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Beautiful Cape Town

by Jessica Goulburn | 18 Dec 2013

A fascinating city with a rich history, Cape Town will satisfy every type of traveller.

We arrived in Cape Town quite early in the morning. Already steaming hot, we were picked up at the airport and shuttled to our hotel.

Not ones to lie around, we went straight to pick up our hire car. With its poor public transport, a car is pretty much a necessity in Cape Town, especially if you want to explore the surrounding areas.

District Six

Unless you’ve learnt about it prior, it’s almost impossible to fully understand South Africa’s troubled history.

A good place to start though is District Six.

Previously, the district was home to a diverse community with a wide range of historical origins. On 11 February 1966, the government declared District Six a white-only area. The majority of the inhabitants were forcibly relocated, a process that took 15 years.

The District Six Museum provides some insight into the way people lived in District Six and the feelings in the district when they were removed. As you wander through the museum, you can go into rooms that have been recreated as if the original inhabitants are still there. You can also listen as some people who were forcibly removed tell their tales.

Robben Island

While you’re in an educational mood, best to book a trip to Robben Island. You’ll be ferried from the Waterfront and taken to the island, where an ex-prisoner will meet you.

Experience the island with a 45-minute bus tour, hopping on and off at the key sites, like the quarry where Nelson Mandela worked.

Your guide will also take you into the Maximum Security Prison. Every cell is empty, except one. Mandela’s.

Table Mountain

You can’t visit Cape Town without a trip up Table Mountain. There is the option to climb it. We chose to ride the cable car.

If you’re afraid of heights, you can still go up, as the top of the mountain is exceptionally wide; wide enough to never go near the edges. Unless, like me, you decide to face your fear.

There are points as you walk along the top, where you can (safely) sit dangling your feet. Never fear though, there’s generally a very large ledge underneath with barricades, which is why there’s the option to sit on the edge. I sat, snapped a photo, and jumped back to safety. Although, I count myself exceptionally brave for even sitting for 30 seconds.

It’s definitely worth walking the circumference. The top offers 360 degree views of beautiful Cape Town from the mountains to the ocean and everything in between.

Explore the city

Take a day just to explore the city. Wander through Greenmarket Square, the second oldest public site in Cape Town. There are cafes and restaurants on the pedestrian mall, and plenty of market stalls to satisfy your retail therapy need.

On the city’s edges is Bo Kaap, a lively and colourful neighbourhood where no two homes are the same colour. Just a little walk around and you’ll get a sense of the fun.

Spend your afternoon and evenings at the Waterfront. Part working harbour, part container terminal and part hotel and retail precinct, there is shopping galore and delicious restaurants for any meal. Plus, the view is beautiful.

If you have time, the Old Biscuit Factory is also a wonderful place to visit.  With different areas for different goods, you could spend a full day getting lost in the markets. Buy things from crafts to jewellery to homewares. Plus, you can get tasty meals there too.

Cape Point

Cape Point is where the Indian meets the Atlantic. Take your time to drive to the Point. Stop along the way in some of the beautiful coastal towns including Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek. Don’t forget to stop at Boulder’s Beach, just past Simon’s Town to meet the penguins.

Once at the Point, beware of baboons, they tend to sneak into cars.

Take the funicular up to the top and explore. Alternatively you can take the long winding walk up. The lighthouse, originally completed in 1859, still stands on the highest section of the peak.

On the way back, stop in Hout Bay for some fish and chips and make sure you take Chapman’s Peak Drive for the spectacular views before finishing in beautiful Camps Bay where you can sit by the beach with a wine or cocktail and watch the sunset.