Cape town

THE CAPETONIAN LIFESTYLE

Cape Town, located at the southwestern tip of South Africa, is a vibrant city known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and diverse cultural attractions. Often referred to as the "Mother City," it is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, including the iconic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches, and scenic vineyards. The city's multicultural population, great restaurants and affordable accommodation options add to its unique charm.

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FUN THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND CAPE TOWN

Climbing Lion's Head in Cape Town is a popular activity for both locals and tourists, offering stunning panoramic views of the city, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean. Lion's Head is a peak located between Table Mountain and Signal Hill in Cape Town. The hike to the summit is moderately challenging and takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on your fitness level and pace. The peak stands at 669 meters above sea level and provides one of the best viewpoints in the region. Entry to Lion's Head is free, and the starting point is easily accessible by car, taxi, or public transport. There is limited parking available, so it's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak times. Bring a lot of water, sunscreen, and a hat as the sun may blast you during the hike.

Climb Lion's Head Mountain

Take the wine tram in the Franschoek Vineyards

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a unique way to explore the renowned vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley, a premier wine-producing region near Cape Town about 75km away from the city. This hop-on, hop-off tour combines tram and bus/tractor transportation, offering an unforgettable way to visit multiple wine estates in a single day. The tram across the vineyards costs R300 per person, and at each wine estate you pay for a glass of wine, a wine pairing or a wine & snack pairing.

Boulders Beach, located in Simon's Town - about 40kms from Cape Town - is a popular destination renowned for its stunning scenery and its colony of African penguins. This amazing beach offers visitors the unique opportunity to get close to these penguins in their natural habitat. Entry for foreigners costs R328 per person, which gives you access to the boardwalks and viewing areas where you can observe the African penguin colony up close, as well as access to the beach itself for swimming and relaxing. The most convenient way to reach Boulders Beach is by car. It’s a scenic drive along the M4 route, passing through coastal towns and offering beautiful ocean views. Do not feed or touch the penguins. Keep a safe distance to avoid disturbing them. Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks. The sun can be intense, and there are limited places to buy refreshments.

Chill with penguins on Boulders Beach

Take the cable car up Table Moutain

Table Mountain is one of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks, offering breathtaking views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can either take the cable car or hike to the summit, each providing a unique experience. The cable car costs R490 per adult for a return ticket from the ticket office, and R430 if bought online. It takes 5 min to get to the summit. There are also several hiking routes to the summit, which take around 3 hours and are relatively strenuous. You can also opt to hike up and take the cable car down.

Cape Town offers some of the most unique and enchanting scuba diving experiences in the world, with its lush kelp forests providing a stunning underwater landscape. The kelp forests are teeming with marine life, including seals, various fish species, nudibranchs, octopuses, and occasionally, the elusive seven-gill cow shark. Uncertified divers can opt for a discovery dive, but it is also a relatively cheap place to get the open water diver certification (around R6000+) and many dives require this certification. Snorkeling is always an option. Popular dive sites include False Bay: Pyramid Rock, Castle Rock, and Windmill Beach & the Atlantic Coast: Oudekraal, Hout Bay, and the wrecks of the Aster and the Maori. Dive centers: Pisces Divers, Into the Blue & Cape Town Dive Centre.

Go scuba diving in the kelp forests of the Atlantic Ocean

Relax on Llandadno Beach in Hout Bay

Llandudno Beach is one of Cape Town's most picturesque and secluded beaches, nestled between Camps Bay and Hout Bay. It is around 15 kilometers from the city center, about a 20-minute drive. If you don't have access to a car, take the MyCiTi bus service to Hout Bay, then a short taxi ride to Llandudno Beach. Llandudno is known for its good surfing conditions, with consistent waves suitable for experienced surfers. Bring your own equipment or rent from nearby areas like Hout Bay or Camps Bay. The Atlantic waters can be very cold, wetsuits are recommended for prolonged swimming or surfing. Bring your own food, drinks, and beach essentials.

Robben Island, located off the coast of Cape Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South Africa's significant historical landmarks. The island holds the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years in captivity. The island is around 7 kilometers from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, accessible only by ferry. The ferry departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and takes about 30 mins each way. The tour costs around R600 per person, and takes about 3.5 hours in total. Visitors are taken on a bus tour around the island, stopping at significant sites. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the country's past and the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom.

Take a tour to the historic Robben Island

Stroll through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of Cape Town's most beloved attractions, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and diverse plant life. Nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it is part of the Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, around a 20 min drive from the city center. MyCiTi bus also goes here. You can picnic here, and there are several hiking routes. Tickets for foreigners cost R230 per person.

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is one of Cape Town's premier shopping and entertainment destinations. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain and the bustling harbor, this area offers an unparalleled shopping experience. There is plenty of parking space, and the V&A is easily accessible via MyCiTi buses. Visitors can also enjoy the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape Wheel around the Waterfront area. There are some amazing dining options here, such as The Test Kitchen Fledglings, offering modern South African cuisine with seasonal & local ingredients, Baia Seafood Restaurant, and Karibu, for traditional South African braai (barbecue), game meat, and a lovely terrace overlooking the water.

Visit the Victoria Warf to do some shopping

Visit Seal Island

Seal Island, False Bay is about 5.7 kilometers off the coast of Simon's Town, south of Cape Town. It is a small granite island home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. The island is famous for being a hunting ground for great white sharks. Several operators offer boat tours to Seal Island from Simon's Town. Popular operators include Apex Shark Expeditions and Seal Island Cruises. Some operators offer shark cage diving tours around Seal Island, providing a close-up view of great white sharks.

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