Sean Fraser - Cape Town A-Z

Sean Fraser

First published in 2011 by Struik Travel & Heritage

(an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd)

Company Reg. No. 1966/003153/07

Wembley Square, First Floor, Solan Road, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001

PO Box 1144, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

www.randomstruik.co.za

Copyright in published edition: Random House Struik 2011

Copyright in text: Sean Fraser 2011

Copyright in maps: Random House Struik 2011

Publisher: Claudia Dos Santos

Managing editor: Roelien Theron

Editor: Leah van Deventer

Designer: Catherine Coetzer

Project coordinator: Alana Bolligelo

Proofreader: Roelien Theron

ISBN 9781770079410 (Print)

ISBN 9781431700479 (ePub)

ISBN 9781431700486 (PDF)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher and the copyright holder(s).

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book was correct at the time of going to press, some details might since have changed. The authors and publishers accept no responsibility for any consequences, loss, injury, damage or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book.

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Welcome to Cape Town

Cape Town is the front door to Africa. It may be small compared to world metropolises, but this remarkable city has an extraordinary number of attractions. Natural vistas include wild, open spaces at Cape Point, emerald-green vineyards in the Constantia Valley and pristine, white sand beaches along the Atlantic coast. These scenes, and others like them, combine to create the hauntingly beautiful Cape landscape. Whats more, the searing heat of its blissful summers and the chill of its wet and often icy winters add a plethora of tints and nuances to the land. Seen through these divergent lenses, Cape Town never fails to surprise and delight.

There is also a bewildering array of wildlife, from the mammals and birds that have made their home in the Table Mountain National Park to the whales that converge annually in False Bay. There is plenty to do, be it enjoying the bustling nightlife in the heart of the CBD or strolling quietly through quaint museums and galleries in the suburbs.

Here, too, are the iconic landmarks that have earned the Mother City an enviable reputation as one of the top tourist destinations in the world: Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the state-of-the-art Cape Town Stadium.

With its myriad charms, hedged between the bustling City Bowl in the shadow of Table Mountain and the small pockets of urban settlement scattered down the spine of the peninsula, it is understandable then that the city is widely lauded as South Africas premier drawcard. But it is not just the land that offers treasures. Capetonians are a fascinating mix of people, descending from indigenous San and Xhosa people, British and Dutch colonialists, Malay slaves, and several other races, nationalities and creeds who have lived here over the centuries. Indeed, some call Cape Town paradise; others simply call it home.

These jewels, and more, are listed alphabetically in this practical little handbook, your personal tour guide to the Mother City.

For easy reference and quick and efficient planning, each of the alphabetical entries provides a brief rundown of what to expect. Each destination is also star-rated for your convenience:

Dont miss it!

Make a special effort

If you have the time

To make your visit fun and hassle-free, the following information is supplied at the end of each entry:

Opening and closing times

Telephone number

Street address

Website

All entries are also indexed according to category namely museums and historical interest; places of worship; architecture; arts and culture; festivals and events; markets and shopping; food and drink; parks, reserves, mountains and beaches; sports and physical activities; and entertainment for children at the back of the book.

There are also two locator maps one of the Cape Peninsula and one of the City Bowl that show you where to find each entry, or what there is to do in a particular area. By the end of your visit, youll be able to say I was there!. Have fun.

Sean Fraser

A

Adderley Street

Central Business District (City Bowl)

The original thoroughfare of the growing settlement at the Cape, the old Heerengracht (gentlemans walk) has retained its pivotal status as a major artery running through the heart of the Mother City. The lively road, which traverses the CBD as Adderley and Heerengracht streets, is the perfect mirror of whats on offer here: chain stores, bistros, bookshops, antique and curio shops and big businesses. Look out for the statues of Jan and Maria van Riebeeck (Cape Towns founder and his wife) and Bartolomeu Dias (the first European to reach the Cape of Good Hope). Wander along it and discover its charms for yourself, or contact Cape Town Tourism for more information.

All hours Cape Town Tourism: 021 487 6800 City Centre www.tourismcapetown.co.za

Admiralty House

Simons Town (South Peninsula)

This gracious old home, erected in the early 1800s, has a long and proud association with the naval town of Simons Town. Its rich maritime legacy saw it serve as the rather plush Cape stopover for a succession of VIPs over the years and, once sold to the Royal Navy, it served as the official residence of its admiral. Today Admiralty House offers fascinating insight into South Africas naval history.

10:0016:00 (MonFri), 10:0013:00 (Sat), 10:0015:00 (Sun) Simons Town Museum: 021 786 3046 St George St, Simons Town www.simonstown.com

Arderne Gardens

Claremont (Southern Suburbs)

These pretty 4.5-hectare gardens provide a tranquil, green retreat from the bustle of the business centre of Claremont, hub of commercial activity in the Southern Suburbs. The gardens, established in the 1840s, have evolved from a quaint Victorian style to incorporating a charming mix of local flora and impressive tree species. Most notable of the gardens' flora is a Moreton Bay fig tree it's the biggest tree in the Western Cape.