Local area

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the V&A Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views

From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price paid for freedom

The five-minute ascent to the top of Table Mountain offers a 360° view of Cape Town, the ocean and the neighbouring peaks. Once at the top visitors enjoy spectacular views and the peaceful feeling of being over one thousand metres above the city below. The area at the top of the mountain is surprisingly large so leave enough time to stroll along the paths, enjoy the viewing platforms and soak up the vistas.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa, and was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country's indigenous flora.

On the magnificent coastal drive from Cape Town to Cape Point is Hout Bay and Mariner's Wharf. Conceptualised and built by Hout Bay's own Stanley Dorman, it continues to grow under his, wife Pam's, and sons Garth and Anton's watchful eyes. Its restaurants, shops and markets exude a maritime ambience as is nowhere else to be found. Mariner's Wharf is a wonderful place, a place where the famous and locals, jetsetters and tourists rub shoulders with venerable fishing captains and old salts.

Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a maritime replenishment station, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa. From 1678 it was the centre of civilian, administrative and military life at the Cape, until the settlement grew and some functions and activities moved away from the Castle. Today the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape, and houses the Castle Military Museum and Iziko Museums of Cape Town

The District Six Museum recalls the history of a community that was forcibly removed in the apartheid era. In 1966 the National Party government declared District Six a “white group area” and moved thousands of residents (mostly coloured and black people) to the Cape Flats, where they had few facilities or means of making a living. All buildings except religious ones were demolished.

Take the family to GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World for hours of entertainment, including gambling, restaurants, ice-skating and ten-pin bowling. The GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World offers a multitude of fun options for families, adults and children.

Rhodes Memorial, built in remembrance of Cecil John Rhodes who contributed greatly to the formation of the sub continent, lies on the northern flank of Table Mountain, at the base of Devil’s Peak. A national landmark, Rhodes Memorial lies within the Table Mountain National Park and the views from up here are stunning, offering panoramic vistas of industrial Cape Town, out over the airport and the Cape Flats, and on a clear day, the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountain range

Simon's Town has stunning views in the most beautiful environment of the Cape Peninsula. Nestled on False Bay within easy distance of Cape Town International Airport, our village is rich in history, character, atmosphere and warmth. Our neighbours are whales, penguins and seals with world heritage status bird life, fishing and the beauty of Table Mountain and Cape Point.