South Africa

Cape Town:

Things To Do:

  1. Hiking Table Mountain: There are several ways to get up the mountain, but I would recommend hiking Skeleton Gorge. This hike takes about an hour up and an hour down and can be semi-dangerous as you are literally hike a waterfall at one point. But once you get to the top, there is a lake and it is stunning. This route isn’t the main trail that gives you the beautiful view of Cape Town, that route is Platteklip Gorge. I did this hike twice and it is a challenge to say the least. Imagine the stair climber for an hour and a half and it’s about 1.5x harder than that. But if you are up for the challenge I would recommend it! If not, take the cable car up and you’ll see the beautiful view.
  2. Lion’s Head: This is about a 45-minute hike up. Much easier than Table, and I actually liked this hike more. I would recommend this hike at sunrise or sunset, but be careful to not hike down in the dark because it can be very dangerous. There is also a secret cave on this mountain if you can find it.
  3. Old Biscuit Mill: This is an absolute must. It is only open on Saturday’s, but make sure you go hungry! The cutest open-air market with live music. There are so many delicious food options it’s hard to choose what to eat.
  4. V&A Waterfront: A good place to shop. I would recommend going to the Watershed, there’s a bunch of local artists and I found it to have the best gifts / things to buy to remember Cape Town.
  5. Chapman’s Peak Drive: The most beautiful drive along the mountainside. I would recommend going at sunset.
  6. Stellenbosch: The place to go if you want to do a wine tasting / tour.
  7. Muizenberg: If you want to surf, this is a great place!
  8. Camps Bay: The trendy area of Cape Town. Really pretty sunsets can be seen here!
  9. Boulder’s Beach: This beach is filled with penguins! It’s about an hour drive from Cape Town. If you go, go to the dock where the crowds are to see the most penguins, but also walk along the boardwalk all the way to the end to actually go on the beach. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get a few feet from the penguins.
  10. Cliffton Beach: Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are 4 different beaches. Make sure you research what beach you go to because one beach is a nude beach and one is a beach for gay people (just to make sure there are no surprises when you arrive).
  11. Kristenbosch Gardens: Really pretty botanical gardens. This is also where the start of Skeleton Gorge is, so you could do both activities in the same day.
  12. Beta Beach: Secluded beach with giant boulders. Great view of Lion’s Head, Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles. Great location to watch sunset!

Adventurous Activities:

  1. Shark Cage Diving: I love sharks so this was really fun. But I would recommend taking some Dramamine before going on the boat.
  2. Sky Diving: If you are thinking about going, I would recommend going with Mother City Skydiving, they were great.
  3. Helicopter Ride: This was a really cool experience. It definitely gives you the best view of Cape Town. It was a 12-15 minute ride for $60, but I thought it was worth it.
  4. Bloukrans Bungee: I didn’t do this because I am super afraid of heights, but it’s the highest commercial bungee in the world! It’s along the Garden Route, about 2 hours or so outside of Cape Town.

Food:

  1. The Pot Luck Club: Hands down the best meal I have ever had. It’s tapas style, which is very common in Cape Town. I would recommend the chickpea fries, Korean cauliflower, parmesan and buffalo mozzarella arancini, beef filet, and the Heaven’s Bacon for dessert. Drink wise, the pomegranate mojito was the best mojito I’ve ever had. Make sure you make a reservation.
  2. Test Kitchen: Ranked the 22nd best restaurant in the world. I didn’t end up going because they have a set menu and I’m picky, but I heard it was delicious (the chef at Test Kitchen also opened the Pot Luck Club, which I heard from some people was better). It is probably the most expensive dinner in Cape Town and if you get drinks it will be around $80-$100 / person.
  3. Tashas: I ate here 9 times while I was in Cape Town. I would recommend the Lemon Chicken or the Parmesan and Couscous Crusted Chicken. You also cannot go wrong with ordering cake here.
  4. Kloof Street House: A little more pricey than most places in Cape Town (still reasonable compared to anything in the US), but phenomenal food and atmosphere. I would recommend sitting outside.
  5. Bocca: really good pizza / Italian food. I love zucchini and polenta, and thought both were exceptional here.
  6. Truth Coffee: Apparently the “best coffee in the world.” I’m not a big coffee drinker but the restaurant has a good atmosphere and really good almond crescents.
  7. Jarryd’s: Fantastic breakfast place. I went 5 times. I heard the muffins are outstanding but I always went too late and they were sold out. The sourdough bread is my favorite there.
  8. Bombay Bicycle Club: May not be the best food, but definitely an interesting place to say the least. Really fun atmosphere and great drinks. If you go, try to make a reservation for the table with the seats that are swings.
  9. V&A Food Market: This is at the V&A Waterfront. Another good market place to go and get food. I would recommend the chocolate covered strawberries on a skewer and the samosas.

Nightlife:

  1. Long Street is “the place to be.” It is a little crazy, and there are a LOT of beggars / pick-pocketers, so watch out. My favorite place on Long Street is a bar called Tjing Tjing. It’s a trendy spot that has an older crowd (late 20s), nicer drinks, and it more of a relaxing place to be, definitely a good place to go before other places on Long Street like Dubliner. Other fun places to check out on Long Street:
    1. Beer House
    2. Dubliner
    3. House of Machines 
    4. Fiction
  1. Claremont: Area outside of the main city center by about 15 minutes. It’s a Thursday night type of area and it’s where all the University of Cape Town students go to party. I personally liked going out here more than Long Street because you don’t have to worry about pick-pockets and it’s safer. The 3 main places in Claremont are:
    1. Boogie – more of a club, 2 floors, play a lot of old hit songs
    2. Tin Roof – usually pretty packed, but a good place to go before going to Boogie, they are 1 minute walking from each other
    3. Springbok – this place it literally all locals and university students. Go on a night when the university is having an event and it is SO fun.
  1. Café Caprice: This is a bar on the beach in Camps Bay. I’ve been told this is where the celebrities go but I didn’t see any while I was there.
  2. Club 31: High-end club in Cape town that over looks the city, a Friday night place.
  3. The Village Idiot: Older crowd, but GREAT atmosphere for more of a chill night. They can be strict about age, so check to make sure what the age requirement is for the night.

Notes:

  1. There’s a thing a Cape Town called “First Thursday’s.” The first Thursday of every month all the art galleries open at night have give out wine. You just walk around and look at art and drink wine. It’s a fun evening event.
  2. Uber is the best way to get around and it is very, very cheap.

Background picture was taken from a helicopter ride over Cape Town.