The City Bowl is the historic centre of Cape Town and
remains the business 'downtown' area. It is enclosed by Table Mountain to its
south and Signal Hill to the west. Street maps are freely available at the
airport and information booths.
The Waterfront is on the north side of the City Bowl adjoining Table
Bay.
The Atlantic Suburbsare on the north-east coast of the Peninsula on the
mountain slopes above the shoreline. These include Sea Point and Green
Point and up-market suburbs such as Camps Bay and Hout Bay. They
enjoy great sunsets and beaches - but the water is cold!
Table Mountain runs due south in a chain of hills that form the Cape Peninsula.
On the eastern side of the mountain is leafy suburbia - including the
Southern Suburbs and Constantia.
The South Peninsula has some attractive towns and scenery and False Bay
has warmer water. The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point lie at the
southern tip of the Peninsula.
Useful Info
The Peninsula is 50km (30miles) long and seldom more
than 10km wide. At its highest point the mountain is 1086m high.
Fast freeways and roads make it easy to get around. Maps are
freely available in all Information offices and hotels.
There are over 100 beaches, and 300 walking routes up the mountain.
The airport is 30 minutes from the city on the N2 -
taxis and minibuses are always available for transport (about R210).
The Winelands are forty five minutes from Cape Town by the N1 or N2.
Head for Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Maps and booklets are freely
available from hotels and information offices.
Robben Island is 20 minutes by ferry from the Waterfront. You are
required to join a guided tour of the island and museum.
Total Population: approx 3,3 million
Total Area: approx 350sq.km
Climate
Month
Temperature (°C)
Rainfall
Wind
Speed (Knots)
Mean daily max.
Mean daily min.
Mean monthly (mm)
Days with 1mm rain or more
Mean at 0800
Mean at 1400
Jan
26.1
15.6
14
8
8
15
Feb
26.3
15.4
17
7
6
15
Mar
25.3
14.1
19
7
5
13
Apr
22.9
11.7
39
10
4
10
May
19.8
9.4
74
17
4
9
Jun
18.0
7.7
92
18
5
9
Jul
17.4
6.9
70
15
6
10
Aug
17.6
7.3
75
16
5
11
Sep
19.2
8.6
39
13
6
12
Oct
21.3
10.4
37
9
8
15
Nov
23.6
12.9
15
12
9
16
Dec
25.1
14.9
17
10
7
15
Mean
21.9
11.2
6
12
S.A. Navy stats for Airport
These statistics refer to Cape Town airport
Humidity ranges from 63% average in the summer
months to 79% in July
The Winelands are less windy and somewhat
hotter.
Temperatures are cooler in the South Peninsula. Wind
speeds at Cape Point are significantly stronger.
