20 Things You Absolutely Have To Do In Cape Town, South Africa

16 Mar 20 Things You Absolutely Have To Do In Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town holds a very special place in my heart. For some reason (and I think I know the reason now, since my good friend Ollie explained the theory of Earth chakras and vortexes, to us the other day ) I have always felt calm and at peace when in Cape Town. It’s bizarre, especially because, of the seven trips I’ve done to Cape Town, six have been for work, so memories of calmness and tranquility shouldn’t be associated with this city, yet somehow there’s an energy here that simply leaves me feeling amazing.

This city is truly world-class in terms of activities, things to see and do, and of course for photography and videography, so we thought we’d take this opportunity to create a #ProudlySouthAfrican post for Cape Town, and share our recommendations for when you visit next (because we know you’ll want to).

 

20 Things You Absolutely Have To Do In Cape Town

 

1. Hike up Lion’s Head at sunrise

This has to go down as our favourite activity for outdoor-lovers. Of course you’ll need to be smart and bring a torch for the pre-sunrise darkness, but if you time it right, watching the sun come up from the top of this iconic mountain is truly remarkable.

 

 

2. Take a road trip down to Cape Point 

Not only is the drive from Cape Town incredibly scenic (making it one of the longest 1.5hr drives because you’ll be stopping every five minutes to take a photo) you’ll want to see the view from the point, because, well, who wouldn’t!? It’s the southern most tip of Africa – next stop: Antarctica.

Note: we were celebrating Steve turning 30, hence the three fingers pulled up in the car pic below 🙂

 

 

3. Visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach

We recommend avoiding the main viewing spot (as the crowds never stop) and taking a sharp left next to the parking lot, so that you can get some one-on-one time with the cuties.

 

 

4. Enjoy fish & chips at the V&A Waterfront at sunset

So many spots to choose from, we can guarantee a great view wherever you go (and of course a real taste of Cape Town’s welcoming energy).

 

 

5. Stroll through the craft stalls at The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront

Everything from local fashion design, jewelry, arts, crafts, and even an exhibition space, The Watershed is the epitome of a modern African market.

 

6. Catch the cable car up Table Mountain (on your birthday)

The only reason we recommend your birthday is because entrance to the cable car is mahala (meaning ‘free’), but no matter what day you go (weather permitting), it’s going to be a view you’ll never forget.

 

 

7. Have a Penguin encounter at the Two Oceans Aquarium

I think this one speaks for itself, but if you need more convincing, check out our other post with some happy-feet-lap-dance gifs of Penguins on laps. Yup, it happened.

 

 

8. Get some sun and waves on Llandudno beach

We were lucky enough to go for cocktails at one of the homes in Llandadno, but even if we hadn’t, the beach would’ve been enough to rate this as one of the most beautiful places to visit in Western Cape.

 

9. Drive out to check out the colourful beach huts on Muizenberg beach

They’re just such an iconic part of South Africa’s history (and unoccupied at the moment) so well worth checking out.

 

 

10. Have an artisan breakfast in Stellenbosch

For a small town, Stellenbosch has an extreme vibrancy, no matter what time of day it is. It might have something to do with the University that dominates it, but either way, breakie in one of the many cultured spots is a must.

 

 

11. Hire a bike and cycle the promenade from Seapoint to the V&A Waterfront

It takes around 30 minutes, costs around R75pp (US$5), and is the most fun you can have on two wheels. You’ll get to experience the really health-conscious and animal-loving community of Cape Town, and feel like a local amongst the crowds.

 

12. Wine and dine at one of the wine farms in Franschhoek

Whether it’s at the one-of-a-kind Babylonstoren (which we visited with the rest of the Design Indaba crew), or some of the other wine farms, you won’t be disappointed with the food or drink, so this is a MUST.

 

 

13. Take a helicopter ride over the Cape Peninsula

Again, we’re only taking people’s word for it as we sadly didn’t go up in a heli (this time), but our flight into the Mother City proved that an aerial view of the coastline (and an experience as thrilling as a helicopter) is something everyone should experience.

 

 

14. Take a catamaran to Clifton Beach for the sunset cruise of a lifetime

The views are simply unmatched, and if you’re lucky like we were, a spotting of playful dolphins is on the cards.

 

 

15. Share dim sum and cocktails on Long Street

Coined as Cape Town’s busiest street with the most vibrant nightlife, there’s tons of bars and restaurants to choose from, so there’s many different cuisines to try too (we just really enjoy dim sum).

 

16. Go snorkeling and picnicking at Smitswinkelbaai

Preserved by the locals, this bay is only reached by foot, so you’ll need to park off the main road near the Table Mountain National Park entrance, and take a 15min walk down to see this insanely beautiful bay, with marine opportunities any snorkeller would dream of.

 

 

17. Visit the dog named ‘Just Nuisance’ at the Simon’s Town harbor

We just thought his name was hilarious, but anything in this little town is worth visiting – it’s a beautifully preserved piece of South African history.

 

 

18. Have the world’s tastiest sushi at Willoughbys & Co at the V&A Waterfront

Yes, it’s true. We’ve discovered the best tasting sushi in all the land (apart from the sushi restaurants in Tokyo of course). Just make a note – it’s open from 12pm and you cannot reserve tables, so make sure to come early to avoid standing in the queue, because there is definitely a queue. Every. Single. Day.

 

 

19. Enjoy a sunset at Tableview beach, overlooking Cape Town’s iconic landscape

We’ll let our photo speak for itself, but this is pretty much the best spot in Cape Town to capture the iconic Table Mountain view at sunset.

 

 

20. Visit the colorful suburb of Bo-Kaap

This charming little suburb and the Cape Malay inhabitants will leave you questioning white walls forever.

 

 

So that’s our list. There’s probably a million other things we could’ve added (and if you can think of any, please leave them in the comments below) but if you’re looking at getting a real taste of the beautiful city, our 20 items are a great start.

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