With a population of around 3.5 million, Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa. The center of Cape Town is located at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to the city center, with its plateau over 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high. Sometimes a thin strip of cloud forms over the mountain, known as the “tablecloth”. Cape Town is only about an hours drive from the Cape of Good Hope, and also, if you go inland, it is only about an hours drive from the world-famous Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
The Waterfront in Cape Town is where most tourist go for shopping, dining or drinking. It is built around the habour and is very beautiful with a lot of atmosphere. Cape Town offers a vast range of shopping opportunities including the Greenmarket Square Flea Market as well as sophisticated and stylish shopping malls.
Cape Town is located near two oceans, The Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Because of the Benguela Current the Atlantic Ocean is very cold year round (about 10 C), you can see cold water corals and kelp occupied by seals. The Indian Ocean is warmer, here you can see the more colorful fish. Within easy reach of Cape Town to the northeast along the coast, you get to Hermanus, known as the Riviera of the South, but maybe even better known as on of the best shore-based whale watching in the world. Every year from around July and until October the Southern Right Whales gather in the Walker Bay in easy view from the cliff paths. They favour the relatively shallow waters of the bay for breading and mating. Occasionally you might also spot humpback and killer whales. During the summer months (December through March) the white sandy beaches are filled with holiday makers enjoying the sunny weather and excellent swimming in the sea.
Closer to Cape Town, just 10 minutes from the city center, Clifton and Camps Bay are sheltered from the southeaster wind, and are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and sundowners. For those afraid to brave the cold sea temperatures of the Atlantic coast, a scenic drive to False Bay offers warmer waters at popular Muizenberg, Kalk Bay or Simonstown.
The best times of the year to visit Cape Town are October and November, where the weather is getting warmer without getting to hot, and where spring is in the air. December to March are the prime summer months of long hot days. In April and May it starts raining, but it is still warm and there are far fewer visitors around which means that you can get excellent deals on accommodation, food and most tourism services.
