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Festival

Cape Town World Cinema Festival

This event takes place annually. The venue is Cinema Nouveau. The focus is on films made in the African continent but really films from all over the globe are screened. Awards are given out for best actor, actress, director, film and so on. The festival gives a rare insight into African films less known elsewhere.

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Overview & visitor information

Cape Town World Cinema Festival

This event takes place annually. The venue is Cinema Nouveau. The focus is on films made in the African continent but really films from all over the globe are screened. Awards are given out for best actor, actress, director, film and so on. The festival gives a rare insight into African films less known elsewhere.

More festivals in Cape Town

Keep exploring Cape Town.

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· Shakespeare at Maynardville Open Air Theatre

Festival / event

This event takes place annually and lasts well into February. The venue is the Maynardville open air theatre. This tradition has been in place for many decades now, since the 1950s to be more specific. Shakespeare’s world famous plays are performed here by excellent actors.

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Shakespeare at Maynardville Open Air Theatre

Activity

This event takes place annually and starting from January, lasts well into February. The venue is the Maynardville open air theatre. This tradition has been in place for many decades now, since the 1950s to be more specific. Shakespeare’s world famous plays are performed here by excellent actors.

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Cape Argus Pick and Pay Cycle Tour

Activity

This event takes place annually every March and involves several thousand cyclists riding for over 100 kilometers around the Cape Peninsula. Participants from all over the world take part in this race, both amateurs and professionals. Various events and activities are held for families in the week leading up to the cycle tour.

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Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

Activity

This event takes place annually in March and has become the most famous ultra-modern marathon in South Africa. Apart from being a tough challenge, this race is also a visual treat of nature at her best. It is probably the most magical of its kind because of the sheer beauty that the participants are able to soak in. The picturesque route of the marathon takes the participants on a tour of the Cape Peninsula, past both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, hence its name. This 6 hour, 35 mile test of endurance is sponsored by Old Mutual, a large insurance company. A large crowd turns out to cheer the runners making this an exciting-fun filled event that is looked forward to each year.

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My Coke Fest

Activity

This event takes place annually though there is no fixed date for it. It is a 12 hour long concert and performers from all over the world take part in it. Famous bands such as Kaiser Chiefs, Korn, Chris Cornell etc perform. One of the most popular festivals in Cape Town, it draws huge crowds. Free Coke is distributed during the concert which is what the festival takes its name after.

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Cape Town Jazz Festival

Festival / event

This event takes place annually. It is an international festival and draws a large number of jazz players from all over the world. The ambience is very relaxed. Visitors can unwind and enjoy the fabulous music played by these professionals. The venue is the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

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Cape Times V&A Waterfront Wine Affair

Activity

This event takes place annually. The venue is the water front. This is quite an interesting festival. People flock to taste the wine of various Cape Town producers and tour the vineyards.

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Vodacom Funny Festival

Festival / event

This annual event lasts one whole month finishing in mid July. Noted world famous comedians make their way to Baxter Theatre, the venue for this festival. Many of Europe’s top comedians make their way to Cape Town including the likes of Les Bubb, Madam Galina, Chris Forest, Lindi and Rabanowitz. Comedy lovers are in for a treat.

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Cape Town Book Fair

Activity

This annual event lasts about three days. The venue is the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Apart from a large book exhibition, the festival also features a number of workshops especially for younger children where they can sit with the authors of children’s’ books and interact with them, making it an interactive event.

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Meat Festival

Activity

This annual festival is held in Calvinia a small town in the Northern Cape. Calvinia is famous for its sheep. During this 3 day festival local and out of town enthusiasts are treated to a variety of lamb stews, kebabs, curries and barbeque. A local delicacy is the head of the lamb itself. The festival also features music, dancing, a beauty pageant and a marathon.

More places in Cape Town

Keep exploring Cape Town.

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What to do with Children in Tow

Activity

South African Museum and Planetarium The fossil gallery and the whale well are fascinating and contain skeletons dating back to over 300 million years ago. Children are bound to enjoy these exhibits.

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Castle of Good Hope

Castles

Dating back to the Portuguese occupation of this area in the mid 1600s, the castle was built from 1669 to 1679. Construction lasted about 13 years and the product was a massive pentagonal structure, a classic example of Portuguese defense measures. The construction material comprised of slate quarried from Robben Island but some features are distinctly European such as the bell at the entrance which came from Amsterdam. The Ramparts of the now headquarters of the South African Defense Force are swarming with visitors from the world over. The military museum is interesting especially for those curious about European colonization of this part of the world. The William Fehr Collection is even more spectacular and is home to a number of paintings and sketches depicting the transformation of this area under the supervision of the Portuguese. The paintings generally shed light on life under colonization.

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The Slave Lodge

Building

This lodge was built in 1670 during the period of colonization as an abode for the slaves of the Dutch East India Company. A great way to learn of the slave trade that occurred in Cape Town; this lodge now home to the South African Cultural History Museum gives an even better understanding of South African history. Paintings, sketches, drawings and photographs depicting Cape Town during the era of colonization are all on exhibit here. Timings: Daily 10 A.M- 4 30 P.M Admission: R 10 [Adults], R 5 [Children] Address: 49 Adderley Street Tel: 021-460-8200

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South African Museum and Planetarium

Museum

This was built in the 1800s and houses some of the most interesting artifacts pertaining to South Africa. The san rock paintings are stunning as are the Lydenburg heads dating back some 1500 years. African symbols for numbers and alphabets are also on display here along with other interesting exhibits such as traditional medicines. The fossil gallery and the whale well are also fascinating and contain skeletons dating back to over 300 million years ago.

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· Delville Wood Monument & Statue of General Lukin

monument

This monument was erected to honor the soldiers and officers killed in the battle for Delville during the First World War sometime in 1916. Of the over 3000 soldiers who went into battle only 700 survived and of the 150 officers who went into battle only 5 survived. Lukin was the general who commanded the South Africans in WW I.

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Gold of Africa Museum

Museum

African gold is celebrated in this museum which houses one of the most exquisite and beautiful gold collections the world over. This museum gives insight into the history of this gold and the evolution in design over the years. Artisans from all over the African continent from countries such as Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal are paid tribute for their skills in carving and designing extraordinary gold pieces.

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Koopmans De Wet House

Palace

This gorgeous late 18th century mansion was home to a famed socialite of Cape Town. Today it serves as a museum and on display is an even more gorgeous collection of carpets, antiques, paintings and porcelain. The exhibits are stunning and there is a guide book available containing details pertaining to every piece.

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Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

beach

This is one of the most well known tourist hotspots in Cape Town. Visitors can spend much of the day picnicking and barbequing in addition to admiring and appreciating the scenic beauty of this reserve where the beaches and the cliffs are a sight to behold. Tourists can also appreciate the diversity of wildlife; with respect to the various species of animals and birds that inhabit the place. Zebras, baboons, ostriches, seagulls and red hartebeests prowl around the area. For the more adventurous, the Gifkommetjie and Platboom beaches are ideal for surfing whilst the Bordjiesdrif is ideal for swimming. This coast is famous for the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred here and the remains of one such still lie here.

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Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Garden

This has to be one of the most stunning attractions in all of Cape Town. Another renowned tourist hot spot, these gardens are arguably amongst the top five most beautiful gardens in the world. Located on the slopes of Table Mountain, it is the ideal place for vacationers to unwind amidst this serene and beautiful setting. The different plant species that are grown here astonish visitors with the variety and color. A number of cafes and eateries dot the gardens and these gardens are often the venue of many a concert. Timings: Daily 8 A.M- 7 P.M [Sept-March], 8 A.M- 6 P.M [April-Aug] Admission: R 27 [Adults], R 5 Children Address: Rhodes Avenue, Newlands Tel: 021-799-8899 Website: www.nbi.ac.za

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Boulders

beach

This is a beautiful place where the natural beauty of the landscape is almost overwhelming. Amidst these boulders i.e. large granite blocks and bays roam gorgeous African penguins. This would constitute an outing for adults and children alike. The more adventurous can opt for a quick swim here in Foxy Beach. Timings: Daily 7 A.M- 7 30 P.M Admission: R 25 [Adults], R 5 [Children] Address: Simon’s Town Tel: 021-786-2329

More restaurants in Cape Town

Keep exploring Cape Town.

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Nandos

Cuisine: Portuguese

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Aubergine

The décor of this restaurant is chic and sophisticated. Timber and glass are the materials that have been used in decorating the interior. The place is luxuriant and quality food is to be expected. The sea food and vegetarian dishes are exceptionally good. The desserts are absolutely divine- the sorbets, crème brule and tartlets are all melt -in -your -mouth delicious. Cuisine: International Address: 39 Barnet Street, Cape Town Central Tel: 021-465-4909

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Buitenverwachting

The setting of this restaurant is beautiful. Located on a wine estate, tables look out onto the surrounding vineyard. This eatery is popular amongst fashionable locals. The interior is beautiful and luxuriant. The dishes are divine and at the same time both creative and eccentric. The menu has everything listed on it. The seafood, in particular the crayfish, the tempura and the shrimp is delicious. Magical best describes the ambience of this restaurant. Cuisine: International Address: Klein Constantia Road, Constantia Tel: 021-794-3522

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Cape Colony Restaurant

This restaurant is located in the luxury Mount Nelson Hotel. The interior is extravagant and reminiscent of Colonial Cape Town. Live music is played in the back ground. Dishes served here are absolutely divine and there is a wide variety to choose from. A must stop although prices are exorbitant. Cuisine: International Address: Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Cape Town Central Tel: 021-483-1000

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Constantia Uitsig

The location of this restaurant is lovely and tables look out onto the surrounding mountains and vineyards. This restaurant provides outstanding service and offers a vast array of dishes to choose from. The pasta, vegetarian and seafood dishes are especially good. The chocolate mousse is to die for.

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95 Keerom

Excellent quality ingredients are used to churn out excellent quality traditional Italian dishes. Traditional ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, olives, pasta, and parmesan are used in producing these delectable treats. The staff provides excellent service. Unpretentious best describes the ambience and the food served in this restaurant.

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Haiku

This restaurant offers quality food. Dishes listed on the menu are diverse with everything being served from chicken, sea food and lamb to vegetarian delights. The food is spicy. The seafood dishes in particular are delicious especially the calamari and sushi as well as the caviar. Cuisine: Asian Address: 33 Burg Street, Cape Town Central Tel: 021-424-7000

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Manolo

The dishes served here are of excellent quality and are very creative; seafood, vegetarian and meat dishes are all listed on the menu. The desserts in particular are scrumptious. Everything from the chocolate mousse, the ice cream to the Turkish delight and the marshmallow delights are to die for. Cuisine: Eclectic Address: 30 Kloof Street, Cape Town Central Tel: 021-422-4747

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Café Orca

This eatery looks out onto the surrounding beach. Whilst the interior is un-fussed and nothing special; the food is definitely to be looked forward to. The dishes listed on the menu are unpretentious and simple- from salads and sandwiches to burgers and seafood platters. The calamari, mussels, shrimp and crayfish are tasty. Cuisine: Seafood Address: 88 Beach Road, Melkbosstrand, Atlantic Coast Tel: 021-553-4120

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Wakame

This restaurant looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean affording a breathtaking view of the sea. The sushi, calamari, tuna and shrimp as well as the traditional Thai curries are mouth-watering, along with the sauces and condiments that go with these.