10 things to do when in Cape Town, South Africa

Hike Table Mountain

Cape Town’s biggest attraction is Table Mountain, regarded as one of the world’s seven wonders of nature. It is a flat-topped mountain and prominent landmark which overlooks the city. The views from the top are amazing and you can see all parts of the Mother City. For those wanting to start the day with some exercise, Table Mountain offers a medium-length (but in places quite strenuous! ) hike. Your hike doesn’t have to stop once at the top, as there are numerous routes available ranging from 45-minutes to a few hours. Once on the mountain, the panoramic vistas of the Mother City, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula are amazing. You can bring your own picnic basket or buy food on the mountain, for a picnic high above the city. You will also see the indigenous flora and fauna. For the more fair-weather visitors, there is a café and shop to enjoy at the top. If hiking isn’t your thing, there is a cable car that takes you from the car park right up to the top – no hiking boots required!

Walking tour of Bo-Kaap

This is one of the oldest, and most colourful, urban residential areas in Cape Town. You can visit the museums here for more insight into its past, go on a tour with a local guide or experience a culinary tour. Bo-Kaap is the ex-slave quarter, formally known as the Malay Quarter, of which the residents are mainly descendants of the slaves who were brought over by Dutch imperialists in the 16th and 17th centuries from Asia and other parts of Africa. Located in central Cape Town, a mere 10-minute walk from Loop and Long Street the vibrantly painted houses, line narrow cobbled streets and a photographer’s delight. The houses were once painted all white by order of the slave master, but when freed Bo-Kaap exploded in a variety of colour resulted in houses now all painted superb bright colours as a celebration of their freedom. It is a magnificent place to walk around and get a feel for the melting pot of cultures that is South Africa.

Wine tram of Franschhoek

A stay in The Winelands would not be complete without a stint in the quaint village of Franschhoek and an afternoon spent on the Wine Tram. Half tram half bus, the Wine Tram transports you through various vineyards in the area and you can hop on and off as you please. This allows you to sample the various delights of each vineyard. Have lunch in one, go for a walk in another, go wine tasting in the last – or the first! It is a delightful way to see The Winelands and be able to become acquainted with the finest South African wines at the same time.

Visit Robben Island

Just off the coast of Cape Town lies Robben Island a place of tremendous importance to South Africa, and indeed the world. Three former inmates of Robben Island prison became Presidents of South Africa. Whilst on the tour you can stand in the actual cell where Nelson Mandela was kept in solitary confinement and spent 27 years of his life. This astounding location is now a wonderfully preserved museum, UNESCO World Heritage Site and a core part of South Africa’s history. Tours leave twice daily from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and are a must for any politically interested visitor to the Mother City – it was on Nelson Mandela’s release from Robben Island that the notion of a united Rainbow Nation was born.

Sunsets on Lion’s Head

Next door to Table Mountain is equally impressive, but not as well-known, Lion’s Head. Many Capetonian’s believe that Lion’s Head offers the best sunset view in the entire city as it reportedly lasts the longest, so why not try and join them for a few sundowners at the sunsets on the Atlantic seaboard? Full moon and sunrise are also popular times to do this hike as it offers beautiful views over the city. However, it never gets overcrowded, even on super popular days.

Cape Floral Kingdom Kirstenbosch

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lies at the foot of Table Mountain. It is one of the most beautiful gardens in Africa and is the perfect place for a day out including a picnic. Concerts are often held there too. A tree canopy bridge takes visitors from the forest floor up through the canopy over the gardens and gives panoramic views of Cape Town. The Fynbos, or the Cape’s Floral Kingdom, is special because of its intense biodiversity. Table Mountain has more species of plants than the entire British Isles. It is home to over 9,000 species, the majority of which are endemic, thus meaning they occur nowhere else on earth. So, don your walking boots and head out into the Fynbos flower species more botanically diverse than the Amazon…

Afternoon tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson

The ‘Nellie’ as it is often called by Capetonians, was the first hotel in Cape Town so holds a special place in many hearts – as does its afternoon tea. The Belmond Mount Nelson almost resembles an afternoon tea itself; grand, stately and inviting. The hotel has its own blend of tea and as well as scones, fresh sandwiches and handmade chocolate bites, it offers some delectable South African treats such as melktert, meaning that it is both a wonderfully ostentatious and local experience. Afternoon tea is either held in the gorgeous drawing room area or out on the terrace overlooking the lawns. Refined, elegant and indulgent, it is a must when visiting the Mother City.

Kayak with penguins at Boulders Beach

Head down to Simonstown on the Cape Peninsula to see a sight to behold – a penguin colony in suburban Cape Town! Pull on your wetsuit, jump into your kayak and paddle your way to the penguins. Kayaking is a great way to see the coast and get up close to the resident population of African penguins whose pink ‘eyeshadow’ marks them out. If the tide is right, you can stop by a secluded beach for a swim before finding the penguins on the nearby rocks. Kayaking also allows you to see the penguins where they are most happy – in the water.