Introduction
Sitting in the imposing shadow of Table Mountain, the city of Cape Town is a must for anyone visiting South Africa in the hope of doing something adventurous. Aside from climbing Table Mountain, visitors to the country’s second largest city can also go surfing, swimming with dolphins or head to the nearby Cape Winelands and sample some of the world-famous wine there. With a history spanning thousands of years, it’s a city where old and new fuse together to provide an unbeatable experience for visitors. From the Cape of Good Hope to the city’s heart, you’re sure to enjoy it. The local climate helps too, where temperatures reach an average high of 26°C in February and rarely dip below the late teens during the daytime.
Ideal car
Family
As the roads in and around Cape Town are in good condition, a family car would be ideal. They’re also good for driving on the freeways, which are integral to the city’s road network.
Driving in Cape Town
Road Driving Side: L
Urban Speed Limit: 37mph
Rural Speed Limit: 62mph
Motorway Speed Limit: 74mph
Driving in Cape Town
Road Driving Side
Urban Speed Limit
Rural Speed Limit
Motorway Speed Limit
Important things to note
When going to a petrol station, you must wait in your car until a member of staff on the forecourt comes over to you and ask what fuel your car needs.
Drivers in Cape Town are known for being a little more friendly and cautious than their counterparts in other major South African cities.
There are visitor centres on Table Mountain, in the city centre and other major areas of Cape Town including Somerset West, Kirstenbosch and the Canal Walk Shopping Centre.
Ideal car: Family
As the roads in and around Cape Town are in good condition, a family car would be ideal. They’re also good for driving on the freeways, which are integral to the city’s road network.
Highlights & Hotspots
The South African National Gallery on Government Avenue, Gardens, is home to works from local artists. There are also plenty of exhibitions revolving around the Apartheid era and the history of censorship in South Africa.
Robben Island, the former Apartheid-era prison where former President Nelson Mandela was kept locked away for year after year, plays host to tours of the site. Here, you get to see Mr Mandela’s former prison cell as well as learn what life was like for political prisoners.
The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Rhodes Drive, Newlands, is a great place to visit if you want to see flora from all over the world. As well as being able to see plants such as a baobab tree, the Gardens also stage open-air concerts all year round.
The Two Oceans Aquarium, on the V&A Waterfront, is a great place to take the kids. At the aquarium, you can go scuba diving or, if with the family, take your kids to see the sharks being fed or see what events they have organised every month.
Airport Information
Cape Town International Airport is 12 miles away from the city centre, but it’s pretty easy to access if heading to the city itself. It’s accessible from the N2 Freeway via Airport Approach Road, while the R300 is another route from which you can go via the M12, M10 and M22.
The airport itself has one main terminal building and has flights to major cities including London (Heathrow), Dubai and Amsterdam as well as cities across southern Africa. Departures are located in the upper floors of the terminal, while arrivals are at the lower floors.