Cape Town is a vibrant port city along the southwest coast of South Africa that attracts tourists from all over the world. The city itself is bursting with life, and just beyond city walls lay sun-kissed beaches, rustic countryside vineyards, beautiful mountain trials, once-in-a-lifetime safari adventures and much more. With so much to do both inside and outside of the city, Cape Town has a vast array of activities to enamor any type of traveler!
What to do
Cape Town is a lively city filled with amazing restaurants, buzzing nightlife and rich history. Many locals and visitors often choose to spend days roaming around the busy city streets. Bree Street, for example, is a thoroughfare in Cape Town and is home to some of the best bars, charcuterie shops and places to eat in the entire city. Brunch is a big deal on Bree Street, especially at Bacon on Bree, where the locals’ mouths water over their super savory bacon inspired meals.
If you are traveling with a history-buff, the Iziko South African Museum is guaranteed to amaze. The museum was founded in 1825 and has over time collected some of the most important artifacts found anywhere in the world. At the museum, you will find a vast array of objects from all eras of life, such as fossils dating back nearly 700 million years, human tools used 120,000 years ago and traditional clothes from the last century. Simply put, the Iziko South African Museum provides an incredible glimpse into life on Earth throughout all time periods.
While Cape Town’s beaches are spectacular, and the city itself is always bustling with life, gems of adventure can be found in more rustic areas of the region.
If you are an avid hiker, Cape Town is a must-visit. The city sits at the base of Table Mountain, a flat top mountain range towering above the coast at over 3,500 feet high. The mountain features world-renowned hiking trails of leveling difficulty for casual hikers and experienced climbers alike. However, whichever path you take will lead you to ultimate coastal views. And if hiking is not your cup of tea, there are also cable car services to ensure you do not miss out on these breathtaking landscapes!
While Napa, Italy and France may come to a wine lover’s mind first, Cape Town boasts hundreds of remarkable wineries for tastings and vineyard tour day trips. There are many different wine growing regions and routes near Cape Town, each having their own unique features. The oldest in the area, the Constantia Wine Route, is just a short 15-minute drive from Cape Town and is home to some of the most highly acclaimed red and whites in South Africa. Constantia has premier conditions for growing Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa’s most popular varietal. If you are looking to try Pinotage, a rather uncommon grape that has become the signature South African red, the Tulbagh Wine Route is the perfect spot. Surrounded by mountain peaks on three sides, Tulbagh Valley is a relatively lesser known region but has been climbing in popularity due to its astounding landscapes and mix of new and old estates.
Although winemaking has been practiced in South Africa for over 350 years, few could access South African wines until the 1990s, due to strict trade restrictions. Being able to now immerse yourself into a style of wine previously unknown to the outside world for hundreds of years is truly an unforgettable experience.
Cape Town also has some of the best wildlife excursions that you can find on the entire continent. What better experience for animal lovers than to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat? Local nature preserves such as Aquila Private Game Reserve, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and Fairy Glen Private Game Reserve offer great chances to see the “Big 5,” consisting of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes (oh my!). Another popular nature preserve is the Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, just two hours outside of Cape Town. In addition to seeing the “Big 5,” the reserve is also known worldwide for their cheetah conservation efforts. Operating under the motto, “Extinction is not an option,” Inverdoorn strives to ensure the survival and sustainability of cheetahs in the wild.
What to Eat
Back when Cape Town was “Cape Colony” and under British rule, it played a pivotal part as the centerpiece in trade routes for the East India Trading Company. Because of this, there is a great deal of western European and Indian influence in the city’s culture, and the food is no exception. This combination of influences makes for some amazing unique dishes, some of which you may have heard of, but with a South African twist.
What do you get when you mix British Influence and a port city? Fish and chips, of course! While traditional English fish & chips are made with cod, in Cape Town, they are made with local fish such as hake, and a blend of local spices. Another member of the cod family, hake’s smaller flakes offer a sweeter and more delicate bite than typical cod. One of the most famous places in Cape Town for fish and chips is Lusitania Fisheries, located right in the center of Cape Town– a fish stand that could go toe to toe with any fish and chips shop in London!
For adventurous foodies, one of the most popular local dishes is bobotie. This dish is usually cooked with lamb or beef along with ginger, lemon and dry fruits. A layer of fluffy eggs is added on top, often with a chutney or bananas. The richness of the meat and eggs is typically paired with yellow rice seasoned with turmeric. This indulgent dish portrays local ingredients in a truly delicious way for an authentic taste of South African cuisine.
When to Go
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Town’s “summer” season runs November through February. During these months, you can expect beautiful balmy days, as temperatures flex between 63°F through 84°F. There is likely to be larger numbers of tourists as well, since these months see little to no rain. Most of Cape Town’s rain comes in the winter months, May through August. Additionally, these months see the most amount of sunlight each day (13-14 hours), giving you the most time to soak in the sun or go off on an adventure. Prices and crowds do rise in December, especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, November, January and February can be very reasonably priced.
Please note that not all of South Africa shares the same rainy season, May through August is typically the dry season as you move away from Cape Town. Being the inland dry season, these months are great for travelers focusing on safari excursions, as the importance of watering holes where animals congregate become vital during this time of the year.
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