Discover the Secrets of Cape Town With a Fun-Filled Visit to the City

Cape Town is known as one of those cities that has it all – pristine beaches, unspoilt nature, thrilling attractions, diverse culture and (most importantly) award-winning wineries. Need we say more? Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends and family, the city has something for everyone. Our travel experts at Plum Guide know Cape Town like the back of our hands and can highly recommend making it your next holiday destination. Still need convincing? Check out the top eight reasons why you should visit Cape Town.

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Home to one of the most spectacular natural backdrops a city can have, Cape Town was made for outdoor adventures. Standing at 1,086 metres, Table Mountain dominates the skyline, tempting hikers up along the various trails to the summit. These range in difficulty and duration; some may also require a guide. More popular hikes include landmarks such as Lion’s Head, Devil’s Peak and Signal Hill, all offering panoramic views of the city, coast and surrounding countryside.

But it’s not just hiking that you can get into – there are numerous other adrenaline-filled activities like paragliding, abseiling, bungee jumping, ziplining, quad biking and sandboarding on the dunes of Atlantis. Those keen to get into the water will be pleased to know that there are plenty of water-based activities like scuba diving, surfing, sea kayaking and – only for the brave – shark-cage diving.

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Wine connoisseurs will undoubtedly have one thing on their mind the entire holiday, and lucky for them, they’ve come to the right place. Just an hour’s drive inland from Cape Town is Cape Winelands, South Africa’s central wine-producing region. This area has a history of 350 years and is divided into six regions encompassing twenty-six districts. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Durbanville, Paarl and Franschhoek are the most well-known areas. Home to some of the world’s best vineyards, there’s something for every kind of oenophile here, whether you prefer Pinotage (South Africa’s earthy, smoky signature red) or Méthode Cap Classique (sparkling wine made with Champagne varieties).

There are numerous wine tours and trails to take, and even if you don’t have a designated driver, you can climb aboard the wine tram in Franschhoek which offers a hop-on-hop-off winery tour with eight different lines to choose from. Some of our highly-rated wineries include Boschendal Estate, one of the Cape’s oldest wine farms producing farm-to-table food and award-winning vintages since 1685. Another must-visit is Delaire Graff Estate, where knowledgeable sommeliers can recommend the best wine for meal pairings.

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Generally regarded as the culinary capital of South Africa, its foodie scene is one of the top reasons why you should visit Cape Town. Home to some of the country’s best chefs, countless young restaurateurs produce incredible meals in trendy settings. Local dishes to try include bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping), bunny chow (an Indian South African curry served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread), biltong and droewors (dried meat snacks), koeksisters (fried dough infused in syrup or honey), and of course, unlimited fresh seafood.

Hot days – and there are many of them – call for a braai, South Africa’s answer to the barbecue. Essential meats include boerewors (a type of sausage made with minced meat and spices), sosaties (meat cooked on skewers) and steak. Interestingly, Cape Malay cuisine is a major part of the community’s culture and is best described as a fusion of Southeast Asian, Dutch, and African flavours and ingredients. Head to the colourful neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap for a cooking class to learn about the spices and influences of Cape Malay culture.

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Cape Town has a surprisingly large amount of wildlife for such a cosmopolitan city. Boulders Beach is home to a large colony of African penguins, and the best spot to view them is from the boardwalks that wind through the dunes and vegetation around Foxy Beach. Out in the Atlantic, the waters are teeming with whales, dolphins, seals and sharks – get a closer look with a boat tour out to sea, a foolproof way to occupy the kids for the day.

No trip to Africa would be complete without a safari, and there are several to choose from which aren’t too far from Cape Town. Aquila Private Game Reserve is one of the most popular options, offering a big five safari experience just two hours outside the city centre. Join a traditional game drive or explore the reserve on horseback, quad bikes, or from the air. There are also several nature reserves that you can self-drive to, including the breathtaking Cape Point Nature Reserve which is home to baboons, ostriches, antelope and zebra, as well as a diverse range of bird species.

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With its position on a peninsula, Cape Town is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Camps Bay and Clifton beaches are two of the most popular, offering stunning views of the mountains. Clifton has four beaches which are all popular with locals and visitors alike, and Camps Bay has a long stretch of soft sand and is an excellent spot for sunbathing and people-watching. With its colourful beach huts, Muizenberg beach is a fantastic spot for surfing and swimming – although be prepared for slightly colder waters.

For more watersports, head to the wide and sandy Noordhoek beach. This is a popular place for surfing, kiteboarding, and horse riding. Given their ideal conditions, some beaches can get crowded during summer. For something a little quieter, Beta Beach is a secluded bay next to Clifton. Hidden between boulders, this beach is sheltered from the wind and offers calm waters and views of Camps Bay, Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles.

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It wouldn’t be a proper list of reasons to visit Cape Town without mentioning the nation’s deep and complex past. The city is a living museum, and those interested in history have a lot to discover here. Visit Robben Island, a small island just off the coast which was used as a prison for political prisoners during the apartheid era – Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for eighteen years. Head to District Six Museum to learn about the forced removals of over 60,000 residents of the District Six neighbourhood during the apartheid era. Equally as harrowing is the Slave Lodge, which tells the story of the slave trade and slavery in South Africa. The museum is housed in a building originally used as a slave lodge in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Be sure to visit the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, one of the city’s oldest surviving neighbourhoods. In the 18th-century, many Malaysian slaves lived in this former racially segregated area. When the old regime was abolished, the houses were painted in bright colours to celebrate freedom. Many of those who live there today are direct descendants of these enslaved people, and you can learn more about Bo-Kaap’s fascinating heritage through its mosques, craft markets and the Bo-Kaap Museum.

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Cape Town is a very green city and its many parks and gardens are lovely places to spend the day. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of the most well-known in South Africa, located at the foot of Table Mountain. Spread across 528 hectares and boasting a wide range of indigenous plants, the gardens have several walking trails and a canopy walkway. During the summer, the gardens also host exciting concerts.

A little further out in the Winelands you have Babylonstoren, a historic Cape Dutch farm where a guided tour will teach you all about the 300 varieties of edible plants grown here. Be sure to sample the produce and enjoy farm-to-table cooking at the restaurant. If you’re travelling with the family it’s always handy to have a park nearby so the kids can let off some steam. Green Point Urban Park is a modern, eco-friendly park featuring a biodiversity garden, a wetland ecosystem and several walking and cycling paths. Let the kids run around in the play area and enjoy a picnic on the grass.

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If you’re the type of person who can’t leave a place without buying a little something to take home, you’re in luck as Cape Town is an excellent place to shop. The V&A Waterfront boasts over 450 stores ranging from local artisanal shops to international luxury brands. It also has a good choice of restaurants and great views of the harbour for when you need a break. There are plenty of shopping malls at your disposal – in the northern suburbs you have the huge Canal Walk shopping mall, and in the southern suburbs Cavendish Square boasts over 200 stores.

Those who prefer to browse through markets can visit the Old Biscuit Mill in the Woodstock neighbourhood, where you’ll find a variety of food stalls, designer stores and artisanal products. The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is another great option. This weekly farmers market is the best place to pick up fresh produce, homemade goods and crafts.

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