Cape Town City Guide
You really don’t need an excuse to visit the expanse of natural beauty that is Cape Town. Imagine beautiful scenery with an amazing backdrop of Table Mountain, surrounded by picturesque ocean bays. With only a small time difference, hop on a night flight from the UK and you can be there in time for breakfast in the sunshine.
WHERE TO STAY?
This is an incredible Atlantic coast location on Camps Bay beach. Sea Five Hotel is the Bay’s most elegant beach house offering a great base to explore from. It’s set back from the hustle and bustle of the sunset strip, elevated enough for wonderful views, and only a minutes stroll from the beach and restaurants.
This hotel is all about the views, the sunset are phenomenal. Soak up the beachside charm and enjoy the turquoise bays over a glass of something cold and refreshing. The staff know what you need before you even do and will make you feel like family.
WHERE TO EAT?
A fun and lively Victorian town house on the vibrant Kloof Street, and filled to the brim with the cool crowd. Cocktails are a must here, our favourite being a cucumber and mint martini.
Laid back and delicious with a daily changing menu according to the produce that was bought that morning. You choose the wine first and then match what food suits.
Situated on the water’s edge in the picturesque harbour of Kalk Bay, it boasts exquisite views of the working harbour, Flase Bay and the Hottentots Mountain Range. We don’t need to say more.
Voted Cape Town’s best restaurant. This is an essential stop with consistently exceptional cuisine surrounded by “Warehouse chic” style. Bare brick but authentic and cosy nonetheless. The tasting menu is a must. Michelin without the price.
WHAT TO DO?
Go up Table Mountain
It’s an energetic hike up so may we suggest the 3 minute cable car with epic views below and out to sea. This allows you to explore the Table Top without huffing and puffing – also watch out for clouds, affectionately known as the “table cloth”. The adventurous can abseil down.
The grandest setting with the eastern slopes of Table Mountain behind the lush greenery. One of the most beautiful gardens in Africa and one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Frequently hosts concerts too.
Bo–Kaap
A historical quarter of distinctive multi-coloured rows of houses on steeply cobbled roads. The houses were said to be painted bright colours as an expression of their owners freedom. The prettiest area – a bloggers heaven.
Hire a car (also left hand drive) and explore the Cape
Watch out for the wildlife – Baboons (not our favourite), seals, and mountain zebras to name a few. Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town is where there is a huge colony of penguins the only native penguin to the continent. You can even swim with them and they are very inquisitive
Along this route the beaches are the dream: white sand, blue sea (only the very brave go in – it’s freezing) and unspoilt by hoards of people, in fact frequently you have them all to yourself. You can’t stop often enough, they have the wow factor.
Visit Robben Island
History buffs will know that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before the fall of the apartheid. Now you are able to take a ferry and have a tour of the island.
Top Tips
- Uber will be your best friend. Cheap and always only 2 minutes away.
- Tipping – have your rands ready as everyone expects a tip.
- Book restaurants in advance in peak season.
- Suncream – the wind can be very deceiving, it’s the tip of Africa so can get very warm!
- Have phones and cameras fully charged, as you will constantly want to take photos.
- You will always want to go back
Travel Contributors: Mr & Mrs Riley
Photo Credits: telegraph.co.uk, clarendon.co.za, eatout.co.za, pinterest.com, harbourhousegroup.co.za, cntraveler.com, mantisownerscollection.com, blog.friendlyrentals.com, bigcity.travel