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Mitchell's Plain
About 20km from Cape Town you will find the large township of Mitchell’s Plain Housing between 1.2 million - 1.9 million residents. The township was originally created for the purpose of housing “coloureds” of the middle income group during the Apartheid-era.
Many families were relocated here from District Six when it was razed, and although gangsterism is common in Mitchell’s Plain it in no way resembles the informal settlements further down the N2. The area has been identified as one of the fifteen high priority areas for action against crime and drug abuse.
Today Mitchell’s Plain boasts with not only “coloured”, but also many other residents from diverse backgrounds and income groups. It is economically divided into east and west - the western half of Westridge, Rocklands and Portlands is considered wealthier than the eastern half of Tafelsig, Beacon Valley and Eastridge.
Attractions: Wolfgat Nature Reserve
Wolfgat Nature Reserve
Wolfgat Nature Reserve stretches over 248 hectares and was officially declared a Reserve in 1986. A particular area of the reserve, which dates back over 40 000 years, is rich in fossils and outlines the breathtaking coastline. Activities to enjoy at the reserve include: picnicking, fishing (permit required), coastal birds, and swimming.
Claremont / Rondebosch
Along Cape Town’s Main Road, you’ll discover the trendy neighborhood known as Claremont. This area is virtually synonymous with the elegant shopping mall, Cavendish Square, and quaint semi-detached cottages much sought after as starter homes for the young and restless. Claremont is a mere 20 minute drive from the the CBD, either along Main Road or along the M3. It is also an important commercial and residential area, which is currently experiencing significant growth and development.
A big drawing card in Rondebosch/ Claremont is of course the presence of the University of Cape Town (UCT) which houses students as diverse and vibrant as Cape Town itself. Is there any wonder why the area is so funky and rich in culture, with the University so close by?
The area of Claremont from Cavendish Street onward has a very cosmopolitan feel to it - with wide streets and little shops- where the likes of Jenny le Roux, Susan Hansen and Gert van der Merwe rub shoulders – perfect for any lovers of fashion.
From Claremont you are also in close proximity to the beaches of False Bay, the Newlands cricket and rugby stadiums and the Constantia Winelands.
Attractions: Cavendish Square Shopping Centre
Cavendish Square Shopping Centre
The Cavendish Square Shopping Centre is an award-winning shopping mall situated in the heart of Cape Town's Southern Suburbs in the up market suburb of Claremont. Cavendish Square encompasses over two hundred and fifty of the most elite stores in the country.
Athlone
To the east of the Cape Town city centre lies Athlone in what's commonly referred to as the Cape Flats, a large and very flat section of land to the southeast of the Cape Town City Bowl. Athlone is a large suburb that contains within it smaller residential areas like Crawford, Bridgetown, Kewtown and Silvertown.
Athlone is mainly residential area and is served by a railway station of the same name. It however includes Industrial (Athlone Industria 1 & 2) as well as strong commercial zones (Athlone CBD and Gatesville) as well.If traditional Malay and Indian food is to your liking, seek out at places like The Wembley, a classic roadhouse and something of an institution in Cape Town. Athlone’s most well known landmark, The decommissioned Power Station, alongside the N2, had its two cooling towers demolished on 22 August 2010.
Another big landmark in Athlone's is the Athlone Stadium, the home ground of the two local soccer teams - the Ajax Cape Town and Santos Cape Town.
Attractions: Wolfgat Nature Reserve
Wolfgat Nature Reserve
Wolfgat Nature Reserve stretches over 248 hectares and was officially declared a Reserve in 1986. A particular area of the reserve, which dates back over 40 000 years, is rich in fossils and outlines the breathtaking coastline. Activities to enjoy at the reserve include: picnicking, fishing (permit required), coastal birds, and swimming.
False Bay
False Bay’s beautiful coastline stretches from Hangklip, close to Pringle Bay, through to Cape Point on the peninsula. Visitors will have many opportunities for safe swimming while drinking in the pearlescent white, sandy beaches and beautiful valleys.
The False Bay coast is a continuous collection of seaside villages and hamlets, their narrow avenues lined with quirky and quaint shops, hotels, restaurants and pubs. Despite the urban development of the coast along some parts, much of the shoreline is still largely wild and unspoiled.
Fishing is fun activity in False Bay with large schools of snoek, appearing from time to time. Angling from the rocky shores is also very popular, but dangerous.
Attractions: Castle Rock, Penguins at Boulders Beach
Castle Rock
Presiding over some of the most stunning views of the False Bay area, Castle Rock is a marvel nestled inside a conservation area complete with rock pools, the sea and beautiful open skies to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Castle Rock is unsurprisingly also one of the best dive sites in False Bay with an incredible fish life. You are almost guaranteed to spend most of the dive in the company of Red Roman fish and sight Stump Nose and Hottentots amid the jumble of rocks that teem with life. It is touted as an excellent night dive, if one can brave the waters here.
Penguins at Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach, appropriately named for it’s makeup of inlets and granite boulders and home to the ‘Jackass’ African penguin, living in close proximity to local human populace of Simon’s Town.
Named “jackass” after their distinctive donkey-like braying, they appear on only 27 other sites, including Robben Island, and despite their large numbers at Boulder’s, they are very much endangered.
The penguins made headlines in June 2000, when about 1,400 tons of oil leaked from the bulk carrier named Treasure off Cape Town prompting a massive rescue operation. Thanks to an overwhelming number of locals and tourists lending a hand, over 10 000 penguins were individually caught and treated successfully.
Constantia / Wynberg
Nestled in what used to be primarily farmland – 15 km out of Cape Town, travelers will come across the jewel of an area known as Constantia. Situated in one of the most lush and beautiful parts of Cape Town, rich taste and style are the reason for stately homesteads, long driveways and oak-lined streets.
In Constantia it is common to find country lanes and horses and a number of green belts for walking the dog or stretching your legs - this is a suburb fiercely protected by its residents who have a very active ratepayers association.
Constantia is a major tourist hub outside of the central city area. Apart from its own wine route it has a number of fine restaurants, many, ranked among the Top 50 in the world such as Pasties (French), Mama Roma (Italian) and Constantia Uitsig.
Attractions: Constantia Wine Route, Constantia Village Shopping Centre
Constantia Wine Route
The Constantia valley, a mere 20 minutes outside of Cape Town’s city bowl, is breathtakingly beautiful, with vineyard rows that stretch up the eastern slopes of the Constantiaberg mountainside. This scenic route is ideal for a morning or day trip and the farms provide quality restaurants for lunches and tea. Drenched in heritage and beauty, Constantia Wine Route is made up of three famous wine estates, namely Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Constantia was one of the first wine-producing areas of the Western Cape.
The Constantia Wine Route consists of five producers, each with a rich history in winemaking that dates back to late 1600’s. The original Constantia farm was cultivated by Simon van der Stel – and later divided into various smaller farms that today produce unique, award winning wines that are positively influenced by the cool sea breezes blowing across False Bay.
Constantia Village Shopping Centre
The Constantia Village Shopping Centre is home to everything from a health shop, antique dealers, art galleries to beauty salons. Not to mention a row of cosmopolitan restaurants offering a tempting fusion of African, Oriental and European food as well as excellent coffee and light snacks.
Constantia Village is designed for convenience. A range of banks, foreign exchange bureau, pharmacy, optometrist, post office and other essential services are available to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Lansdowne
The suburb of Landsdowne is located south east of Rondebosch East along the M5 and east on the M24 and Race Course Road. Almost at the heart of Landsdowne, the railway line stretches through like a spine, offering easy access to the City Bowl itself or even Simon’s Town. Many small shops line the streets of Landsdowne, motor service stations also being an everyday occurrence. Take-away places are also a dime a dozen, so, one will never go hungry in Landsdowne.
Retreat
Retreat is bordered by Lavender Hill to the south and Heathfield to the north. Retreat railway station is on the main line from Cape Town to Simon's Town. The Main Road (runs from Central Cape Town through to Simon's Town) extends along the west of Retreat.
Grassy Park
Grassy Park was originally a “coloured” township established by the Apartheid regime in the mid to late 1960’s. Originally called Koek se bos, or Cook's bush, the apartheid regime cleared land to build houses and schools for the “coloured” people that were living in 'white areas' and subsequently moved by the regime. Grassy Park’s residence were moved mainly from: Bergvliet, Bishopscourt, Claremont, Constantia, Newlands, Rondebosch, District Six, Salt River, Tokai, Woodstock and Wynberg.
Woodstock / Maitland
Being one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs, on would expect Woodstock to be “boring”. Woodstock has recently become a popular hang-out for the young and stylish, with many people renovating its old accommodations into trendy, up market houses and apartments. Its popularity may also have something to do with its inclusion in the city bowl and its easy access to the central business district.
Art enthusiasts will be happy to know that many of Cape Town’s top art galleries have relocated from Town to Woodstock. Don’t forget to visit the Old Biscuit Mill - a market/village offering hip and fashionable shoplets, farm stalls, and cafes. Its an experience, not just shopping!
City Edition
Cape Town, with the iconic Table Mountain at it’s back is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The rich mixture of architectural style speaks of a city that has seasoned the tastes of the past as well as making way for today's more functional requirements. Apart from the high-rise office blocks, many Victorian and Edwardian-style buildings have been beautifully preserved, along with buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Narrow, cobble stone streets and the strongly Islamic ambiance of the Bo-Kaap add greatly to the splendor of this city.
If shopping is your vice, elegant malls such as the Victoria Wharf at the V&A Waterfront, antique shops, craft markets, flea markets and art galleries are sure to provide hours of enjoyment. Gourmets and lovers of fine wines have a treat in store, with the Constantia Winelands producing some of the finest wines in the world.
Attractions: Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, Table Mountain.
Robben Island
Robben Island is located in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town. The name is Dutch for "seal island". Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km long north-south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.07 km² For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, was a place of exile and imprisonment. Later used as an island prison for political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society.
Today, however, Robben Island tells the tale of victory over Apartheid and other human rights abuses, thanks to one it’s most famous inmates. Former President Nelson Mandela. Many many other political prisoners, spent decades imprisoned during the apartheid era, including current South African President Jacob Zuma who was imprisoned there for ten years.
V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront serves as one of Cape Town's biggest tourist attractions and reminds visitors of the harbors’ earlier activities. Much of its charm lies in the fact that this busy commercial harbors is set in the midst of a huge entertainment venue with pubs, restaurants, specialty shops, craft markets, theatres and movies.
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium, was appropriately named due to coming together of the vast Indian and Atlantic Oceans here, almost at the southern tip of the continent, this precious underwater nature reserve is based at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, with over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fish, turtles, and penguins on display.
Arguably one of the Aquariums most popular residents are it’s ragged-tooth sharks, housed in the I&J Predator Exhibit and visible through an enormous 11m-wide by 4m-high acrylic panel. They are fed daily at 15:00, so those eager to see the sharks munching away – would not want to miss this.
Entry for adults is under a R100 with children under four getting in for free. There is also discount for pensioners and undergraduate students.
Table Mountain
Standing at 1086m above sea level, and approximately 3km wide, this breathtaking mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and accentuates the City of Cape town and is a must see location on any trip to Cape Town. Visitors can walk, climb, bike, abseil or paraglide the mountain. If you prefer a less “challenging” route, the elegant Swiss-designed revolving cable car will take you to the top and back.
Atop the mountain, visitors get a panoramic view of Table Bay and Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south.
Construction of the cableway was first started in 1926, and officially opened in 1929. In 1997, the cableway was extensively upgraded, and new cars introduced carrying 65 instead of 25 passengers. The new cars give a faster journey to the summit, and rotate 360 degrees during the ascent or descent, giving full view over the city.
The top cable station offers viewpoints, shops, a restaurant and walking trails of various lengths.