Things to do in Cape Town

The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. Built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company, better known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), this pentagonal fortification replaced a small clay and timber fort built in 1652 by Commander Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the maritime replenishment station at the Cape of Good Hope. Open daily at 09:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Sundays (closed Christmas day and New Year's day).

Guided tours through the modern cellar in Constantia are offered daily on the hour, from 10am to 4pm throughout the year. Tours cost R40 (adults) and R6 (scholars). A tour lasts 45-60 minutes and includes a wine tasting and audio visual.

Only 18 km from the centre of Cape Town and approached by one of the most scenic drives, over Suikerbossie Hill from Hout Bay or in the other direction from Camps Bay, along Victoria Road, Llandudno lies nestled in a private and peaceful cove with one of the most secluded and beautiful beaches in the city. A "must go to beach" for visitors to Cape Town.

The AVA is an important not-for-profit gallery in central Cape Town hosting up to 50 exhibitions a year, with proposals selected by committee. The AVA usually hosts three exhibitions at a time, with many young contemporary artists making their debut here. Open weekdays from 10am till 5pm and Saturdays from 10am till 1pm.

If you take a trip out to Simon’s Town or Cape Point, stop off at the Topstones Factory. At their world famous "Scratch Patch" you can rustle around among the thousands of tumble-polished gemstones that cover the floor and fill a small bag with stones to take home with you. You can also tour the Topstones factory and watch gemstones being tumble- polished and crafted into a wide variety of products. Open every day.

The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay is a popular waterside pub with four restaurants and three bars built almost in the water (the sea spray splashes against the windows). The downstairs area can get pretty festive and rowdy, so if you are looking for something more restive, book a table upstairs (with magnificent views over the sea). Open daily for lunch and dinner.

The Muizenberg Toy Museum has a fascinating collection of early toys dating from the turn of the last century. The museum contains a shop specialising in obsolete and current toys and models - a must for any collector. Situated opposite the Fun Park, this is an ideal opportunity to visit a freshwater swimming pool, with children's paddling pool, swings and slides, boating pool and Fun Golf - right on the beachfront. And for the more adventurous - a water slide. Opening daily from 10am till 4pm. Closed Mondays.

The well designed, indoor circuit at Kenilworth Karting offers fun filled experience for young and old. On arrival you will be briefed on the cars and the racing rules. You then hit the starting grid and the racing action begins. Beginner or experienced, kart racing offers you a heart racing activity that is loads of fun. Compare lap times and race positions on the computer printout after the race. Open Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 - 23:00.

A visit to the South African rugby museum has become a regular port of call for locals and tourists visiting the city of Cape Town. The museum is on the ground floor of the Sport Science Institute in Newlands, just a kick away from the Newlands stadium. The SA rugby museum is crammed full of activities, exhibitions and insights into the world of rugby. The museum features rotating exhibitions and special attractions, which will fascinate both local and international visitors whether they be players or supporters.

The best way to see our City! Join us for a 2 hour guided, open-top bus trip around the Mother City. The tour includes the Waterfront and city centre in detail, then stops at Table Mountain for a panoramic view and concludes with a coastal drive back through Camps Bay. This is a "Hop on, Hop off" service, which allows you to use this tour as a convenient way to access all major highlights in Cape Town (including a visit to Camps Bay beach) during the day.

Take a leisurely stroll up Government Avenue. This pedestrian road with beautiful trees and historical buildings is lined with majestic oak trees on either side and squirrels will vie for your attention if you had the foresight to bring along a bag of peanuts! In Government Avenue you are surrounded by many of the city's most famous attractions including the Company Gardens (founded by Jan Van Riebeeck in 1652), Houses of Parliament and De Tuynhuys. The South African National Art Gallery, The South African Museum and Planetarium are all worth a visit.

The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament - Cape Town is the legislative capital, whilst the seat of government is in Pretoria, the administrative capital. Visitors can sit in the public gallery during parliamentary sessions between January and June, although you need to remember to have your passport with you. There are guided tours though the buildings during the week. How much does a tour cost? Tours are free of charge. Tour options available include a guided tour of Parliament (including historical background and an explanation of how Parliament works). You can observe debates from the public galleries in the National Assembly or National Council of Provinces, attend a Public Hearing or committee meeting.

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 simply stunning. Explore the Monument and then head over to the restaurant for tea and cake - the cakes are out-of-this-world delicious! Open daily from 09h00 to 17h00.

Popular with the trendy set in Cape Town, Clifton is a haven for international jet-setters. Together with its immaculate white sands and glistening water, bronzing bodies and designer sunglasses grace Clifton’s 4th beach with sufficient glamour to deserve not only the ‘see and be seen’ status it has acquired but its blue flag status as well.

We cater for ages from 11 years and upwards. If you are under 11 years and have played before we can make an exception. We will under no circumstances allow children 10 years and under to play. Half day social booking can be done any day of the week including Saturday and Sunday 09h30 to 13h00 or from 13h30 to 17h00. The cost per player includes 100 paintballs, rental of JT Spectra 260 vision full face masks, rental of Armson Semi Auto or Armson MK II pump action rifles, bush jackets and neck protectors. You will play five to six separate half hour games with breaks in between to get your breath and adrenaline levels back to normal.

The gallery is situated in an old Cape Dutch complex dating back to 1850 and is set in a beautifully landscaped garden. Rust-n-Vrede boasts art galleries and a highly praised ceramics museum featuring monthly exhibitions of South African artists. Open Mondays to Fridays from 09h00 till 17h00 and Saturdays from 09h00 till 13h00. Gallery Café on site.

Capetonians like to think of the Cape Quarter as Cape Town's best kept secret! Home décor, art and artefacts, fashion, beauty, health and lifestyle related stores all delivered in a unique Cape Malay architecture. As it is with the locals in the know, Cape Quarter's relaxed retail environment with its vibey outdoor eateries, authentic hand crafted design and stylish cobbled courtyard will convince you too that Cape Quarter is, in fact, Cape Town’s best kept secret.

Open daily from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm, Giovanni's is a truly international deli that sells selected groceries from around the world as well as serving an outstanding cup of coffee and a menu of more than 40 meals.

Col'Cacchio pizzeria has been serving fresh, made-to-order, crisp-base pizzas, pastas and salads to Capetonians in the know for the past 17 years. They have 50 pizza's on the menu - all made with a thin crispy base, little mozzarella and plenty of toppings. They do all the regular pizzas found in Italy, plus their well-known gourmet pizzas. The atmosphere is vibey and relaxed, the crowd is diverse. Col'Cacchio loosely translated means "up yours".

Dance for All offers tours of its various teaching venues, for the public to experience first-hand the energy and enthusiasm inherent in the dance classes. Tours leave from the Joseph Stone Theatre in Athlone at 2:45pm from Monday to Thursday, returning by 5.30pm. Bookings and payment can be arranged through our office.

(Patron: Desmond M Tutu Archbishop Emeritus)

Every summer since 1956 Shakespeare has been performed at Cape Town's Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, an exotic alternative to the annual productions in London's Regent's Park. January to February every year.

Irma Stern (1894-1966) was a major South African artist who achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime. Established in 1971 in the house the artist lived in for almost four decades, the museum's permanent collection on display shows Stern’s development as an artist, with subjects including exotic figures, portraits, lush landscapes and still lifes conveyed in a variety of media. There is also a commercial gallery showcasing contemporary South African artists.

This is an informative cruise with commentary - Dawn is a 44-seater harbor cruise boat doing half hour cruises and 1 hour cruises around the Old Harbor and International Docks. (This boat can also be chartered privately for children's parties, bachelor parties or tour groups). Open daily from 08h30 until 15 minutes after the Sunset Cruise Departure time.

Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, Grand West Casino has 60 casino tables, offering American Roulette, Blackjack, Raise 'em Poker and Punto Banco. 1750 smart card slot machines and for added slots pleasure there is African Express.