20 Best Things to Do in Cape Town

Since I’ve been dwelling in Cape Town, I’ve discovered it to be the most effective cities in the world to reside in. This metropolis by the ocean has rather a lot to provide travellers, with countless day hikes, sundown spots and an incredible meals and drinks scene. If you’re visiting Cape Town for the primary time, these are the very best issues to do in Cape Town. None of which ought to be missed!

1. Hike Lion’s Head

So far as hikes go, Cape Town is filled with them. And nowhere is extra fashionable than the hike to the highest of Lion’s Head. Whereas first time guests to Cape Town will instantly suppose Desk Mountain is the should do hike, I urge you to suppose once more. Close by Lion’s Head is a a lot shorter hike, with unparalleled sundown views. You’ll be able to see the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay down under and Desk Mountain behind you.

Learn extra: The perfect hikes at Sundown in Cape Town

2. Go to the Clifton Seashores

Alongside the various hikes on provide in Cape Town, there are simply as many nice seashores to select from. Ask any native and the Clifton seashores are possible to be amongst their first few suggestions. This sequence of 4 seashores is shut to the centre of city, making them a best choice. Clifton 1 is closest to Seapoint, ranging up to Clifton Four which is the preferred. My choice is Clifton 2 as it’s straightforward to entry and has fewer crowds.

Learn extra: These are the very best seashores in Cape Town

3. Dine on the Silo Lodge

There are many lovely luxurious inns in Cape Town however none is extra iconic than the Silo Lodge. Housed in an outdated grain silo, this design lodge occupies one of the iconic buildings in town. The restaurant, the Granary Cafe, is one in every of my favorite spots to go to for a wine at sundown. Even when you aren’t a visitor you possibly can nonetheless go to the cafe, restaurant, and rooftop bar.

Learn extra: Checking in to the Silo Lodge

4. Go to Bo-Kaap

Likelihood is you may have seen photographs of Bo-Kaap someplace on the interwebs earlier than. It’s in fact the colorful neighbourhood of Cape Town, however there’s rather more historical past behind Bo-Kaap to be found. Even the identify itself has modified rather a lot through the years. Translated from Afrikaans, Bo Kaap means ‘Above the Cape’.

Learn extra: The whole expat information to Cape Town

5. Swim with Penguins

One of the vital fashionable day journeys from Cape Town is to go to the penguins at Boulders seaside. Once they’re this cute, how may you say no!? However many individuals don’t know that there are two entrances to go to the penguins at Boulders Seaside. A type of is an entrance whereby you possibly can truly swim with the penguins. The perfect occasions of day to go to are simply after dawn and simply earlier than sundown. That is when the penguins are probably the most energetic.

Learn extra: How to go to the Penguins at Boulders Seaside

6. Hike the Pipe Observe

So far as Cape Town hikes go, the Pipe Observe is one in every of my favourites. Its an incredible hike to do at sundown, with views over Camps Bay under and an incredible view of Lion’s Head.

Learn extra: The perfect hikes at sundown in Cape Town

7. Drive Chapman’s Peak

For those who lease a automobile, there’s completely no excuse to not go to Chapman’s Peak! This isn’t solely one of the scenic drives in South Africa, however your entire world. The perfect route could be to go to in your means to Boulders seaside, taking the longer however extra scenic journey.

8. Hike Desk Mountain

Whereas Lion’s Head is likely to be my favorite hike in Cape Town, you continue to can’t miss out on mountaineering Desk Mountain. There are a selection of trails that can take you to the highest however my favorite is Kloof Nook. That is only a 20-minute hike to the most effective sundowner spots in Cape Town.

Learn extra: The perfect hikes at sundown in Cape Town

9. Make a Day Journey to the Winelands

One other nice day journey from Cape Town is simply an hour’s drive away. That’s, in fact, the Cape Winelands. My favorite cities embrace Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, each of which have countless vineyards and eating places to expertise.

Learn extra: A information to the Cape Winelands

10. Take the Cable Automotive Atop Desk Mountain

One of the vital iconic actions in Cape Town is to take the cable automobile up or down Desk Mountain. It’s even fashionable among the many locals, who largely hike up to the highest and go for the cable automobile coming again down. The worth is R200 a method.

11. Go to Camps Bay Seaside

With so many lovely seashores in Cape Town, it might probably usually be troublesome to select only one. So why do you have to!? Camps Bay seaside is one other nice selection, positioned in the prosperous suburb of Camps Bay. That is additionally an incredible sundowner spot.

Learn extra: The perfect seashores in Cape Town

12. Go to the Maiden’s Cove Tidal Swimming pools

Proper close to Camps Bay seaside is one other high spot in Cape Town that many guests by no means uncover. The Maiden’s Cove tidal swimming pools are a scenic spot to watch the solar go down and supply an incredible picture alternative with the reflections. There’s a braai space close by (South African time period for barbecue) which can be an incredible spot to watch the solar set.

13. Make a Day Journey to Muizenberg

You might need observed quite a lot of this listing is full of day journeys and weekend adventures. That’s as a result of the great thing about Cape Town is its geographic location and proximity to so many different nice locations! The Western Cape is completely stuffed with areas which might be worthy of a go to, so don’t be afraid to journey exterior of town.

Muizenberg is a superb selection for a day journey, particularly when you love the seaside. This can be a fashionable spot on weekends to be taught to surf. You’ll be able to lease a board at one of many many rental shops by the seaside.

14. Spend a Weekend in Montagu

One other nice escape out of Cape Town is ready for you in Montagu. It took me virtually a 12 months of dwelling in South Africa to uncover this gem of a city. Montagu is positioned just a little greater than two hours out of Cape Town, making it an incredible weekend escape.

Learn extra: Checking in to Jonkmanshof in Montagu, South Africa

15. Dine at Attractive George

Cape Town is a mecca for gastronomy and an enviable wine scene. Enter: Attractive George. This playful restaurant is without doubt one of the new comers to the Cape Town eating scene, positioned atop a jaw-dropping design lodge. The restaurant menu is informal and easy, with inventive cocktails to match.

16. Have A Picnic at Beta Seaside

There are some recollections I’ve made right here that basically follow me and having a sundown picnic at Beta Seaside is definitely one in every of them. The seaside is an area’s favorite, positioned in the prosperous neighbourhood of Bakhoven. You’ll have an unobstructed view of the solar setting over the Atlantic ocean.

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17. Afternoon Tea at Belmond Mount Nelson

For those who fancy a day tea whereas visiting Cape Town, there actually is nowhere that compares to the Belmond Mount Nelson lodge. This property jogs my memory quite a lot of the Beverly Hills Lodge in Los Angeles. Firstly, it’s pink (in fact!) Secondly, it caters to quite a lot of prosperous company from internationally. And thirdly, the interiors are simply gorgeous!

18. Keep the Evening at Babylonstoren

Fancy one other getaway? Look no additional than Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands. That is by far probably the most lovely farm property in South Africa and the Fynbos cottages are the last word luxurious. If a keep is out of your funds, contemplate making a highway journey for a go to to Babel, the property’s restaurant. You may as well stroll across the gardens (make sure to cease on the conservatory – it’s magical!)

Learn extra: Checking In to Babylonstoren

19. Go Mountain climbing in the Close by Franschhoek Mountains

If Cape Town’s many hikes aren’t what you’re searching for (or perhaps you’ve ticked all of them off), then contemplate making a day journey out to the Frankschhoek mountains. Right here one can find some unimaginable hikes, particularly when you fancy a multi-day trek with tenting.

20. Go to Oranjezicht Market

Lastly, one in every of my favorite locations in the entire metropolis. That’s in fact the Oranjezicht farmer’s market! Open on Saturdays and Sundays, it is a nice alternative to pattern a few of Cape Town’s fabulous meals and drinks. Make sure to arrive early when you plan to take pleasure in breakfast on the market because it will get actually busy with each locals and guests alike.

Learn extra: A neighborhood’s information to Cape Town