One Day in Cape Town
View of Table Mountain. Image by Janan Lagerwall (@stuffinabox)
What do you do if you only have one day to spend in the Mother City? Well, first, extend your stay. But, if that’s not possible here are some highlights to help you see some of the best the city has to offer.
First, you’ll need to decide if you want to cram in as much as possible or if you’d like to choose one or two activities that you can just enjoy. If it’s your first time in Cape Town, my recommendation is that you do two or three tourist attractions then come back and see the rest. Here are some of the many great things you can do in the home of the iconic Table Mountain.
Table Mountain
It’s not Cape Town without this magnificent mountain range. If you love the outdoors and a good, steep hike then take one of six routes up the mountain. Here are some top tips to help you choose the right trail for you. If you’re not an avid hiker or you’d prefer a more chilled way up the mountain take the cable car. The views over the city from the top of Table Mountain are unmatched and the cable car is a stunning way to see as much of it as possible. However you choose to ascend or descend the mountain, making it to the top is a must.
It’s also worth mentioning that if you’re looking to capture the perfect photo of the mountain, you should visit the northern suburbs of Cape Town – like Blouberg beach. That’s where you can capture your own version of the classic photo.
Cape Point
Cape Town has the remarkable reputation of being home to two oceans that converge at Cape Point: the warm Agulhas current that flows through the Indian Ocean and the cold Benguela current that flows through the Atlantic. These two great oceans meet at Cape Point. It’s also a great place for sightseeing and some cool photos. These two oceans are also the reason so many Cape Town-related things (like the Two Oceans Marathon) use “two oceans” in their names.
Cape Point. Image by Clayton Cardinalli (@clayton_cardinalli)
The beach
So many beaches and so little time! If, like me, you love the water and the beach then you’re in the right place. The only downside is the water in Cape Town isn’t warm. Yes, locals will argue that beaches like Hout Bay and Muizenberg are warm but they’re not really that warm…they’re just warmer than the others. So if you’d like to swim, choose one of the beaches on the Indian Ocean side. Considering the two oceans intersect at Cape Point, the waters that close to the Atlantic aren’t likely to be super warm anyway. If you’re looking for warm water beaches in South Africa, head to Durban.
Food
The food scene in the Mother City rivals many other world-class cities. Choose your cuisine and you’ll have tons of dining options – from low-cost to fine dining. If it’s your first time in Cape Town, I recommend you go for something with a view. Blockhouse Kitchen in Constantia is pretty great – it’s on a wine farm. If you’re in a big group and you’re not sure what cuisine you’d like, head to the V&A Waterfront. It’s a mall with many food options and plenty of shops for you to explore and shop for some new items, from clothes to souvenirs. Plus, many of the restaurants here have great views of the waterfront.
Bo-Kaap
This historical neighbourhood is probably the most easily recognised by the homes painted in bright colours. It’s located on the foot of Signal Hill so the cobbled streets can be quite steep. Really. If you have the time, it’s worth taking a walking tour so a local resident can tell you about this bustling community and its fascinating history. In fact, some of the homes here have been passed from generation to generation. It’s definitely worth a visit and I advise that you give yourself plenty of time for a walking tour and maybe even a cooking class.
A house in Bo-Kaap. Image by Devon Janse van Rensburg (@huntleytography)
Wine tasting
They’re not called the Cape Winelands for nothing. If you drink alcohol and enjoy wine, going wine-tasting is a must. Seriously. You won’t regret it as South Africa boasts some of the best wine in the world and you get to visit the places that make that world-class vino. To clarify, the winelands aren’t actually in Cape Town but you can access them pretty easily from the city. You can book yourself in at a specific wine farm or estate for a tasting or you can take the wine tram. The wine tram is actually through Franschhoek. You basically hop on and hop off at various wine estates. It’s a hop on and hop off tour but with wine! It’s convenient and a much safer way to go wine tasting as you won’t need to drive. Also, the views in the winelands are simply breathtaking.
