There is so much to do in this wonderful city that you really need to spend at least 3 to 4 nights nights here to soak it all up. We have picked just a few highlights:
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is the one of the most iconic places to visit whilst here. You can hike to the top if you wish (set aside 5 nights!) or like most, get the cable car to the top (about £18 return). It’s advisable to plan to do this on your first day as visibility isn’t always great and so if it is poor on day one you will have other opportunities for better views later on. However, if like us your arrival day is stunning, head there immediately. You can pre-buy tickets for a morning or afternoon (the afternoon is a little quieter, especially late afternoon when you feel as though you have the place to yourself at times) slot which means no queuing for tickets.
There is a cable car to the top which takes 5 minutes and runs, weather permitting, from 8:30am until 6pm. There are also FREE guided walks at the top when you arrive.
Head over to Signal Hill for sunset afterwards. Everyone gathers on the hill with picnics and champagne. It really is a magical start to your South African adventure.
A trip to Boulder’s Beach
If you love nature and penguins, this is a must. An hour south of Cape Town, a beach strewn with these stunning creatures awaits you although it is not one which is open to everyone. You have to pay an entrance fee to the beach to ensure its maintenance and protection (about £8.50 per adult). It’s great for families as it’s a calm bay and offers boardwalk treks around to Foxy beach which is best for penguin spotting. There are 3 beaches in total and one penguin viewing area where you can spot the endangered African Penguin.
A boat trip to Robben Island
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 of the 27 years he was incarcerated. The island was used as a prison from the end of the 17th Century until 1996. It is now a UNESCO site and tells a very special story.
To reach the island you must take a ferry across from Cape Town and once there, tours are run by former political prisoners from the island. Ferries run between 9 am and 3 pm every hour and tours last about 3.5 hours.
Best Afternoon Tea in the World
Do you want to see if this is worthy? Head to Mount Nelson (a Belmond Hotel) to discover a mouth-watering display of temptation and be wowed by the beauty of this stunning hotel. With prices starting at just £22 per person, it’s no wonder visitors from around the globe are so gushing about this haven.
Snorkelling with Seals
This is not going to be like snorkelling in the warm Caribbean seas, this will be cold but very much worth it. The operator which runs the tours provides fleece lined wet suits, hot chocolate, warm showers, biscuits, water and even gloves to name just a few items to ensure you have the best experience. Tours only operate in the summer season (the UK’s winter season) and cost about £50 per person. Just 40 minutes south of Cape Town, this 3 hour trip is usually best completed in the morning but be warned, the seals can get very playful and so you may not be in the water as much as you expect as you may get tired very quickly!
