There’s really no use of beating around the bush here. In short, Cape Town is AMAZING. It’s one of the most spectacular and culturally rich cities we have ever visited. Few cities on this planet possess ALL OF THE THINGS in one perfectly wrapped package like Cape Town does: unrivaled natural beauty, a fascinating (albeit raw and downright dark at times) history, a divine food and wine scene, and close proximity to some of the most exciting wildlife in the world.
Have I mentioned that the wine is some of the best on the planet? And it’s worth saying that the Cape Winelands of South Africa is easily the best wine region we have ever visited.
Read more about our phenomenal time in Stellenbosch Wine Region here.
But back to this magnificent urban mecca. Cape Town is one of the most incredible cities we’ve ever visited and it’s easy to see why it’s often regarded as the world’s very best.
Below is how to spend three glorious days in breathtaking Cape Town.
CAMPS BAY
Defined by its white sand beaches, natural rock swimming pools, and stunning views of the Twelve Apostles mountains, Camps Bay is a picturesque and affluent area that is not to be missed.
The combination of the Atlantic’s crashing waves and sparkling blue seas along with the imposing mountains that envelope this captivating enclave is incredible. Camps Bay was one of our favorite spots in all of Cape Town.
TABLE MOUNTAIN
A visit to Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most iconic landmark, is an absolute must on any itinerary. It has recently been identified as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, not just because of its unique shape or its sweeping panoramic views, but also because of its diverse and splendid fauna and flora.
Table Mountain overlooks arresting vistas of the Cape Town’s city center, bounded by Lion’s Head and Signal Hill to the left and Devil’s Peak, to the right.
The best way to reach Table Mountain is by cable car. Unfortunately during our visit, the system was closed so our driver drove us to the base of the mountain. I can only imagine just how much more magnificent the views are from the cable car ride and higher vantage points!
VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT
Where the city meets the sea. The lively V &A Waterfront serves as the city center’s hub filled with restaurants, shops and hotels.
We stayed at the luxurious Table Bay Hotel, a stunning property right on the water. Our spacious room was gorgeous, service was impeccable, breakfast was bountiful and delicious, and the location was of course superb. Highly recommend staying at this wonderful hotel.
Enjoying dinner and drinks at Den Anker, a popular Belgian eatery, known for their seafood and beer. Blankets draped over every chair on their harbor-side terrace was a lovely touch.
You’ll likely stumble upon a lot of live cultural performances on the waterfront, too!
ROBBEN ISLAND
Few places are as moving as visiting Robben Island, home to the infamous political prison where Nelson Mandela, along with over 3,000 inmates, was imprisoned during his fight to end Apartheid.
There are multiple ferries that depart daily from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island.
Be prepared to see some whales along the way–we spotted four on the outbound trip alone!
Upon disembarking at Murray’s Bay Harbor, visitors are led to a bus that transports them to all the historical sites around the Island. The prison tours are led by former prisoners. Our guide served 5 years for leading a protest for educational equality and reform while in high school. A truly remarkable man.
Noteworthy points of interest along the tour include the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime and Bluestone quarries, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters were incarcerated for years.
Mandela, along with other inmates, worked in this quarry for thirteen years.
The garden where Mandela’s transcripts for his biography, The Long Walk to Freedom were hidden.
Mandela and other prisoners placed a rock in this pile every time they returned to the island.
The tour concludes with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell. Mandela spent 18 of his 27 imprisoned years on Robben Island.
Being sequestered here for 27 minutes, let alone 27 YEARS, is unimaginable and truly reprehensible.
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to Robben Island. Highly recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time.
KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANIC GARDEN
Situated at the base of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden is proof that not all botanic gardens are created equally. The stunning park is home to a wide variety of indigenous South African plants and covers such a large landscape with a variety of flora and fauna. An exquisite place to stroll through and explore.
BO-KAAP
Formerly known as Malay Quarter, Bo-Kaap remains an area of Cape Town steeped in history. In the 1760s, Bo-Kaap was an area where homes were built and leased to slaves, many brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Africa to work.
The vibrant homes are a mixture of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, and the myriad of colors were chosen to rebuke the former strict regulations that every home be painted white.
While I wouldn’t say that you need to devote a ton of time here, the radiant neighborhood is certainly worth a brief visit.
DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM
Prior to Apartheid, Cape Town’s District Six was a mixed-race neighborhood comprised of migrants, slaves, and merchants living side by side. Sadly, in the early twentieth century, more than 6,000 blacks were forcibly removed and in 1966, the area was designated a white-only neighborhood. The District Six Museum portrays the spirited life of the district before the removals, as well as the devastation caused by the displacement and inhumane treatment.
The museum does a remarkable job depicting the the country’s tainted history.
TOWNSHIP TOUR:
VISITING LANGA & KHAYELITSHA
I had some reservations about visiting a township. How do you visit an impoverished area without being voyeuristic and intrusive? Are these poverty tours, as they are often coined, truly learning experiences or are they just another method for tourists to gawk at those less fortunate all to end up patting ourselves on the back for being open, empathetic, and giving few dollars to the community?These tours are controversial and are certainly subject to a whole slew of moral dilemmas. Even now, long after visiting a township, I still have my doubts that embarking upon this tour was entirely morally responsible and ethical.
We visited Vicky’s B&B, a tiny bed and breakfast established by a woman who opened her home to foreigners, hoping to introduce them to life in the township while becoming a true pioneer and visionary in her community. This remarkable woman was murdered by her husband and her daughter continues to run the business.
Pre-school visit
Drinking at the Township “pub”
So should you participate in a township tour? It’s hard to say–it’s really a personal decision. We did find it insightful and educational and I rationalized it with making sure to give money to as many of the residents as I could. So umm, maybe?? Only you can decide what you’re comfortable with.
DINING IN CAPE TOWN
Dinner at Beluga
Like most major cites around the world, Cape Town is chock-full of incredible local and international restaurants that serve up innovative and delectable dishes that will send your tastebuds swooning. While we ate very well in Cape Town, below are the two spots that were heads and shoulders above the rest.
THE TEST KITCHEN
Without question the best meal of the trip and one of the best dining experiences of our lives. It’s easy to see why The Test Kitchen is currently ranked #50 in the world. Global-inspired dishes with a South African twist are served up in this modern and beautiful establishment. As with most restaurants of this high caliber, the food and service were both exceptional. However, unlike other highly-rated restaurants, The Test Kitchen is relatively affordable and equally unpretentious. Highly recommend making a reservation here in advance of your trip.
AUBERGINE
A lovely contemporary dining establishment that offers a ridiculously insane wine list and top-notch food to boot. Aubergine’s east-meets-west cuisine focuses on local and seasonal ingredients and lucky for me, plenty of vegetarian options available, too! Reservations recommended.
BOTTOM LINE
If you’re looking for a destination that truly has it all, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more stellar locale than Cape Town. This glimmering coastal gem enveloped by majestic mountains is where exquisite wines pour and exotic wildlife is within reach.
When it comes to cities, Cape Town is as close to perfection as they come.
Happy Traveling, All!
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