Cape Town is famous for its multicultural and ethnic diversity, a colourful city that is picturesquely situated between a bustling harbour and iconic Table Mountain. Packed with beautiful and unique sights and experiences it’s a must visit for anyone traveling the African continent.
What to pack
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate enjoying hot and windy summers with mild but rainy winters. It’s best to pack light with options to layer up on colder evenings or winter days. The summers are full of sunny cloudless skies so be sure to pack your sunblock too.
Local lingo
The city is a melting pot of cultures, heavily influenced by the Cape Coloured twist on Afrikaans making for colourful local lingo. A few local phrases to try while visiting:
“aweh” – casual greeting like hello
“lekker” – used to describe all things good, enjoyable and tasty, for example “that was a lekker meal”
“just now” – a measure of South African time, not necessarily meaning it will be done immediately, but rather any time between now and later.
Itinerary highlights
There is something for everyone to enjoy when visiting Cape Town, but here are a few must adds to your itinerary:
- Table Mountain and Lion’s Head – the best vantage point for an aerial view of Cape Town’s magnificence is from the top of Table Mountain or Lion’s Head. You can take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, or hike the route if time allows. Watching the sun rise or set from the top of Lion’s Head is also highly recommended.
- Victoria &Alfred Waterfront – a mixed use development on the waterfront of Cape Town harbour, the V&A offers everything you could want from a shopping, eating and entertainment experience. Find local curios and delicacies as well as international influences, all in a one stop location with views to die for.
- Visit a beach – Cape Town offers many fabulous blue flag beaches with white sand and clear blue sea backdrops to catch an afternoon suntan. Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno along the Cape’s elite Atlantic coast are worth a visit.
- Inner city – food markets, curio shops and bustling bars and restaurants line the streets in the inner city and make a great outing to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere.
- Cape Winelands – whether you enjoy wine or not, the winelands is a must visit to explore the beauty of imposing mountains creating an incredible scenic backdrop to the many picturesque vineyards of the region.
Stop, shop and swallow
- The Old Biscuit Mill – a vibrant market style hub of art, design, food and drink, situated in the heart of Woodstock, a previously run down area which has been revived into the capital of cool.
- The Test Kitchen – consistently featured in the world’s top 50 restaurants list, this is a must for splurge or special celebration featuring an extensive tasting course menu. Bookings open quarterly and sell out quickly.
- Long Street – a major part of the city’s street culture, here you will find unique shops and cafe’s lining the pavements. Royale Eatery is great for a casual burger and shake, while Mama Afrika will give you a taste of traditional African dishes.
- Mojo Market – lifestyle market with live music, food stalls, bars and unique shopping outlets.
Cape Town bonus travel tips
- Safety – notorious for opportunistic crime, be careful and look after your valuables at all times.
- Transport – the MyCiti bus route offers some local bus transport options, but it is easiest to get around by renting a car.
