Location: most southerly city in South Africa, situated on the coast where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean.
Getting around: there is very little public transport, so a hire car is useful. Some hotels provide taxis/pick-up services from the airport.
Major attractions: the old docks have been transformed into a tourist attraction. The waterfront area has shops, restaurants and hotels and is where you can take a boat trip around the harbour and to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner during the apartheid years. Cape Town’s other big attractions include Table Mountain, which dominates the skyline, and the surrounding winelands. A trip down the coast to Cape Horn should include a stop at the famous Penguin Beach.
Accommodation: everything from the four to five-star Victoria and Alfred Hotel on the waterfront to guest-houses. Plenty of luxury hotels such as Orient Express’ Mount Nelson. Also a wide selection of Holiday Inns.
Shopping: the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a pedestrianised zone, is the most obvious place for shopping. Sometimes, there are outdoor markets here with local crafts as well. Wooden carvings, jewellery and wire sculptures are specialities. Prices are very low; haggling is an option. Flea markets are worth a stop, and Greenmarket Square has a good one.
Restaurants: again, the waterfront area is the best place, as it not only feels safe but is easy to walk around. The Ferryman’s Tavern shows many live sports matches, particularly popular in a country obsessed by sport. The Africa Cafe on Lower Main Street has a selection of dishes from around Africa. Cape Town has a large Malay and Indian population so the Cape Malay Restaurant in Seapoint is worth a visit for its spicy dishes.
Nightlife: the tourist office can organise a shebeen tour, which is a visit to a township pub, banned under the old regime, but now a booming tourist activity. Cape Town has three film festivals that draw in the stars, so check local listings.
Getting there: British Airways flies to Cape Town from Heathrow six times a week except Mondays. Return economy fares start at ú655. A business-class return is around ú2,334. South African Airways flies daily to Cape Town from Heathrow from the end of March, and also has regular feeder flights from Johannesburg. Return fares from ú2,299 business class, and companions pay only ú149, economy starts at ú483.