Cape Town, South Africa — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Cape Town
From museums and historic sites to scenic drives and beaches, Cape Town has plenty to offer visitors in the way of attractions and excursions. The open-top, hop-on hop-off Explorer bus operates two routes with 13 stops each at sights within the central city, as well as further afield in the suburbs, which is an easy way to see many of the city's top attractions in one day. The city center is easy to navigate on foot, with Table Mountain and the gentle slope of the city toward the sea providing a point of reference and making it difficult to get lost. At the very least, visitors usually include a trip up Table Mountain in the cable car on their itinerary, and many make time for an outing to Robben Island, Cape Point, the Winelands and of course any one of the city's many magnificent beaches.
Summertime visitors rarely come to Cape Town without at least one day spent enjoying its Blue Flag-rated beaches, whether lounging with the bronze bodies in Camps Bay and Clifton, or snorkeling with penguins in Simonstown. There are many active pursuits available in Cape Town as well, from kayaking with whales in the Atlantic Ocean, to hiking up Table Mountain or in the Tokai forest, to paragliding from Signal Hill to Camp's Bay.
For those with a bit more time, there are many museums that offer a glimpse into the apartheid era such as the District Six Museum, and an increasingly popular tour is to one of the predominantly black townships which usually includes a look at community projects, a visit to a craft market and a drink at a local shebeen.
Shopping in Cape Town
Shopping in Cape Town is largely centralized within a few shopping malls, the largest and most popular being in the V&A Waterfront, Cavendish Square and Century City. Many international brands can be found here, but shopping in Cape Town is not quite in the same league as international cities such as London, New York or Singapore.
Supermarkets are of a high standard, with Pick & Pay good for bulk shopping, while Woolworths is probably the best for fresh produce. For food lovers the Saturday morning market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock is excellent for fresh, organic foods and unique, locally-made products. The Sunday craft market in Hout Bay is the place for handmade local arts and crafts, and for South African art it is worth taking a drive down to Kalk Bay and Simonstown where there are lots of small galleries.
The flea market at Greenmarket Square, off Longmarket Street, is worth a visit for African curios and gifts, where bargaining is often possible, particularly if buying a few items. Nearby Long Street also has a number of curio shops, mixed with local boutiques, and book and music stores. Popular Cape Town souvenirs include African masks, colorfully-printed fabric and clothing, and carvings made of wood and soapstone.
Most stops are open between 9am and 6pm, with reduced hours on the weekends. Stores in shopping malls may be open later, until 8 or 9pm. Overseas travelers can claim back VAT (14%) at the refund kiosk in Cape Town International Airport on presentation of all receipts; allow extra time before checking in.
Cape Town Nightlife
By far South Africa's most cosmopolitan city, Cape Town's nightlife is definitely something to write home about. This multicultural city has something for just about everyone from fashionable bars and watering holes to classy dance clubs and hotel bars, and visitors and tourists alike will find themselves brushing shoulders with the who's who in Cape Town's social scene.
Kick things off by sipping on a cocktail and watching the sunset at one of Camps Bay's trendy sidewalk cafes in the summer, offering fancy cocktails and gorgeous ocean views. Somerset Road in Green Point is where the main gay and lesbian clubs and bars are situated, although it is not uncommon for straight people to frequent these places.
If that doesn't float your boat, head to Observatory for a more bourgeois bohemian experience with students from the University of Cape Town. Everything happens at a slightly slower pace here and pool halls, reggae bars, avant-garde eateries and live music are the order of the day. For a younger and more mainstream clubbing experience, head to main road in Claremont where teens prefer to drink and dance the night away at clubs like Tiger Tiger.
Long Street in the center of town is the heart of Cape Town nightlife however, particularly the mountain end. There is just about every kind of bar or club on offer, from live music and deejay bars to pubs, dance clubs and the more trendy and laid-back 'lounge' variety. It's can be a difficult and confusing task choosing a venue to while away the hours, and you are likely to find people from a myriad of nations wandering the streets on weekend nights. Be wary of the numerous pickpockets in the crowd, however, and keep close watch on cell phones and wallets. This strip is happening all the time and there are plenty of quieter and less packed spots hidden away off the side streets. Near to Long Street, The Fez is a long-running popular club where you might run into international celebrities like Paris Hilton, Prince Harry, or Leonardo DiCaprio. There is almost always a great line-up of original South African bands playing at lots of venues around Cape Town, the most popular for rock and alternative music being Zula Sound Bar, Mercury Live and The Assembly, while Manenberg's Jazz Café at the Clock Tower is a great spot to tap your toe to a bit of jazz.
For culture vultures, there are great local and often international shows to be seen at one of the many theaters such as the Theater on the Bay, the Baxter Theater or ARTscape while On Broadway hosts a wonderful mix of comedies and farces. The Cape Town City Ballet, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cape Town Opera are all world-class performing groups. Maynardville Open-Air Theater hosts Shakespeare in the Park performances in Wynberg every summer.
Unfortunately, there is little to no public transport after 7pm in Cape Town, besides private taxis which often need to be booked in advance and can be very expensive, so it is best to organize your own car - but make sure there is a designated driver as the accident rate on weekends is frighteningly high and police road blocks are common. Due to recent legislation, bars and clubs in Cape Town stop serving alcohol at 2am.
Attractions for Kids
With a warm climate, mountains, world-class beaches, and the great outdoors on its doorstep, there is no shortage of things for children to see and do in Cape Town. The question is more 'what can children notdo in Cape Town?' as the opportunities are endless.
Active families will enjoy the numerous hikes on Table Mountain, as well as the cable car. The surrounding areas, such as Tokai, False Bay and even Silvermine and Cape Point provide some excellent walking trails too. Being such a bicycle-friendly city, there are plenty of bike trails both on and off the mountains to be enjoyed. Pack the frisbee and sunscreen and head to one of Cape Town's picture-perfect beaches to enjoy a spot of sunshine, but beware - the water is cold! Or for a more relaxing day in the shade, pack a picnic and lie under the shade of a tree in the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where there is plenty of space for kids to run around. For those with less energy, pop the kids on one of Cape Town's open-top sightseeing buses - a great way to see the top attractions in Cape Town.
On days when outdoor activities are not an option, head off to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where craft markets, boat rides and restaurants will keep the little ones entertained. The Two Oceans Aquarium is also located here and provides a fascinating and educational experience for children of all ages.
When the sun sets on the 'Mother City' there are plenty of great restaurants where kids are welcome, such as the family-friendly Spur, which offers indoor playgrounds, coloring books and balloons for the little ones.
