Even so, it takes a bit of a learning curve to really get into Cape Town. Aside from its natural beauty, it’s not as obviously charming and not as easy to visit as a typical European city. I actually went to Cape Town three times (!) before I really fell in love with it .
I wish it happened faster for you. I want you to fall in love on your first trip! So, I decided to create a thorough guide to help you have the best trip possible and show you some off-the-beaten-path activities.
I’ve included the popular activities that most tourists do – like Table Mountain, Boulders Beach and the V&A Waterfront – as well as some quirky additions like the District 6 Museum and some of my favorite Cape Town designers.
Getting to the top of Table Mountain
This should be your first priority in Cape Town. Why? Table Mountain is often covered in thick clouds – the locals call it a tablecloth – and there’s no point in going then because you won’t be able to see anything. As soon as you see that the sky is going to clear, get up the mountain! You probably won’t get another chance.
Keep an eye out for the dassie, a small animal that looks like a non-inverted guinea pig. His close cousin is the African elephant! (However, don’t actually hug or touch the female. Respect the wildlife here – both animals and plants.)
You’ll get some of the best photos from your trip to Table Mountain. You may want to wear something that suits you.
For photography, remember that the best views of Lion’s Head and Cape Town are in the morning, while the best views of the mountains are in the afternoon.
Table Mountain is free to visit, but lift tickets cost R240/125 ($16.50/$8.50) round trip/one way. Book your tickets online before you arrive and you will be able to skip the long queues.
You can also hike up Table Mountain. There are several routes to choose from, from easy to difficult.
The most convenient way to get to Table Mountain is to take the Hop on Hop off tour bus, which stops directly at the Table Mountain cable car station. The scenery along the way is great and lush! The tour bus provides audio descriptions of the attractions along the way in 16 languages, including Chinese, which is wonderful!
The cable car is designed to rotate so that everyone can see the scenery from the glass windows, so the car is constantly amazed by the stunning scenery along the way.
When we reached the top of Table Mountain, we looked into the distance and saw the sea with its thousands of waves and silvery white edges shining in the slightly darkened sunlight. Thin clouds and light smoke floated on the sea, and the sunlight was suddenly much softer.
The sea and the sky were truly connected, and between the misty smoke, it was impossible to distinguish the sea from the sky. There is a topographical map of Table Mountain at the top of the hill, so you can take pictures with it.
Standing on the east side of Table Mountain, the view is part of the Atlantic Ocean, Lion Rock and Signal Hill. On the north side of Table Mountain, the view is of endless mountains against the azure sky.
To the west of Table Mountain, you can also see part of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Table Bay, and the mountain range that connects Table Mountain, encircled by a panoramic road. It is safe to say that no matter which side of Table Mountain you are on, the view is breathtakingly beautiful.
On the other side of Table Mountain, there is a viewpoint built on a rocky outcrop surrounded by the same stone parapet. From the observation deck, you can also see the bustling downtown Cape Town in the distance, as well as the blue swimming pool that almost every home has, and the beautiful Robin’s Island.
With such a view of the mountains and the sea, you will feel like you are on top of the world, like few other places in the world!
In addition to the scenery, visitors can also experience hiking, rock climbing, driving, exploring and other fun activities. The hiking route goes straight to the top of the mountain, and along the way, you can explore the rare plants and animals that you can’t stop seeing!
There are also many gypsy trails on the slopes of Table Mountain where you can ride mountain bikes. Plum Pudding Hill is a very steep gypsy trail. Cyclists should strictly follow the signs for mountain bikers.
