Armchair Travelling: Must-See Places in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town in South Africa is a city I’ve wanted to visit since I was a child. For this reason it is high on our ‘dream travel list’. Because we cannot travel at the moment we are keeping our wanderlust alive by researching and building itineraries for future trips. So far we’ve covered Hawaii and Hong Kong, and while we’re on lockdown I’m going to write an ‘armchair traveller’ post each week about destinations on our travel wish list. I’ve asked my travel blogging friends to provide a single ‘must-see’ place in my chosen destination. I hope you enjoy this series, and maybe you too can include some of the suggestions in your future travel plans x

Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay is a beautiful, quirky fishing village located only 40-minutes drive from Cape Town’s city center. While it is a rather small village, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few hours. Along the main street, you’ll find everything from hipster hangouts and antique stores to old-fashioned fish and chips cafes and trendy bars where you’re guaranteed a good time.

Besides all the great food and shopping opportunities, Kalk Bay is also a great area to see wildlife. Kalk Bay Harbour is the ideal spot to see seals frolicking about in the ocean. The southern right whale can be spotted here from August to October too.

The tidal pool in front of the Brass Bell Restaurant and Pub is the perfect spot to take a dip on a hot summer’s day with the ocean and mountains, creating a stunning backdrop. Afterward, make sure to head to the Brass Bell for a boozy cocktail, epic sunset, and to mingle with the locals. 

All in all, Kalk Bay is a massive must on any Cape Town itinerary. It’s a great place to take a stroll, shop for quirky home decor, and of course, soak up the eclectic vibes. 

Submitted by Mariza, Hoponworld

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is one of the most unique and fun things to do in Cape Town. The small beach in False Bay is home to a colony of African Penguins. It is the only place in the world to get up close to view the African Penguins. Visitors stroll along the boardwalk that winds through the sand dunes and giant boulders. At the end of the boardwalk the beach opens up and there are hundreds of cute penguins wobbling around!

We loved watching the penguins as they lazed in the sun, played with their young and waddled into the sea. Boulders Beach is great for families as everyone will enjoy the penguins. The boardwalk is beautiful with stunning views of False Bay.

Boulders Beach is around a one hour drive south of central Cape Town. A visit can be combined with a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope. It is a perfect stop for anyone exploring the Cape Peninsula.

Submitted by Elaine & Dave, Your Ireland Vacation

Abseiling down Table Mountain

Table Mountain is certainly a Cape Town icon, but if you want to see the mountain from a different angle, we suggest doing something other than hiking or taking the cable car. That’s right, we suggest abseiling down Table Mountain! It’s an adrenaline rush for sure!

It’s considered the world’s highest commercial abseil; when you step off the top of the mountain you go down approximately 367 feet (about 112 meters). You don’t need any climbing or abseiling experience. The guides really take their time and show you exactly what you need to do. As you go down, you’re facing the cliff side but if you’re brave enough to look around you, you will catch amazing views of Cape Town and the ocean.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t scary though! By the time I finished the abseil, I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest and my legs felt like jelly. We didn’t abseil all the way down to the bottom of the mountain, so we did have a small hike back to the top of the mountain. I had to wait a few minutes though because my legs were shaking so bad I couldn’t stand up.

It’s definitely the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m still glad I did it.

Submitted by Vicky, Buddy the Traveling Monkey

Muizenberg Beach

Muizenberg is about 25 km south of Cape Town and can be reached by car in only 20 minutes. This is perfect for a road trip from Cape Town. In Muizenberg, you will find a beautiful beach and above all the colorful wooden bath houses, which are often referred to as “Edwardian Beach Houses”. Nowhere else can you find as many of these colorful houses as here in Muizenberg. You can rent them, but unfortunately only for a whole season. They also serve as a changing room and also e.g. for the storage of surfboards that can be used well on this safe coast.

The beach at Muizenberg is very flat, has firm sand and the moderate waves are ideal for kids and for surf beginners. Below the elevated promenade at the pavilion you will find changing rooms, toilets and showers. There are also landscaped gardens, a water slide, children’s playgrounds and mini golf. Muizenberg Beach is simply the perfect place to relax from Cape Town.

Submitted by Clemens, Travellers Archive

Robben Island

When visiting anywhere new it’s always important to delve into the history to gain a true understanding of the present culture. The best way to do that in Cape Town is by visiting Robben Island.

Although a dark past of banishment exists before apartheid, the island is most well known for its use as Maximum Security Prison for thirty years during the fight for freedom.

Tours depart from the harbor daily and cost anywhere between 10 and 28 USD. Between the picturesque boat ride with the stunning Table Mountain as a backdrop, the tour around the island led by former political prisoners. Seeing firsthand where Nelson Mandela lived for 18 of his 27 years of captivity, it’s truly a humbling experience that’s an important part of any visit to Cape Town.

When the tour ends, be sure to take a moment to stand on the shore and gaze back towards the city. Imagine if only for a moment what it must have been like to be so close society, and yet so far away. Needless to say, Robben Island provides a unique, yet vital perspective to understanding present-day Cape Town and South Africa as a whole!

Submitted by Chris, Toone’s Travels

Table Mountain

This flat-topped mountain not only offers great views of Cape Town’s landmarks, it’s also one of the city’s top landmarks in itself. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the unique ‘tablecloth’ cloud formation effect, where clouds fall off Table Mountain almost like a waterfall.

The easiest way to get up the mountain is by riding the aerial cableway. An adult ticket costs 200 rand one way, 360 rand return, and children can ride for half price. In just five minutes, you will be whisked 1,089 meters above Cape Town. Here you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the city, the other nearby mountain peaks, and the Table Mountain National Park.

The other option is to hike up. The advantages are that hiking is totally free and very rewarding if you’re the outdoor adventure enthusiast type. And it may be your only option if the cable car is closed because of winds, which happens often. It’s a pretty steep climb, though, so not to be undertaken lightly. Be sure to pack some hearty travel snacks and plenty of water for the hike!

Submitted by Wendy, The Nomadic Vegan

The Lion’s Head hike

The Lion’s Head hike is one of the best things to do in Cape Town and is one of the most scenic hikes in the world. Located directly in front of Table Mountain, the route provides incredible 360’ views across the whole of Cape Town. Lion’s Head hike is suitable for all the family as there are two options to reach the top. Either continue on the winding path (suitable for all fitness levels), or use the rope and metal grips to pull yourself up. 

The route takes around an hour and a half to summit. The start of the trail is just a couple of minutes from the city centre. This makes it easy to include in any Cape Town itinerary. 

The route is open from sunrise to sunset, and the views are bound to dazzle no matter what time you go. On one side of the summit is the Cape Town city centre. On the other is the bright white sand of Camps Bay beach, which is backed by the beautiful Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Ahead are the glittering blues of the Atlantic Ocean.

Submitted by Claire, Stoked to Travel

Bo Kaap

The most colorful neighbourhood of Cape Town Bo Kaap is definitely the place to include in your Cape Town itinerary. Bo Kaap is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, it was established in 1763 by Jan de Waal. His idea was to build small semi-detached houses and to lease them to his slaves. The first residents of the Bo Kaap were slaves brought to South Africa from Malaysia and Indonesia. The original name of the neighbourhood is the Malay Quarter. Most of the newcomers were muslims and Bo Kaap has the oldest mosque in the country. In 1833 when slavery was abolished in the British Empire the residents of the Quarter could finally buy the houses that they had leased before. Originally all houses were painted in white. People decided to paint their houses in bright colors as a sign of freedom.

Nowadays Bo Kaap is one of the favorite photo spots for both locals and tourists. Its narrow, cobbled streets with small colorful houses lined on both sides is one of the most recognizable attractions in Cape Town. Doing a guided walking or cycling tour is a great way of exploring Bo Kaap and learning about its history and traditions.

Bo Kaap is a great place not only for taking photos. Those who are interested in regional cuisine will enjoy visiting local family-run Cape Malay restaurants. Some of them offer cooking classes where in a couple of hours tourists can learn how to make piquant bredie (stew), Cape Malay curry or bobotie. The bright and colorful Bo Kaap is definitely a must-visit place in Cape Town.

Submitted by Campbell & Alya, Stingy Nomads

Beaches of Cape Town

Cape Town is consistently voted the best city in the world for tourists. It has so much to offer, especially families. We particularly love the beaches in Cape Town. In terms of city beaches, with the iconic Table Mountain in the background, you can’t get much better.

While most people visiting Cape Town will head to the sheltered beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, only a few will head in the other direction to Bloubergstrand.

Bloubergstrand in the suburbs of Cape Town is where you’ll find kite surfers in abundance. This is one of the world’s top kitesurfing locations. The perfect wind conditions for kitesurfing mean it’s not an ideal beach for relaxing and soaking up the sun, especially if you have little ones. But the view back across Table Bay to Table Mountain is arguably the best you’ll get. It’s worth heading here for that reason alone.

Submitted by Jacquie, Flashpacking Family

V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is the focal point of the city where travellers can come to socialise, eat, drink, shop, explore museums and galleries and, of course, take in the magnificent views of Table Mountain. You could easily while away a few hours discovering all the sights and attractions around the V&A Waterfront. You can take a walking tour with an informative guide or simply exploring at your own pace.

The waterfront is a melting pot of history and culture alongside modern amenities. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to take a helicopter over the bay, buy local handicrafts and try South African dishes at the market, people-watch with a cocktail in hand from one of the chic bars or visit one of the many museums, you’re bound to be entertained.

If you have the chance, it’s a great idea to make time to visit the V&A waterfront both during the day and at night. The whole area has a completely different atmosphere when lit up by glistening lights and entertainers.

In addition, the V&A Waterfront is the gateway to Robben Island, the historic penal colony that housed Nelson Mandela for many of his 27 years in prison. This is one of the most famous cultural attractions in South Africa and is well worth a visit.

Submitted by Chrysoula, Travel Passionate

Visit The Cape of Good Hope

One of the highlights to visit around the greater Cape Town area is The Cape Point Nature Reserve on The Cape Peninsula. The main attraction to visit there is the Cape of Good Hope. Also known as ‘The Cape of Storms’, this is the most south westerly point of Africa. 

The drive to the nature reserve is stunning and has some attractions along the way that are well worth a visit. Boulders beach, where you can see the African penguins, and Chapmans Peak, which is one of the most spectacular drives of South Africa. You can easily spend a full day exploring the Cape Peninsula, including the drive all the way to The Cape of Good Hope view point. But there are also plenty other amazing activities all around this area; from beautiful South African beaches to a wide variety of hiking trails. 

From The Cape of Good Hope parking area there is a nice easy walk all the way up to the lighthouse. Here you have breathtaking views over the peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes you can even see whales swimming past from up there. 

Just keep in mind that this is one of the most visited areas in the country, so it can get really crowded with tourists in the peak summer season. 

Submitted by Sabine, The Travelling Chilli

Day trip to Stellenbosch

One of the best things to do in Cape Town is taking a day trip to Stellenbosch. This lovely small town is located at about 1 hour drive (50 km) from Cape Town. On the banks of the Eerste River, Stellenbosch is known to be the second oldest city in South Africa. It’s a quaint place, with a nice historical center with buildings that date back to the Dutch colonial times; art galleries; small shops; cafés and restaurants where you can sit in the sun and have a drink. 

Yet, what makes Stellenbosch an incredibly popular destination among locals and tourists alike is the gorgeous vineyards and the many wineries that go with it. Wine tasting in Stellenbosch is simply a must.

You will have a hard time picking which wineries to visit. Among the best ones there are Lanzerac, which is close to town and one of the oldest ones; Middlevlei, where you can blend your own wine and enjoy a fantastic braai (South African barbecue); Muratie which is in a fantastic building with lots of history; and Vergenoegd, which uses Indian Runner Ducks to keep its grounds clean from bugs. The latter one is probably the best winery to go if you are traveling with children. They will have ample space to roam about and will be entertained by the ducks. 

Submitted by Claudia, My Adventures Across The World