Cape Town city centre is a relatively small area quite easily covered on foot and is surrounded by the city bowl areas of Zonnebloem, Vredehoek, Oranjezicht, Gardens, Tamboerskloof, Bokaap and the Waterfront.

When the Dutch settlers landed at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652 it was within what is now the city centre that they built the Castle of Goodhope, Cape Town’s very first major structure.  Besides the Castle, the city centre contains many historic tourist sites such as the City Hall and Grande Parade, the Company Gardens and Houses of Parliament, St George’s Cathedral, The National Gallery and of course the ever popular Greenmarket Square craft market.

To the North of the city centre about 5 to 10 minutes drive lies South Africa’s most visited tourists destination - the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.  And when you’re sick of shopping and want to feel the cool sea breeze in your hair, why not scoot over to Seapoint less than

15 minutes away for a walk on the beach promenade.  After dark there are many options to choose from including Long Street bordering the city bowl area of Gardens, often referred to by the younger crowd as “Bar Street” and rightfully so.  Be it an island bar or cigar bar, a glass of champagne or a pint of beer, some hardcore clubbing, African drumming or a even bit of jazz, Long Street has what you’re looking for - provided you’re under the age of 30.  If you don’t happen to fit into this category, The Waterfront is always an easy bet.

Although the city centre skyline is visibly dotted with high-rises housing major banks, financial institutions and even oil companies, the conversion of a growing number of commercial properties into “residential high-rises” in the early nineties turned this previously predominantly corporate area into what is nowadays a buzzing mix of business, history, culture and nightlife.

Cafe Royale

273 Long Street

021 422 4536

Diner chic meets Long Street charm in this cosy eatery near the City centre/Gardens border.  Retro waitresses waltz around retro furniture to serve the best gourmet burgers in this part of town.  Be it beef, lamb, pork, chicken, veggie or even seared tuna burgers you’re after, they’ll have something that you want topped with something you didn’t even know you wanted but now crave!  More toppings than you can swing a cat at and a variety of AMAZING sauces including some mouthwateringly creamy fluffy lemon-garlic type stuff that comes with all their hand cut wedges and chips.  We love it!

Kennedy’s Cigar and Piano Lounge

251 Long Street

021 424 1212

www.kennedys.co.za

Cigars.  Whisky.  Billiards.  Jazz.  And a Piano.  What’s not to like?