Visit Cape Town!
Mother city, Slaapstad, Hui! Gaeb, khoi San for ‘where the clouds gather.’
Call her what you like, she is the most beautiful city in the world. And there is a wealth of things to do to suit every tourist or local’s taste and budget.
Here are our top 5 classics
Table Mountain
We are famous for Table Mountain, so-called for its distinctive shape. It does not matter which part you decide to climb or go up really, the view will blow you away. You can take the cable car to the top to walk around or to have a meal at the Table Mountain Café, go here for tickets and cable car times and weather warnings. This is the cape of storms after all. You can climb Lions Head at the full moon. Watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean and the moon rise over the city bow is spectacular. Maybe you prefer to hike Signal Hill, for views of the harbour and the mountain front. For the more adventurous there is Devils peak. This is adrenaline junkie territory and can be dangerous though so make sure you organise a guide and have the right gear. The mountain is not to be missed and we probably won’t let you. We are known to be insanely proud of her.
Kalk Bay
Named one of the 12 coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Forbes in 2018, there is art, food, and adventure to be had here. This not-so-sleepy fishing village boasts ocean and mountain views. It has the vintage books stores, art, and antique galleries you would expect from a neighbourhood like this. The quaint cafes, historic buildings, and cobbled streets. Though the thing we locals love it for, will drive across the city and around the mountain for is Kalkys. A casual cabin-style restaurant on the harbour quay that offers freshly caught fish. It’s famous for battered hake or snoek and chips. Try to not miss it, seriously. Its tradition.
Groot Constantia
This is South Africa’s oldest wine estate and no cape town classics list would be without it. Situated behind Table Mountain it was established in 1685 by Simon Van Der Stel. The best way to explore the estate is with the Visitors Route Experience. You will get entrance to the Manor house and the original Cloete cellar. The ticket includes a cellar tour and wine tasting. The sit back and enjoy a love meal at the restaurant and of course a glass of their delicious wine.
Robben island
It was the Khoi San who first set foot on the island in the 1400s. An exceptional feat when you realise how rough and dangerous the water around the Cape is. The island has a chequered past, too. It has been used as a leper colony, army, and naval base and, at one time a lime quarry. Now famous for the defunct Robben Island prison which housed former South African president Nelson Mandela. You can take a guided tour of the island and prison with a ferry ride departing from the V&A harbour. If you know anything about our Madiba, the exceptional man he was, the enormous battle he fought against Apartheid then this is a ferry you need to catch. To take a tour try here
Boulders beach
Say the word Boulders, part of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), and everyone thinks of the African penguin colony that lives smack in the middle of a residential area. There is an entrance fee and strict guidelines to follow but you can have a picnic on some parts of the beach. With the penguins wandering over your beach towels and through your picnic. They are quirky, eccentric, and very curious. And though they look super cuddly; be careful, as they have razor-sharp beaks. These creatures are on the snippy side and will happily take your finger or your nose if you get too close.
Wherever you go or whatever you decide to do on your visit to Cape Town, talk to the locals. We love meeting people and we will happily talk to you. Do not be surprised if you get invited to a braai or BBQ, just have a snack before, we like to linger over our fire.
Tell us about your favourite Cape Town experience – and where else would you recommend?
