7 Things To Do In Cape Town
Popularly referred to as “The Home of the Seas”, Cape Town is one of the largest metropolitan towns in Africa. It is a brilliant vacation destination for night owls, extreme sports enthusiasts and nature fans. Its closeness to some of the top attractions in the country such as the South African National Gallery makes the town a perfect starting point for any Cape Town Adventure. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Enjoy the View
A tour to Table Mountain for expansive views of the town and sweeping is a must for anyone who is visiting Cape Town. Easily the country’s most notable monument, Table Mountain sky-scrapes over Cape Town, just south of the Central Business District. Having earned the name Table’ from its flat topped shape, the mountain is the most popular sight within Table Mountain National Park.
There are many ways to explore Table Mountain. For those who are looking to get some exercise, you can take a hike to the Mountain’s peak. And then if you are bold enough you rappel back down! The faint hearted can catch the Cableway up and back down. The ride will give you a hawk’s eye view of the entire city. If you want a longer experience on the tourist attraction site spending multiple nights in camps, you can take the long distance Hoerikwaggo trail up from the Cape of Good Hope.
2. Eat Your Heart Out
Apart from being “The Tavern of the Seas,” Cape Town is also home to some of the globe’s best gastronomy. For example, the Test Kitchen (The city’s most exclusive eatery) was recently commended as one the globe’s best eateries by San Pellegrino. You can call beforehand to try and secure reservations. Chef Luke Dale Robert’s menu will never disappoint. If you like classics you can indulge in bistro classics at Bistro Bizerca signal. The restaurant serves contemporary South African Cuisine in an inviting and warm environment. And for delectable pies, petit-fours and cupcakes, visit Charly’s Bakery, a conducive environment to unwind as you enjoy your wheat end product.
3. Get Schooled in South African History
Tour Nelson Mandela’s cell of nearly twenty years on the famous Robben Island. Tours are usually conducted by former inmates and hearing their stories is absolutely invaluable. Visiting the place will not only move you, but will inspire you to learn more. For a more informational tour that highlights the less known players during the apartheid struggle in Cape Town, tour companies usually offer interesting and excellent tours. For example Coffee Beans offers a very informational tour known as The Revolution Route.
4. Dine and Shop on Long Street
Even though the iconic street might be a bit rough around the outskirts, particularly during the night, it still has some the greatest restaurants to offer in Cape Town. A notable option is Mama Africa, a vibrant and fun eatery that offers real African experience with a lively bar and emblematic dishes. Further down the street is Fork, the town’s best tapas eatery with innovative offerings of small and delicious plates. The Granddaddy rooftop bar, the globe’s only designer rooftop caravan park is a perfect place for an evening cocktail.
Long Street is also the ideal place for partying. Trendy and Iconic entertainment spots like Julep and the Waiting room make the place great for partying. Shoppers will also find the street appealing as it has a beautifully crafted space (merchants) with everything from unique perfumes to fashion. Other amazing finds are on Church Street just adjacent to Long Street. Olive Cat and Knick Knacks offer trendy jewellery while Chandler House has great ceramic works.
5. Visit the Cape Winelands
There are over 3000 wine producers who produce over a billion litres of wine every year on thousands of hectares around the Western Cape. In fact Wines from South Africa are considered some the best quality wines in the world. The Vineyards at the bottom of the surrounding mountains in fertile valleys are also dazzling. Most people visit the area just to see the wine farms and they keep coming back.
There are basically four main wine routes in Cape Winelands but the most notable ones are Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The vineyards to check out in Franschhoek are La Petite Ferme, Haute Cabrière and Môreson. It will be more convenient if you take a private car so that you can easily choose where to visit and when to plan for to private tours. The region also harbours one of the best hotels in the world –La Residence. A stay in this hotel is not to be missed whenever you visit South Africa-just ask one its celebrity fans.
Stellenbosch is another sensational area to tour. The top vineyards here include Kanonkop, Delaire and Tokara. The accommodations in this region are also not something you will forget easily. Groot Constantia one the oldest wine producing estates in the world is also worth a tour. It is around twenty minutes outside Cape Town.
6. Shark-spotting in False Bay and Gansbaai
There are very few places in the wold that you can come face to face with white sharks. Cape Town is one of them. False Bay is where you will see the mammals break the water, a naturally sensational sight. Gansbaai on the other hand is home to the popular shark alley’ and many other sharks. A general rule of thumb, summer months can be better in Gansbaai while winter months are better in False Bay. Tours to these areas usually leave early in the morning.
7. South African National Gallery
The South Africa premier museum houses some of the most phenomenal art collections of South African, French, African, Flemish, Dutch and British origins. To allow the art museum to have a full lineup of temporary exhibitions of photography, architecture, textiles, beadwork, sculpture, works on paper and paintings, collections from the permanent store change regularly. The Gallery is located in the Company Gardens, near the South African Museum.
7 Things To Do In Cape Town
1. Enjoy the View
A tour to Table Mountain for expansive views of the town and sweeping is a must for anyone who is visiting Cape Town. Easily the country’s most notable monument, Table Mountain sky-scrapes over Cape Town, just south of the Central Business District. Having earned the name Table’ from its flat topped shape, the mountain is the most popular sight within Table Mountain National Park.
There are many ways to explore Table Mountain. For those who are looking to get some exercise, you can take a hike to the Mountain’s peak. And then if you are bold enough you rappel back down! The faint hearted can catch the Cableway up and back down. The ride will give you a hawk’s eye view of the entire city. If you want a longer experience on the tourist attraction site spending multiple nights in camps, you can take the long distance Hoerikwaggo trail up from the Cape of Good Hope.
2. Eat Your Heart Out
Apart from being “The Tavern of the Seas,” Cape Town is also home to some of the globe’s best gastronomy. For example, the Test Kitchen (The city’s most exclusive eatery) was recently commended as one the globe’s best eateries by San Pellegrino. You can call beforehand to try and secure reservations. Chef Luke Dale Robert’s menu will never disappoint. If you like classics you can indulge in bistro classics at Bistro Bizerca signal. The restaurant serves contemporary South African Cuisine in an inviting and warm environment. And for delectable pies, petit-fours and cupcakes, visit Charly’s Bakery, a conducive environment to unwind as you enjoy your wheat end product.
3. Get Schooled in South African History
Tour Nelson Mandela’s cell of nearly twenty years on the famous Robben Island. Tours are usually conducted by former inmates and hearing their stories is absolutely invaluable. Visiting the place will not only move you, but will inspire you to learn more. For a more informational tour that highlights the less known players during the apartheid struggle in Cape Town, tour companies usually offer interesting and excellent tours. For example Coffee Beans offers a very informational tour known as The Revolution Route.
4. Dine and Shop on Long Street
Even though the iconic street might be a bit rough around the outskirts, particularly during the night, it still has some the greatest restaurants to offer in Cape Town. A notable option is Mama Africa, a vibrant and fun eatery that offers real African experience with a lively bar and emblematic dishes. Further down the street is Fork, the town’s best tapas eatery with innovative offerings of small and delicious plates. The Granddaddy rooftop bar, the globe’s only designer rooftop caravan park is a perfect place for an evening cocktail.
Long Street is also the ideal place for partying. Trendy and Iconic entertainment spots like Julep and the Waiting room make the place great for partying. Shoppers will also find the street appealing as it has a beautifully crafted space (merchants) with everything from unique perfumes to fashion. Other amazing finds are on Church Street just adjacent to Long Street. Olive Cat and Knick Knacks offer trendy jewellery while Chandler House has great ceramic works.
5. Visit the Cape Winelands
There are over 3000 wine producers who produce over a billion litres of wine every year on thousands of hectares around the Western Cape. In fact Wines from South Africa are considered some the best quality wines in the world. The Vineyards at the bottom of the surrounding mountains in fertile valleys are also dazzling. Most people visit the area just to see the wine farms and they keep coming back.
There are basically four main wine routes in Cape Winelands but the most notable ones are Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The vineyards to check out in Franschhoek are La Petite Ferme, Haute Cabrière and Môreson. It will be more convenient if you take a private car so that you can easily choose where to visit and when to plan for to private tours. The region also harbours one of the best hotels in the world –La Residence. A stay in this hotel is not to be missed whenever you visit South Africa-just ask one its celebrity fans.
Stellenbosch is another sensational area to tour. The top vineyards here include Kanonkop, Delaire and Tokara. The accommodations in this region are also not something you will forget easily. Groot Constantia one the oldest wine producing estates in the world is also worth a tour. It is around twenty minutes outside Cape Town.
6. Shark-spotting in False Bay and Gansbaai
There are very few places in the wold that you can come face to face with white sharks. Cape Town is one of them. False Bay is where you will see the mammals break the water, a naturally sensational sight. Gansbaai on the other hand is home to the popular shark alley’ and many other sharks. A general rule of thumb, summer months can be better in Gansbaai while winter months are better in False Bay. Tours to these areas usually leave early in the morning.
7. South African National Gallery
The South Africa premier museum houses some of the most phenomenal art collections of South African, French, African, Flemish, Dutch and British origins. To allow the art museum to have a full lineup of temporary exhibitions of photography, architecture, textiles, beadwork, sculpture, works on paper and paintings, collections from the permanent store change regularly. The Gallery is located in the Company Gardens, near the South African Museum.
7 Things To Do In Cape Town
