Area Information Directory Page 1 of 3 Cape Town ( in Cape Town)
Cape Town's city centre lies cradled in a vast blue-grey amphitheatre formed by Table Mountain. Lion's Head and Devil's Peak. Visible 200km out to sea, this magestic bowl of mountains has for centuries lifted the spirits of weary seafarers who sailed into the 'Tavern o ... .... read more
Constantia ( in Constantia)
The luscious sweet wines of Constantia were famous throughout the world during the 18th century. This tradition of excellence has been revived in recent years in the Constantia wine region, which lies on the cool, breezy slopes of Constantia Mountain.Oak-shaded Groot Constantia, gran ... .... read more
Castle of Good Hope ( in Cape Town)
The sound of guns fired in anger has never echoed across the 12m high stone ramparts of Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope, the oldest European structure in South Africa. Intended as a defence against possible attack, but never used, the moated castle was built near the shore, now the Gran ... .... read more
Kirstenbosch ( in Cape Town)
One of the world's great botanical institutions, Kirstenbosch, lies in the long shadows of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, its 560 ha filled with over 9000 species of trees and plants. Kirstenbosch is an important centre for the study and propagation of South Africa's indigeno ... .... read more
The Waterfront ( in Cape Town)
Since the extensive redevelopment of Cape Town's historic waterfront in the early 1900s, the old harbour has been transformed from a forlorn dockland into the city's most vibrant attraction.The development is centred on the old Alfred and Victoria basins, which were completed in 18 ... .... read more
Cape Town Street Markets ( in Cape Town)
The oldest of all Cape Town's street markets takes place on the Grand Parade, which was used as a military parade ground during the 18th and 19th centuries. Once, penguin's eggs and carriages were sold here, now it is a noisy bazaar selling fabrics, flowers, knick knacks, books, foo ... .... read more
Table Mountain ( in Cape Town)
Arguably the best known mountain in the southern hemisphere, Table Mountain is always an unforgettable sight, especially in summer when a south easterly gale spills clouds and fog over the rim of this huge grey massif to create the famous 'tablecloth'.Isolated from the Cape folded ... .... read more
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve ( in Cape Town)
Covering 7700ha of barren coastal shrubland and incorporating some 40km of coastline, the reserve is regarded as a botanical treasure house, its decomposed sandstone soils supporting over 2200 species of plant.Many species of bird and small animal make their home in the reserve. Of p ... .... read more
Cape Peninsula ( in )
Curving away from the African continent like an eroded sickle, the Cape Peninsula has always presented a fearsome challenge to navigateors rounding the tip of Africa. The Cape of Good Hope, also known as the 'Cape of Storms' is where two great ocean currents, the Benguela and the Mozam ... .... read more
Hout Bay ( in Hout Bay)
Woodcutters once toiled on the forested slopes above Hout Bay ('wood bay'). Lying in the shadows of the Karbonkelberg, Chapman's Peak and Noordhoek mountain, this lush valley is now a prime residential area.Bustling Hout Bay harbour is the headquarters of an export crayfi ... .... read more
Chapmans Peak Drive ( in Cape Town)
Among the most spellbinding marine scenic routes in the world, Chapman's Peak Drive is carved from solid rock, closely hugging the 592m slopes of Chapman's Peak as it winds above the boulder-strewn coastline and cliffs that fall sheer to the sea. Panoramic views of Hout Bay, the Sentin ... .... read more
Chapmans Bay ( in Cape Town)
An 8km swathe of pure white sand is a distinctive feature of this bay, which was named after a sailor, John Chapman, who was sent ashore on a reconnaissance mission in nearby Hout Bay in 1607.The tranquil Noordhoek valley is a farming settlement, while Chapman's Beach, also known as No ... .... read more
Kommetjie General ( in Cape Town)
This coastal village has one of the biggest tidal pools in the Cape and is very popular among surfers. The name Kommetjie 'little bowl' is derived from the basin shaped inlet on which the village is sited. South of Kommetjie the road closely follows the coastline, passing the hol ... .... read more
False Bay ( in )
Lying int he protective inner curve of the Peninsula, and extending as far as the Hottentots Holland Mountains, False Bay earned its name from the fact that early ships sailing in from the East often mistook Cape Hangklip for the Cape of Good Hope.This sheltered bay, with its warm clear wa ... .... read more
Simons Town ( in Simons Town)
Simon's Town's long and proud naval tradition is evident wherever you go in this seaside port with its steep cobbled streets, Victorian buildings and distinct nautical atmosphere. Founded in 1671, Simon's Town has been used for winter anchorage since 1741, in 1814 the port becam ... .... read more
Fish Hoek ( in Fish Hoek)
For years this residential seaside town derived its fame fromt he fact that it was the only 'teetotal' town in South Africa.The sale of liquor was prohibited by ord Charles Somerset in 1818, apparently in an attempt to prevent wagon drivers who were delivering provisions to Simon&# ... .... read more
Kalk Bay ( in )
Kalk Bay's small harbour is the scene of frenzied activity during winter, when the many independent fishermen who moor their boats here bring in and auction huge catches of snoek.Kalk Bay, 'lime bay', takes its name from the lime that was once produced here by burning shells in ... .... read more
St James ( in St James)
This charming cove, with its deep tidal pool and multi-coloured bathing huts, is well protected from summer's south easterly winds.* Rhodes Cottage, outside the village on the road to Muizenberg, is an unpretentious thatched seaside home where Cecil John Rhodes died in 1902. Toda ... .... read more
Muizenberg ( in Muizenberg)
Muizenberg boasts one of the finest bathing and surfing beaches in the Cape, as well as a modern pavilion and many charming Victorian adn Edwardian villas.The town is said to have been named after Wynand Willem Muijs, who commanded a small outpost here in 1743.Muizenberg was once th ... .... read more
Somerset West ( in )
The quiet flower-filled residential town of Somerset West lies among vineyards, orchards and farmlands at the foot of Helderberg Mountain, some 40km from Cape Town.Founded in 1822, the town was originally named Somerset for Lord Charles Somerset. 'West' was added later to different ... .... read more
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