What to do in Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world's most iconic cities, providing a wonderful setting for magnificent seascapes and panoramic vistas.

With plenty to see and do, combined with a warm summer and temperate winter climate, it's an ideal holiday destination throughout the year.

Things to see and do in Cape Town

1. Table Mountain tour (including cable-car ride)

No visit to Cape Town would be complete without a cable-car trip up Table Mountain, although you might have to wait for the famous "table cloth" to clear first. The cable-car rotates 360º during the ascent, affording you fantastic views of the city. Once at the top, you may catch a glimpse of the resident dassies, an animal that resembles a large and fluffy hamster, although it is in fact related to the elephant!

2. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Much of the port area has been redeveloped into the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a symbol of the new, vibrant South Africa with a huge variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment. You can stroll around the various shops, dine at one of the many restaurants or take a boat excursion. It's also the main departure point for visits to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

3. District Six Museum

District Six Museum: this area of Cape Town was home to nearly a tenth of the population in Cape Town until in 1965 it was declared a "white" area. More than 60,000 people were forced to move. The museum tells the story of this and also wants to keep alive the memories of the displaced people.

4. Beaches

Cape Town is surrounded by numerous beaches, and one of the nicest is Clifton. Although waters of the Atlantic Ocean are not particularly warm, they nevertheless attract surfers, windsurfers and kite-boarders. Clifton tends to attract the international jet-setter types who go there predominantly to be seen. It's easy to get to Clifton Beach as it's near the Lion's Head promontory.

5. Whale watching

From July to November, southern right whales visit Cape shores to mate and calve. You can often spot them from the water on a cruise of Dyer Island. Along the way, you might also see African penguins, Cape fur seals, and bottlenose dolphins.

6. Lion's Head

After Table Mountain, the Lion's Head is probably the most prominent feature you can see from down in Cape Town. Named because its shape resembles a crouching lion or a sphinx, you can walk to the top of it in about an hour for some spectacular views.

7. Robben Island Excursion

From Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, guests will board a catamaran for the half-hour crossing to Robben Island. During this time a video will be shown on-board explaining some of the history of Robben Island. The tour of the prison is conducted by a former inmate, and includes seeing the cell where Nelson Mandela spent much of his incarceration, which has been left exactly as it was.

8. Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope was constructed during the late 17th century in a style typical of European fortification at the time, and replaced an earlier, far more modest fort. Originally built next to the sea, waves would crash up against the castle walls during high spring tides, but continual land reclamation schemes mean it's now far from the sea.

Accommodation ideas in Cape Town

Audley has secured a wide range of accommodation options in Cape Town, from boutique hotels or small guesthouses to larger properties with every possible facility.