My favourite city in the world. There is just so much to do here! So here are my highlights…
HIKING
Table Mountain and Lion’s Head overlook the bay of the city, Robben Island and the most beautiful waters. Both of these hikes are quite accessible, but don’t bother attempting them when it’s windy, or you will get blown over and have a bruised bum like me.
At around 1000m above the city, Table Mountain is a pretty hard climb but totally worth it. My preferred route up is the Platteklip Gorge, although it is a bit of a scramble towards the top. Take warm clothes in the winter months! Although its 20 degrees at the bottom, it feels like -10 at the peak. There are plenty of cute caves to explore on the way, and definitely take a bottle of champagne to pop at the top. To start the hike, head to the cable car station, and continue walking until you see signs for the trail on your right hand side. The cable car is also perfect to get up the mountain quickly if you make last minute plans to see the sunset!
Lion’s Head is way more hands on but super fun. The climb finishes with pulling yourself up on chains and climbing crazy ladders and metal staples. It’s shorter than Table Mountain, and only takes around 50 minutes but with the most beautiful views en route. There are some of the most iconic snaps of Cape Town taken from the top, so definitely do this on a clear day.
DRINKING
The vineyards of South Africa are one of the best things to visit! They are nearly all set in the most beautiful location, up to an hour from Cape Town towards Stellenbosch, totally reachable by Uber (super cheap). Groot Constantia is a fave because it has so many grounds to explore with your wine glass in hand. The chocolate and wine pairing is a nice experience, with 5 or 6 wines and their chocolate counterpart, along with a momento glass and the chance to buy any of the wines you tasted. The vineyards are beautiful and they surround the cute lunch spots with amaaaazing flatbreads.
Alternatively, the Delaire Graffe Estate is maybe one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen. The 5 wine taster menu is crazy cheap at maybe £12, and again comes with the opportunity to purchase the ones you’ve fallen in love with. You can also reserve for dinner here, and the vineyards are gorgeous to amble around.
EATING
Cape Town for me is all about the red wine and steak, but you can also try all sorts of random meats, plus the renowned biltong (which comes basically vacuum packed so you can take it up the mountains with you for a lil hike snack). The Bungalow in Clifton has the best sunset views over the sea and amazing food. Definitely reserve here though! Crew favourites are also NV80 and Hussars Grill, and whilst they are situated in strange areas with literally no views, the food is pretty good. Franky’s which is close to Sea Point does quick, easy and tasty burgers too. The V&A Waterfront is a top spot for late afternoon cocktail drinking before dinner, and one of fave places would be Life Grand Cafe which even has a cute upstairs dining balcony looking over the marina. A little down the road is the Grand Cafe & Beach which does perfect pizzas, wine and sunsets, alongside live DJs at the weekend.
EXPLORING
Aside from the vineyards which are obviously a must visit, there is literally an endless list of amazing things to see and do here. A personal must-do is a champagne sunset cruise which departs the harbour by the V&A. You can book from the catamaran offices themselves which line the waterfront, or online. There are the most beautiful sunsets to see here, and usually a few dolphins and sharks too.
Boulder’s Beach is home to hundreds of South Africa’s penguins. It costs a little for an entry ticket, but you can access both the boardwalk where the penguins nest, and the beach where you can sunbathe freely whilst they wander around and hiss at you. Super cute place for a picnic if you don’t mind your sandwiches being stolen.
For a colourful stroll there is Bo-Kaap, and for something more adventurous you can also paraglide off of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. On a rainy day, visit Yamaya Spa in Sea Point (crew discount), for amazing treatments at like half the price you’d pay in the UK. Also keep an eye out for Cape Town’s sporting fixtures! You can see the Cape Cobras at Newland Cricket ground for something as ridiculous as £5.
Enjoy the best place on earth!