From surfing the waves to relaxing in a luxury hotel over afternoon tea, there is so much to do in this thriving city, situated on South Africa’s southwest coast. Here are our highlights.
From Big Bay to Long Beach, Cape Town has some of Africa’s – nay, the world’s – best surfing. Experienced surfers can just venture on out into the gnarly waves, but for those of us newer to the rumbling waters of surf beaches, head out to a surf school to learn the tricks. Stoked School of Surf is a great place to start – they offer single lessons and even weekend getaways for those who really want to get into the spirit.
Towering some 1085 metres over Cape Town is majestic Table Mountain. There is a cable car to take you up if you’re not feeling energetic, but hiking it really is something special, so if you’re fit, strap on those hiking boots and get to it. There are around 1000 routes to hike the mountain so taking a guide is a good idea. Hike Table Mountain offer guided tours, which range from taking the cable car half of the way there, to hiking up hardcore.
South African food must be one of the world’s most diverse, with influences from Malaysia to India, Holland and of course, the rest of Africa, so make time to sample Cape Malay food when you visit. And be sure to visit Bo-Kaap – a colourful neighbourhood where you’ll find lots of restaurants serving Cape Malay cuisine. You’ll smell the charring kebabs, spicy curries and tomato-based stews a mile off. Biesmiellah restaurant is a safe bet, and a hit with locals and tourists alike.
Ever had a South African wine and thought, “Whoa, that’s one delicious drop”? Well, if you’re in Cape Town you can go straight to the source – the nearby Cape Winelands. Luhambo Tours offer daytrips out of Cape Town where you will visit various vineyards and learn all about the history of winemaking in this region. Plus you won’t have to drive, so you can sample as much as you damn well please.
Talk about a beautiful place to stay. The Mount Nelson is truly one of the world’s great hotels, and even if you can only stay a night here, do it. Overlooked by Table Mountain, the hotel opened in 1899 and – after being painted baby pink to signify peace in 1918 – has been a key facet of Cape Town’s architectural landscape ever since. The rooms are lusciously decorated and the food is top-end. If you don’t end up staying here, another great way to experience it is with its famous afternoon tea – it’s the best in town.
