With its dramatic location, tumultuous history and collision of cultures, Cape Town should be on every intrepid traveller’s wishlist.

Winner of Best City in Africa at this year’s Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards Cape Town has many strings to its bow as a short city break destination – and it’s cheap too!

The South African rand has followed the sterling and dollar decline, and the exchange rate has stayed almost the unchanged for the past year.

Great shopping at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, historic sites such as Mandela’s former prison on Robben Island and some of nature’s most majestic creatures – Southern Right whales and Great White sharks – await visitors to this vibrant coastal city.

The city beat

With its pretty colourful cottages and tree-lined cobbled streets, De Waterkant Village has become a tourist hotspot of late. It is also home to the Cape Quarter shopping and leisure centre, which is a fashionista’s paradise, stocked with upscale boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

Closer to the city centre (known as the City Bowl) are many of Cape Town’s grand colonial buildings and public parks, while Government Avenue is the best port of call for the city's museums, including the National Gallery.

The city’s main drag, Long Street, is a great place to try a few local restaurants, and comes alive at night, with many of the cheaper backpacker hostels nearby.

For a lively but slightly more refined experience, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a shopping mall-cum-restaurant complex based in a harbour on the city's northern shores, offers a wealth of affordable dining options, and has great views out to sea. It’s worth noting that this is where you can pick up the
ferry to Robben Island (Nelson Mandela’s former prison).

After this sobering experience, head southeast towards the fascinating District Six Museum. Although distressing, this museum is an excellent place to learn about the years of Apartheid, and all their cruelty. It opens 9am-4pm every day, except Sunday.

If you get lost, the Visitor Information Centre can be found is on the corner of Burg and Strand Streets (+27 21 426 5639; www.tourismcapetown.co.za).

Out and about

If the city gets too much, Constantia in the Garden suburbs is also worth a visit, and can be found on the far side of Table Mountain. Many of the city’s prettiest former Dutch farming estates of Constantia Uitsig, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia can be found here.

Some of the most beautiful, and some of the oldest, are still found a little further out though, at Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. With their late-Victorian architecture and main streets lined with chic cafés, boutiques and art galleries, these country villages are well worth the 30 to 40 minute drive from downtown.

On the beach

The beaches that stretch along Cape Town's Atlantic coast are a hive of activity during the summer months. Many of the most popular stretches of sand can be found at the base of Table Mountain – Clifton being the most famous.

Each of the city’s stretches of beach is generally known by its number, and has it’s own atmosphere so it’s worth checking with your hotel to find quieter or more lively areas.

Camps Bay, on the freezing Atlantic coast is definitely for the more hardy, while False Bay, just a short drive away, offers the warm Indian Ocean. Penguins and whales are regularly spotted off the coast here, so keep your eyes peeled!

An outing with a view

For an unbeatable view of the city and surrounding coastline take the revolving cable car to the top of Table Mountain (www.tablemountain.net), or for a more energetic journey, take the Skeleton Gorge path from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens (www.sanbi.org/kirstenbosch/mainpage.htm) on the other side of the mountain.

It’s advisable to check the weather before attempting your ascent though, as the route is fairly steep, and if covered in cloud, there’s little to see from the top of the mountain.

If you miss this view, you can also take Chapman's Peak Drive to see Table Mountain's Twelve Apostles – a series of smaller peaks that are dotted along the coast to the Atlantic.

For the foodies

With such an intoxicating mix of nationalities calling Cape Town their home, there’s a never-ending supply of tasty treats on offer for food lovers.

From braai’s on the beach, to Cape Malay curries, freshly grilled fish, Italian delicacies, Asian greens and local dishes such as Vetkoeks (delicious savoury doughnuts stuffed with spiced meat) … well the list is endless. You really need a month in Cape Town just to try all of the cuisines on offer!

For a traditional braai head to Nyoni's Kraal on Long Street (www.nyoniskraal.co.za) where you can sample fresh ostrich, kudu or springbok, or some more unusual local dishes such as chicken's feet.

Or for something more sophisticated why not visit the One&Only Cape Town (www.oneand onlycapetown.com).

One of the newest and biggest hotels to have joined the city’s accommodation offering, it enjoys a prime position on the V&A Waterfront and boasts several of Africa's first outings for the restaurants Nobu and Maze to add to its glowing list of credentials.

Where to stay

One&Only Hotel, Cape Town
Located amidst the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, this modern and chic hotel boasts an unprecedented level of luxury. One&Only Cape Town is positioned on two landscaped islands at the centre of the waterfront, offering guests breathtaking views of the imposing Table Mountain.
Must visit: Nobu and the hotel’s full-service Spa.

Radisson Blu Waterfront
Located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this modern and attractive hotel offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain and overlooks its own private marina, the famous Robben Island, and is within walking distance of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Must visit: Tobago’s Restaurant bar and terrace with outside dining and views of the sunset.

Hotel Le Vendome
Hotel Le Vendome is a luxury boutique hotel with a prime position in the cosmopolitan suburb of Sea Point. The promenade overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is just a short walk from the hotel.
Must visit: Le Salon Chantilly, a classic lounge bar serving high tea and a selection of beverages.

Protea North Wharf Apartments
This four–star hotel is within walking distance of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town CBD and the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With 67 spacious rooms and suites, Protea also has two penthouse suites with stunning views of the sea. All rooms have full self–catering options.
Must visit: North Wharf Restaurant – it offers a full English breakfast.

Garden Court De Waal Hotel
Garden Court De Waal Hotel is located in the tranquil suburb of the Gardens, at the foot of Table Mountain. Within walking distance of the Gardens Shopping Centre, Labia movie theatre and Chef Pons Asian Restaurant, the hotel is also close to the Company Gardens, Planetarium, Iziko Museum and South African National Art Gallery.
Must try: The hotel’s outdoor swimming pool.

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Aquila Private Game Reserve
Dedicated to teaching the importance of wildlife conservation, Aquila is more than just a game reserve as it promotes a co-habitual experience with the property’s original inhabitants. Located only 90 minutes from Cape Town, the reserve features an excellent restaurant, tranquil dwellings and a range of Big Five safari combinations and activities.
Must try: Quad-biking and horseback safaris are available for guests to enjoy, as is a 35-metre saltwater swimming pool!