5 Awesome Places to Visit in Cape Town, South Africa (and Why I Loved the City)
I just got back from one of the best trips I have ever taken. My jaunt to South Africa for 6 days (2 in Cape Town, 4 in Johannesburg) was one of those experiences that I want to call “epic” but since that word is so overused, the meaning has been watered down. But truly, it was a trip worth talking about at length.
I was in SA because I was speaking at Social Media Week Johannesburg. I decided to get there 2 days early just to check out Cape Town and it was the best decision I could have made with this trip.
After 16 hours of traveling (6 hours to London, then 10 hours to SA), I landed in the Mother City. I took y’all along on my journey because I want people to see the beauty of one small piece of the continent. I was using the hashtags #CapeTownLuvv and #JoburgLuvv because I wanted to share what I was learning and show that it was a place that folks need to visit more often. The diversity of cultures, the beauty of the land and the people are worth spotlighting. I was only there for 6 days but they were full and I’m already looking forward to going back.
I was only in Cape Town for a couple of days but I made the most of the time I had there because I went on a day long guided tour. Below are 5 places I visited while there.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a gorgeous harbor with restaurants, small local shops and even a huge mall (with a range of stores from the Zara to Gucci). There’s entertainment (I watched a live band doing remixes of popular reggae songs), a ferris wheel and stunning views of Table Mountain. In fact, one thing I loved about Cape Town was how no matter where you looked, there was a mountain serving as a fierce backdrop. The entire city is a post card.
The V&A Waterfront is also where the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is. Robben Island is where they imprisoned Madiba for 18 years. I really wanted to visit while I was in Cape Town but tickets were sold out. On my next trip to South Africa, it is on my MUST GO list. Apparently, I need to make sure I book tickets for that 2 weeks before I go. So tip for those who plan on going. Do not expect to just show up and get tickets to Robben Island. Book in advance!
My hotel was 5 minutes from the Waterfront so naturally, I cabbed it (that bum life) there. I spent 4 hours walking around, taking pics and shopping. Since it’s currently early spring in CPT, it was colder than I expected (like 55 degrees). I dipped into Zara and bought a light coat and a pashmina from one of the local carts. Besides the nippyness, it was perfect.
Camp’s Bay
I went on a tour of the Cape peninsula the 2nd day I was there and it was the tour that allowed me to hit up the highlights. Our first stop was Camp’s Bay, an area of Cape Town where there’s beaches, shops and stunning views of the 12 Apostles (see the mountains below and you can see 8 of them).
We got there around 9am and the place was already action and people-packed. Folks were on the beach playing with frisbees, people were grabbing breakfast and the sun was all “HEY BOO!” It was still kinda cool, though, which is why I had on my jacket. Camp’s Bay was 360 degrees of gorgeous. I mean everywhere I turned was a picture worth taking (with no filter needed).
Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is the most South western tip of Africa and it’s always been on my bucket list. Cape Point is the area it’s in and being there made me feel closer to God. I could not stop saying “Wow. God is good.” I was full of wonder and was all verklempt at the beauty of that place. The blue water (Atlantic Ocean) and the mountains got together and showed out for glory!
We went up to the light house at Cape Point for an even more spectacular view. Chile, I got my life. Then we had lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant, which overlooks the ocean. I have never had seafood that was so fresh. My meal of choice was a Prawn and Avocado salad and it was just absolutely delicious.
After that awesomeness, I would have been happy even if I saw nothing else. But there was more!
Boulders Penguin Colony
Did you know that South Africa has penguins? If you didn’t, now you do! Boulders Beach is where you can go to see them and lemme tell you. THEY ARE SO FREAKING CUTE!!! They waddle and I thought I was in a live showing of “Happy Feet.” I even saw some baby ones and learned that the ones who aren’t full grown are super fuzzy and fluffy.
There were penguins all on the beach.
I seriously kept giggling when I watched the walk. Funniest thing ever.
I didn’t get a chance to go to the top of Table Mountain and that is my only “aw man!” moment for Cape Town. Again, it’s another thing that I must do next time.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
The day ended at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and by that point, I was all overwhelmed in the best way and the only thing I could muster was “WOW” over and over again. They call this “the most beautiful garden in Africa” and I will have to take their word for it because nothing I saw in there made me doubt that fact.
LAWD! The first picture I took while in there knocked me off my feet.
Mind you, most of these pics were taken on my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone and I am NOBODY’s photographer and they still came out looking superb. You have to make an effort to take a bad picture in these beautiful places.
I know I only scratched the surface of places to visit in Cape Town, especially since I didn’t really explore the city much so I am really looking forward to going back. I want to spend a week or more there seeing what it’s like away from the peninsula, going to some dope restaurants and learning about more of the history. There’s layers and layers I didn’t even peel so in 2015, I will make it happen.
Also, the city is not even expensive at all. The tour costs R87, which is like $8, and none of the places I visited cost more than R6. I didn’t have break the bank to have a ball. Anywho, CAPE. TOWN. IS. TOO. PRETTY. I’ll post an album on Facebook and I will be back with a post on “5 Places to Visit in Johannesburg.”
To my readers who live there, I promise to do a meetup next time. Anyone else been to CPT? Did you love it as much as I did?
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21 Comments
Luvvie – I still have my certificate commemorating my little visit to the southernmost part of the African continent (Cape Point) where the oceans meet. Your post is bringing back fond memories of my visit there years ago!
I never (rarely) comment on your site. But, Cape Town really is my favorite city in the world, I think. My family visited last December for 2 weeks and on the way to our apartment from the airport, my kids asked if we can live there. I loved the people, the scenery, the food, the vibe, the culture, everything. It is the only place outside of the USA where I can imagine living forever.
Luvvie, I really enjoyed the pics from your SA travels. Cape Town looks truly beautiful. While looking at the pics, I got the feeling that if I ever make it there for a visit, I may never leave. Thanks so much for taking us along on your journey. Hope to make it there in person, one day.
Adding this to my travel board. I love to travel. I haven’t done as much traveling for the past 5 years due to illness but I have plans to change that within the next year.
I loved, loved, loved Cape Town. One day I would like to live there. It is definitely worth the flying time. Table Mountain and Robben Island are fabulous but those penguins gave me life. Now that I’ve seen your pictures I realize that I need to gets to figuring out how and when I can go back. Can’t wait for your JoBurg review.
i visited south africa in 2008 and it was the trip of a life time! I felt like i was on a pilgramage to the motherland. As an afro-caribbean decendant of slaves, i was just blown away by the similarities in the cultur, food, music, even the vegitation. We were a tour of 80 black caribbean people and attracted lots of attention from the locals. It was my first trip to the African continent and it will certainly not be my last. Your recap did it justice. You need to go back to visit robben island, It was so moving and humbling and awe inspiring and heart breaking at the same time. We were there 10 glorious and did capetown, joburg, petoria, sowetto, durban, swaziland. I got nothing but love for SA.
How do you get to all these places? I want to go!!!
Fabulous! Thank you for sharing.
Love seeing our beautiful country through a visitors eyes! Next, you must visit “Place of the Rising Sun” – Mpumalanga, the gorgeous Eastern Cape, where Mandela’s originally from, Kwa-Zulu Natal, home of the Zulu kingdom…. Soooo much to see! Our country is BEAUTIFUL! Lovely having you to visit, so glad you loved it!
Thanks for this starter list. Haven’t been to the Motherland yet, but SA is high on my list of places to visit 😀
*UPDATE* Thanks to a glitch fare around Christmas, I will be heading to Cape Town and Jo’Burg in May! 😀 Dreams do come true… and btw, great photos, even with a camera phone 😉
We were just in Cape Town in May and also talked about living there someday! So many interesting and beautiful places. Table mountain is a must with both easy and more difficult hikes. The wine country is fab and extremely reasonably priced.
I would suggest everyone who can get to Robben Island in the next 20-30 yrs while ex-prisoners still lead the tours. Being in the presence of those men and being able to talk with our guide is something I’ll carry always.
Did you not deal with baboons at Cape Point?! 3 of them came over our car at my husband! We love nature and all, but that was too real.
I plan to travel to SA for my 49th or 50th BD! Thanks for sharing your insights, Luvvie!
Your pics made me miss home so badly! Cape Town is my hometown, thank you for showing all your readers its beauty <3
Loving loving loving this post and bookmarking it. You need to do more travel blogs my friend, you are a natural and your travel photography is dope! Yet another reminder of why I need to head to South Africa. 🙂
my daughter is at the university doing a study abroad. she shares your joy. about those penguins – while cute she thought they were a bit much and said something about white poop!!
one day i will get there.
Cape Town is legitimately the most amazing city in the world. I’ve been there twice and have sworn I will move there one day! Next time you go you should visit Robben Island. It is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had in my entire life. So glad you enjoyed yourself!
Went to CPT (love that acronym btw) for 5 weeks over US summer. Absolutely incredible being there and taking law classes while also doing tours and learning about the history of the city and SA. I’m looking forward to going back, and making it to Durban and Jo’burg. I can only imagine Camps Bay when it gets hot!
Loved reading this post! I had the awesome experience of visiting Johannesburg & Cape Town in 2012 with my father & friend. We had a trip of a lifetime! Luckily, we were able to get tickets to Robben Island after we almost shed tears and told them we were from the states. We were even fortunate enough to talk with one of Mandela’s former guards. We volunteered at a Saturday school in Soweto which was the highlight of our trip! I plan to visit again!!
Oh but of all the african cities, nothing beats Cape Town, hands down! When I’ve gone on holiday coming home always feels like I’m going on holiday again 🙂 #ilovecapetown
I also happen to catch you on a local radio station, and you sound phenom! Love your work!
I attended graduate school at the University of Cape Town in the mid-1990s and it was amazing. My grandfather was scared about me going to South Africa because he thought I was going to get eaten by lions in the street. (he watched a lot of Tarzan movies when he was growing up) I had to explain to him that Cape Town is a major metropolis with skyscrapers and malls and stuff and there are no lions walking around. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at my dorm and discovered that I lived right across the street from a wildlife reserve with zebra and wildebeests, etc. It is a magical, beautiful city. I miss it.