Travel Articles about Cape Town

Read articles about Cape Town - its events, best beaches, holiday highlights and scenic attractions. We've split the articles up into categories for ease of use: articles specifically about Cape Town, those about activities you can enjoy in Cape Town and articles about some of the highlights of the outlying regions.

Table Mountain Poised to Become One of New 7 Natural Wonders

July 2009

Cape Town's Table Mountain has been shortlisted as one of 28 finalists in the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World contest. Avril Field tells us why Table Mountain is worthy of this prestigious nomination.

By Avril Field

Cape Town's Winter Secret: Restaurant Specials

June 2009

Winter in Cape Town is a relaxed, friendly place writes Emma Gass. And the best part is the fantastic restaurant specials that arrive when summer departs.

By Emma Gass

Read more about Cape Town's winter restaurant specials.

Creative Cape Town: Explore the Design Route

March 2009

Cape Town is full of creativity and great local design. Emma Gass talks about the new Cape Town Design Route that can help you discover Cape Town's unique creative spirit.

By Emma Gass

Read more about great design in Cape Town.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Stroller

October 2008

Too poor to go hiking in the Himalayas, Dominic Chadbon laces up his boots and tries the flower-strewn mountains of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, a short drive from Cape Town and heartland of the incredible Cape Floral Kingdom. He was suitably impressed...and glad he saved the cost of the airfare to Kathmandu.

By Dominic Chadbon

Walking the Walk

September 2008

Today's travel writing tends to be cluttered with superlatives: the best this, the most that, but seldom does the experience match the hype. So it was with a cynical air that Go2Africa writer Dominic Chadbon took up the challenge of joining a 5-day hike from Cape Town to Cape Point, brazenly billed as encompassing some of the world's most scenic hiking trails, only to find that his jaw remained firmly on the ground for most of it.

By Dominic Chadbon

Read whether the experience matched the hype...

Pelagic Birdwatching

July 2008

Standing on the rolling deck of a boat 30 miles out to sea may not be everyone's cup of tea, but boy, do you get a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience. Join Go2Africa writer Dominic Chadbon on the high seas as he sets off on the hunt for enormous seabirds - and discovers that there is indeed such a thing as a free lunch.

By Dominic Chadbon

Cape Town's Hottest Events this Summer

November 2007

Cape Town summers are made for holidays, and with all the added excitement of Christmas and New Year, the party mood reaches a seasonal high.

Here's a round-up of some traditional, fabulous, way out and hard-to-beat ways to celebrate a summer in South Africa's Mother City.

By Jeanne Davies

Coffee Shops of Cape Town

September 2007

The quickest way to get to the heart of a city is by getting to know the places that provide its people with their morning coffee. Here's our selection of the best coffee and people-watching places in Cape Town.

By Emma Gass

The Perfect Cape Town Sunset

October 2006

A Cape Town sunset is an attention-seeking, grabbing, captivating thing. No holiday in the Mother City is complete without at least one lazy evening spent watching the sun sink beneath the sea and the cocktails to match the mood.

By Alison Westwood

Read about how to catch Cape Town's best sunset here

Cape Point Nature Reserve

September 2006

Technically it's not the most southerly point of Africa, but it is one of the Cape Peninsula's most spectacular features and well worth exploring on a Cape Town holiday.

By Patrick Madden

Robben Island

September 2006

The Alcatraz of Africa, Robben Island is where some of South Africa's great political figures such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. A visit from the Cape Town Waterfront is an emotional, powerful experience.

By Marco Monteiro-Silva

Table Mountain

September 2006

The cable car to the top of Cape Town's distinctive mountain is one option, but a hike up will be a richly rewarding experience.

By Jonathan Andrews

Our Favourite Cape Town Restaurants

July 2006

If you love eating out (and hate washing up), Cape Town's your city. Here are some of Go2Africa's favourite restaurants in the Mother City.

By Alison Westwood

Read about some of Cape Town's restaurants here

Inside Cape Town

June 2006

The postcard image of Cape Town is blue skies and magnificent white beaches ... but occasionally the weather doesn't play along. If that's the case, there's still plenty to do.

By Jonathan Andrews

Photographic Safaris in Africa

May 2006

Apertures. Shutter speeds. F-stops. Hyenas. Creating excellent photographs can be a hazardous endeavour. But fear not! Whether you're after landscapes, wildlife shots or portraits, this article is all about how to make and take great photos on your African safari...

By Patrick Madden

Cape Town Symphony of Fire

May 2006

One of the biggest fireworks displays in the world, the Symphony of Fire is a true Cape Town spectacle.

By Jonathan Andrews

The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Cape Cycle Tour

April 2006

The Cape Cycle Tour is one of the sporting world's biggest events - 109km of agony and ecstasy playing out against the scenic backdrop of Cape Town.

By Jonathan Andrews

Read about Cape Town's famous cycle event here

Africa's Famous Places

April 2006

Africa is Earth's second-largest continent, and the birthplace of the human race. Its most famous places include sites of great beauty, some of the natural wonders of the world, and the relics of ancient civilisations rich in history...

By Patrick Madden

Read the full article about Africa's Famous Places here

Invigorating Body and Mind in Africa

March 2006

The magic of Africa is that it lends itself to diversity and openness. Once you've seen and been in Africa, the emancipation of your body and mind will stay with you for a while.

By Rochelle van der Merwe

Luxury Holidays

February 2006

Luxury isn't found in things but in experiences. As a fellow traveller, you probably share the feeling that what matters in life is not what you possess but what you do. That's why Africa is one of the ultimate luxury holiday destinations...

By Alison Westwood

Family Holidays in South Africa

January 2006

A family holiday is not a thing to be undertaken lightly. It requires planning, strategy and cunning. If you get the recipe right, the memories will last a lifetime.

By Alison Westwood

Romantic Holidays

December 2005

If you're planning on popping the question sometime soon, choosing a romantic African setting to do so could make your proposal irresistible. According to Alison Westwood, Cape Town is one of those places that would make a 'yes' the only option.

By Alison Westwood

Cape Town's Best Beaches

October 2005

In summer the whole of Cape Town heads for the beach. You can kiteboard, watch penguins, surf, snorkel in kelp forests, go scubadiving or just chill out in the hot, hot sun.

By Carrie Hampton

Articles about activities you can enjoy on a Cape Town holiday:

Kalk Bay Caving

September 2006

There's plenty of outdoor exploration to be had in and around Cape Town. If you're up for a caving expedition, read more here.

By Rochelle van der Merwe

Read about caving in Cape Town here

Cape Town Skydiving

July 2006

Cape Town has a magic combination of being a great adventure activity destination - and providing you with fabulous scenery to enjoy it all in. Patrick Madden took it in from on high.

By Patrick Madden

Read about skydiving in Cape Town here

Read articles about taking your Cape Town holiday further afield:

Chasing Small Miracles in the Namaqualand

November 2007

Every year, in the remote and harsh semi-desert region of South Africa's Northern Cape, the land bears witness to a small miracle.

After the rains quench the soil's thirst, billions of flowers bloom in celebration. Accessible as a self-drive trip from Cape Town, the region is well worth a visit.

By Marco Monteiro-Silva

Read the full article about seeing flowers in the Namaqualand here

A Whale of a Sight

September 2007

A small town on the Western Cape coast, Hermanus has a big reputation for some goliath seasonal visitors - it's the whale watching hotspot of Africa.

By Marco Monteiro-Silva

24 Hours on a Private Wine Tour

July 2007

The Cape winelands are world-renowned for their fabulous wines and sideline industries in gourmet cheeses and fine cuisine.

But for a real inside view of South Africa's wine making industry - and a chance to sample some of the best wines - you can't beat a private wine tour.

By Marco Monteiro-Silva

Greyton and Hermanus

December 2006

Ideal for weekend escapes, or lovely to simply meander around when time is not of the essence, Greyton and Hermanus are two small towns of the Western Cape. They're perfect to explore on your way to the Garden Route and Hermanus is a must during South Africa's whale season.

By Patrick Madden

The Stellenbosch Wine Route

October 2006

The call of the Stellenbosch wine route just outside Cape Town was loud and insistent. Marco had to respond. Here's what to expect from one of South Africa's top attractions.

By Marco Monteiro-Silva

Cape Winelands

October 2006

The Cape winelands of Paarl and Franschhoek are renowned for their beautiful wine estates ... and excellent wines. But there's a great deal more on offer too. Go hungry.

By Jonathan Andrews

Route 62

October 2006

Route 62 is the Garden Route's less-travelled little brother, a meandering drive through interesting towns, magnificent scenery and prolific vineyards.

By Patrick Madden

Read about Route 62