Introduction

Cape Town lies on a dramatic coastline of unspoilt white beaches and icy waters, overlooked by the iconic Table Mountain. Its ethnicity is quite different from the rest of South Africa, with the majority of residents being of mixed heritage. Although there is still significant social division within Cape Town, the city is moving inexorably toward a genuinely fairer and integrated society.

Despite Cape Town's past problems, the city is now considered to be one of South Africa's safest places. The 2010 Football World Cup did much to transform the area's investment and business prospects. This legacy is reflected in the many general infrastructure developments, housing, shopping and leisure construction projects now well under way.

Image Credit: David Stanley

Cape Town's charms are undeniable. Perhaps it's the view of Camps Bay and the glistening ocean that floats your boat; maybe the smell of a fresh espresso at the Neighbourgoods Market will perk you up; or walking with penguins on the sands of Boulder's Beach; or the taste of a spicy samosa from one of the sellers on Long Street.

Sights

Image Credit: David Stanley

From Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, with its wonderful range of African flora, Cape Town's attractions encompass nature and history in equal measure. The wine farms, the stunning beaches and opportunities to see wildlife, round out the impression of this unique city. Why not take a visit to the Boulders African Penguin Colony? Meander along the winding boardwalk running through the colony's breeding ground and watch as they waddle about, wade in the choppy water and play peekaboo from their twiggy burrows.

At Companys Gardens, a silent bell stands testimony to the slaves who toiled away in what was once a vegetable garden providing food for scurvy-stricken sailors of the Dutch East India Company. The carrot patches have long since given way to lawns and park benches, enhanced with fish ponds and statues.

In 1913, Professor Pearson, chair of botany at the South African college, set about developing the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It's now one of the country's most popular visitor attractions. Neatly tended lawns grace the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, punctuated by flowering gardens, ponds and indigenous trees, weaved together by paved pathways. The Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine hiking trails can be found near the foot of Table Mountain, where the weekly Sunday summer evening concerts have become a tradition.

Club Scene

Try to include a visit to the Beaulah Bar, often the first port of call for the locals, although service can be slow when the venue is busy. The dance-floor is small and set back but the DJs serve up plenty of hits and floor-fillers. After that, well, how could you resist a visit to the superbly-named Bronx Action Bar? One of Cape Town's longest-running bar/dance venues, the relocated Bronx definitely has something for everyone. The commercial pop and dance of the downstairs bar is in keeping with the original Bronx experience, while the new upstairs dance club, Navigaytion, open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, serves up more serious sounds for the discerning clubber.

Food and drink

Image Credit: John Hickey-Fry

Cape Town offers the best food and drink in South Africa, from modern-style "molecular" gastronomy to classic bistro and African food. Wine bars are more popular than ever and even the traditional pub is making a comeback. If quiet comfort is your thing, head for Bambu, on Somerset Road. You'll find a VIP bar, with upholstered booths for private chats; and a regular bar for socialising. The atmosphere is enhanced with plenty of dark wood, silk and leather. Once you've worked up an appetite, head for the city centre Brewers and Union beer and brasserie. They serve a range of artisan-made beers along with a selection of eats including smoked chorizo, grilled sausages, cheeses, homemade crisps and breads served on utilitarian breadboards. With an elegant interior, enthusiastic staff, cool tunes and a very happy clientele, you've got the ideal urban retreat. If far-eastern cuisine is more up your street, the Saigon offers good food at a budget price. A popular Vietnamese restaurant, offering starters such as crystal spring rolls and DIY lettuce wraps with noodles, prawns and chilli sauce; great main courses like sizzling seafood hotplate (flambéed at your table) with creamy curried peanut sauce, and barbecue duck with chilli sauce. There's also plenty for vegetarians - including a delicious Buddhist curry with sweet potato.

Arts & Entertainment

Cape Town's art scene is cutting-edge, with new galleries, especially in the Woodstock area, showcasing the work of new artists. There's a vibrant and diverse music scene, energetic nightlife and a lively gay culture.

Don't miss a visit to Assembly, a huge warehouse-style venue, with a passion for music and dedicated to putting the best local and international musicians (live bands and DJs) under one roof. Nothing if not eclectic - indie, punk, rock, jazz, ska, blues, electronica and even comedy have featured here. The bar is massive and there's a tab/card system to make it easy. Located in the city centre, you'll find the Association for the Visual Arts, one of the country's oldest galleries, housed in a stately Cape Dutch building. A non-profit organisation, the AVA first opened in Cape Town in 1971, with the aim of promoting South African art and both emerging and established artists. The AVA also supports emerging artists via its outreach fund, providing grants for studio space and materials. You can buy good quality artwork from these talented artists at very reasonable prices.

Escapes & excursions

Image Credit: Chris Preen

A tour of the Cape Winelands is a must. Discovering wine farms and phenomenal food along the way is one of the greatest pleasures of the city's hinterlands. Don't miss the windswept charms of the West Coast, the Whale Route's winding roads, and the spectacular natural beauty of the Garden Route.

How about a boat trip to Seal Island? Boats leave the Hout Bay Harbour between 9.30am and 2.30 pm daily, for a 40-minute scenic excursion to Duiker Island, home to those blubbery, whiskery cape fur seals. The glass-bottomed boats offer a convenient porthole through which to spy the seals zipping past underwater. Also from the Hout Bay area, you'll find the ImiZamo Yethu Township Tour. Slightly out of the ordinary, you can visit the colourful homes of the town's residents, buy snacks at the Spaza shop and play pool at the Shebeen - home-made beer supplied. For homeopathic medicine and fortune telling, head to the Sangoma.

From Simon's Town Water Centre, you can book a 2-hour boat trip to go whale, shark and dolphin spotting. The best time is between August and December.

Lastly, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, located at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60km south-west of Cape Town, encompasses 7,750 hectares of rich and varied floral and fauna, along with restaurants, gift shops and a funicular railway. Trails within the park lead to shipwrecks, tidal pools and lighthouses. You'll be hiking in the company of wildlife including curvy-beaked sugarbirds and cape mountain zebra. If you don't feel like walking, the funicular that will take you all the way from Cape Point to the upper lighthouse, with its vantage point said to resemble the end of the world.