Three Perfect Days: Cape Town

Even if you’re not a morning person, an early hike up Table Mountain will make you one. As Cape Town’s most visible landmark, smack-dab in the middle of the city, this famously flat-topped rock rises sharply to a peak of 3,500 ft.

Various trails starting at different points along the base of Table Mountain offer hikes ranging from an easy stroll to an arduous, quick climb up to the massive plateau at the top. Starting in the morning is advised, especially if you choose the most direct route via the Platteklip Gorge trail – this gets you from bottom to top in about 3 hours depending on your stamina but features almost no shade and blistering sun during the summer. Wear sunscreen, bring plenty of water and take your time. You’ll be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of the city and coastline (weather permitting), and usually a well-deserved cool ocean breeze.

For those unable (or who prefer not) to hike, there is a cable car (the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway) that ferries passengers up and down every 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online or upon arrival.

After a day of hiking, you deserve great food, better wine and a bit more sightseeing. Head to the V&A Waterfront neighborhood to enjoy a wide selection of restaurants, bars and shops, plus scenic views of Table Mountain (now that you’ve conquered it!). This large commercial development sits near Cape Town’s very active shipping port, one of the oldest operational harbors in the Southern Hemisphere. As you walk along the docks to check out the eateries and catch an impromptu live performance, you may need to make way for some of the larger yachts and other boats that still make use of the harbor (there is an active drawbridge in the middle of the V&A complex). If you’re lucky, grab a table along the water and watch ships sail in and out.

Where to eat and drink

• Den Anker: A laid-back Belgian spot for dinner or sunset drinks along the quay in the V&A Waterfront district. Come for the sunset views on the patio. Stay for the lengthy drink list and plentiful plates.
• The Athletic Club & Social: Located in the City Centre, this three-story bar and restaurant serves locally inspired dishes, wine and craft cocktails. In the basement, a jazz club hosts weekly live acts.
• Bree Street: One of Cape Town’s best-known strips filled with bars, clubs and other nightlife options. Its spots range from casual, trendy places like Clarke’s Dining Room to lively bars like House of Machines, open past 2 a.m. most nights.

Cape Town is a city of top-tier destinations. The choices can feel endless. But the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, named one of “Cape Town’s Big Six Attractions” by the city’s tourism board, should be at the top of your list.

Tucked into the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the 1,300-acre botanical garden’s campus includes a huge variety of plant species from five of South Africa’s six biomes, representing a diverse range of habitats not found anywhere else in the world. Kirstenbosch was founded in 1913 and was the world’s first botanical garden to start preserving indigenous plant species. This decision proved prescient, as South Africa is now known to be home to some of the rarest plants and animals on Earth.

Though you could get lost in the gardens for hours, Kirstenbosch also has a performance area for events and concerts and Fynkos, where you can enjoy outstanding meals and bakery goods made with fresh, local ingredients.

Back in the city, stop by the Old Biscuit Mill, a place much more interesting than the name implies. The former biscuit mill was repurposed into a large indoor-outdoor food hall, market and artist space. At one end, dozens of food vendors sell everything from Cape Malay cuisine and fresh-steamed bao buns to burgers and craft-roasted coffee. On the other end, the complex brims with shops and stalls displaying countless goods by local artisans. The old brick walls are adorned with eclectic street art and emphasize a vibe characteristic of Cape Town as a whole: old classics given new life.

Where to eat and drink:

• Woodstock Brewery: Just down the street from Old Biscuit Mill, this brewery boasts a large space with ample indoor and outdoor seating and an equally expansive tap list of brews made on-site.
• Asoka Restaurant, Bar and Lounge: Closer to the City Centre, the Gardens neighborhood is one of the city’s most trendy districts for its showstopper restaurants and nightlife. Among them is Asoka, known for its Asian fusion small plates, one-of-a-kind cocktails and the massive olive tree planted smack-dab in the middle of the dining room. Between the inventive menu, the brilliantly moody décor and the lively atmosphere (aided by live music on many nights), it’s hard not to feel drawn inside. Just don’t forget your reservation.
• The Gin Bar: This aptly named speakeasy-esque is, indeed, a bar serving gin; a lot of it. Sample juniper spirits from across the world with ingredients you might’ve never heard of. Or order one of their “cure” gin and tonics to heal pessimism, heartache and other afflictions. Truly a cure for what ails you.

While there’s so much to see and do just within the city limits of Cape Town, some of the region’s best adventures are just a short drive away. Rent a car for the day and drive towards the Cape of Good Hope, experiencing South Africa’s beauty in all its glory.

Here are some of the best spots and sights along the Cape Peninsula, working your way south from the city:

Chapman’s Peak Drive

20 minutes south of Sea Point is Chapman’s Peak Drive, an incredible stretch of scenic road along the coast. You may feel compelled to white-knuckle the steering wheel as you wind through sharp curves along imposing cliffs. But as the sparkling ocean sprawls on one side and jagged cliffside tower on the other, the views will leave you speechless.

Boulders Penguin Colony

On the way to the Cape of Good Hope, stop for another memorable experience: getting up close and personal with a flock of penguins. South on the M3 highway is Simon’s Town, home to Boulders Penguin Colony, a colony of over 2,000 endangered African Penguins living in Table Mountain National Park. Waddle alongside them while traversing large boulders smoothed by ocean spray, or walk along the boardwalk and stay dry while admiring them. These little guys are a fantastic sight, but remember not to touch or feed them and respect their fragile habitat.

Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Nature Reserve

Easily the most famous landmark of all, the Cape of Good Hope lies at the southern tip of the peninsula. It’s a common misconception that this is the southernmost point in Africa – that would be Cape Agulhas, 90 miles to the east. Still, the Cape of Good Hope is the point at which ships sailing around the continent begin to turn more eastward than southward, and it’s where the currents of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans begin to converge.

Even if it’s not so geographically significant, the area is still a sight to behold. You’ll enter Cape Point Nature Reserve and be greeted with an almost otherworldly landscape of scrubby fynbos (native shrubs) and rocks, and might spot indigenous antelope species, ostrich and others that call this area home.

There are several points toward the end of the peninsula where you can get out and walk, including trails that offer dramatic views from above of waves crashing into the shoreline cliffs. To reach the water, take the set of stairs down to Diaz Beach. You can also take a tram or another trail to the Cape Point Lighthouse, which has been guiding sailors through the treacherous area since 1857.

Where to eat and drink

• SeaBreeze Fish & Shell: A whole day spent observing the ocean wouldn’t be complete without tasting some of its bounty. So, enjoy the local catch of the day at SeaBreeze. Modern décor and lively atmosphere accompany unique takes on classic seafood dishes paired best (as always) with excellent regional wines.
• Mojo Market: This sprawling food hall features dozens of vendors serving cuisine from all over the map, plus four bars and live music to boot. It’s a reminder that South Africans know how to have a good time, and it usually involves a smorgasbord of food and drinks while being serenaded by talented performers.

Cape Town is a vibrant, exhilarating city, and a gateway to a country that holds so much beauty to explore. Cape Town’s many hidden gems are a microcosm of an incredibly diverse region. Take your time – you won’t want to overlook any of it.