Travel Guide: Cape Town South Africa
There’s a reason Cape Town comes up as one of the top places to visit; Mountains all around you. Two oceans; Atlantic and Indian meet at Cape Point. Breathtaking scenery and beautiful white sandy beaches. In this exciting and diverse city, you will experience a wonderful mix of new cultures!
How To Get There
It's a pretty long haul either way - it just depends on what you prefer; convenience or cost? Direct flight from London Heathrow: 11 hours- more convenient but also expensive. Via Dubai from London Heathrow: 20 hours- the more affordable option (layover time in Dubai 4-6 hours)
UK citizens do not need a visa if staying less than 90 days (3 months)
List of countries that require a visa.
Where To Stay
I would recommend AirBnB - here’s a rough estimate of price below:
Private room for solo travel:£25-£60 per night.
Entire place to share with a couple of friends (split the cost): £50-£80 per night.
There are also lovely hotels - e.g. Compass House, Mount Nelson Hotel … but they are a bit costly at £200-£400 a night.
Top locations to stay: Green Point, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Simons Town.
Setting Up
Phone - Pay as you go -Vodafone or Cell C
Less than £1 for a sim and about £15 for 1 GB of data, calls and text
Card - Recommend getting a Monzo account - can use it internationally with no extra charge and a good exchange rate. It’s also fine to use a UK debit card and draw out ZAR (Rand - S.A. currency) in case you need a little change!
Getting around
Uber is the easiest and most likely cheapest way to do it!
A 10 min drive only costs £2 - download the app on your phone.
But there is the option of rental cars from £25 for the day and £65 for the week if you do decide to travel around the Western Cape.
What To Do
You gotta watch the weather! It can change in a second from blazing sunshine to pouring rain due to the conditions on the mountain and can be different either side of the mountain. But pack a light rain poncho and you’re all prepared!
Recommended Season: December, January, and February (Southern Hemisphere’s Summertime)
Helicopter Trip & Table Bay Speed Boat - with Cape Town Helicopters and Two Oceans Scenic Flight.
360° view of Table Mountain ~ Atlantic Coast ~ Chapman’s Peak ~ False Bay
Duration: Approx. 25 mins.
Why do it? Incredible views, a once in a lifetime experience and of course looking super badass in a headset!
The speed boat ride was exhilarating and if you’re lucky (like I was!) you'll see some dolphins and whales - keep an eye out for the Heaviside dolphin only found in waters around the Cape!
Price: R2950/pp-£160 (est.)
Table Mountain Hike/ Cable Car
Tricky one to catch as it depends entirely on whether there are clouds on the mountain or not but if you do get the chance - go! If you're feeling super adventurous there are multiple hike trails to pick, from easy to navigate level ground walks to trickier longer guided routes. The average length of time it takes varies between 2 to 4 hours.
Definitely well worth the time but if like most holidaymakers you have a tight schedule you can simply hop in the cable car to zoom up and take in the city-scape below.
Price: Return adult ticket-R180 (£10)
One-way ticket-R95 (£5)
Silo Museum - Zeitz Mocca
Transformed into The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (previously Grain Silo), this incredible historic architecture meets modern art acting as a platform to South Africa’s rich culture. Definitely not to be missed!
Price: Half-price tickets first Friday of the month -R200 (£12)
Kirstenbosch
Take a leisurely stroll through these beautiful gardens filled with diverse natural flora and fauna. Home to gold medal-winning flower The Protea at the Chelsea Flower Show 2019.
Price: Adult-R40 (£2.20)
Boulders Beach
Penguins! Need I say more? This little bay in Simons Town is the perfect place to have a real-life David Attenborough experience (if like me you have the bug!). The penguins flock the beach around you and swim in the sea right next to you. It's a truly magical experience if you love the little waddling birds ...
Price: R152
Stellenbosch Vineyards – The Perfect Day Trip
Wine? You’re on holiday remember!
Although not technically Cape Town you can't visit the Western Cape without checking out the wine lands tucked in between the Helderberg mountains! It's the perfect day trip - 40 mins - 1 hour away
Wine tram taking you to through the top vineyards in Franschhoek - hop on hop off experience worth having!
Price: R240 (£14)
Where To Eat
With all the above activities, you’re bound to work up an appetite! And there is plenty of choice on where to eat - here's my top 5!:
With large windows overlooking the V&A (Victoria and Albert) Waterfront, this is a brilliant start in exploring the best cuisine Cape Town has to offer. You can’t beat seafood-all freshly caught prawns, langoustines, calamari and line-fish (catch of the day!). Just delicious!
Still the freshest of seafood - expertly prepared. You can tuck into this beautiful platter of sushi that is definitely insta-worthy. Located right next to Alfred Mall, it’s the perfect shopping break!
Right next to the beach in beautiful Camps Bay. This is the ultimate summer holiday lunch location. Open and bright with great food and a white sand beach across the road - what more could you want?!
Now food is covered - drinks!
See the full panorama of the city at this modern cocktail bar. The sun sets right behind Lion’s Head so with a drink in hand, it's the perfect sun-downer spot to end the day and see all the city lights shining!
And of course, sweet treats cannot be forgotten!
As Summer is the best time to head to Cape Town, Gelato is the way to go for dessert and Ice Cream Dream in Hout Bay is the best place to find it! What a way to explore whilst cooling off with a scrumptious treat!
Wherever you stay, eat, drink or whatever you do - Cape Town is truly incredible and visiting it should be on everyone's bucket list of places to go!
Written by Zoë Bondi