Cape Town

Cape Town at a glance

Cape Town is known for being one of South Africa's most cosmopolitan towns, with a thriving nightlife and a diversified culture. It is regarded as "The Mother City" and is prominent for its harbour, natural surroundings, and world-famous landmarks. 

Being South Africa's oldest city, property in Cape Town ranges from beautiful houses influenced by historical Cape Dutch architecture to modern apartments with panoramic views of Table Mountain, Lions Head, or the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Town's history

The Khoisan tribe lived atop Table Mountain and in the surrounding area long before the first Europeans arrived. They called the land //Hui !Gaeb, and referred to Table Mountain as Hoerikwaggo, which means "Mountain in the Sea."

Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to sail around the Cape in the late 1400s. However, on orders from the Dutch East India Company, Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch colonist, was the first European to set foot on the soil in 1652. He was tasked to build a supply depot for ships travelling from Europe to India. In 1688, the French Huguenots arrived in the Cape, bringing with them vast expertise in winemaking, which changed the Cape's wine industry.

The early architecture of Cape Town is inspired by the Netherlands. The commonalities included flat roofs, jutting porches, and unusual gables. Louis-Michel Thibault, a French architect who arrived in 1783, designed the Old Supreme Court building, which is now the South African Cultural History Museum.

Climate

Summers in Cape Town are often warm and pleasant. Winters are chilly, and the clouds that hang above the mountain may make the days cloudy. Capetonians may expect temperatures ranging from 9 to 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The months of late November to late March are ideal for taking advantage of the city's varied activities.

Distance from key points (Airport/CBD)

The second-largest airport in South Africa is Cape Town International Airport. With regular flights to Europe, and North and South America, the majority of its flights are domestic.

Cape Town's main commercial district is 17 kilometres away from the airport. This travel will take 15 minutes on the N2 at an average speed of 80 km/h.

Education

The educational system in Cape Town is well-known for bringing a big number of international students to the country to study. The University of Cape Town, South Africa's premier university, is also located in the city. The University of the Western Cape, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and Stellenbosch University are among the other well-developed institutions.

The leading primary and secondary schools in Cape Town include:

• German International School Cape Town
• Micklefield Primary
• Bishops Diocesan College
• Tamboerskloof Primary School
• Hout Bay International School
• Claremont High School
• Trafalgar High School
• Windsor High School
• Wynberg Boys' High School

Healthcare

Tygerberg Hospital is the second biggest in South Africa and the largest in the Western Cape. Mediclinic Strand, Mediclinic Panorama, and Melomed Bellville Medical Centre are among South Africa's top 20 hospitals, featuring some of the country's best doctors.

Other notable hospitals are:

• Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital
• Karl Bremer Hospital
• Groote Schuur Hospital
• Life Kingsbury Hospital

Shopping centres

There are plenty of shopping malls in Cape Town where you can get anything from designer clothes and electronics to household necessities and presents for loved ones. The shopping high season is from November through January, and many retail malls in Cape Town offer special discounts during this period. 

The following are some of the most popular shopping malls to visit:

• V&A Waterfront
• Canal Walk
• Somerset Mall
• Bayside Mall
• The Tyger Valley Centre
• Blue Route Mall
• Cavendish Square
• Gardens Shopping Centre

Special attractions

When it comes to fun activities for the whole family, Cape Town is a playground. Whether you are looking for adventurous hiking trails or helicopter rides along the Peninsula, Cape Town surely has something you can tick off your bucket list. 

Here are a few suggestions:

• Climbing (or taking a cart) up Table Mountain is one of the city's extraordinary attractions.
• The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are a must-see for plant lovers. 
• Beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay are ideal for sunbathing.
• The Cape Wheel gives you a bird's eye view of the surrounding harbour and city.
• Chapman's Peak Drive is a must-see for everyone visiting the area.
• Signal Hill is a thrill for paragliding or watching the sunset.
• Robben Island is a great place to learn about history.
• Visit historic sites including the Heart of Cape Town Museum, the Iziko Museums of South Africa, and the District Six Museum.
• Learn about the rich culinary traditions of Cape Malay in Bo-Kaap. 
• Muizenberg is a great place to go surfing.
• See the penguins at Boulders Bay.
• Visit one of the numerous vineyards for wine tasting.