Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad), for many travellers one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is the provincial capital of Western Cape and located on the shore of Table Bay, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
The most popular time to visit Cape Town is between December and February in the middle of summer (in South Africa). In case you prefer quieter holidays and are looking for better rates you should come between February and March when there’s still great beach weather but most tourists are heading home.
This is our list of the 10 Best Things To Do In Cape Town:
1. Sunbathing at Camps Bay Beach
Camps Bay is the best known beach in Cape Town and a tourist hot spot, located between Clifton, the Twelve Apostles and Llandudno with an excellent view on Lion’s Head. Especially during summer the beach attracts a lot of young folk.
It’s the perfect spot for sunbathing and beach volleyball or to enjoy sunset cocktails in one of the many bars and cafes along its promenade.
2. Kitesurfing at the Bloubergstrand
At Blouberg Beach (or Bloubergstrand) you have one of the best views of Table Mountain. The South East, 10-30 knot winds also make it a great spot for kitesurfing with a good launch pad at Dolphin Beach, but only for experienced surfers. Big Bay also hosts annual surfing contests.
Alternatively you can go to Langebaan for kitesurfing.
3. Hiking Table Mountain
There are more than 900 hiking and climbing routes on Table Mountain giving you a lot of options, but the 5 most popular routes are:
- Lion’s Head Walk
- Pipe Track Walk
- Platteklip to Upper Cableway Station
- Upper Cableway Station to Maclear’s Beacon Walk
- Skeleton Gorge to Maclear’s Beacon: The Smuts Track.
For those who only want to enjoy the spectacular view there is a very convenient cable car service and the possibility for abseiling on Table Mountain.
4. BBQing at Langebaan
Get the best barbeque at Die Strandloper on the beach in Langebaan, 125 km up the west coast of Cape Town. With a wide variety of sea food and a bar, it’s the perfect place to spend lunchtime. They have great, freshly prepared food and a relaxing atmosphere.
5. Wine Tasting at Stellenbosch
A must-do for every wine lover are the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes. The oldest wine route in South Africa offers a big variety with 150 wine cellars. It is divided into 5 sub-routes that you can explore either in a guided tour or as self drive.
Or make it even more interesting and book a combined old-timer, wine tasting and picknick tour.
6. Shark Diving in Gansbaai
Great white shark cage diving is perfect for the divers and adrenaline junkies out there. There are several shark diving trips, tours and packages available in Cape Town and Gansbaai – the white shark capital – as well as Mossel Bay and Durban.
Best time for shark diving is May-October.
7. Sunset drinks at Caprice
A must-visit destination for every tourist and popular spot for locals, Café Caprice is really more of a bar than a café and open 7 days a week. Located at Camps Bay Beach (1) it is the perfect place for sunset drinks after a long day of sightseeing, diving or hiking.
8. Exploring hidden gems
Gin Bar on Wale Street is a little insider secret, so after spilling it now you better hurry and visit it next time you are in Cape Town before it is turning into the next tourist attraction …
The vintage-style bar located behind the Honest Chocolate Café offers the best Gin cocktails in town, a courtyard and great vibes.
9. Finding new trendy spots
Another great insider tip is the new stylish bar The Village Idiot in Loop Street, brought to you by the team of the Aces’n’Spades bar.
There’s no way you could not love its slightly decadent vintage design, balcony, pool table and selection of local beers in addition to an excellent wine list and food!
10. Partying at Shimmy Beach Club
The Shimmy Beach Club is a good place for sundowners and partying with a pool, dance floor, restaurant, bar and an excellent sea view located in the V&A Waterfront. Nice design and location but quite expensive.
Where to stay
Cape Town offers a wide range of classic hotels and apartments, but also more unusual accommodations like an overseers cottage on Table Mountain, teniqua treetops, tipis, a mountain house or Dutch manor houses.
Find and book your accommodation here!
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2 comments
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