Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild but wet winters. Coastal summer temperatures range from a comfortable 15°C (59°F) to highs of 30°C (80.6°F), with inland temperatures climbing 3 to 5 degrees higher. Summer is from late October to February, with long sunny days, ideal for visiting the Cape's world-class beaches or exploring the great outdoors. Coastal winters are cooler and often wet, with temperatures dropping to a mild 7°C at night (44.6°F), and 18°C (64.4F) in the day. Inland you will find the nights colder but the days slightly warmer, with snow on some of the higher mountain peaks.

Table Mountain

One of South Africa's most spectacular landmarks, Table Mountain towers 1086m above the Mother City, and on a clear day the mountain can be seen from 200km at sea. A quick trip up the cable car is imperative, offering breathtaking views of the city and peninsula coastline from the many viewpoints. For the more energetic, pack a picnic, a map and hike up one of the mountains many paths, and experience first hand the spectacular scenery and the rich diversity of flora and fauna. No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to this splendour of nature.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina. We invite you to discover the experience... live, work, shop and play at the V&A Waterfront. Voted one of the top five world wide destination to visit. Truly a spectacular setting.

Robben Island

This historically significant World Heritage Site watches over the entrance to Table Bay, and can be visited by ferry from the Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Once a leper colony, Robben Island is best known for housing political prisoners during South Africa's apartheid years, most significantly the now famous former state president Nelson Mandela who resided in cell 46664. A guided tour around the island, prison and museum provided by an ex-inmate, is a must do historical experience.

Cape Point

A Nature Reservation positioned at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, offering breathtaking views from rocky cliffs, from the east over False Bay and to the west, across the Atlantic. The Park is home to a vast but exclusive array of plant species and fynbos, 32% endemic to this area, with animals such as baboons and Cape Zebra. Hike to the top of the peak 249m above sea level or take a more leisurely trip to the top on the funicular railway. Cape Point is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's most powerful lighthouse. A landmark monument at the end of the Cape Peninsula was erected to honour Bartolomeu Dias, who was the first European to round the Cape by ship in 1488. Enjoy a meal at the simply superb restaurant overlooking False Bay or buy a little something at the excellent curios shops. A day trip to remember, at the southwest tip of the massive African continent.

The Two Oceans Aquarium

Situated at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, this world-class aquarium is home to over 3000 creatures, from fish to mammals, reptiles, birds, plants and invertebrates. Various exhibits offer an insight into marine life, with the main viewing tank showing ocean life typical to Cape waters, with life like wave simulation, swaying the huge kelp beds. Let your children feel the interesting textures of marine life in the touch pool or witness feeding time in the shark tanks – an adventure for the whole family! Afterwards stroll onto a thousand things to do at the V&A Waterfront.

Western Cape Wine routes

The Western Cape is one of the top ten wine growing regions of the world, producing award-winning wines. Explore the spectacular scenery that surrounds the Cape's many wine routes, from Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and the Swartland. Stop along the way to have lunch at five-star restaurants, or have a more inspired meal in a quaint farmhouse. Apart from wine tasting, many of the Cape's wine routes also offer other activities; fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and wildlife sanctuaries. Or just do some tasting, buy a case or to and have it sent home.

Chapmans Peak Drive

Make sure you bring a camera to capture these world famous majestic ocean vistas. Chapman’s Peak Drive, a long winding precipice of a road, built into the steep cliffs overlooking the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula. These breathtaking views, is a must on any itinerary. Reopened in December 2003, Chapman’s Peak now offers more lookout points of the view of Hout Bay and the Sentinel. This makes for a dramatic sunset location.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch is known as one of the Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the world. With more than 8500 indigenous plant species in its 36 hectares of landscaped garden, it's no surprise. See South Africa's national flower, the Protea, or enjoy one of the many graded walking and hiking trails. You can refuel at the tea garden or Silvertree restaurant, or bring a picnic along to watch the local talent at the Summer Sunset Concert series. Pack a warm blanket and a bottle of wine, and you won't want to leave!

Boulders Beach

Between Simonstown and Cape Point lies a small strip of white sand amongst a few big rocks. Once home to two breeding pairs of African penguins is now home to 3000 members of their extended family! Nowhere else will you be able to get so up close and personal to these comical creatures – share a picnic with them on the beach or join them for a dip in the cool ocean. If you are lucky enough to visit during breeding season, a stroll along the boardwalk opens a world of nests and hatchlings that you are unlikely to experience anywhere else.

Outshoorn Ostrich Ranch and Cango Caves

Outshoorn became a thriving town in the early 20th century when Ostrich feathers were at the height of fashion, and today with Ostrich still an ever increasing commodity Outdshorn remains the Ostrich capital of the world. Visit one of the many ranches and learn more about these huge flightless birds, try your hand at riding one or take home an enormous painted egg as a souvenir! The Cango caves are situated 28km outside of Oudtshoorn, and are well-known for their fascinating limestone formations. The cave extends for 5.3km in a series of connected chambers, the largest, the Grand Hall at 107m. Experienced guides accompany you, and one can choose the length and degree of difficulty of the tour. A must see!

Cape Cycle Tour

The Pick n' Pay Cape Argus cycle tour, is a colossal event which takes place every year in March. Amateurs and professional cyclists alike descend upon the Mother City by the thousands, many coming from all over the world. The tour starts in Cape Town before winding its way along False Bay towards Cape Point, then moving along the Atlantic coast over scenic Chapman's peak.

Two Oceans Marathon

Every year on Easter Saturday is the Cape's most famous road-race. The race starts at the foot of Table Mountain in leafy suburbia, before winding along the False Bay coast towards Chapman’s Peak and the challenging Constantia Neck. Crowds gather from early in the day to offer refreshments and encouragement, cheering the runners through the last.

Whale Season

Of the estimated 7000 Southern Right Whales in the southern hemisphere, about 2000 make the journey to the South African coast. Whale season happens from late June to mid November, with the prime spot for viewing being Hermanus in the Cape Overberg. Hermanus offers many festivities during whale season. Enjoy the whales from your guesthouse balcony as you drink in the sun or take an excursion out to sea for an up close inspection of these gracious creatures - before visiting the town centre with excellent shops and seafood restaurants. Go to Hermanus, it’s a very special coastal town with excellent accommodation.

Spring Wild Flowers

From late July to October the Cape's West Coast offers a most spectacular flourish of Fynbos blooms in dazzling tracks of colour that saturate the country side. The West Coast National Park offers incredible viewing at the Postberg nature reserve with the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon playing a scenic backdrop. Visitors also flock to quaint Darling and Paternoster to see this colourful display. One of natures grand displays of colour on a scale not often seen.

Adventure Bungee Jumping

Simply the highest commercial bungee jump in the world is at the Bloukrans River Bridge near Stormsriver, just over the Western Cape regional border passed Plettenberg Bay. At 216 meters this jump requires nerves of steel and a touch of insanity. For the slightly more rational, try the bungee jump or the bridge swing at the Gouritz River Bridge between Albertinia and Mossel Bay on the Cape Garden Route – totally, a rush of hard wired adrenalin pumped play on the senses.

Shark Cage Diving

You don't have to be a scuba diver to enjoy these fascinating predators up close. Experienced professionals operate along Gansbaai and Mossel Bay, knowing the best places to spot the sharks. Enjoy them from the boat or for the brave, see them up close in their natural habitat through the safety of a diving cage. Take a scenic drive up or why not take a helicopter from the Waterfront and have the coastline views an added feature to such an action packed day - and you’ll be back for dinner.

Township Tours

Step into another culture of ubuntu (togetherness), the township way of life. Explore the world of traditional healers, traders, markets, and African churches. Township life is filled with an energy and vibe that can't be felt in the big cities. Seeing is believing. Buy traditional fare at the market or visit the spaza shops, before having some home-brewed beer at the local shebeen (bar). Recognized tour operator guidance is advised.

The Castle

Set in the heart of Cape Town, the Castle is the oldest monument of European settlement in South Africa. Now a military museum and information centre, visitors can learn more about defence in the Cape's early years, see period furniture and historical paintings, and for the more brave, visit one of the pitch-black dungeons to say hello to the resident ghost… History buffs should definitely have this on their list of things to do!

Shopping Malls

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of South Africa's most visited shopping destinations. The Waterfront is home to everything from designer labels, national retailers and boutiques to coffee shops, restaurants and fast-food outlets, as well as a number of entertainment facilities, including cinemas, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Waterfront boasts a fully operational harbour, and visitors can also spend the day cruising in style or visiting Ruben Island or Seal Island. Cape Town certainly has its relative share of excellent Malls; Cavendish Square, Constantia Village in the Southern Suburbs, Tygervalley Centre in the North and Canal Walk on the N1.