Cape Town Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Cape Town itinerary

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Viewpoint

Don’t miss climbing to the top of Table Mountain – or at least take the cable car. Our top tip is to go early in the day to avoid the crowds, and don’t forget to take water and a light jacket – it gets chilly up there at the top.

Arts and culture

Walk through the Gardens, a pretty patch of greenery near the city centre which was originally planted by Jan van Riebeeck, the chap who founded the Cape. He originally planted these grounds to keep the visiting ships stocked with fresh veggies. (Luckily these days you’ll have no problem finding fabulous restaurants to keep you in supply in that department.) Here you can also gain access to the National Gallery, the South African Museum (www.iziko.org.za) and the acclaimed new Jewish Museum (www.sajewishmuseum.co.za).

Something for nothing

Go animal spotting! Whale- and dolphin-watching is the best at the former fishing village of Hermanus from July to November, while African Penguins pose on the rocks all year round at Boulders Beach, half an hour south of the city. That’s not to mention all the monkeys that might swing by to say hello along the way.

Shopping

Long Street is lined with enticing art galleries and antiques stores; explore Pan African Market’s maze of passages and Burr & Muir on the corner of Church Street for Art Deco and Art Nouveau treasures – they’ll happily ship your purchases. And if you like your craftworks, pop into the Bead Shop. The V&A Waterfront, the huge touristy harbour complex, has every entertainment and retail offering and though not particularly charming, it’s worth a visit to see the wild seals sunning themselves in the harbour. Keep your receipts as you can claim taxes back at the airport before you check in.

Daytripper

If you're planning a trip out to the Cape Winelands of Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, the wine regions about 40 minutes east of Cape Town, ask a waiter to recommend a bottle and visit the vineyard afterwards. There are some excellent boutique hotels in the region, including Mr & Mrs Smith's favourite, Hawksmoor House; see our Garden Route guide for more details.

Best beach

Clifton Beach is actually made up of four coves with the fourth being the most popular in summer. Like most Cape Town beaches, the water is chilly but can be refreshing on a hot day. Camps Bay is a long sandy beach with plenty of good cafes and restaurants. The water on the False Bay coast is several degrees warmer than on the Atlantic side. You should only swim in areas designated by the lifeguards. You can share Boulders Beach will a colony of African penguins.

Activities

Hire a Harley and take to the spectacular coast roads or into the winelands (www.harley-davidson-capetown.com).

And...

Cape Town is fast becoming a favourite destination to pop to for some serious beautifying. Not only is express cosmetic surgery a speciality, but it’s also a hub for holistic medicine. So there’s no excuse now not to go home from your trip looking and feeling your best.