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Why Visit Cape Town

Why visit Cape Town

Besides being my home, Cape Town is repeatedly on many must-visit destination lists worldwide, and for good reason, it’s one of the most breath-taking cities in the world, flanked by the iconic Table Mountain and the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, this destination offers something for everyone, from stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural experiences, thrilling outdoor activities to luxurious accommodations, and a melting pot of cuisines to a vibrant night life. There are countless reasons why you should visit Cape Town, but here are a few of our favourites:

Perfect Summer Weather:

We have to start here as our summer means it’s your winter in the Northern Hemisphere and who wouldn’t want to escape to gorgeous blue skies, warm sunshine and being outdoors in glorious weather! Our Mediterranean climate in the summer months has temperatures ranging from the mid-20°C to sometimes way over the mid-30°C mark! Our winters aren’t that bad either, with temperatures hovering around the mid-teens, it is wet but every few days the clouds are known to part and showcase the beautiful blue skies above.  

Natural Beauty:

Cape Town is home to some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the world. From the forests that cascade down the bases of our mountain range to the blue flag beaches dotted along the coastline to the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain which looms over the City and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can take a cable car to the top of the mountain for panoramic views of the city and the ocean, or for the adventurous, hike to the top and abseil down the side! The forests are teeming with walking paths and hiking trails for you to enjoy splendid views or consider venturing along Chapman’s Peak Drive, considered one of the world’s most scenic marine drives in the world, on a Harley, in an open-topped Ferrari or on a fun side-car!

Why visit Cape Town - Chapmans Peak

Wildlife and Nature:

Cape Town is a nature lover’s paradise with several world-class reserves and wildlife parks in the surrounding areas. The Cape Peninsula National Park is home to several species of antelope, baboons and ostriches, as well as over 200 species of birds. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is iconic and a must-visit on your itinerary, with an impressive collection of indigenous plants and a tree canopy walkway that offers spectacular views of Table Mountain. You’ll need a minimum of 2 hours here exploring the gardens with its art installations; there’s a choice of restaurants too but consider taking a picnic and blanket and lazing next to a pond, soaking in the peace, tranquillity and beauty.

Why visit Cape Town - kirstenbosch

Cultural Experiences:

Cape Town has a rich cultural heritage with a diverse mix of African, European and Asian influences. Explore the city on foot with a guide, sampling the delicious delicacies which make up our traditional South African cuisine; walk through the Government Gardens with your guide colourfully explaining our rich heritage through stories of old, the architecture and our apartheid era; stroll through Bo-Kaap and photograph the colourful homes in the neighbourhood once known as the Malay Quarter; take a boat ride across to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years; visit the fascinating District Six Museum which tells the story of a neighbourhood that was forcibly removed during apartheid; take to the streets on an enlightening guided Art Tour, or head to a local township on a guided tour and get involved in one of the many community upliftment projects.

Food and Wine:

Cape Town is well known for its diverse cosmopolitan cuisine, with a wide range of local and international flavour, award-winning restaurants and lively bars with gorgeous ocean views. Go wine tasting in the Constantia Valley or just slightly further afield in the Cape Winelands, sampling some of the regions finest, including the famous Cape Town Pinotage. Spend a few hours in a cooking class learning the secrets of our Cape Malay spices. Forage the coast and our fynbos biome with a local chef, then cook your selection in her kitchen for lunch. Another signature experience of ours is a private food and wine experience, where you’ll visit secret cellars, interact with the wine makers, taste wines from the barrel and feast on a wine-paired meal delicately curated by a celebrity chef!

Adventure and Outdoor Activities:

Cape Town offers a myriad of experiences for all outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers of any age, whether it be on land, on the ocean or in the air. From hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, trail running or mountain biking to sunset cruises, jet skis, kayaking or swimming with penguins, to paragliding, helicoptering and sky diving. There’s also kite surfing, shark cage diving, dune boarding and caving… plus so much more! For your kids there’s the blue train, mini golf, bike tracks, strawberry picking, ice skating, electric scooters, the Aquarium, ziplining, surfing, clay café, horse riding, tobogganing, the Ostrich Ranch and World of Birds, to mention a few.

Things to do in Cape Town - Boulders Beach

World-class Accommodation:

Cape Town has an enviable offering of luxurious hotels, guest houses and villas, offering sweeping views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, exceptional hospitality, beautiful artworks and décor, and sumptuous cuisine. You’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on your abode, whether travelling alone, on a romantic escape, as a family or a group of friends.

Blue Flag Beaches:

Cape Town not only has world-class hotels and restaurants, but some of the most magnificent Blue Flag beaches that could easily compete on the worlds stage. Laze on the beach with a good book, dip into the ocean for a swim, surf the coastline, walk along the promenade, enjoy a sundowner cocktail at one of the sidewalk cafes, play beach bats or volley ball, treat yourself to an ice lolly from the local vender, visit the penguins playground at Boulder’s Beach or experience a silent disco session dancing with your feet in the water as the sun sets.

Why visit Cape Town - sailing in Clifton

The Best Sunsets:

And talking of sun sets, Cape Town is blessed with arguably the best sunset spots! Signal Hill is a popular choice, followed closely by Lion’s Head for those that enjoy hiking. The Camps Bay strip, nestled below the majestic Twelve Apostles offers a variety of beach bars, sidewalk cafes and restaurants with magnificent ocean views. Or head to your favourite local beach and sit atop a boulder, watching the sun dipping into the ocean… as the moon rises overhead.  

World-class Shopping:

From high-end boutique stores to designer names in the famous V & A Waterfront to local specialist markets like the Old Biscuit Mill, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From diamonds and tanzanite to designer labels to special South African and African artworks and mementos. Should you wish the procure the services of a specialist shopping guide for the day, we can assist with this.

Art:

Cape Town has a thriving art scene. With the opening of the spectacular contemporary art museum in the heart of the city, the Zeitz MOCCA has catapulted the city into the global art world. There are also dozens of impressive niche galleries that provide a wonderful selection of creative offerings, some of which partake in ‘First Thursdays’, a sort-of street festival on the first Thursday of each month, where you’re free to wander the streets in the heart of the City, popping into galleries, eateries and bars along the route – a really fun way to experience the City ‘as a local’.   So, it’s no wonder Cape Town is repeatedly on every travel list as a must-visit destination… it has all the elements of wonder, beauty, vibrancy and warmth to delight every heart.  

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