Travellers are easily seduced by Cape Town. Its dramatic scenery, exhilarating landscapes and warm hospitality are difficult to resist.

Even the most hardened travellers will find it difficult not to feel overwhelmed by the sight of the burning African sun rise and fall behind Table Mountain, one of the most spectacular sights on the continent.

The legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town is an arresting mix of beautifully preserved historical buildings, world class hotels and restaurants and exotic flora and fauna.

Bustling shopping streets and grandiose hotels lie comfortably alongside vast plateaus and rugged landscapes. Less comfortable, however, is the city's history of violence and apartheid. Beautiful but flawed, Cape Town's post-apartheid state can be difficult to accept but should, nonetheless, be acknowledged.

White people have managed to retain some of South Africa's most spectacular estates which contrast starkly with poor black townships.

Travellers should not feel guilty - they should visit the ritzy Hilton, enjoy South Africa's fine cuisine in world-class restaurants, but they should also visit the sprawling Cape Flats townships, where the most appalling poverty exists.

However, there is a refreshing sense of optimism and pride among the people in the townships which gives not only Cape Town but the whole of South Africa its unique spirit.

Cape Town's history, from its days as a British colony to its role as head of the new Union of South Africa in the forties, is littered with sad and violent events.

Racial unrest has marred the country's beauty and events such as the 1970s slum clearance which left thousands of poor black Africans homeless and the police killings of school children during the Soweto uprisings are difficult to forget.

For those who are hungry to learn more about South Africa's history, Cape Town has a whole street dedicated to museums. Museum Mile and Long Street have several of them, and are located at the end of the lush Company Gardens.

Travellers should not miss Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the bustling dockyards at the V&A Waterfront where you can see local fisherman bring home the day's catch.

Cape Town's cultural scene is booming and much of its extracurricular activities centre around its thriving music scenes. Kwaito, kwela, jazz and 'bubblegum' fill dancefloors across the city, while South Africa's musicians give international music trends a unique flavour of their own.

Tired travellers looking to rest their weary feet will be overwhelmed by the variety of hostels, hotels, B&Bs and villas. There something to suit every budget, which is also one of the attractions of the city.

Even though flights are expensive, travellers will have just as much fun riding the local minibuses with the locals as sitting in the swankiest of bars. Cape Town has food, music, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and pockets..

Travellers will need at least a week to explore the bays, beaches, museums and parks to get a real flavour of South African culture.

However, travellers should not be deceived by Cape Town's relaxed and welcoming vibe. While on the whole, travellers can safely travel in and around the city, slums are generally to be avoided as the scars of apartheid still run deep and crime rates remain high.

As with travel to any city, common sense should not be abandoned no matter how seductive the scenery.

Comfortingly European at times whilst retaining its African splendour, Cape Town is a traveller's dream. Beautiful beaches, friendly people and a vibrant cultural scene all make Cape Town an unmissable destination.