Cape Town remains one of my favourite cities in the world. A place where the carefree notion of coastal living and the determined drive of a bustling capital work hand in hand. The city has a dynamic vibe, full of creatives and some of the best restaurants in the world. Whilst everywhere you look you get stunning, panoramic views of that iconic mountain, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
I am lucky to have visited the city many times and, on each occasion, I come away wanting to return as there’s just so much to see and do - whether that’s a new way of seeing an old faithful or a totally brand new experience. I can guarantee that you can spend two weeks in and around Cape Town and not get bored, whether you are a couple or a family, into contemporary art, architecture, hiking, biking, arts and crafts, water sports, wildlife, flora and fauna or food and drink.
I’ve just returned from my latest jaunt down to the mother city and wanted to share some my favourite things:
Visiting the penguins
Boulders Beach has the cutest colony of penguins and seeing them in their natural seaside habitat is something you never get tired of - and I’ve done it a few times! But my favourite way to experience them is with one of my amazing partners on the ground, travelling with a cool dude in a fully kitted out SUV, kayaking and paddle boarding along the way with a pit stop for a beach picnic, before sitting with the penguins in a special spot away from the crowds.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
This is one of my favourite drives anywhere in the world and is quite simply a must when in Cape Town. A winding stretch of highway connecting Hout Bay and Noordhoek, the views around every corner are just incredible.
But instead of driving it yourself, why not head out in a vintage side car with the wind blowing through your hair and on point guiding by your motorcycle enthusiast driver.
Beachy days
As Cape Town is surrounded by the South Atlantic Ocean there’s no shortage of beaches to park up at. Whether that’s in the tidal pools at Camps Bay, lounging at Bantry Bay or kite surfing at Muizenburg. There is definitely something for everyone and you’ll find the beaches filled with locals after work and at the weekends.
Take a helicopter flight
There’s nothing quite like an aerial view of Cape Town to grasp the sheer scale and beauty of this fynbos kingdom jutting out to sea. A helicopter flight is definitely up there on the ‘must do’ list for Cape Town. But it’s also a great way of doing a scenic transfer to your next stop after Cape Town. I recently had clients take a helicopter up to the Cedarburg Mountains for a stay at the wonderful Bushman’s Kloof, a wellness retreat set on a vast private reserve with a host of outdoor activities and fabulous San Bushmen rock art.
Be like a local
The one thing that all Capetonians love is a good farmer’s market and every Saturday you will find them shopping, eating, drinking and catching up with friends. My two favourite are the Neighbourgoods Market, which is housed in the redeveloped Old Biscuit Mill in cool Woodstock with its art galleries, striking murals and hipster boutiques, and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market with its ocean views and just a short stroll from the V&A Waterfront. Here I love to shop for crafts at the Watershed, an indoor market with dozens of stalls by local South African artisans, and visit the excellent Zeitz Mocca, which is housed in a space created out of more than 40 old grain silos and showcases contemporary South African Art.
Have a picnic in Kirstenbosch
These spectacular botanical gardens form part of a nature reserve that borders Table Mountain National Park and are dedicated to South Africa’s own flora. The gardens are full of pretty hiking trails many through stunning fynbos. Getting a picnic from a local deli and heading out for a hike in the sunshine is a treat, before finishing with a stroll through the tree canopy along the Boomslang (Tree Snake) walkway.
Go whale watching
Yes, there are lots of boat charters offering this, but if you don’t have great sea legs like me and would prefer to watch the whales from the comfort of your own sun lounger, you must check-in at Birkenhead House. I first stayed here on my honeymoon and each time I return it never disappoints. I also love the coastal walk from the house to Hermanus. {Whale watching is seasonal from July to September}
Hike Lion’s Head
The hike up Lion’s Head offers incredible views. Since the trail winds around the mountain, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see every side of Cape Town from above. When you start, the ever-stunning Table Mountain will be just to the left, but soon enough you’ll be facing Robben Island in the distance, with all of Cape Town below. The Lion’s Head hiking trail is eight miles round-trip and takes about three to four hours to complete - depending on your pace - and is easy to do without a guide.
Indulge in the wine
There are so many wonderful wine estates to visit and, although they can be done as a day trip from Cape Town, I always suggest that clients stay for a few days in the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, which has some of the area’s best restaurants. Top of my favourite wine estates and one definitely not to miss is Babylonstoren, which features a vineyard, spa, restaurant, prickly pear maze, orchards, ducks, chickens, herb gardens and a farm shop. It’s the stuff of Instagram dreams. They also have the excellent farm to fork Babel restaurant and the most delicious wine. It’s great for a day trip, but even better if you stay.
As you can see from my small selection of favourite things, there is so much to see and do just within the environs of Cape Town that you can quite easily spend all your holiday there. But popular add-ons are obviously a safari and you can access most safari destinations easily. Or you may like to drive the Garden Route taking in some stunning coastal areas, from the wilds of the De Hoop Wildlife Reserve to the sweeping swathes of beaches around Plettenburg. Or for complete relaxation, you can opt for the laid back beaches of Mozambique.
If you are interested in discovering everything that the Cape has to offer, either as a standalone destination or as part of a wider Africa trip, then please do get in touch. I have spent a lot of time in Cape Town and the Winelands and I have travelled extensively through South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique, so I know how best to combine the locations and to bring this wonderful continent to life.