Wanderlust For: Cape Town, South Africa

I’m starting a new series on my blog called “Wanderlust For.” Every post will showcase a different city in the world I would love to visit. I’ll be doing research as if I am planning a real trip, so you’ll be able to read about sights to see, suggested restaurants, and tips. I hope these will inspire you to take a trip of your own. These “Wanderlust For” guides will be a helpful starting place when you/I decide to visit the city!

Simon’s Town

I am SO excited to share my first Wanderlust For city: Cape Town, the capital of South Africa! It’s on my travel list, but after my research, I’m so captivated by this city that I’ve bumped it up higher on the list. It has an abundance of outdoor activities, gorgeous views, a vibrant culinary scene, and a growing art culture.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Table Mountain

Looking at the activities, I would schedule at least a week in Cape Town. My top activities in Cape Town would be:

• Getting up close and personal with GREAT WHITE SHARKS (in a cage) and African penguins (roaming on the beach).
• Explore all the incredible outdoor areas and take hikes to the summits.
• Drink Cape Town wine and visit wineries.
• Learn about South African history at several of the cool museums.
• Relax and surf at the beach.
• Eat at The Test Kitchen, the #22 restaurant in the world.

You get a little bit of everything in Cape Town and I can do my favorite things when I travel: extreme sports, culinary adventures, life list-type adventures, history, and art. Ok, have I convinced you yet? Read on for more details to help you plan your trip.

Quick Tips

• The best time to visit is March through May for good weather and fewer crowds. December to February is their summer and peak season with the weather rising to the high 70s. June through August will be rainy and cold. Find the month you want to visit depending on your desired activities.
• The major airport is Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
• Yes, there is Uber in Cape Town. They also have a bus system.
• English is spoken everywhere.
• Currency is the South African Rand. As of Sept. 2016, one Rand is 0.069 USD. Credit cards are widely accepted except at small businesses.
• No visas necessary if you’re traveling from Australia, USA, UK, Japan, and most Western European countries. You’ll be given a 90-day permit upon arrival.
• Tap water is drinkable here.
• Renting a car to explore would be ideal if you don’t want to take public transportation. The hills might be tough for bicycling.
• The CDC recommends getting Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations for risks of contaminated food or drink.
• Bring a jacket for the unpredictable sea breezes.

St James Beach

Sights to See and Places to Visit

• Hike Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and/or Cape of Good Hope and admire the scenery. Take the aerial cable-car to see an incredible view of Cape Town.

• Cage Dive with Great White Sharks in Gansbaai (two hours from Cape Town; Great White Shark capital of the world)
• Explore the Saturday food market at The Biscuit Mill. This is one of many farmers markets in Cape Town. See more options here.

The Old Biscuit Mill

• Get up close and personal with ostriches at the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch.
• Drink wine in Cape Winelands, an hour away from Cape Town.

• Relax on a beach. Blouberg and Clifton Beach are good options.
• Shop and eat at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Take a ride on The Cape Wheel.

• See the African Penguins at Boulders Beach (45min drive from downtown or take a train to Simon’s Town).

African Penguins on Boulders Beach

• Learn about Cape Town history at the District Six Museum and/or Iziko Slave Lodge.
• Visit the prison on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for 20 years.
• See more than 1.5 million cultural and scientific artifacts at the South African Museum.

• Road trip The Garden Route.
• Take a Scootour, a downhill scooter tour.
• Admire the super colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap.

Bo-Kaap Neighborhood

Restaurants to Try

• The Test Kitchen (currently #22 in the world)
• The Pot Luck Club
• The Short Market Club
• The Codfather
• Devil’s Peak Brewing Company

Where to Stay

• Cape Grace ($$$$)
• Jordan Wines ($$$)
• Ocean View House ($$$)
• Oxford House ($$)
• Once in Cape Town ($$)
• The Backpack ($$, Hostel)
• Away with the Fairies ($$, Hostel)
• Airbnb: There are plenty of cute places to stay through Airbnb, like this Central Loft with Bo-Kaap View.