
smaller bed & breakfasts. Actually, there are so
beginners to learn. If you’re an experienced
many hotels, and B&Bs that it can be difficult
surfer, try the reef break at Kalk Bay, Outer
to decide where to stay.
Cape Town has also gained a glowing reputation for backpacker accommodation and services, offering dozens of comfortable,
DINING OUT
but affordable, self-catering or fully-catered youth hostels.
Food in Cape Town is generally of high quality. The wines are much celebrated, but the
Consider staying in a hotel in one of the
surrounding region is also a major fruit producer,
suburbs. It is normally much quieter and there
and the Karoo lamb is widely regarded.
is less traffic than in Central Cape Town. The
Seafood caught locally is excellent, yet much
suburbs in the south, like Campus Bay or
of it is exported because of the prices that can
Simon’s Town or near the winelands may offer
be achieved. Ask about the local line fish --
better quality accommodation for a lower price.
yellowtail, cape salmon, kingklip, kabeljou and others are great eating. Oysters in season are
There’s also the option of choosing the
also exceptional, farmed and wild from Knysna
convenience of renting “a place of your own”
or wild flown in from Namibia.
during your stay in Cape Town. The city’s many holiday accommodation specialists have a
As one of the main tourist spots is the V&A
comprehensive range of homes on their books,
Waterfront, you will find a broad range of
from family-sized houses to stylish city lofts
restaurants there, but they are often crowded
and modern, sea-facing apartments.
and expensive. Another highlight is the area around Long Street with its many cafés
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CAPE TOWN
and restaurants (frequented by a multiethnic clientele), while the trendy area of De Waterkant between Bo Kaap and Green Point above Somerset Road also boasts good food. Camps Bay has many hip eateries and nightspots overlooking the beach along Victoria Road. Hout Bay, on the west side of the Cape Peninsula, is very good for fresh crayfish while Kalk Bay, on the east side of the peninsula, offers a big variety of fresh fish. If you have a car, you should visit the Cape Winelands. In Stellenbosch, there are several restaurants, including the fun, afro-chic Moyo, and many wine estates offer food of different types and quality Stellenbosch has the added
souvenirs can be purchased during the week in
attraction of being an historical university town.
the several multi-story shops at the lower end of Long Street. For the real deal with authentic
The village of Franschhoek is the culinary navel
artefacts, go to Church Street where there are
of the wine region home to three of south
a couple of shops. When buying African Curio,
Africa’s top ten restaurants.
the price at open markets are almost always very negotiable and seldom does the item have
Most wineries charge for a tasting session, but
a price sticker attached. People with foreign
usually refund it on a purchase.
accents are often quoted twice to three times the price they sell to locals, so do negotiate.
SHOPPING SOUVENIRS AND CURIOS
WINE If you like south African wine, buy it in Cape Town where it’s cheaper than elsewhere and there is greater variety available than overseas.
The V&A Waterfront is the prime tourist
ARTS AND CRAFTS
destination for souvenirs, though these tend to
Arts and Crafts distinctively Capetonian in
be typically touristy. More authentic souvenirs
character are to be found everywhere, from
for better prices can be found every Sunday
chickens made of plastic bags to bead and
at theGreen Point market outside the Green
wire work to pottery, glass and embroidery.
Point Stadium, which is within walking distance
If you don’t buy a chicken from a Rastafarian
of the V & A Waterfront. Many of these same
at a street corner (the authentic experience --
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
27 21 107
COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE EMERGENCIES
POLICE
418 2852 FIRE STATION
535 1100 about 30 rand depending on the size), then try Heartworks (Kloof Street or in Gardens Centre mall) or the Red Shed at the V & A Waterfront. There is also a high-end craft boutique in the Cape Quarter in De Waterkant.
CONTEMPORARY SOUTH AFRICAN ART Contemporary South African Art has been riding a big wave in the international art world. It is on par with the best in the world and undervalued. If you like real art as opposed to curios, crafts or posters, and you have the budget for it, there are several serious galleries in town.
CURRENCY The Rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand (Whitewaters-ridge in English), the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa’s gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol R and is subdivided into 100 cents.
TOURIST INFORMATION
418 2852 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
086 727 7888