Cape Town Tour – Half Day – African Travel Desk

Couples, Families

Recommended for

The half-day Cape Town city tour will take you through some of the “must-see” places of the Mother City. Showcasing the history, architecture, it’s gardens, the seaside and mountains.

It’s difficult to imagine that about 350 years ago, a large part of the city centre belonged to the sea, but Cape Town has never stopped expanding. The remarkable evidence of the Mother City’s illustrious past, is beautifully showcased by the Castle of Good Hope, as well as the statues of it’s emblematic characters – marking the history of the city. The tour will take you through the famous Bo-Kaap district known as the “Malay Quarter” with it’s colourful houses. This is one of the few areas bypassed in The Forced Removal Policies of the Apartheid era. It is a wonderful experience and can only make one smile because of it’s authenticity.

The City Centre is also nicknamed the “City Bowl” because of the mountains surrounding it like a protective cocoon. Table Mountain, the 7th wonder of the modern world, is probably the most emblematic of them all. While taking a leisurely stroll through The Company Gardens located in the heart of the city, you’ll have a beautiful view of the mountain while being enchanted by the inquisitive squirrels that live and play year round in the gardens – be sure to keep an eye out for the elusive Albino squirrel. Always remember, that whatever your location in the city, you’ll always be able to orientate your bearings, thanks to Table Mountain.

Finally, discover the splendid Blue Flag beaches of Clifton & Camps Bay; situated at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Slow down, relax, and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean which is ideal for sunbathing & most water sports. You can also refresh yourself at one of the many bars or restaurants along the Camps Bay Promenade.

2 options :

Visit highlights and Table Mountain if weather-permitting (cable car fee not included)
Visit highlights and Table View for a “postcard view” of Table Mountain

HIGHLIGHTS

South African Museum and The Company Gardens
Parliament Buildings
City Hall and Castle of Good Hope
Malay Quarter/Bo-Kaap
Green Market Square
Signal Hill
Camps Bay and Clifton
Short Diamond Factory Tour (Optional)

Check ITINERARY for more details

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

At your accommodation in Cape Town (hotel, guesthouse, …)

DEPARTURE TIME

MORNING : between 8:00 and 9:00
AFTERNOON : between 13:00 and 14:00

RETURN TIME

MORNING : approximately 12:30
AFTERNOON : approximately 17:30

INCLUDED

Entrance fees to South African Museum

NOT INCLUDED

Lunch

Cable-car trip up Table Mountain

This tour will not be available on the 25th December.

South African Museum & the Company Gardens

The South African Museum was established in 1865 and will take you through South African history across the ages, from 700 million years ago to the present. The museum also hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions, whether about African dinosaurs, our place in the universe or the sea world. Also located just next to the museum is the Cape Town Planetarium. Both are in the Company Gardens, a fabulous place to spend a quiet moment right in the middle of the City Bowl. These gardens were created by the first Dutch settlers, so you’ll be able to admire what is probably the oldest cultivated pear tree in all of South Africa (circa 1652), wander in the rose garden or the Japanese garden or have a look at the aviary and simply take a moment to observe the squirrels.

Parliament buildings

This is a National Heritage Site, adjacent to the Compagny Gardens, located at the top of Adderley Street. It’s the South African Parliament’s seat for six months of the year. In fact, this building is composed of three different buildings: the original one, built in 1884 and two others respectively built in the 1920’s and 1980’s. This place is also the site of the Library of Parliament.
Right in front of it is the impressive statue of Queen Victoria.

City Hall & Castle of Good Hope

The City Hall is and Edwardian building completed in 1905. It doesn’t host the offices of the city of Cape Town anymore, which are at the Cape Town Civic Centre, but it is the home of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. If you have already been to London, you’ll recognise the smaller replica of the Big Ben. Full of history, this is also the place where in 1990, Nelson Mandela having been liberated after 27 years in prison, made a speech in front of 250,000 people.
Just next to that is the Castle of Good Hope which is another historical place of interest in Cape Town – completed in 1679, it’s the oldest surviving building in South Africa. Sometimes called the “star fort”, it counts five bastions, all having a name: Leerdam, Oranje, Nassau, Castzenellenbogen and Buuren. During the 18th century, it included a church, workshops, living quarters, offices and many other facilities, whereas today, it is more of a museum.

Malay Quarter/ Bo-Kaap

What would exploring the city be without going through the Bo-Kaap? It’s also known as the “Cape Malay Quarter”, a former Islamic Discrict. The influence of the Malays come from the 19th century, after the abolition of slavery, when they started to build their houses in this area. At this time, it was called “The Islamic Quarter”. This quarter hosts the earlier mosque of the city, “Auwal”. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum within the oldest house that remains in its original condition.

Green Market Square

A slave and vegetable market during the 18th century, and even a car park during the 1950’s, Green Market Square is nowadays one of the best places in town to buy your souvenirs from South Africa. It is not only a market, but also a place to meet artists, musicians and jugglers, especially on Saturday mornings.

Signal Hill

It’s the lowest hill in Cape Town, rising to only 300 meters, a beautiful place to have a picnic with an incredible view of both the ocean and the City Bowl. The name “Signal Hill” comes from a semaphore built at the top to communicate with ships by using flags to indicate potential hazards or weather conditions. It is also the place where the Noon Gun, an old British artillery battery was established which used to sound the alarm when a ship was in danger. Nowadays, it still fires a shot at noon every day.

Camps Bay & Clifton

Both are well known places for local people and tourists. Driving on Victoria Road from the City Centre along the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll first see the four Clifton beaches. Continuing on to Camps Bay, you’ll want to have a look at the horizon to perhaps catch sight of some whales. The famous Blue Flag beaches are perfect to just sunbathe or play sports, even if the water is still a bit cold.

Short Diamond factory tour (optional)

The Cape Diamond Museum offers to show the South African Diamond History which enables you to discover how these precious stones were formed. You’ll also be able to see replicas of some of the most famous stones in the world. As they say “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”.

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