Cape Town: A Guide for First-Timers

What do you know about Cape Town? If you’re anything like I was before visiting, then not much. I’ve always had a fascination with South Africa; my father grew up there and so I was raised on stories of his childhood exploits spotting snakes, lions and cape buffalo. But beyond images of vast savannas and wildlife, my knowledge was scarce. I did not really know anything at all about South Africa’s cities, so when I visited Cape Town for the first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. Spoiler alert: I absolutely loved it! Here are a few reasons I think you’ll love it too:

Incredible Views

Cape Town is beautiful from above, and no trip to this South African city would be complete without admiring the view from the top of Table Mountain. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike up (which takes about 2 hours one way), but otherwise you can take the world-famous cable car to the summit, which rotates 360 degrees (one of only three rotating cable cars in the world!) affording you beautiful views of the city as you make your way up. Tickets can be booked in advance here. From Table Mountain you will be able to see Lion’s Head, which is also a very popular spot for watching the sunset. Best to allow about an hour to hike to the summit.

The V&A Waterfront 

Take a stroll around the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to soak up some of Cape Town’s laid-back culture. Here you’ll find a plethora of cafes and restaurants by the waterfront, and a large shopping centre with both local and international brands. Named after Queen Victroia and her son, Alfred, this area (still a working harbour) is anything but stuffy, and makes the perfect place to sit back, enjoy the sunset and soak up the sea and mountain views.

Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is a district of colourful houses (and possibly one of the most photographed areas of the city), but it is also an important vestige of Cape Town’s history. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, this vibrant neighbourhood is located on Signal Hill, easily reachable from the centre of Cape Town. Back in the 1700s, “Malay” was used as a catch-all phrase, when people were brought from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Indonesia to work as slaves. Their descendants became known as Cape Malays, and they form a sizeable part of Cape Town’s population. Don’t leave the city without trying some of the delicious Cape Malay restaurants!

Take a Walking Tour of the City

Cape Town may not always be the cheapest destination, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy it on a budget. A great way to get a feel for the city is to join one of the free walking tours. This is also a fantastic way to learn about the history of the city the stories behind what you are seeing. You can find free walking tours online here and here.

Surf’s Up!

The South African coast is famed for its epic surf breaks, but did you know that Cape Town also has some great beginner waves? Head to Muizenberg beach for a day of surfing followed by exploring some of the cute little eateries along the sea front. There aren’t many places in the world where you can lounge on pristine white sand surrounded by a backdrop as impressive as Table Mountain!

Watch the Sun Set at Camps Bay

Cape Town is full of secret spots for enjoying the sunset, and seeking them out can quickly become a very enjoyable daily routine. With its west-facing sea views, Camps Bay enjoys some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen, and this affluent neighbourhood has a plethora of beach-side bars to choose from. Some have rooftop terraces, which make the perfect place to enjoy your South African “sundowners”, but for the best experience I’d recommend phoning ahead and booking a table closest to the view.

See the Penguins at Boulders Beach

Hands down my favourite experience in Cape Town, a trip to see the penguins at Boulders Beach is not to be missed. A short day trip from Cape Town, this is a beautiful beach covered in large boulders where you can get up close and personal with the penguins. There are two options: a viewing platform or the actual beach, where you can sit on the beach and swim with the penguins. These wee guys are remarkably unafraid of people, so you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure you go early to beat the crowds.

Robben Island

This island, fortified and used as a prison until 1996, has become a symbol of South Africa’s turbulent past. Most famous for being where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned before the fall of apartheid, the island was mainly used for political prisoners. Robben Island is both a South African National Heritage Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tours depart daily from Cape Town.

Visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The first botanical gardens in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are truly magnificent, and are the perfect way to while away an afternoon – you can even bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns. Located at the foot of table mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are home to a multitude of different plants and flowers, and the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway affords stunning aerial views of the gardens. There are also daily guided tours, which are included in the entrance fee.

Take a day trip to the Cape Winelands

One thing is for sure about South Africa: the wine is fantastic! There are some beautiful vineyards only a short distance from Cape Town itself, in the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek areas, only about an hour’s drive from Cape Town itself. Stellenbosch is home to some of the region’s most prestigious vineyards, many of which also offer luxurious hotel stays. My favourite experience was dinner at the Delaire Graff Estate: it’s not cheap but the entire experience was incredible. Franschhoek, slightly further away, is a charming little French-style town which also boasts some excellent wineries. I’d suggest staying in the area for a couple of days so you can explore at leisure.

If you’re thinking about visiting Cape Town then why not get a copy of the Cape Town Lonely Planet here. (Or the South Africa Lonely Planet here). Please note that I receive a small kick-back if you purchase a book through these affiliate links (the price of the book remains the same). This allows me to continue providing travel advice for free!

Pin this article for later…