If your planning on visiting Cape town then you’re in for a treat. Sitting in the shadow of the famous Table Mountain, the south african city offers natural beauty and beaches, along with culture, great food and amazing weather. Depending on the season the city takes on a whole new look, vivid green in the winter, bright and cheerful in the september spring, and fiercely hot in the summer (which starts in February, by the way!). If you’re only visiting for the weekend you can be sure to have a jam packed time, so follow our tips below to make the most of your stay!
Visit the beach
Perhaps the most obvious suggestion, but definitely not to miss. The Camps bay beach or the Clifton beach are some of the most accessible beaches of the city, and if you visit in the summer, you will be glad to cool off! The great thing about Cape Town is that you can visit several different beaches on the same day, each with their own vibe and setting. But don’t just spend the afternoon on the beaches, make sure you watch the stunning sunsets over the horizon, bathing the entire city in that famous, yellow-orange light. Oh, and if you're a fan of penguins, head to Simon's Town beach, to see the famous colony of african penguins!
Take a cable car up to Table Mountain
This is, of course, is one of the most popular attractions in the city, but not without good reason. If your visiting during the summer months make sure you get there early (the route is open from 8am onwards) and ride one of the cars up to the top of the famous, 2km long Table Mountain. On the way up (a 5 minute ride) you will get incredible views of the city, and when you get to the top your view is extended over Table bay, Robben island and the Atlantic Seabord. There are free guided walking tours and a cafe, and even a ‘wifi lounge’, so you can make sure your insta is up-to-date. And don’t forget, the Table mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park, yours to explore.
Take in the History and Culture
Once you have topped up your tan on the beaches, and got a feel for the city from above, it’s time to get into the history and culture of the place. Top destinations are the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens that were created in 1913, that preserve the flora and fauna of the south african landscape, along with many species and birds. Other top attractions include the Museum of Contemporary African Art, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Finally, if you want to see some amazing coloufull houses, visit the Bu-Kaap district and see the incredible colourful streets!
Try the local food
A visit to the city is not complete without some traditional south african food, which is really a kind of melting pot of different cuisines. You can expect loads of spices, bbq meat (especially beef) lemon and limes, tomatoes and corn based food. Look out for Biltong - a salty dried meat often made from beef and ostrich. Any of course, if you enjoy your wine, you have to visit one of the many wine estates just outside the city!
Save money on your accomodation so you have more to spend when you’re there!
Travelling to Cape town can get expensive, and you often have to make some stops along the way. But luckily for you, the city is brimming with cheap accomodation so you can splurge your cash once you’re there! Our top picks are the Observatory Backpackers (average of only 15 euro a night!), or The Backpack (average of 23 euro a night, and it has a pool!), but there are plenty cheap hostels and hotels in Cape Town to choose from!
So, are you ready to see the blue blue water and experience the best that South Africa has to offer? Book your flights and cheap accomodation, and enjoy! Still need to be convinced? Check out our 5 reasons to visit capetown, and 7 wonderful pictures of the city!