Cape Town – the definition of paradise.
Even though it was one of the farthest places I had ever traveled to, it somehow felt the most familiar to me, as if I was right back in California.
I remember driving into Camps Bay for the very first time sitting at the edge of my seat, trying to take in every view that the car window could offer me. Weirdly enough, it made me feel nostalgic of the many summer days I spent driving down PCH heading to Laguna Beach.
Cape Town brought me right back into California, but only showcasing its best qualities. Everything I love California for, Cape Town seemed to slightly outshine. The mountains were more scenic, the beaches were cleaner, the wineries were more accessible, and the nature was more dramatic. To top it all off, the people were some of the nicest humans I have ever come across.
So, as you can see, I was head-over-heels and absolutely smitten over this city. Even with five days there, I felt like I was just scratching the surface of what this place has to offer.
To help you plan your perfect itinerary to this stunning South African city yourself, I’ve created this guide on all the top things to do and see while visiting.
Hiking in Cape Town
Situated between Signal Hill, Lions Head, and Table Mountain, Cape Town really is the perfect place to explore. What I loved most about this city is that if you want to find nature, all you have to do is look right outside your doorstep. If you stay anywhere in the center or near Gardens, you can get to most trailheads in just a 10 to 15-minute Uber ride.
Not only are these trails clearly marked and maintained, but they are also quite popular among locals and tourists alike. The point is, I never felt unsafe doing any of these hikes. If you’re staying for longer and want to check out other hiking trails in the surrounding area, I suggest using All Trails.
A few of the most popular hikes include:
-Kloofs Corner: short hike perfect for sunrise or sunset. You can easily do this one in 45 minutes.
-Lions Head: this one is longer and harder (roughly 2 hours, give or take). There are two ways to do it, the longer route or the staples route. I did the staples going up and it was quite an exciting experience. If you’re scared of heights, definitely take the longer route. Both trails have some bouldering and ladders towards the end, but the staples are more of a challenge. When I hiked Lion’s Head, I went up with the staples and then down on the longer path.
-Table Mountain: Table Mountain is the most famous hike in Cape Town. Luckily, you don’t really have to break a sweat on this one to get incredible city views. You can either hike, take the cable car, or do a combo of the two.
Things to Do in Cape Town
Whether you want to spend your time sunbathing in Camps Bay or exploring the local markets, Cape Town offers a little something for every kind of traveler.
Markets
–The Old Biscuit Mill Market: Super cool food/vintage market that’s only open during the weekends. This is by far the most popular market in the city, and for good reason. I suggest going early Saturday morning and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many food stalls.
-Oranjezicht City Farm Market: This weekend market highlights seasonal produce and local food stalls. During the summer months, they are also open on Wednesday nights as well and are a popular event throughout the city.
-Adderley Street Flower Market: If you want to pick up some fresh blooms, pass through the Adderley Street Flower Market.
Neighborhoods
-Bo Kaap: Tucked alongside the foothills of Signal Hill lies the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Here you’ll find rows of vibrant homes lining charming cobblestone streets. This neighborhood is rich in history and is one of the most popular areas to explore in the city. With that being said, this is also one of the only areas where I felt unsafe. Make sure you be extra careful over here and explore during the day or sign up to do a walking tour.
-Gardens: Gardens is one of the most central neighborhoods in Cape Town. This area has a nice mix of locals and visitors and offers a number of vibey eateries, bars, and coffee shops to explore. Personally, I spent most of my time in this area and felt like it was a great home base for my couple of days in Cape Town.
-Camps Bay: For me, Camps Bay was the definition of paradise. This stunning neighborhood highlights scenic coastline roads, gorgeous mansions, trendy restaurants, and some of the best beaches in all of Cape Town. While you will be incredibly comfortable staying in this safe haven, it’s not necessarily a great depiction of the rest of Cape Town. If you do choose to stay here, make sure to venture over to the city center so you can get a good feel of the other parts of town.
-De Waterkant: This area offers plenty of restaurants and shops for both visitors and locals. Here you’ll be able to find an eclectic mix of restaurants, colorful cottages, and up-and-coming art galleries.
-Woodstock: Woodstock is an edgy and alternative neighborhood known for its art galleries, trendy coffee shops, and colorful murals that line the streets. Here is where you will also find the Old Biscuit Mill Market.
Wine Tasting (Constantia)
This area of South Africa is known for its world-renowned vineyards. When I was initially planning my trip, I thought I had to go to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek to have a proper SA wine tasting experience. While both these regions are great for an overnight trip, they are a little far if you’re trying to do it in a day.
If you’re tight on time and don’t want to stay overnight somewhere, venture over to Constantia. What I loved about this wine region is its wide range of different vineyards all within a short distance from each other. Plus, it’s only about a 20-30 minute Uber ride from Gardens.
I personally love a day spent wine tasting, hopping from vineyard to vineyard. In Constantia, you can easily hit multiple stops within an afternoon as long as you plan accordingly. When I went to this area, we were able to do three different tastings at three different vineyards. Each winery had its own unique charm and character.
I suggest making reservations ahead of time so you guarantee a table. Here are the three places I went to:
Wineries in Constantia
-Beau Constantia: This modern winery offers some of the most breathtaking views of the entire region. If you come during the day, set up a picnic blanket and enjoy your tastings outdoors. We came late afternoon and got a table inside their all-glass dining area, which was just as equally as stunning.
-Constantia Glen: For me, you can not go wrong with Constantia Glen. This more traditional winery was located right on a vineyard, offering stunning views of the mountains and the surrounding area.
-The Eagles Nest: The Eagles Nest was the most unique for me. While this location didn’t have the same views as the others, it did have a large outdoor area with casual picnic tables. This is the perfect spot to hang out with a group of friends. We even had a visit from a group of Baboons halfway through our tasting.
Beaches
If you’re coming all the way to Cape Town, you have to spend some time at one of its many relaxing coves and beaches. My personal favorite was the beaches over in Camps Bay (Clifton on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th). If you have more time and want to venture further, try any of these beaches listed below:
-Noordhoek Beach
-Boulders Beach: This is the beach with the penguin colony. If you go here, combine it with -Muizenberg Beach and the Cape of Good Hope
-Llandudno Beach
-Muizenberg Beach: colorful huts right on the beach
-Blouberg Beach
Other Activities:
- Clarence Drive
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Walk around the VA Waterfront
- Cape Point National park
- Hout Bay Seals colony and harbor
- Paraglide off of Signal Hill
- Kalk Bay
- Sunset rock
- Company’s Garden (city park)
Where to Eat & Drink in Cape Town
Camps Bay
Breakfast
–Firefly Cafe: great healthy coffee shop/breakfast spot across the street from the beach
–Bootlegger Coffee: opens earlier than all the other coffee shops in the area. Great for a quick and healthy breakfast
Lunch/Dinner
–Mantra Cafe: great healthy lunch/dinner spot right in front of the ocean in Camps Bay
–The Codfather: Popular seafood dinner spot for lunch or dinner
Gardens:
Breakfast
-The Power and the Glory: coffee shop that turns into a wine and beer bar at night.
–Judds Local: This local spot serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu showcases local farms and wineries from the area.
–Our Local: really cute coffee shop that feels like an indoor garden. It also turns into a bar later in the evening.
-The Blue Cafe: Quaint coffee shop that’s great for a quick breakfast.
Lunch/Dinner
-Kloof Street House: We came here for dinner, and it was such a vibe. You can also go for lunch, but the atmosphere was great at night.
-ELGR: Such a good spot, make sure to reserve ahead of time. Indoor is a better vibe here for night, especially if you’re going in fall or winter.
-Black Sheep Restaurant: Modern dinner spot in a great area overlooking table mountain.
– Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room: modern diner for burgers (further from the other restaurants and in a different neighborhood)
Cocktails
–The Dark Horse: fantastic cocktail bar next to Judds Local
-Yours Truly: great spot to grab a drink right in the heart of Gardens
-Blondie: didn’t get to go but was popping off every night. It looked like a great spot to grab a drink before dinner.
-The Gin Bar: My favorite bar in all of Cape Town, hands down. You enter a chocolate shop and go to the back room where the space opens up into a funky and vibey cocktail bar.
-Rick’s Cafe Americain: A more casual cocktail bar within walking distance to The Dark Horse.
General Tips for Cape Town
- As soon as you arrive, you can pay for a SIM card so you can have data on your phone. This is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to use your phone while in SA.
- Uber is a great way to get around the city. Prices are incredibly cheap compared to other places around the world. Plus, Uber is the most reliable mode of transportation around the city.
- Avoid going out on Long Street. While there are many bars here, it’s not the safest. If you do go over there, make sure to Uber.
- In regards to safety, be smart. Be extra vigilant at night and try not to walk around with your phone out. Just like in Barcelona, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and be extra careful with your valuables. For the most part, I felt way safer in Cape Town than I expected to.
Wrapping Up
Normally I don’t like to visit a place twice. There are far too many beautiful places to see in this world. However, it’s also very rare for me to like a place so much that I could see myself living there for an extended period of time. Cape Town checked those boxes.
I can say with full confidence that I will make it back to South Africa sooner rather than later. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when.
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