Our trip to South Africa started with an flight with Emirates from Frankfurt to Cape Town via Dubai. We arrived in the evening and headed straight to our hotel in Camps Bay. We also spent a few days in Cape Town at the end of our trip.
There’s actually not so much classic sightseeing in Cape Town. But when a city is surrounded by such majestic nature, it’s not so important.
Capetonians are super friendly people and the city has a great vibe. We would recommend you to spend at least three nights here, better would be a week. Believe me, you’ll definitely want to stay here.
The Old Biscuit Mill
We imagined this place to be more exciting. Maybe it was the wrong time of the year. The Old Biscuit Mill is a beautiful hipster market with a few stores which are quite expensive.
We hoped to spend time at the food market and were disappointed as we were there the wrong day. It was our mistake. Better get informed before. The homepage might help you.
Bo Kaap
The Bo Kaap is the quarter of the Malayans in Cape Town. Therefore it’s also called Malayan Quarter or Cape Muslim Quarter.
It’s famous for its colourful houses, which you can already see from Signal Hill. There are a few guest houses; else it seems a bit sleepy. It’s really pretty and kind of a little colourful utopia.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
We found out that South Africa’s oldest working harbour is ill-reputed as tourists’ shopping paradise. We think it was a pretty place.
As it was a grey day, it was a good way to spend some time. There’s a food court and in better weather conditions, sunset cruises start from here. Unfortunately not for us. Next time!
The Canal Walk
Actually you don’t come to Cape Town to shop in malls. But the day of our return we had a few hours left and Janet (the owner of our B&B in Bloubergstrand) recommended us to see the Canal Walk, as it’s much cheaper than the V&A Waterfront anyway, at least in her opinion.
Africa’s biggest shopping mall is a consumer mecca which is second to none. It doesn’t really fit to the Africa image we had in mind. It’s a really beautiful maximum security ‘prison’ in Venetian style with like a million shops of any kind. Furthermore it has a huge Food Court and fantastic architecture.
It’s not a must-see, but if you have some time to spend, the Canal Walk is worth a visit.
Bloubergstrand
One of Cape Town’s beautiful local beaches. The water is crystal clear, the sand pure white. The beaches must be really crowded in summer.
For us it was perfect for our day trip to the West Coast National Park. Bloubergstrand was like a maximum security area but of course as non residents we can’t judge how the locals feel here.
Camps Bay
Our favourite place in Cape Town by far. The beach is amazing and also from a distance it looks like a picture perfect place. It’s located directly under the 12 Apostles and the snow white beach as well as the sea are of fantastic colours. Plus, mighty Lion’s Head looks just fabulous from here.
Camps Bay is described as South Africa’s Côte d’Azur. We thought more of Miami Beach. Both is a bit exaggerated. What’s sure: Africa, as you might have it in mind, is far away from here.
There’s a exhuberant atmosphere. Like our whole life was just a holiday. Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s most popluar places for a reason. There are a few restaurants and bars at the Ocean’s Drive. Camps Bay is about looking and getting looked at.
As soon as the sun comes up, all hell breaks loose here. Day and night but as soon as it becomes cooler it seems a little bit deserted. What people like to call winter here appeared like a joke to us. A thin jacket was more than enough.
We were a little bit envious of Camps Bay High School pupils. They can enjoy this view every day.
Like in Bloubergstrand security is really appreciated. The security company’s names like ‘Armed response’ sound martial to us and probably aim to discourage in advance. The wealthy know what to do!
Table Mountain
Unfortunately we didn’t make it up to Cape Town’s landmark. As soon as the weather was good (cloudless and windless) people were standing in long lines for the cable car to Table Mountain. It was low season and we really can’t imagine what it must be like in summer. Parking, queuing for the cable car, going up and down you might include a few hours.
The view is fabulous for sure but it seemed to0 stressful to us. You can enjoy the view of Table Mountain from different places and instead have a great view over the city from somewhere else.
Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head is mighty and worth the hike. The first part was actually quite easy compared to the second part. It was difficult for small people like me and at some parts it was more like rock climbing. The descent is nothing for cowards.
Stylish Capetonians passed us by in their laid–back and easy way, because you know, it is ‘just your everyday hike’. It seems like it belongs to pretty people’s fitness plan to hike the Lion’s Head in a certain time.
I wasn’t laid-back and definitely not fit for this. I managed it nevertheless. Jan is in general in fitter than I am. Be sure, this hike is not so easy.
I would do it again, nevertheless. The view from the top leaves you speechless. We had perfect weather and an 360° view over the city.
Lion’s Head is the perfect alternative to Table Mountain. But you have to walk.
Signal Hill
This is for the lazy ones. If you don’t want to queue or to hike, Signal Hill is your choice. There are a few view points where you can stop with your car. The view is fabulous as well but of course it’s not as high as the others, therefore it’s a compromise.
If you have the time you can also make a trip to Robben Island and see Nelson Mandela’s old cell. We have to postpone this for our next visit.
Have you ever been to Cape Town? What did you like most here?