STAY IN CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. What can you see here during your stay?
Table mountain, city centre or Atlantic seaboard beaches, V&A Waterfront
In the morning, a trip to Table Mountain by cable car. Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park. It rises to a height of 1,086 meters and dominates Cape Town's skyline. On clear days, it can be seen from a distance of up to 200 km. The journey to the top is made by cable car, which rotates 360 degrees during the ride, offering beautiful views of the city center, Table Bay, Lion's Head, and Devil's Peak. At the top, you can head to the highest point of Table Mountain, Maclear's Beacon, or spend time with a glass of delicious local wine in the restaurant.
In the afternoon, you can either take a tour of the historical city center or drive through the Clifton and Camps Bay neighborhoods with a stop at the local beaches, where you can soak up the holiday atmosphere of Cape Town. Next is Llandudno - one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa, bordered by large rocks, and popular among the surfing community. There are no shops or refreshment stalls here. You can conclude the afternoon program by watching the sunset from Signal Hill with views of the city and the sea.
In the evening, we recommend visiting V&A Waterfront - the ideal place for dinner and souvenir shopping.
Table mountain (1 086 m) hike
There are approximately 300 trails by which one can ascend Table Mountain. Among the most popular is the route starting at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and then continuing via Skeleton Gorge to the top of Table Mountain. For experienced hikers, the India Venster route can be used, which requires physical fitness and at least basic climbing experience. Other popular trails include Plattenklip Gorge and Pipe Track. Whichever route you choose, I recommend taking the trip with a local guide. Every year, serious injuries are reported from tourists attempting to climb Table Mountain. After reaching the top, you can descend using the cable car.
Day 2: Cape of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach, Simon's Town and Chapman's Peak Drive
Cape of Good Hope is a sharp peninsula near Cape Town, which is often mistakenly referred to as the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Technically, the boundary between these oceans lies 160 km southeast of Cape Town at Cape Agulhas, which is the southernmost point of Africa. The day trip begins with a drive through Kalk Bay to Hout Bay, then across Chapman's Peak Drive, known for its stunning views of the Atlantic, to the village of Noordhoek. From there, you head straight to the Cape of Good Hope, where we recommend spending 2-3 hours. On the way back, you can make a stop at Boulder's Beach, where you can observe colonies of African penguins. If you have extra time, the town of Simon's Town is definitely worth a stop.
3 days in Cape Town
Day 1: Table mountain hike (1 086 m) - see above
Day 2: Cape of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach, Simon's Town and Chapman's Peak Drive - see above
Day 3: Clifton, Camp's Bay, Llandudno Beach, Lion's Head hike
In the morning, take a drive through the upscale neighborhoods of Clifton Beach and Camp's Bay with a stop at the local beaches, where you can soak up the holiday atmosphere of Cape Town. Next is Llandudno Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa, bordered by large rocks and popular among the surfing community. This beach is secluded and requires a short walk to reach. There are no shops or refreshment stalls here.
In the afternoon, hike to Lion's Head. Lion's Head is a natural formation offering stunning views of Table Mountain and the center of Cape Town. The hike is not long (about 4 hours), but the terrain is quite challenging with steep slopes and chains in several places.
4 and more days in Cape Town
Day 1: Table mountain hike (1 086 m) - see above
Day 2: Cape of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach, Simon's Town and Chapman's Peak Drive - see above
Day 3: Clifton, Camp's Bay, Llandudno Beach, Lion's Head hike - see above
Day 4: Kirstenbosch botanical garden, mountain bike ride
In the morning, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. The garden is located at the northern base of Table Mountain, covering an area of 36 hectares. You can see 9,000 out of the total 22,000 species of plants found in South Africa here. The garden also includes a restaurant and a tasteful souvenir shop.
In the afternoon, I recommend a mountain bike ride - the Tokai Forest route, ending with a panoramic view of False Bay.
For a longer stay, I further recommend undertaking at least one of the excursions around Cape Town or a safari trip (see Services). If you have at least 5 days, I recommend taking the Garden Route, which starts in Cape Town and continues for approximately 750 km along the southern coast of South Africa to the city of Port Elizabeth. From Port Elizabeth, it's not far to the Addo Elephant National Park.
When it rains outside
Cape Town is an ideal place for outdoor activities. However, even if you are caught by bad weather, Cape Town can offer you many interesting places. From the extensive list of attractions, I recommend the following:
Two Oceans Aquarium
This beautiful aquarium is located in the harbor in the city center, within the V&A Waterfront complex. The aquarium houses over 3,000 species of marine creatures. If you hold a diving license, you will have the opportunity to swim in the aquarium with sharks.
Castle of Good Hope
The castle, which was built by the Dutch between 1666 and 1679, is the oldest building in the Republic of South Africa. Currently, the castle serves as the headquarters of the country's army. It houses the Iziko Museums of Cape Town.
District Six Museum
District Six is a memorial to a Cape Town neighborhood where primarily black residents once lived. In 1901, these residents were forcibly relocated to an area now called Cape Flats, and their homes were razed to the ground.