Cape Town Airport was previously known as the DF Malan Airport, which was named after the South African Prime Minister, Daniel François Malan. It was not until the mid-1990s that the airport changed its name to Cape Town International Airport. Today, Cape Town Airport is considered to be the second largest and busiest airport in South Africa and currently accommodates approximately 60,000 take-offs and landings. Cape Town Airport is said to expect a total of 14 million travellers by the year 2015. The airport features banking and currency exchange services, dining places, retailers, as well as executive lunges. It also features special facilities including OSCA medical surgery, baby changing amenities, and office spaces.
What to see & do
Once you step on the land of Cape Town, you will discover a culturally-diverse community that will welcome you into their wonderful city. Cape Town is the most populous city in South Africa, next to Johannesburg. Its ideal location makes up for a dramatic mountainous backdrop which encloses the central area of Cape Town, famously known as the “City Bowl”. Cape Town is one of those rare places where the most ideal climate, natural environment, and innovative infrastructure can be found. These are some of the reasons why Cape Town is considered to be the most popular international tourist destination in Africa as a whole.
If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy Cape Town's famous Table Mountain, making up the most part of the Table Mountain National Park, and located at the back end of the City Bowl. You can reach the mountain through hiking or by riding a cable car. If you want to see the wondrous views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains, it is best to drive along Chapman's Peak Drive.
Cape Town is also famously known for its beautiful beaches. Because of its ideal location and unique geography, beaches in Cape Town offer various, distinct beach settings and atmosphere. Beaches near the Atlantic Coast tend to have waters of lower temperatures while water at False Bay beaches has warmer water temperatures. You can find good dining places and coffee shops at the beaches in Clifton and anywhere on the Atlantic Coast. Camps Bay offers a strip of various restaurants and bars from which you can access the beach.
If you want to get to know more of the culture of Cape Town, you can try visiting the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is the city's most visited tourist attraction. Cape Town is also recognised for its architectural heritage. You can find many unique and beautiful buildings along Long Street. Many buildings with influences from the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Indonesia are also visible in Constantia.
Getting around within Cape Town
Cape Town has a transport system that connects it to the rest of South Africa. They have rail operations called Shosholoza Meyl which operate two long distance passenger rail services from Cape Town to and from Johannesburg and to and from Durban. The Metrorail operates as its main commuter rail service consisting of 96 stations that connects you to Cape Town's suburbs and its outskirts. Cape Town also has a bus service called Golden Arrow Bus Services from Cape Town to other cities in South Africa.
How to get there
The Cape Town International Airport serves as the major gateway for travellers to the Cape Region. It offers direct flights to majority of the cities in South Africa and several international destinations. Some of the airlines operating scheduled flights to Cape Town International Airport include Air Botswana, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
