4 Ultimate Cape Town Itineraries
Georgina Blaskey
Senior Homes & Interiors Editor
For my first trip to Cape Town, I wanted to see the city through a local’s eyes, so I asked my South African friend Lara Cross, who is also a travel consultant, for her insider tips. Following her suggestions, I started with a few days at The Silo, the hotel above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa at the V&A Waterfront. Set within a converted 1920s grain silo, it’s instantly recognisable for its shimmering pillowed-glass windows and views across Table Mountain, the city and Table Bay. From here, I explored the V&A Waterfront – be sure to pop into Watershed, a design market full of jewellery, fashion, ceramics and food – before heading to the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at nearby Granger Bay. It’s brilliant for grazing (I’d go for the oysters) and the Wednesday evening market is particularly fun, with food, wine and a buzzy after-work atmosphere.
I also made time for Sea Point, which I loved for its relaxed café culture, promenade and increasingly buzzy independent shops. Poetry is worth a browse, as is The Movement Lab if you fancy a Pilates class. For more shopping, we made a beeline for Bree Street and Mungo, whose beautifully made towels, throws and textiles are woven in South Africa. I’d also visit the Old Biscuit Mill for the Neighbourgoods Market and lunch at The Pot Luck Club.
One morning I took a long walk, taking the Lion’s Head loop rather than tackling the full Table Mountain climb: the views are spectacular and the route gives you that wonderful feeling of being completely surrounded by Cape Town. My brother, who is a regular visitor, also recommended a beautiful coastal drive – Camps Bay to Hout Bay, then on to Chapmans Peak (get out for pictures), then to Nordeok and Kommetjie finishing at Cape Point. Here, it’s worth a hike to Bolders Beach to see the wild African penguin colony. The whole trip took about four hours.
Next, I drove into the Paarl Winelands and stayed at Brookdale Estate, an understated vineyard estate surrounded by the Klein Drakenstein mountains. It feels so removed from everything, with vineyards, gardens and mountain views, but it’s less than an hour from Cape Town. The estate has a pool, terrace, fitness room and lovely outdoor spaces, as well as its elegant Manor House accommodation. Food and wine are a big part of the Brookdale experience. The estate’s wines are terroir-driven and deliberately minimalistic, with the focus on expressing the Paarl landscape and the character of the grapes. I’d absolutely do one of the estate’s guided tastings – it’s a lovely way to understand the wines and the story behind the farm.
We then continued to Babylonstoren, one of the Cape’s oldest and most beautiful working farms, dating back to 1692. The gardens are the real star – eight acres divided into 15 different sections, from fruit and vegetables to indigenous plants, clivias and prickly pears. I loved wandering around them in the morning when everything felt incredibly peaceful, before lunch at Babel, the farm’s celebrated restaurant, where the cooking is centred around what is growing in the garden that day. There is plenty to do without ever feeling as though you have to follow an itinerary: you can cycle around the farm, take a garden tour, visit the farm shop and bakery, or simply sit with a glass of wine and take in the mountains. I’d have at least a couple of nights here – it’s the perfect place to slow down at the end of your trip.
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Heather Steele
Contributing Editor
I’ve been to Cape Town twice over the last two years and it’s become one of my favourite capital cities. The first time I visited, I spent most of my time out in the winelands (Babylonstoren gets another name-check from me) but this May I spent five full days Belmond’s palm-lined, pretty-in-pink Mount Nelson hotel in the city itself. I stayed in one of the newer Garden Cottage Suites in the rose gardens, which are set away from the main hotel. Daily highlights included having my morning coffee while overlooking Table Mountain (when it wasn’t covered in cloud), access to one of the most varied breakfasts I’ve ever had at a hotel and the choice of two outdoor pools, which are both surrounded with pastel-pink parasols and sunbeds.
Naturally, food is always high on my list when I’m booking a trip. The best meal I had in Cape Town was at Salsify at the Roundhouse. Over in Camps Bay, the other side of Table Mountain, Salsify is a special restaurant and chef-founders Ryan Cole and Nina du Toit are doing extraordinary things in the kitchen. If the Michelin guide featured South Africa, it would have a star. Book one of the tables by the curved windows for a memorable sunset and settle in for the 10-course tasting menu, which could include locally line-caught kingkilp and the restaurant’s signature ‘Grains of Africa’ dish. The Salsify team also has a more casual restaurant on the V&A Waterfront. At Coy, the menu is more focused on seafood. The linefish with merguez chutney and G’s Fried Chicken are must-orders. Finally, a long lunch at Ouzeri in central Cape Town served some of the best Greek-Cypriot food I’ve had outside of Athens. A modern taverna, my menu highlights were the loukoumades with guanciale and black truffle, and a bowl of crab orzo with seafood butter.
When you’re in Cape Town, you’ll want to spend lots of time outside. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the wonderful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Then you can choose excursions by land, sea and air. One morning, we took a boat all the way out to Cape of Good Hope, spotting African penguins and catching yellowtail as we went. I seriously recommend splashing out on a helicopter trip over Table Mountain and Robben Island. And, finally, the most fun way to get around is via a sidecar. Our tour took us along the seafront, up through the colourful Bo‑Kaap neighbourhood and up to Signal Hill for some really special views of the city and ocean beyond.
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Jenn George
Beauty Director & Acting Wellness Editor
In Cape Town, we always stay at Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia. Not only is it a peaceful place to unwind after the flight but you’re also close to so many great restaurants and vineyards. If you want to get a taste of safari but don't have time to get to Kruger, Melozhori Private Game Reserve is only two hours from Cape Town and is so beautiful. There might not be lions and elephants there but you'll still spot zebras, giraffes, all kinds of antelope-type creatures and, if you're really lucky, a leopard. Then I'd always make time for a few nights in or near Franschhoek, where I'd stay at either Babylonstoren or 7 Koppies, which is a little more low-key but just as special.
For lunch in Constantia, Constantia Glen vineyard has lovely views over the hills, great wine and 'flammkuchen', a pizza-like flatbread. For supper in that area you're spoilt for choice: Chefs Warehouse or La Colombe for special occasions, Little Fox for something a bit more casual. Nearer to town Salsify at the Roundhouse has a tasting menu you'll never forget or for a more east-London vibe, try Blondie. Out towards Franschhoek, the sushi at Delaire Graff might be a bit pricey for South Africa but it’s exceptional value compared to London. Lastly if you're not staying at Babylonstoren you must go there to eat, especially at Babel, where the farm's gardeners bring you freshly grown treats, like figs with their own honey, between courses.
To help work off the countless tasting menus, a hike up Lion's Head or, if the clouds allow, Table Mountain, is tough but rewarding. A more niche activity to do with kids or, if like my husband you're a bit of a twitcher, is Bird World which is the largest aviary in the whole of Africa. Obviously, the vineyards are a must and an unmissable one for me is Klein Constantia, which produces Vin de Constance – one of the most famous and delicious pudding wines in the world.
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Natalie Chassay
Contributor
Sometimes I drive past The Twelve Apostles and wonder how on earth they were able to build a property in what feels like the middle of a national park? It’s a stones-throw from the crashing waves and with the most jaw-dropping mountain backdrop. This hotel is really about the setting – the view, the feeling of being totally alone but only 15 minutes from town. At the very least, go there to enjoy a cocktail at sunset. Sitting high above the Bo‑Kaap – Cape Town’s most photographed neighbourhood, painted in bright pastels – The Dorp Hotel is one of the most unique and special places I have ever visited. Designed as a cluster of heritage houses and buildings, the interiors are cosy and quirky: vintage and modern in equal measure, with the most beautiful furniture and artwork. It feels more like a super‑stylish home than a hotel. There is also nowhere that has as majestic a view of Table Mountain.
The Table at De Meye is my happy place. The restaurant is in Stellenbosch and is my perfect restaurant vibe. Outdoor tables are spaced far apart under the trees and, if you’re with your family, they lay out blankets so the kids can run around or lie down. The meals are family‑style – my favourite way of eating – and the vibe and service are just perfect.
The best coffee we’ve had in Cape Town, hands down, is Custodian. It’s a pastry bar in Gardens, a very walkable neighbourhood full of interesting shops, cafés and restaurants. In addition to the coffee – and the best decaf I’ve ever had – they serve a range of delicious pastries, including some unbelievably good savoury meat pies. That’s not random: Custodian is owned and run by Hoghouse Brewing Co., a brewery and barbecue spot outside of town.
AKJP Studio is one of my favourite shops in Cape Town. Beautiful ceramics, homeware and objects that feel thoughtful and timeless. You will almost definitely find something you didn’t know you needed. Added bonus – they serve excellent coffee and at night it becomes a little wine bar. Porter is known for its leather bags but I’m especially into the colourful fabric totes. These are practical, joyful and really great everyday bags that don’t take themselves too seriously. And part shop, part café, part bookstore, part Aesop boutique, Loading Bay is a Cape Town classic – ideal for a slow wander and a coffee.
Finally, Chapman’s Peak Drive – literally one of the world’s most spectacular drives – gives you the most insane view the whole journey. And sunset views at The Rock are unmatched. There’s a pretty breathtaking outlook at the end of Ocean View Drive in Fresnaye/Bantry Bay.
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