You’ve probably noticed I’ve been spending a good amount of time in Cape Town lately. If you’ve already joined the dots together or have been following along on Instagram stories, you’ll know I met a Cape Townian some time ago and have since been flying in between Australia and South Africa more frequently. And now it is time to share with you my local’s guide to Cape Town!
While I can’t say I love the long haul journey between the two countries, I have become pretty accustomed to long flight paths. My beloved island home of Tasmania will do that to you. It has so many perks for being remote, but it is not without its cons!
I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy spending more time in Cape Town. There’s just something this city has that makes it feel like a home away from home. After spending more time in Cape Town this year I thought now would be as good a time as any to update you with a better guide to city. A guide that shows you where the locals like to hang out. This guide would not have been made possible without my friends, boyfriend and his friends, who have been collectively showing me the city one hidden gem at a time!
Sunset at Lion’s Head
There are so many great places in Cape Town to watch the sunset and most of them are completely free. Lion’s Head is perhaps my favourite place to see the sun go down over the ocean and has a great view of Camps Bay below. The hike is relatively easy though does include some climbing towards the end. There are many people hiking at sunset each day so the hike is quite safe, though you should always take precautions and venture back down to the parking lot before it gets too dark (better safe than sorry!)
Zeitz Mocca Museum
Right next door to The Silo Hotel is an incredible contemporary art museum; the Zeitz Mocca. The art collection here is entirely African and it is the largest collection of contemporary African art in the world. Admission is 190R for adults and if you’re under 18, you visit for free. You can buy tickets in advance here.
Oraneuzecht City Farm Market
Located at the V&A Waterfront is one of my favourite markets in town. Oraneuzecht City Farm Market is the perfect place to spend a weekend morning. Here you can enjoy breakfast or brunch as well as shop for fresh produce at the market stalls. There is also a small selection of homemade goods such as jams and marmalades, honey and pastries. Admission is free!
The Kind Kitchen in Woodstock
If you are a vegan or vegetarian visiting Cape Town you will be spoilt for choice in Cape Town. Although I have already listed the best vegan restaurants in Cape Town, I would be kidding myself if I didn’t name The Kind Kitchen as my favourite. This little eatery in Woodstock offers seasonal food and the menu changes so frequently that it isn’t listed online. If you can get your hands on the black charcoal burger you won’t be disappointed!
Wine Tasting in Constantia
As beautiful as the Cape Winelands are, sometimes you just want to stay a little closer to Cape Town. The good news is there are some incredible vineyards that can be reached within minutes. Constantia is home to a variety of vineyards to relax and enjoy some wine and local produce. My favourite vineyards are Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen.
Simon’s Town Penguins to Muizenberg
Chances are if you’re coming to Cape Town for the first time you are going to want to see the penguins at Simon’s Town. Many visitors to Cape Town will take half the day to visit Simon’s Town without seeing more of the coast and I promise you this is a mistake! After Simon’s Town be sure to continue your way along the coast to the likes of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. There are some great restaurants and casual eateries along the shoreline and this is one of the most popular surf towns on the Western Cape. From here it is just half an hour back to Cape Town.
See a Film at The Labia
One thing is for sure when you visit Cape Town outside of the summer months: you are going to see some rain. If you’re rained out and are looking for something to do in Cape Town when it rains, look no further than the Labia Theatre. Here you can enjoy indie films and fresh finds in a relaxed setting. Even if you chance good weather, the Labia is the perfect date night to snuggle up with a bottle of byo wine!
Happy travels in Cape Town!
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.