Cape Town is located on a peninsula at the Cape of Good Hope, near the foot of Mount Table Mountain. Its center (mansions of old Dutch architecture and pretentious buildings of the Victorian era in the old neighborhoods) is rather small and is clamped on the one hand by the "table mountain", on the other - Tablie Bay. Long Street Street is completely devoted to trendy bars, designer clothing stores, hostels, restaurants and shops
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Cape Town International Airport is the second largest in South Africa. From here, regular flights to Johannesburg, Durban and all major cities of South Africa, as well as to Namibia, Gaborone and Nairobi. In addition, there are planes of Lufthansa, British Airways, Delta Airlines, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian companies from Europe, America and Asia. In summer, from October to March, operators start additional charter flights from Europe to Cape Town.
From the airport to the city center, you can reach the PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) trains, which are divided into long-distance trains (Shosholoza Meyl) and local purpose (MetroRail). Shosholoza Meyl trains have three classes of service: economy (only seats), tourist (with beds) and first class. In addition, from the airport to the city center a tourist bus runs, making several stops along the way; the cost of travel 50 rents. Travel interval: every 30 minutes
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By train
Cape Town main railway station is in the city center, at the intersection of Adderley and Strand streets. Trains come from Johannesburg (daily, and on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun - twice a day), Durban (via Kimberley and Bloemfontein, on Mon and Wed), Port Elizabeth (via George and Oudtsworth on Fri, only first class ), East London (on all, only economy) and Queenstown (on Thurs, only economy).
On MetroRail trains
MetroRail has two classes of service - MetroPlus (also first class) and just Metro (also known as a "third class"). The best way to explore the neighborhood of Cape Town than on MetroRail, no. It connects such outskirts as Stellenbosch, Strand, Paarl, Somerset West, Malmesbury, Worcester, and the southern districts of Claremont, Wynberg and Retreat and the beaches of Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn and Simon's Town.
The most pleasant thing in MetroRail - this is the place on which its routes are laid. For example, the path from Muizenberg to Simon's Town runs along the ocean coast, where you can often see frolicking whales. In addition, the car-restaurant is attached to these trainings, which guarantees a pleasant trip 100%
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Cape Town climate
Clear +24 ° C in the afternoon + 19 ° C at night ° C water |
Clear + 28 ° C in the afternoon + 20 ° C at night ° C water |
Clear + 30 ° C in the afternoon + 20 ° C at night ° C water |
| Weather forecast in Cape Town for 10 days | ||
| Average monthly temperature, ° C | ||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sen | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| In the afternoon | + 26 | + 27 | + 25 | + 23 | + 20 | + 18 | + 18 | + 18 | + 19 | + 21 | + 24 | + 25 |
| н whose | + 16 | + 16 | + 14 | + 12 | + 9 | + 8 | + 7 | + 8 | + 9 | + 11 | + 13 | + 15 |
| water | + 18 | + 18 | + 17 | + 16 | + 16 | + 16 | + 15 | + 15 | + 16 | + 16 | + 17 | + 18 |
Summer months, from December to March-April - very hot and not very comfortable for tourist trips. And despite this, closer to the New Year crowds of tourists are literally ready to fight with each other for a place on the Cape Town beach.
The winter months, June and July, are considered a rainy season, although for Cape Town it is too loud. However, the rain here can go as one day a week, and all seven days on the spot. The nights at this time become quite cold, the temperature drops to +6 ... 8 ° С. The day keeps at around +18 ° C. In addition, sunsets and sunrises at this time are considered the most picturesque, and sea life is the most delicious.
Still, the best time to visit the country is October and November (spring), April and May (few people and good hotel prices) and from December to March (despite the heat). See also the current weather forecast in Cape Town for 10 days.
Transport
The main station of city buses is the Golden Acre Terminal (Grand Parade, the City Bowl district), from where buses run throughout the city, including the Atlantic coast, to Hout Bay. When traveling not far, the majority of local people enjoy taxis or private traders, tourists should also arrive. In addition, a taxi is the ideal mode of transport for those who travel by group. The parking can be found at Adderley St at the end of the Grand Pde, or by calling: Marine Taxi (021-434 0434), SA Cab (0861 172 222) or Unicab Taxis (021-447 4402).
Book popular Cape Town hotels at the best prices
| South Beach Camps Bay from 21,147 rubles Cape Town 6 Link Road | Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town from 19 878 rubles Cape Town Beach Road | One & Only Cape Town from 41 395 rubles Cape Town Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront |
| Protea Hotel President from 8 724 rub. Cape Town 4 Alexander Road | Victoria & Alfred Hotel from 19 561 rubles Cape Town V & A Waterfront Pierhead | Park Inn Cape Town Foreshore from 8 121 rubles Cape Town 29 Heerengracht Street, Foreshore |
| The Amalfi Hotel from 4 362 rubles Cape Town 90 Regent Road | Primi Oxford House from 6 609 rubles Cape Town 4 Wessels Road, Green Point | Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard from 7,904 rubles Cape Town Corner Melbourne and Coronation Road, Woodstock |
- Tours to Cape Town
Beach and surfing
Cape Town is one of the best places in the world for surfing. Beginners are better off to go to the place Muizenberg, in Gary they offer lessons at an affordable price (the instructor is looking in the surf-shop on the beach). It is worth to visit and in the False Bay area, however, on the assurances of the local there are sharks.
Experienced surfers should try the reefs from Kalk Bay, Outer Kom next to Kommetjie or Misty Cliffs next to Scarborough. You can swim on the western shore of Milnerton, Table View or at Big Bay, there are often kite surfers, when the weather allows. Serious waves can be experienced on Dungeons, next to Hout Bay.
Kite surfing is the second most popular sport in the city. Literate wind, good waves, a lot of instructors and equipment rental - in a word everything that the beginner and the pros may need is here. One of the most popular places for a kite is Dolphin Beach in Blouberg Strand, Muizenberg and Langebaan Lagoon.
| Cape Town Beach |
| Victoria and Alfred Waterfront |
| "Table Mountain" |
Shopping and shopping
V & A Waterfront - the best place for shopping and buying souvenirs (though expensive and not original). More authentic handicrafts and knick-knacks can be found on Sundays at the open market Green Point Stadium, near the V & A Waterfront (bargaining is appropriate). Some items from there are sold throughout the week at the bottom of Long Street. To find absolutely-absolutely authentic things, go to Church Street, but get ready for a certain shock.
Modern South African art is now on the wave of popularity, it is considered one of the best in the world (but at the same time the most undervalued). If you like modern art and have money, you can taste it in one of the galleries of the city. For example, in Michael Stevenson Gallery, then at Joao Ferreira Gallery, AVA Gallery or Bell-Roberts Gallery.
- Stand at the extreme southern point of Africa - Cape of Good Hope.
- Climb the Table Mountain and view the vast expanses.
- Take a couple of lessons of surfing on the most popular surfer beach in South Africa.
- Try fragrant wines from the Cape region, famous throughout Africa.
- To embark on a journey through the picturesque Gardens Road and get to Port Elizabeth through many cozy villages on the way.
Kitchen and restaurants
The basis of the "high cuisine" of Cape Town is fish and seafood, abundantly taken from local waters .Among the delicacies - Cape Town salmon, tuna and yellowtail, in season you can try wild and artificially grown oysters (the price for them varies) and lobsters .Ask the waiters who are fresh and delicious today .Separate pleasure for gourmets - oysters, but they must be eaten at a certain time of year .The meal should certainly be supplemented with local wine: the alcoholic products of the Cape Town region are known far beyond South Africa, as well as fruits and lamb Karoo .
In the city there are two "restaurant" zones: the coastal promenade and the street Long Street. The first is more pompous, the second is quite democratic, with a mass of inexpensive ethnic cafes. In the port of V & A Waterfront you can always find a lot of restaurants, sometimes crowded and expensive, but worthy. There are also many catering establishments along Long Street, in the fashionable De Waterkant quarter (between Bo Kaap and Green Point) and near Somerset Road. Dine with supermodels and other famous people can be in the area of Camps Bay, where there are many cafes and entertainment (along Victoria Road).
Hout Bay on the western side of the Cape Peninsula is a gourmet place. Fresh lobsters are very good here, the cost is about 300 rand. Kalk Bay in the east of the peninsula offers excellent fish whores. Do not neglect the wine districts - Cape Winelands, especially if you have a car. The village of Franschhoek is another center of the wine region, along with the "Quartier Francais". Constantia Valley has several great restaurants - Pastis Brasserie, Wasabi, The River Cafe, La Colombe and Constantia Uitsig Restaurant.
Entertainment, sightseeing and sightseeing in Cape Town
The sights of Cape Town include the oldest building in South Africa - the Fortress of Good Hope (now it exhibits a collection of antiques and paintings), the Parliament building and the Cathedral of St. .George in the old Companise Garden park, Pink Palm-Tree and Nurem-Namde mosques, Turkish baths, the longest shopping street of the continent Furtrekker Road, one of the world's best botanical gardens Kirstenbosch, the commercial center of City Bowl, filled with artists and artisans of avenues George, the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, the mansions of old Dutch architecture and the lush Victorian buildings in the old neighborhoods .
Also of interest are the South African Cultural History Museum, the Cape Town Art Gallery, the Museum of the Bo Kaap Quarter, the National Reserve on the summit of Table Mountain and the Roben Island prison, where the future president of the country Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
Garden Route ("Road of Gardens") begins 300 km east of Cape Town and stretches almost 350 km to Port Elizabeth. This is one of the most beautiful in the world of sightseeing routes, which includes a lot of interesting provincial towns and nature reserves, tropical forests and sandy beaches of the warm Indian Ocean.
Special attention should be paid to the routes to Cape Agulhas, the Hermanus resort with its whale festivals, the island of Dulcure seals, the huge bird colony in Hout Bay, and the Boland vineyard area with its famous Stellenbosch, Parle, Franschhoek and Constant wineries. @
In addition, from Cape Town you can go to the world capital of Oststvorn ostriches, visit the stalactite caves of Cango-Geews, the Maritime Museum in Mossel Bay, the Museum of Shells and the Caves of the Sun People .Another - to go on a tour of the lagoon of Naizna (visiting an oyster farm, cruising along the lagoon, trekking through the Phaedobed reserve, visiting the elephant park and traveling by the Chu Chu-Tran excursion train), visiting the Tsitsikamma-Forest reserve (rafting and jumping with the world's tallest 216-meter tartar) or the Cape Peninsula .The last trip includes a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, the famous colony of penguins Boulders Beach, an ostrich farm and an old Dutch fort .
Immersed in the diversity of Cape Town's attractions, do not forget about the entertainment that this city is ready to offer: water sports on the coast, golf, biking and hiking. You can visit the aquarium "Two Oceans" (Two Oceans Aquarium) or stroll along the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront promenade with colorful restaurants, souvenir shops, bars and discos.
Photos Cape Town (41)