Our Guide to

Cape Town Holidays

Food, wine, history, culture and shopping the ultimate Cape Town Holiday Guide.

This is our version of a Cape Town Holiday Guide… are you ready?

So this gorgeous South African city is heralded as the cosmopolitan capital of fashion, food, arts and nightlife.

Set amongst the majestic backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain and caressed on either side by white sandy beaches, lush fynbos vegetation and quaint little satellite towns the welcoming locals all sharing the common bond of enjoying the good life. Cape Town is a city where you will often hear the word “lekker” which means delicious in Afrikaans and is a way of life down here.

Nelson Mandela’s story is rich with elements of human drama: pain and heartache, bravery and courage, secrecy and intrigue. Amongst the players is a president, a chief of prison, a spy and a prisoner. The setting is Cape Town. When most people think about Mandela and Cape Town they don’t see beyond Robben Island, but Cape Town has a captivating Mandela story to tell as it provided the setting for the unfolding of a series of significant and secretive meetings that led to the surprise release of Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC in February 1990.

Head to the Waterfront and board a ferry to Robben Island. Here you are joined by a local guide, someone who spent time on the island during the Apartheid years, thus able to give a personal and often moving account of the experience. You will also learn more about the island’s most famous prisoner – Nelson Mandela – and see his cell where he spent nearly 27 years of his life. After a most interesting day, the ferry takes you back to the Waterfront and you are returned to your accommodation.

Beneath the surface of the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, you can find stories of bravery, slavery, tragedy and triumph. These stories have meant different things to different people; from the indigenous Khoi, Dutch settlers, British colonists, the enslaved and imprisoned, to free South Africans. Delves deep into South Africa’s political past and opens up doors to communities not always encountered in the city itself.

Explore colourful Bo- Kaap, home to the Malay community and one of the oldest residential areas in the city, before crossing over to District Six, once a vibrant coloured neighbourhood, before forced removals under the Group Areas Act of Apartheid turned it into a desolate wasteland.

Visit one of the townships, created specifically for black residents under Apartheid and join local community workers on a walk about through the township, meeting many friendly faces en route and also seeing the changes being brought about here with the advent of the New South Africa.

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Cape Town Top Tip

Any day of the week you’ll find tourists and locals alike ascending the Lions head mountain adjacent Table Mountain. A much quicker hike than Table mountain, this 1.5 hour climb is a beautiful way to start the day and watch the sun rise over the city.

If you’re lucky enough to be there during a full moon, you can even climb under moonlight and up top it provides a unique and captivating view of the city.

We can also organise a private guide and hike up the mountain with sleep out on the top in a remote cottage. Campfire dinner and then a good rest before next day you descend.

Cape Town Tip Two

As a local myself whenever I have guests over I will take them on a foodie tour of the vibrant market scene to everyones favourite The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Right next door is a micro gin distillery which has just opened and you can indulge in a gin pairing session which is a growing theme in this city traditionally obsessed with wine. There are also some great boutique breweries in town.

If you’re unable to make it to Woodstock or the Mill isn’t open when you’re here, then I’d suggest heading over to the recently opened Mojo Market in Seapoint – there’s also a beautiful Seapoint promenade behind it perfect for catching a sunset! Get dropped off Rockpool restaurant 40mins before sunset and have a casual stroll along the prom towards Mojo.

Cape Town Tip Three

The city delights are all within pretty close proximity to each other, and for those wishing to enjoy the finer things in life a stay at the Mount Nelson would provide the perfect central position, walking distance to the vibrant Kloof Street and the highly recommended secret garden inspired Kloof St House restaurant and only a short uber ride to Victoria Alfred Waterfront & Camps BayTry and avoid staying in the city centre.

The Kloof St restaurants and pubs are a much better alternative to Long Street. Bombay Bicycle club (amazing cocktails and interior) Van Hunks (fireplace & great vibes) and Ricks bar (eclectic vibey restaurant) are just a few of the great institutions of Cape Town either on or just off Kloof Street. 

Cape Town Tip Four

For many that first time you drive into Camps Bay is when you are witness to the grand splendour of Cape Town, a moment etched into your memory forever. Camps Bay never dissapoints. A selection of fine dining, coffee, health orientated and cocktail venues right on the promenade will also allow you an entire afternoon’s delight whilst the sunset will melt your heart and give you stunning pics from which to remember this part of your holiday.

For those wanting abit less crowds and more beach time head over to Clifton beach which is one bay over. The coastal residence of South Africa’s elites, an afternoon at a Clifton beach followed by sundowners at Bungalow is pretty hard to beat anywhere in the world.

Cape Town Tip Five

Besides eating and drinking which Capetonians love to do they’re also budding thrillseekers. If that sort of adventure is inline with your holiday ambitions then a paragliding descent from Signal hill down into Seapoint is something you need to consider. If you’re really smart you could even float down from the mountain and land on the prom and then stroll over to Mojo market for food and shopping. What a way to enjoy Africa’s most admired capital city!

For others, there are ziplines, sand boarding, stand up paddle boarding and great white shark diving. Whatever takes your fancy we can make it happen. It’s our thing.

Cape Town sunrise over Lions Head, Cape Town Holiday Guide
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Table Mountain, Cape Town Holiday Guide
Table Mountain, Cape Town South Africa, Cape Town Holiday Guide
Photos thanks to our Cape Town team and guests

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town is known as one of the sunniest cities in the world with a beautiful mediterranean climate. The sun isn’t as harsh as Australia and you can spend the entire day in the sun without feeling too much pain.

Winter the city sleeps as Capetonians are very picky about their weather, so the best time to enjoy the fruits of this city are between the months of October to May with December being the peak. Expect large numbers of domestic tourists enjoying their backyard in a similar fashion to what we have back home in places like the Sunshine coast.

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