Youll never forget your first trip to Cape Town. The people, the colors, the food, the wine(!), those memories will stick with you long after your trip has ended. Probably even for the rest of your life. Youll never forget the view from the top of Table Mountain, the taste of the afternoon tea on a warm day and the smiles of the people welcoming you into their culture. Those are a few of the things that make Cape Town special.
Heres how to create those special memories and many, many more.
1. Escape the Winter blues
Theres no better way to escape the winter blues and get Summer started early than visiting a place where its Summer already! February marks the end of Summer in the Cape, so expect warm, beautiful weather and lots of things to do outside.
2. Splurge on a stay at The Table Bay Hotel
If its good enough for royalty, its good enough for you! This is one of the best places to stay in Cape Town for so many reasons its beautiful, in a great location,withtop amenities… the list can go on and on. Staying here is a bit of a splurge, but when you wake up with a perfect harbor and Table Mountain view out of the window from your bed, youll understand why we love it here.
3. Get face to face with Jaws on a shark cage-diving excursion
These are the most shark infested waters in the world, which make them great for something as adventurous as this! Put on a wetsuit and get lowered into the water in your protective cage and watch the great whites start to swarm. Youll be able to reach right out and touch them, not that youll want to.
4. Grab a drink with locals on Long Street
Think of it as South Africa’s Bourbon Street. Packed with locals and lined with bars, Long Streetis the best place to blend in and get a real Cape Town experience. Try not to drink too much, you dont want a babelaas in the morning! And yes, just use that Afrikaan slang term for hangover and youll fit right in.
5. Put aside a whole day to visit the Cape Winelands
Along this wine route youll find some of the best wineries in South Africa in the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Go with an organized tour (and dedicated driver) to get the most out of this experience, which deserves a whole day dedicated to it. Try from the vast varieties of local wines (be sure to try the Pinotage!), take in the amazing scenery and pair your wine with some authentic African cooking.
6. Enjoy anafternoon high tea
Taking a break from the afternoon to relax, reflect and prepare for the rest of the evening is done best with mini sandwiches, pastries and rooibos tea. The best places in town for high tea include The Mount Nelson, The Table Bay and The One & Only.
7. Dont let the inviting crystal blue water at Camps Bay and Summer temperatures fool you
The water is freezing! With Table Mountain as your backdrop, Camps Bay is easily one of the most beautiful and lively beaches in South Africa, maybe even the world. Set up your beach chair in between the locals and trendy visitors, and proceed with caution into the water when you need a cool down. For a good laugh, challenge whoever your with to run and jump right in!
8. Look for the cute little creatures known as dassieson top of Table Mountain
Whether you choose to make the hike to the top of Table Mountain or take the cable car, the view from the top will leave you speechless. You can see everything from Camps Bay to Robben Island to the Cape Town Stadium. Look down, but not too far, for the cute little dassie, surprisingly said to be the closest living relative to the African elephant.
Wed love to hear if youve done any of the above or if you have additional recommendations let us know in the comments below!
