Travel Tips | Cape Town (Eng.)

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