Cape Town Bucket List
Sunrise on a flat-topped mountain. Pinotage in a centuries-old vineyard by noon. Penguins on white sand before sunset. Cape Town packs more into a single day than most cities can fit into a week. And it does it with two oceans serving as a picturesque backdrop.
Why Cape Town belongs on your bucket list
The thing about Cape Town is that it has a mountain in the middle of it. It has two oceans on either side. And it has some of the best vineyards in the world just a forty-five-minute drive away. It's like it's not supposed to be this way. It's like it's a sin to be able to surf the Atlantic in the morning and swim in the Indian Ocean by the afternoon. Same day. Same week. Same month. It's like it's a challenge to have Table Mountain look down on a skyline that boasts some of the best cocktail bars and restaurants anywhere in the world. It's like it's a sin to have a history that's this deep. And yet it is. And it's right there in front of you.
When to go
So come between October and April. That's spring and summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere. December through February is the best time to come if you want it hot and dry. And you're willing to pay a premium for it. Because it's worth it. Those evenings that last until midnight? Worth it. Want to avoid the crowds? And have pretty good weather anyway? Then come in October/November or March/April. The vineyards will be budding or in harvest. And Table Mountain will be clear instead of shrouded in cloud cover.
Must-visit places in Cape Town
Table Mountain
You can take the revolving cable car or hike it the hard way through Platteklip Gorge, which is a steep two-hour hike for those who want to test their endurance. Either way, you'll be rewarded with a view from 1,085 meters above the city, from Robben Island to Peninsula. Be early, though, because come midday, the clouds roll in, and the whole scene disappears.
Robben Island
Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison here. The tours are given by former political prisoners who actually lived through this period of South African history. They'll take you through the limestone quarry, the cellblock, and tell you stories you'll never find in any textbook. It's heavy, but it's necessary. Be sure to book your ferry from the V&A Waterfront well in advance because the slots are filled early.
V&A Waterfront
Still a working harbor, which keeps it real. At the same time, it's become a vast complex of restaurants, shops, and the excellent Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, housed in a former grain silo, which is simply amazing. The Watershed market is where you'll find local designers and craftspeople selling their wares. And no matter where you go, you'll see Table Mountain looming in the background.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Built into the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this is honestly one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. The Tree Canopy Walkway, which locals refer to as the Boomslang, snakes through the treetops, giving you a bird's-eye view of the fynbos in every direction. Sunday sunset concerts in the summer are a Cape Town tradition. Bring a blanket and a bottle of wine.
Bo-Kaap
Cobalt, lime, tangerine – the houses look like they were splashed with a wild painter's palette, and you'll recognize them instantly from every photo of Cape Town you've ever seen. But it's more than just a photo op. Bo-Kaap is the historic heartland of the Cape Malay community, with 300 years of history recorded in the small museum. Stroll down Wale and Chiappini streets for the best light.
Cape Point
Sheer cliffs that drop straight down into the Atlantic Ocean. Wind that can push you sideways. The old lighthouse is at the top. Take the funicular up to it, or hike it. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve that surrounds it has ostriches, baboons, and bontebok roaming about. And the road down to get here via Chapman's Peak? Maybe the best road in the world. Period.
Stellenbosch Wine Region
Fifty kilometers east. That's it. And then...wine country that rivals France or Italy. Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Bordeaux blends. All excellent. All affordable. Estates like Delaire Graff and Jordan offer tastings with views of the mountains that alone make the trip worthwhile. Stellenbosch, the town nearby? A grid of oak trees, Cape Dutch buildings, bistros where you can happily stay for lunch...and dinner.
Camps Bay Beach
White sand, turquoise water, the Twelve Apostles mountain range in the background. Looks like the Caribbean. Until you get in the water...and realize it's as cold as the Atlantic Ocean actually is. Which is probably the point. The promenade along the water is lined with places to stop for a sundowner. And when the sun sets behind the mountains...and they turn that beautiful shade of pink...yeah. Maybe the most beautiful sunset in the city.
La Colombe
A top restaurant in Africa, and it shows. The tasting menu here, in this wine estate in Constantia, combines French skill with Asian and African ingredients in ways you'll find surprising again and again. The tuna La Colombe is its signature dish for a reason. The setting, under a canopy of trees in a beautiful garden, is like dining in a forest clearing. Book well in advance.
Boulders Beach Penguins
More than 2,000 African Penguins inhabit this protected beach in Simon's Town. Just live here. Permanently. Stroll along boardwalks in the dunes, and they are here, swimming, nesting, sunbathing, and belly-flopping into the waves just a few meters away from you. You can even swim with them in the clear waters. It's one of the few places in the world where you can do that. It will always seem a little surreal.
Cape Town insider tips
- Getting Around: Rent a car. You'll want one anyway for the Cape Peninsula and Winelands. Uber is available in Cape Town proper, but otherwise public transport is limited and only available on MyCiti bus routes.
- Safety: Just common sense is all you need. Avoid walking alone at night and keep electronic devices out of sight. Stick to tourist areas and you'll have no problems. Most tourists don't have a single problem.
- Table Mountain: Look at the webcam first. The cable car will not operate in bad winds, and clouds roll in over Table Mountain without warning. Early morning or late afternoon is best for clear views.
- Load Shedding: This is a phenomenon of planned power outages that happens in South Africa. Download EskomSePush app to check if load shedding is planned in your area. Most restaurants and hotels have generators.
- Currency: The Rand is a great currency. It works in your favor. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but cash is useful for markets and tipping.
- Wine Route Strategy: Don't be a Hero. Choose 3-4 estates in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Hire a driver. Space it out with long lunches in between. Trust me on this one.
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