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RECOMMENDATIONS

...our choice of what Cape Town has to offer.

Paarl

...this is one of the Cape Colony's first farming districts and has the longest main street in the country. Definately make a trip to the Afrikaans language monument; walking round feels like you in a 1970's Planet of the Apes set! This town has a lot of charm and the surrounding area you can visit Butterfly World, Snake Centre, Drakenstein Lion Park, Le Bonheur Crodile Park and Paarl Bird Sanctuary. Something we've never done but if you feel like a real treat then try hot-air ballooning.

Willowbridge Slowfood Market

...located inside the open long courtyard of this shopping centre you can buy local crafted and grown produce as well shop at high street stores.

Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre
Durbanville
Sat 9am-4pm
Sun 9am - 2pn

Hot Air Ballooning

Winelands Ballooning offers hot-air balloon flights over the Berg River Valley, just outside Paarl towards Malmesbury. The flights take place - weather permitting - in the very early morning at sunrise. Passengers get involved in the rigging of the balloon and then they float silently over the peaceful landscape. Not cheap but if your planning something special this could be a perfect option.

Seasonal November - April

Sandy Bay - Llandudno

...worth the 20 minute walk from Llandudno this is Cape Town's only official nudest beach though don't let this put you off as it's a lovely secluded location accessed via a winding pathway through rocky outcrops and up to you if you want to bare all!

Chapman's Peak

...you'll need a car to drive this treacherous toll road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek but the journey is worth it. This is a spectacular drive where the road clings to the rock face with huge overhangs and vast wire netting to catch potential falling rocks.

Montebello Design Centre

...this development project is aimed at promoting good local design whilst using craft for job creation. Housed in historic farm buildings in Newlands there are twenty arts and craft studios & workshops, nursery, restaurant and organic deli farm shop.

Mon - Fri 9am – 5pm
Sat 9am – 4pm
Sun 9am - 3pm

Artvark

...funky art and craft shop located in the vibrant fishing village of Kalk Bay. Good collection of local folk art and handmade metal designs.

48 Main Road
9am - 5pm

Amathunzi Nature Reserve

Only 2 hours drive from Cape Town this 2000ha private game reserve boats some amazing flora, fauna and birds. On the animal front there are Kudu, gemsbok, black wildebeest, eland, red hartebeest, bontebok, springbok and zebra roaming.

Pirate Boat Cruises

...the Jolly Roger sets sail (under motor!) on daily cruises from the V&A Waterfront. Fun packed for kids and adults with pirate shows. The sunset cruise is very popular and a great way to see Cape Town from a different angle.

Quay 5, V&A Waterfront
Daily every hour from 10am

Moule Point Putt Putt

...a cheap fun activity for families or friends right next to the sea. Busy with locals on weekends and public holidays.

Beach Road
Moule Point
daily 9am - 9pm

Hermanus Whale Festival

Planned to coincide with the arrival of the Southern Right Whale's return to the waters of Walker Bay the surrounding cliffs offer spectacular views. A week of activities for all the family but if you miss then don't worry, the whales are around for a couple of months.

October

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

...attracting over 27,000 entrants from around the world this marathon follows a beautiful 21 & 56km scenic route around the Cape Peninsula lined by spectators and ending at the University of Cape Town.

March or April

Boschendal

...although we would not recommend the wine tasting, as it does attract the large tour group crowds, we would say it's worth going for the picnics. You do have to pre-book but you'll be spoilt with their popular food hampers served at tables in the garden with waiter service. The gardens and lawns are expansive so you can chill and enjoy their sparkling wine which we would recommend.

Tasting & Sales
Daily 9am - 4.30pm

Cape Town Ostrich Ranch

...educational tour that takes in museum, leather factory, chick incubator and the option to sit on a live ostrich.

Van Schoordsdrif Road, Philadelphia

Wed - Sat 9am - 5pm

Langebaan Lagoon

...on the opposite side of the town this beautiful lagoon is protected by the West Coast National Park. It takes about 20 minutes to drive through the park to reach the lagoon beaches and, depending on season, the landscape can be an explosion of colours from the flower bloom or you might sight a Southern Right Whale returning to calve. Great place for a picnic, a windsurf or a day trip from Cape Town.

Neighbourgoods Market

...one of the first and still the most popular gourmet markets featuring over 100 specialty traders located in The Old Biscuit Mill. Tucked away in one of Cape Town's poorer suburbs this venue attracts a trendy crowd where you can enjoy organic bacon butties with home brew beer.

373-375 Albert Road
Woodstock
Saturday's 9am-3pm

Sand Castle Competition

A great way for kids and family to enjoy Hout Bay beach sometime in March. An annual charity event, organised by a local school, just pitch up with your buckets and spades and let your imagination go wild. Fun to walk through contructed whales, cars and castles and pick your favourite.

Spier Summer Festival

At their open air amphitheatre, Spier Wine Estate hosts a Summer Performing Arts Festival showcasing South Africa's top performers in dance, opera, music, theatre and comedy.

December to March

De Kloof Luxury Estate

...this 1801 manor house is surrounded by lush gardens and is home to a five star boutique & luxury country guesthouse. This national monument has been lovingly preserved with interiors that can be described as colonial chic and with 12m pool, small gym and library this is a great place to unwind and relax.

8 Weltevrede Street
Swellendam

The Village Idiot

...a brick wall of on tap beer, huge marble wrap around bar with friendly smartly dressed bar staff overlooked by a massive stuffed ostrich named Oskar! This funky new kid on the block finally fills a much needed gap in Cape Town's line up. This is the young Hipster HQ where week nights are already booked in advance if you are looking to enjoy their braai-style bar food. Located on a first floor with exposed brick, open rafters, fireplace and wide balconies we enjoyed a great evening.

Thurs - Fri 4pm - 10pm
Sat 3pm - 10pm

Kersefontein Guest Farm

...personally one of our favourites and completely different from the norm. This working farm that dates back to 1770 is located in-land up the West Coast just outside the village of Hopefield. Farm buildings have been converted into luxury rooms & suites and as well as enjoying breakfast on your own private terrace you can also experience traditional local cuisine in the main farmhouse with your host, Julian, eighth generation Melck.

R45 Hopefield

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

Located within the botanical gardens from November to April every Sunday residents and travelers flock to enjoy music style from Rock, Jazz, Folk and Classical. Pack a picnic and get their early to to ensure a good spot on the lawn.

November to April
tickets via webtickets.co.za

The Butcher Shop & Grill

...if meat is your thing then this palace to the cow, including life size replica over the double storey well stocked wine bar, won't disappoint. Serving the best mature aged meat including local beef, lamb, Argentinian ribeye, Kobe-style wagyu and Dutch veal. This is a meat lovers feast complimented by fantastic wine cellar; seems weird to also say but the jelly & custard topped off a great evening.
As their name says you can also buy from their butchery & deli and cook at home

125 Beach Road
Mouille Point

Springfield Estate

...this is a small family-owned winery that is perfect to bring your own picnic, sample their easy going wine whilst sitting on the grass enjoying the views with the family dog.

Off R317 -Robertson
Breede River Valley
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Sat and general public holidays 9am-3pm

Paragliding

An amazing way to view the city. Take-off sites are Lion's Head & Signal Hill, tandem jumps with highly experienced pilots landing on soft grassy fields. No experience required.

Weather dependent 10-30mins

Helicopter Ride

This is another great way to see Cape Town and the Peninsula if you have the budget. A choice of charters located at the V&A Waterfront; follow the Golden Mile to the white sands of Camps Bay and choose to continue further down the Atlantic route all the way to Cape Point.

from approx. R2200p.p 16mins

Librisa Spa, Mount Nelson Hotel

Housed in the extensive grounds of this unique 5 star hotel you enter via the garden lawns. If you plan wisely you can time it perfectly to enjoy the famous afternoon "Tea at the Nellie".

Wide choice of Facial Treatments, Body Treatments, Massages, Salon Treatments and signature rituals in one of the eight individually decorated, oversized treatment rooms, housed in three original late Victorian buildings. Fully supervised children's club available at no extra charge.

76 Orange Street
open daily 9am - 7pm

Lynx Wines

...no frills back to basic wine farm that uses traditional open concrete fermentors and a basket press. Great friendly atmosphere with passionate wine growers, lovely Rose.

Tasting & Cellar Tours
daily from 10am – 5pm

Afrikaans Language Monument

Forgetting the symbolism and reasoning for this concrete edifice, that proudly looks down on the town of Paarl, this is an amazing piece of architecture. Definitely worth a small detour if traveling this way it feels like some 1970's futuristic set from The Planet of the Apes.

The Galileo Open Air Cinema

...seasonal outdoor screenings of classic favourite movies in great settings. Locations change daily from V&A Waterfront and Winelands with movies starting at sunset. Check out there website for film dates and times.

Willoughby and Co.

...we'll be honest and, as locals, we prefer not eating in the V&A but as long as you sit inside this packed venue and forget you are in a shopping centre this place does serve the best fish and sushi in town so worth a try at least once.

Lower Level, Victoria Wharf, Waterfront
open daily 12pm - 10pm

Camps Bay

…bars and restaurants line this palm-tree promenade opposite the beach; a place to be seen! In summer traffic crawls along the front which gives you plenty of time to enjoy the views!

Cape Town Tourism Calendar

Plan ahead with Cape Town Tourism's easy to use event calendar so you don't miss out on great things to see and do in and around the Mother City.

Hemel en Aarde Valley

...okay this isn't one vineyard but a whole area. If you're heading out towards Hermanus then it's worth driving into this pretty valley (translated as "Heaven & Earth") which has new wines compared to Franchoek and Stellenbosch with spectacular views. Food wise try Newton Johnson's Heaven for breakfast or lunch and La Vierge Restaurant & Champagne Verandah further along the same road.

Simonsig Wine Estate

...a great selection of sparkling wine plus you can taste their cheeses at the same time. Friendly and unpretentious.

Kromme Rhee Road
Tasting & Sales
Sat - Wed 10am - 4pm
Thurs & Fri 10am - 6pm

Table Mountain

...1087m high and over 60 million years old it's aiming to be one of the seventh natural wonders of the world. Table Mountain boasts 14000 species of flora and spectacular views of the city. If walking isn't for you then take the fishbowl shaped cable car (daily every 10-20minutes) that rotates a complete 360-degree rotation on its way to the top. Book online to jump the longer queues.

Allow 1-2 hours and check to see if closed due to wind.
Check website for cable car times which vary depending on season, approx. 8am - 7.30pm

Annual maintenance on Cape Town’s Table Mountain Cableway happens in winter, so check their website for dates.

Sea Point Promenade

...not so much sand but just around the corner this very popular stretch of grass & walkway from Moule Point then Granger bay to Sea Point Pool overlooking rocky outcrops attracts all sorts. Take a stroll, jog, ride and enjoy local art, outdoor gym, kids playgrounds and see all walks of life.

iVentre City Pass

If you are keen to explore Cape Town’s many attractions including using the City Sightseeing Hop-on-hop-off Bus, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Township/Wine/City Walking tours, Cycle rental, Sunset Boat cruises to name a few then check out this unlimited City Pass. Basically you buy a 2, 3 or 5 day pass which covers Cape Town and surrounding areas and then this gets you free access to over 70 attractions which is valid from the start date and consecutive days of your pass period.

Ant's Hill & Ant's Nest

Located in the Waterberg region in Limpopo these two lodges are completely different so you'll have a difficult choice to make. Ant's Hill has separate lodges that perch on a cliff edge with spectacular views whilst Ant's Nest is the original homestead with classic verandahs and extensive lawns with large pool. If you're not a horsy person then don't worry, nor were we but certainly a gentle ride on horseback surrounded by zebras was a unique memory.

The Brass Bell

…after a session with the penguins at Boulders enjoy great basic fish & chips with a pint where the sea spray splashes against the windows. They have four different venues - The Brass Bell Grill, The Bikini Deck Waters Edge & Pavilion, The Cabin Bistro & The Beach

Main Rd, Kalk Bay Station
Mon - Thurs 11.30am - 10pm
Fri 11.30am - 11pm
Sat 8.30am - 11.30pm
Sun 8.30am - 10pm

The Blue Cafe

…great café in beautiful residential Tamboerskloof. Very off the beaten track and loved by locals this tiny deli with pavement seating has a great vibe.

13 Brownlow Road
Mon - Fri 7.30am-10pm
Sat & Sun 8am - 10pm

Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar

V&A Waterfront (shop 153) …wine by the glass with great steaks, game and fish.

Lunch & Dinner

Cosecha

...we love this place as its original, not pretentious with a beautiful setting next to a dam and no coach loads of tourists. Located 20km from Franschoek on the Nobile Hill Wine Estate, you can do some tasting before hand; the food is fresh latin cooking using local produce. Lovely lunches and they also offer picnics on the lawns.

Klapmuts - Simondium Road

Thurs - Sun 9am-5pm

Manna Epicure

...French South African cuisine that has relocated from Kloof Street to this popular lively bar and restaurant crossroads. Friendly with attentive staff and warm atmosphere with great food.

4 Burnside Road
Tamboeskloof

Tues - Sat 8am - 10pm
Sun - Mon 8am-5pm

Hemelhuijs

...just walk down Waterkant Street and over the bridge towards the city and you'll find this chic daytime venue on the right. Fresh juices, cocktails, teas and coffee compliment the good size portioned food.

71 Waterkant Street
Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Sat 9am-3pm

District Six Musuem

…a community museum that tells the history of apartheid and its effects on ordinary people.

25A Buitenkant Street
Mon-Sat 9am-4pm

Table Bay & Blauuberg

...from Milnerton to Melkbos Strand this massive stretch of coastal area looks back across Table Bay and has the best views of the city and mountain. Popular with kite and windsurfers also highlights that it can be very windy.

Vrede en Lust

...close to Franschhoek with spectacular views of the valley this winery is a perfect stop for free wine tasting and great lunch spot at their modern designed country bistro with well stocked deli and bakery called Lust.

Tasting & Sales
Mon- Sun 10am - 5pm

Robben Island

...for nearly 400 years, Robben Island, 12 kilometres from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and the unwanted of society.

Book ahead, ferries depart from V&A Waterfront standard tour 3.5hrs (includes 2 x half hour ferry rides)
Ferries depart close to Clock Tower 9am to 3pm daily

Haute Cabriere

...apart from a great variety of wines this cellar is built into the Franshhoek hillside looking back across the valley. The best option it to enjoy lunch in their award winning restaurant and sample their wine pairing menu.

Thurs- Sun 11.30am - 3pm

Artscape Theatre Centre

DF Malan Street …opera, ballet, dance, music, musicals, jazz, and drama.

Box office 9am-5pm – tickets R75-R350

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