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Boutique hotels

Cape Town Overview

South Africa

Cityscape
Summits and seascapes
City life
Eat, drink, dance and sunbathe

Glorious beaches and soaring mountains frame this thriving city built on the foothills of Table Mountain, along the edge of the Atlantic.

The oldest city in South Africa, this patch of the world also experiences one of the highest numbers of sunshine hours a year. Mind you, you may want to banish all thoughts about how you look in a bikini, as eating and drinking in Cape Town is world-class and wonderfully inexpensive. The city’s cosmopolitan personality and welcoming spirit is best experienced among the lively cafés, bars and vibrant boutiques of Long and Kloof streets and the Cape Quarter, while Camps Bay is the bustling holiday strip where sun-worshippers flock to its white beaches by day, and crowds fill the bars for the local tipple, a sundowner, at dusk. Once you’ve had your fill of the surf, there is no shortage of excitement on turf – from animal-watching on safari or sampling the fruits of the winelands. And as it is only two hours ahead of GMT, European visitors can delight in escaping any jet lag.

Completely Cape Town

The energetic should walk up Platteklip Gorge to the top of Table Mountain, then take the cable car down. Or tackle Lions Head, at its most romantic during full moon – provided you have a torch. The bickering and bruises in store without one are probably not the best fun.

Local knowledge

Taxis
For rides such as from the city centre to the Waterfront, try Rikki's Intercity (+27 (0)21 418 6713) minibuses, otherwise hail cabs in the street or ask your hotel to arrange one.

Tipping culture
It is customary to tip 10–15 per cent for what is usually super-friendly service.

Packing tips
Surfwear vs windcheaters. Beware the ‘southeaster’: this wind can play havoc on the beaches, although it's also nicknamed the Cape Doctor as it also means perfect sea conditions for surfers.

Recommended reads
Like other cultures with a history of political and identity tensions, South African literature has been extraordinarily rich, so stray from the feel-good reads usually reserved for beach holidays. A Dry White Season by Andre Brink and July’s People by Nadine Gordimer are vast accomplishments from the apartheid era. Post-apartheid novels, which are strong, though not merry, include Disgrace by JM Coetzee and The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda.

Cuisine
Fans of freshwater fish can prepare for their mouth to water, while committed carnivores will feast like nowhere else. Warthog may sound weird, but it’s the tastiest ham you’ll ever eat. Cape Cuisine or Cape Malay cuisine consists of semi-sweet curries, bredie (stew), bobotie (spicy minced dish with custard), sosaties (kebab), but what Capetonians really love is a braai or barbecue, from the Afrikaans for ‘meat grill’. Potjieko are meals cooked on a three-legged pot over an open fire. A short drive out of Cape Town and you'll be in the heart of the Cape Winelands region; sample liquid gold (and garnet) in the form of chenin blanc, chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon with a meal in one of the countless vineyard-cum-restaurants around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.

Currency
The South African rand (ZAR); the exchange rate is roughly R14 to £1; R7 to $1.

Dialling codes
Country code for South Africa: +27. Cape Town: (0)21.

Do go/don't go
Cape Town is a fantastic year-round destination, but March until May is when the sun and the wind are at their most enjoyable. If you plan to travel here during the school holidays, which are in January, be sure to book your hotel well in advance.