Few cities on earth see a mixture of people, food and sights like Cape Town does. With a postcard-perfect setting, beautiful natural scenery and great experiences, the Mother City is a perfect base for exciting adventures. The most striking thing about this metropolis on the southern tip of Africa is that it offers something for everyone. A two-day visit to Cape Town will surely leave you craving a return visit:
Day 1
The Cape Town CBD is certainly not one of the biggest or busiest you’ll ever see but definitely one of the most vibrant places you’ll visit in your lifetime. The V&A Waterfront is a great place to start. An exciting place to get your first feel of Cape Town with many local and international stores and a great culinary mix to satisfy your senses. (Tip: Avoid staying here too long as the rest of this great city awaits.)
Table Mountain, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a short distance from the V&A Waterfront and can be reached via taxi, public transport or the popular red “City Sightseeing” bus. The cable car (likely to be quite busy during peak times) provides a quick trip to the top for unrivalled views and the obligatory selfie.
After the high of visiting one of the city’s greatest landmarks, dashing through a few of the popular streets like Long, Bree or Loop will give a feel of the local vibe. If you’re feeling peckish you can grab yourself a coffee and croissant from one of Cape Town’s great coffee joints. (Truth, Origin and Bean There Coffee are some of the names you need to look out for) While you are strolling around town pay a visit to a number of significant sites like the Company’s Garden, House of Parliament, District Six museum and the Bo-Kaap. If you’re keen to get news from the locals then a walking tour would be right up your alley.
This city is a great place to be during lunch time. By now you have probably passed some of the mother city’s great eateries, so why not sit down and rest those legs for the afternoon shift. While you sit down for lunch hop onto the net and ask google for some quick facts on Nelson Mandela; you’ll need this for your next activity. A trip to Robben Island is a must-do for any tourist. The 3.5-hour trip is a great way to relive the icon’s stay in prison and will leave you with lots to ponder.
The mother city is littered with amazing restaurants and bars and deciding on one place to go might just be the most difficult thing you need to do during your stay. The easy solution is to find a great spot for sundowners to admire the brilliant Cape Town sunset. Indulge in a round of international cuisine in any of the city’s hottest restaurants to round off a great day in the city.
Alternatives:
The city is a top destination for the outdoor lover, so why not take on some of the amazing hiking trails, paraglide off Signal Hill or go for a SUP lesson. The legacy of being the World Design Capital in 2014 is alive and well in Cape Town. Pay a visit to the entrepreneur hotspot that is Woodstock to browse some of the amazing shops and see the craftsmen and women at work and while you are there pop into the Old Biscuit Mill for some great local craft. If art is your thing, then you definitely want to go the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) to see a proudly Capetonian collection of art.
Day 2
Cape Town is home to many amazing sights, none more so than its amazing collection of fauna and flora. Kirstenbosch Gardens, one of the first of its kind in the world, offers visitors a wide variety of sights, from taking a stroll through the many different parts of the garden, wandering the “boomslang” – a 130-m treetop walkway, hiking trails, a tea room, a picnic on one of the well looked after lawns or even a summer concert (every Sunday during the summer months) in the early evening.
Next on one’s list should be one of the wine farms in the Constantia area, only a stone’s throw from Kirstenbosch gardens. Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia are some of the most popular farms in the area and a visit to one of these establishments will not only satisfy the taste buds but also enlighten visitors to an important part of the Cape’s history.
The Cape Peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by the Atlantic ocean on the one side and False Bay on the other. A visit to Cape Point, part of the Table Mountain nature reserve and a world heritage site, is a must for every visitor to the city. Not only does it offer amazing 360-degree views of the ocean, this area is also home to one of the largest floral kingdoms in the world.
After visiting Cape Point, you could be faced with a very difficult decision. You either return to the city centre for the afternoon following the breathtakingly beautiful Chapman’s Peak drive or make your way towards Simon’s Town, following the route along the Atlantic coast. The latter will spoil you with the opportunity to visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach followed by a late lunch in one of Kalk Bay’s famous fish and chips shops. After lunch, it is advisable to take a quick stroll through some of the town’s antique shops and clothing boutiques while being entertained by some of the quirky stall owners.
After a busy day traversing the peninsula you will be happy to return to the city for some quick shopping to purchase those last minute gifts and curios. For dinner, you could either head off to the V&A Waterfront or visit Cape Town favourites like Test Kitchen, Saigon, La Boheme or El Burro.
Alternatives:
The open-top red buses have become a fixture in most cities around the world and Cape Town is no different. Get onto the red “City Sightseeing” bus to get a good overview of the city and its sites. These buses start from the Waterfront.
For the adventurous at heart whale watching, shark-cage diving or snorkelling with the seals are very suitable options when visiting the towns of Hout Bay and Simon’s Town.
Looking for accommodation for short breaks in Cape Town? We have a huge range of amazing places to stay in the Cape Town – browse our full list of luxury villas and apartments within and outside the city. For more great ideas on what to do and see on your Cape Town holiday, simply contact us now.
