Things to do in Cape Town Travel Guide

Things to do in Cape Town Travel Guide

Things to do in Cape Town Travel Guide: The crown gem of South Africa and the city with the highest concentration of European culture on the African continent is Cape Town. It was the first effort at developing a modern city in South Africa and was established in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company.

It is now considered to be one of the three capital cities of South Africa. There are 3.5 million people living inside the metropolitan region, which encompasses 950 square miles. The city is located on a magnificent coastline in the shadow of Table Mountain National Park, which makes for a landscape that is as as attractive as its troubled history.

Cape Town, along with the rest of South Africa, is still working hard to recover from the apartheid period, which officially came to an end in 1994. Even if there is still a problem with crime and corruption, the city played a role in hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and tourism has only increased since then.

Time Zone

GMT +2

The Best Time to Visit Cape Town

Cape Town is a destination that is enjoyable at any time of the year. Having said that, its appearance changes with the changing of the seasons. Summer in South Africa lasts from the end of December to the beginning of March. It is at this time that Cape Town comes alive with visitors fleeing the cold winters of their home countries and residents taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

The sky is clear, the air is dry, and the water in the ocean is at a comfortable temperature for swimming. The social agenda of the city is jam-packed with activities, and while costs may be higher during this busy season, at least everything is accessible.

Visit during the wintertime, which begins in late June and continues until the end of September, to take advantage of reduced pricing and less visitors. Bring a raincoat with you since it’s likely to rain this winter. Attend the Hermanus Whale Festival, which takes place in the end of September on average, if seeing whales is one of your priorities.

On the other hand, July and August are also popular months for whale viewing. Last but not least, the shoulder seasons have the potential to be just as memorable. The springtime, which begins in September and lasts until the beginning of December, is when the wildflowers reach their peak bloom. It is often believed that the autumn months of late March through early June are the ideal time to go cage diving with great white sharks.

Important Information

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Language: Although South Africa has eleven official languages, the most prevalent language spoken in and around Cape Town is English since it is the language of business and the media. After English, Afrikaans and Xhosa are the most frequent languages spoken on the streets.

Dialing code is +27 21.

Things to do in Cape Town Travel Guide

Take in the Scenery from the Top of Table Mountain

The views from Table Mountain, which is about 1,100 metres (3,500 feet) above ground level, are considered to be the greatest in the city. One of the first things that we did was ride the world-famous cable car to the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, it is quite pricey, coming in at 330 ZAR, which is equivalent to $22 USD.

If you would rather climb the mountain on foot, the quickest route takes roughly two hours to complete. When you reach the peak, you’ll get a breathtaking view over the whole city of Cape Town, as well as the port, the mountains, and the beaches. Hiking to the top, bringing some food with you, and taking in the scenery around sunset is the very greatest time to go.

Visit Robben Island

The old political jail that was located on Robben Island was one of the things that was quite high on our list of things to accomplish. The location where Nelson Mandela was held captive for 18 years was in 1999 included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

When hearing about South Africa’s first black president from those who truly knew him, hearing firsthand accounts of his life can be both humbling and motivating at the same time.

It is difficult to think about the victims of political tyranny who are still imprisoned throughout the globe and recall that, despite what the news may indicate, we have come a long way in the last twenty years since we were in a similar position.

Walking Tour

Your day will get off to a great start with a free walking tour. It is the most effective method for getting to know the city and getting a general sense of where things are located. You will get to view the most important landmarks, get some historical knowledge, and have the opportunity to meet a local professional guide who is able to answer all of your questions.

Cape Point

After passing Chapman’s Peak to the southwest of Cape Town, you will arrive to Cape Point National Park. Here, at the Cape of Good Hope, you will be able to see the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian seas. Long walks, coastal birds, and a chance to see the world’s smallest and richest floral kingdom, the fynbos, are just some of the attractions that can be found in the national park (a small belt of natural shrubland).

Hout Bay

Craftspeople and merchants from all over the city set up shop at the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay on the weekends to sell their wares. You can buy everything from fish stew to souvenirs to crepes to jewellery to even mojitos there, and there are also live musicians performing.

You may satisfy just about every need you have with the options available. We were in the area to swim with the seals in Hout Bay when we heard the noises of the bustling market and decided to follow them. This led us to find the market by accident. Because we had such a good time there, we ended up coming back more than once.

On Friday nights, the market is open from 5pm to 9pm, and on weekends, it’s open from 9:30am to 4pm.

Both the bay and the harbour provide shelter to a large number of seals and seagulls. It is possible to see whales that are migrating here during the months of June and November. A large number of dolphins, right whales, humpback whales, and Bryde’s whales may be found in this area. If you wish to go on a trip to view whales, you should be prepared to spend around 900 ZAR (or $50 USD) each person.

Muizenberg Beach

Muizenberg Beach is a neighbourhood in the southern part of Cape Town that is well-known for both its promenade and its waves. It is possible to learn how to surf at this location, which is a car ride away from the city centre and takes around thirty minutes to get. The laid-back area is a sanctuary for beach bums and has a strong multicultural spirit that is invigorating. The neighbourhood is also quite beachy. A one-hour session that includes a wetsuit costs just 350 South African Rand (about $20 USD), and it’s a fantastic way to stay active while on vacation.

 

Best Hotels in Things to do in Cape Town Travel Guide

12 Apostles

Phone: +27 21 4379000

Because it is the sole structure along that portion of the winding road leading to Chapman’s Peak, it is easy to overlook this beachside hotel that has been awarded five stars. There are a total of 70 rooms, each of which offers a breathtaking view of either the 12 Apostles mountain range or the Atlantic Ocean, where guests may sometimes catch sight of whales breaching or seals sunning themselves. Guests never even need to leave the hotel since they can have all of their needs met inside the premises, whether it be at the nearby spa or at the legendary Leopard Bar.

The One and Only

Phone: +27 21 431 5888

The One & Only provides the most out-of-this-world lodging options in Cape Town; it is modelled like the kind of urban resort you’d find on a Caribbean island. It has a number of swimming pools, one of which is the biggest infinity pool in the area. This swimming pool has two private islands, each with a number of rooms that are suitable for families. The One&Only has a variety of additional facilities, such as a children’s club, spa, fitness centre, and many destination restaurants, one of which is named Nobu.

The President Hotel

Phone: +27 21 434 8111

Only a few short blocks separate guests of this prestigious four-star hotel in the peaceful residential enclave of Bantry Bay from the nearby beach. There are dozens of businesses and eateries within a short walking distance of each other. A huge outdoor swimming pool, a spa, a hairdresser, and a gift store are some of the amenities that are offered at this facility, which is particularly popular among business visitors and hosts conferences. The rooms are rather spacious, and there are even apartments available for guests who are planning to stay for an extended period of time.

 

La Rose Inn

Phone: +27 21 422 5883

Adheera Bodasing, a South African of Indian heritage, and Yoann Nicolas, a Frenchman who fell in love with South Africa in his 20s, are a husband-and-wife combination who are responsible for the heart and brains behind this reasonably priced retreat. Adheera is from South Africa, and Yoann is from France. The pair travelled extensively and amassed works of art and decorative items from a variety of countries, which they incorporated into each of the nine rooms of their hotel.

 

Best Restaurants in Cape Town

Mojo Market

Phone: +27 21 422 4888

Mojo Market is a stylish indoor market located in Sea Point. It is open every day of the week, and it has more than 15 food booths and “traders” for customers to choose from. You may order fresh mussels, gourmet pizza, build-your-own burritos, sushi, or even the sole macaroni & cheese restaurant in Cape Town. Even though there is live music performed each night and several televisions, the main entertainment available here is seeing the patrons of the establishment.

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