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Cape Town

Cape Town

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Since hosting the World Cup in 2010, Cape Town received a surge in tourism-based investment and migration. A slew of new hotels, restaurants and wine bars opened throughout the city, not to mention added transport links and tours to nearby vineyards and grittier cities like Johannesburg.

But long before the gods of soccer smiled on this picturesque city by the sea, Cape Town attracted curious travellers for its monumental landscapes, like Table Mountain and the national park, which surrounds it, forming a majestic backdrop to the city’s urban core. Because Cape Town is so enmeshed in its natural environment— mountains, foothills, and the ocean—it’s a seriously sporty town, one where water sports and mountaineering feature prominently.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a slower pace in Cape Town. Lazy strolls on Victoria and Albert Waterfront are divine, as are boat trips to whale watch, snorkel and scuba dive; or to visit Robben Island, the Alcatraz of South Africa.

Wine tasting is another popular pastime near Cape Town, with nearly a dozen vineyards, like the wine lands of Stellenbosch, under an hour’s drive from the city centre. And like South African wines, Cape Town’s gallery scene is drawing attention. More than 100 art galleries hold events and show works throughout the year.

Travel Tips

  1. Take a picnic and soak up the summer sunset from the top of Table Mountain. Your best bet is to reserve tickets for the Cable Mountain Aerial Cableway ahead of time online or at the ticket offices near the bottom of the mountain. Make note of the Summer Sunset special when sunset tickets are reduced between November 1 - February 28.
  2. Reserve a table at the Africa Café (but do it well ahead of time or chances are you won’t find one!). This city centre eaterie is a great place to come to sample humble African dishes that rotate seasonally, curry from Botswana or Ethiopian black-eyed pea stew. Dishes are brought to your table in large bowls to be shared family-style.
  3. Wine lands and wine tasting is big in and around Cape Town, and there are a lot of wine tour companies that claim to be the best. Robertson Backpackers is consistently regarded as first rate, bringing curious oenophiles to four different wine estates near the stunning Langeberg Mountains.
  4. So many new hotels opened in Cape Town since 2010 that it’s hard to choose. Splurge on the One and Only Resort,with its unmatched views of Table Mountain and endless cache of resort activities— pools, restaurants, spas and gyms—the hotel stands out as a good place for couples or families with kids in tow. Look out for great deals through Bushbaby Travel, a specialist independent travel company that will set you up with a tailor-made itinerary for exploring the whole of South Africa, including safaris - particularly recommended for families.
  5. Many good charter boats operate just outside Cape Town. One that stands out as well priced with a diversified offering of destinations is Drumbeat Charters. The company operates cruises between Hout Bay Harbour and to Duiker Island, where there is a quaint island colony worth checking out.

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