Cape Town in January.
Discussion
I am heading to Cape Town for a week in January and wondered if the collective Ph wisdom would be able to offer some recommendations for things to do and places to eat. I have already booked the cable car for Table Mountain and tickets for Robben Island. I was hoping to do a wine tour for a day but I’m not sure where would be the best area to go to.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Wine: Groot Constantia is a great vineyard - has a lovely restaurant and the wine tour is good. About 25 min Uber from the centre.
Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
Things to do:
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (also the starting point for walking up Table Mountain)
- Robben Island (make sure you book in advance)
Where to stay:
- Belmond Mount Nelson is the best
- The Taj is nice, and very central
- Westin is very shiny, but a bit soulless
Getting around - Ubers are cheap and plentiful.
A couple of days in Franschhoek is very well spent. Lots of great hotels and restaurants: Le Quartier Francais, La Residence, La Petite Ferme.
Delaire Graff estate (in Stellenbosch - between Cape Town and Franschhoek) restaurant has incredible views.
And the Motor Museum is incredible - you have to book in advance.
Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
Things to do:
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (also the starting point for walking up Table Mountain)
- Robben Island (make sure you book in advance)
Where to stay:
- Belmond Mount Nelson is the best
- The Taj is nice, and very central
- Westin is very shiny, but a bit soulless
Getting around - Ubers are cheap and plentiful.
A couple of days in Franschhoek is very well spent. Lots of great hotels and restaurants: Le Quartier Francais, La Residence, La Petite Ferme.
Delaire Graff estate (in Stellenbosch - between Cape Town and Franschhoek) restaurant has incredible views.
And the Motor Museum is incredible - you have to book in advance.
Edited by brickwall on Friday 15th November 21:22
Gue55work said:
I am heading to Cape Town for a week in January and wondered if the collective Ph wisdom would be able to offer some recommendations for things to do and places to eat. I have already booked the cable car for Table Mountain and tickets for Robben Island. I was hoping to do a wine tour for a day but I’m not sure where would be the best area to go to.
Thanks.
I would recommend walking up table mountain if your health is good enough. It’s very rewarding and most routes end up at the end farthest from the cable car so much quieter. We’ve did it twice last year taking different routes (last time up through the botanical gardens) and enjoyed both routes.Thanks.
Stellenbosch is quite close to Cape Town for the vineyards. You can Uber there and back, drive and stay or do a organised tour from any number of companies. A little further out is Franschhoek.
The cape is worth a visit, again can be driven, bus or organised tour.
I’m fond of Camps Bay, lovely place to watch the sun set with a glass of wine/beer and there’s a few good restaurants down there. Uber from downtown is a few quid.
Uber Uber Uber. It’s so bloody cheap it’s ridiculous. Even for the ~45 mins journey to Stellenbosch it’s less than £25.
Restaurants you’re spoiled for choice. I would just have a look on tripadvisor for the area of town you’re in and cuisine you fancy that night and then head there. I’ve been to Cape Town many times over the years and I don’t recall ever having a bad meal.
Hermanus and Gansbaai are both close to the city if you fancy the shark dive, I’m doing it in a couple of weeks!
Helicopter tours around Cape Town are reasonably priced if the weather is good and you want to spoil yourself.
There is so much to do out there, a week isn’t long enough!
If you’re reasonably fit then hike up table mountain. There are several routes, takes around 3-4 hours depending on route, but it’s awesome. Was last there in Jan, went up two routes: Platteklip gorge which is popular and straightforward and India Venster which is more challenging and rewarding. Both can start from the cable car station. Google is your friend about when and how, I went with an organised group for both trips.
Chapmans Peak Drive is wonderful and has some of the best views you’ll see across the bay back to Hout Bay. The video for Sigma’s ‘Nobody to love’ was filmed hear here and in other parts of Cape Town including the wine lands and gives you an idea.
Noordhoek beach the other side of chapmans peak drive is great for a walk, we went horse riding there once which was fun.
The penguins at boulders beach is unmissable. You can pay to enter part of the beach where the penguins are and get really close to them unhindered. They can hiss at you but they are mostly chilled and not bothered my all the humans staring at them! Make sure you find the ‘secret’ route through the end of the main beach through to another section of beach where most of the penguins are. The scenery and rock formations are incredible. In January it will be busy so go early or late.
As is mentioned above Camps Bay is a must for a wander and a sun downer/meal. Some good restaurants there and trip advisor is your friend. Clifton beach nearby is a better beach - one of the best in Cape Town and we often stay in air bnbs overlooking Clifton beach - superb for sunsets.
If you are a foodie then franschhoek is a must. An hour from Cape Town centre, le Quartier Francois restaurant is now la petit Colombe, and our favourite has always been le Bon Vivant. Excellent food and incredible value for money.
The V&A waterfront is worth a day wandering about, have a look at the silo hotel building which has recently opened, that part of the docks has been redeveloped recently. Lunch at Willoughby’s is recommended.
Head to Bloubergstrand / Table view for the iconic view of table mountain and watch the kite surfers and wonder how they don’t hit each other!
If you go to Gansbaai or Hermanus (wrong time of year for whales but you occasionally see them around the coast) come back via route 44 around the coast - it’s an amazing drive. A longer version of Chapmans Peak Drive.
We were underwhelmed by Cape Point and the Cape of good hope, it’s a full day to get down there and do it justice, but you could mix in boulders beach and the cape in the same day if you’re away early and get a move on.
All in all an amazing city with so much to offer and so cheap! You’ll hear a lot about safety and the usual rules apply, don’t wander about unfamiliar places at night on your own, use Uber it’s cheap and plentiful, keep valuables out of sight and you’ll be fine in and around Cape Town. Places like the V&A and Camps Bay are perfectly safe even at night, but always be aware of your surroundings. One last thing, it’s illegal to park facing the flow of traffic, always park on the same side of the road you are driving on (the left!)
If you’re reasonably fit then hike up table mountain. There are several routes, takes around 3-4 hours depending on route, but it’s awesome. Was last there in Jan, went up two routes: Platteklip gorge which is popular and straightforward and India Venster which is more challenging and rewarding. Both can start from the cable car station. Google is your friend about when and how, I went with an organised group for both trips.
Chapmans Peak Drive is wonderful and has some of the best views you’ll see across the bay back to Hout Bay. The video for Sigma’s ‘Nobody to love’ was filmed hear here and in other parts of Cape Town including the wine lands and gives you an idea.
Noordhoek beach the other side of chapmans peak drive is great for a walk, we went horse riding there once which was fun.
The penguins at boulders beach is unmissable. You can pay to enter part of the beach where the penguins are and get really close to them unhindered. They can hiss at you but they are mostly chilled and not bothered my all the humans staring at them! Make sure you find the ‘secret’ route through the end of the main beach through to another section of beach where most of the penguins are. The scenery and rock formations are incredible. In January it will be busy so go early or late.
As is mentioned above Camps Bay is a must for a wander and a sun downer/meal. Some good restaurants there and trip advisor is your friend. Clifton beach nearby is a better beach - one of the best in Cape Town and we often stay in air bnbs overlooking Clifton beach - superb for sunsets.
If you are a foodie then franschhoek is a must. An hour from Cape Town centre, le Quartier Francois restaurant is now la petit Colombe, and our favourite has always been le Bon Vivant. Excellent food and incredible value for money.
The V&A waterfront is worth a day wandering about, have a look at the silo hotel building which has recently opened, that part of the docks has been redeveloped recently. Lunch at Willoughby’s is recommended.
Head to Bloubergstrand / Table view for the iconic view of table mountain and watch the kite surfers and wonder how they don’t hit each other!
If you go to Gansbaai or Hermanus (wrong time of year for whales but you occasionally see them around the coast) come back via route 44 around the coast - it’s an amazing drive. A longer version of Chapmans Peak Drive.
We were underwhelmed by Cape Point and the Cape of good hope, it’s a full day to get down there and do it justice, but you could mix in boulders beach and the cape in the same day if you’re away early and get a move on.
All in all an amazing city with so much to offer and so cheap! You’ll hear a lot about safety and the usual rules apply, don’t wander about unfamiliar places at night on your own, use Uber it’s cheap and plentiful, keep valuables out of sight and you’ll be fine in and around Cape Town. Places like the V&A and Camps Bay are perfectly safe even at night, but always be aware of your surroundings. One last thing, it’s illegal to park facing the flow of traffic, always park on the same side of the road you are driving on (the left!)
Great place, been a couple of times.
Try to get down to cape point, tour or cab. Great views from the top across the ocean and mountains
Camps bay, good beach and lots of restaurants for seafood.
If you are into nature, boulders beach, penguins galore. There's also a spectacular aquarium near the v&a waterfront
Wine regions. Aaah. Don't drive!
Try to get down to cape point, tour or cab. Great views from the top across the ocean and mountains
Camps bay, good beach and lots of restaurants for seafood.
If you are into nature, boulders beach, penguins galore. There's also a spectacular aquarium near the v&a waterfront
Wine regions. Aaah. Don't drive!
Imasurv said:
There is so much to do out there, a week isn’t long enough!
If you’re reasonably fit then hike up table mountain. There are several routes, takes around 3-4 hours depending on route, but it’s awesome. Was last there in Jan, went up two routes: Platteklip gorge which is popular and straightforward and India Venster which is more challenging and rewarding. Both can start from the cable car station. Google is your friend about when and how, I went with an organised group for both trips.
Chapmans Peak Drive is wonderful and has some of the best views you’ll see across the bay back to Hout Bay. The video for Sigma’s ‘Nobody to love’ was filmed hear here and in other parts of Cape Town including the wine lands and gives you an idea.
Noordhoek beach the other side of chapmans peak drive is great for a walk, we went horse riding there once which was fun.
The penguins at boulders beach is unmissable. You can pay to enter part of the beach where the penguins are and get really close to them unhindered. They can hiss at you but they are mostly chilled and not bothered my all the humans staring at them! Make sure you find the ‘secret’ route through the end of the main beach through to another section of beach where most of the penguins are. The scenery and rock formations are incredible. In January it will be busy so go early or late.
As is mentioned above Camps Bay is a must for a wander and a sun downer/meal. Some good restaurants there and trip advisor is your friend. Clifton beach nearby is a better beach - one of the best in Cape Town and we often stay in air bnbs overlooking Clifton beach - superb for sunsets.
If you are a foodie then franschhoek is a must. An hour from Cape Town centre, le Quartier Francois restaurant is now la petit Colombe, and our favourite has always been le Bon Vivant. Excellent food and incredible value for money.
The V&A waterfront is worth a day wandering about, have a look at the silo hotel building which has recently opened, that part of the docks has been redeveloped recently. Lunch at Willoughby’s is recommended.
Head to Bloubergstrand / Table view for the iconic view of table mountain and watch the kite surfers and wonder how they don’t hit each other!
If you go to Gansbaai or Hermanus (wrong time of year for whales but you occasionally see them around the coast) come back via route 44 around the coast - it’s an amazing drive. A longer version of Chapmans Peak Drive.
We were underwhelmed by Cape Point and the Cape of good hope, it’s a full day to get down there and do it justice, but you could mix in boulders beach and the cape in the same day if you’re away early and get a move on.
All in all an amazing city with so much to offer and so cheap! You’ll hear a lot about safety and the usual rules apply, don’t wander about unfamiliar places at night on your own, use Uber it’s cheap and plentiful, keep valuables out of sight and you’ll be fine in and around Cape Town. Places like the V&A and Camps Bay are perfectly safe even at night, but always be aware of your surroundings. One last thing, it’s illegal to park facing the flow of traffic, always park on the same side of the road you are driving on (the left!)
wonderful response....................!!If you’re reasonably fit then hike up table mountain. There are several routes, takes around 3-4 hours depending on route, but it’s awesome. Was last there in Jan, went up two routes: Platteklip gorge which is popular and straightforward and India Venster which is more challenging and rewarding. Both can start from the cable car station. Google is your friend about when and how, I went with an organised group for both trips.
Chapmans Peak Drive is wonderful and has some of the best views you’ll see across the bay back to Hout Bay. The video for Sigma’s ‘Nobody to love’ was filmed hear here and in other parts of Cape Town including the wine lands and gives you an idea.
Noordhoek beach the other side of chapmans peak drive is great for a walk, we went horse riding there once which was fun.
The penguins at boulders beach is unmissable. You can pay to enter part of the beach where the penguins are and get really close to them unhindered. They can hiss at you but they are mostly chilled and not bothered my all the humans staring at them! Make sure you find the ‘secret’ route through the end of the main beach through to another section of beach where most of the penguins are. The scenery and rock formations are incredible. In January it will be busy so go early or late.
As is mentioned above Camps Bay is a must for a wander and a sun downer/meal. Some good restaurants there and trip advisor is your friend. Clifton beach nearby is a better beach - one of the best in Cape Town and we often stay in air bnbs overlooking Clifton beach - superb for sunsets.
If you are a foodie then franschhoek is a must. An hour from Cape Town centre, le Quartier Francois restaurant is now la petit Colombe, and our favourite has always been le Bon Vivant. Excellent food and incredible value for money.
The V&A waterfront is worth a day wandering about, have a look at the silo hotel building which has recently opened, that part of the docks has been redeveloped recently. Lunch at Willoughby’s is recommended.
Head to Bloubergstrand / Table view for the iconic view of table mountain and watch the kite surfers and wonder how they don’t hit each other!
If you go to Gansbaai or Hermanus (wrong time of year for whales but you occasionally see them around the coast) come back via route 44 around the coast - it’s an amazing drive. A longer version of Chapmans Peak Drive.
We were underwhelmed by Cape Point and the Cape of good hope, it’s a full day to get down there and do it justice, but you could mix in boulders beach and the cape in the same day if you’re away early and get a move on.
All in all an amazing city with so much to offer and so cheap! You’ll hear a lot about safety and the usual rules apply, don’t wander about unfamiliar places at night on your own, use Uber it’s cheap and plentiful, keep valuables out of sight and you’ll be fine in and around Cape Town. Places like the V&A and Camps Bay are perfectly safe even at night, but always be aware of your surroundings. One last thing, it’s illegal to park facing the flow of traffic, always park on the same side of the road you are driving on (the left!)
would it be blasphemy to visit Cape Town for seven to nine days and ,NOT, do the Garden Route...........................??
avaF1 said:
wonderful response....................!!
would it be blasphemy to visit Cape Town for seven to nine days and ,NOT, do the Garden Route...........................??
Cheers, can you tell it’s one of my fave places in the world?would it be blasphemy to visit Cape Town for seven to nine days and ,NOT, do the Garden Route...........................??
Garden Route absolutely, it’s amazing, Knysna is my favourite and is a great base for a couple of days, with the beach from Brenton on Sea to Buffels Bay almost perfect, problem is a week doesn’t give much scope! Maybe a couple of days it’s doable, but you’ll be driving all the time and not really get chance to see anything....
If you have 9 days clear you could fit in a 3 day trip up the garden route, but bear in mind it doesn’t start until Mossel Bay which is a good 4 hour plus drive, and it’s probably another 4 hours to Port Elizabeth where it finishes. It is good, although my other half isn’t as keen as it’s not always as sunny as Cape Town itself, and can be overcast.
Edited by Imasurv on Monday 18th November 19:59
If you are into music, Manenberg's is a must. It is the historic centre of post-Apartheid African Jazz - think Hugh Masakela, Miriam Makeba, Jimmy Dludlu and Lucky Dube.
I've not been since they moved from Adderley Street first to the V&A dock before closing down and now re-opened after a hiatus on Strand Street as a music/dining experience (unlike Ronnie Scott's I'm told there is enough light to see what's on the plate
). Friends, however, speak well of the new setting and management.
I've not been since they moved from Adderley Street first to the V&A dock before closing down and now re-opened after a hiatus on Strand Street as a music/dining experience (unlike Ronnie Scott's I'm told there is enough light to see what's on the plate
). Friends, however, speak well of the new setting and management.I love the hike up Lion's Head, it gives you amazing views *of* Table Mountain! And if you're feeling adventurous you can go up for sunrise or sunset (take a head torch). If you're fit and active, I would recommend taking the cable car up Table Mountain, hike down it, and then hike up/down Lion's Head.
A kayak tour around the waterfront is also great, I used a company called Atlantic Outlook.
A kayak tour around the waterfront is also great, I used a company called Atlantic Outlook.
Imasurv said:
avaF1 said:
wonderful response....................!!
would it be blasphemy to visit Cape Town for seven to nine days and ,NOT, do the Garden Route...........................??
Cheers, can you tell it’s one of my fave places in the world?would it be blasphemy to visit Cape Town for seven to nine days and ,NOT, do the Garden Route...........................??
Garden Route absolutely, it’s amazing, Knysna is my favourite and is a great base for a couple of days, with the beach from Brenton on Sea to Buffels Bay almost perfect, problem is a week doesn’t give much scope! Maybe a couple of days it’s doable, but you’ll be driving all the time and not really get chance to see anything....
If you have 9 days clear you could fit in a 3 day trip up the garden route, but bear in mind it doesn’t start until Mossel Bay which is a good 4 hour plus drive, and it’s probably another 4 hours to Port Elizabeth where it finishes. It is good, although my other half isn’t as keen as it’s not always as sunny as Cape Town itself, and can be overcast.
Edited by Imasurv on Monday 18th November 19:59
hows this.............6 items spreading..............7-8 days.....................
hike up Table Mtn
hike up Lions Head...........................maybe
llandudno beach chill
hire car 24hrs.......................visit Cape Of Good Hope.................full day trip....................stops along way incl BouldersBeach penguins
Stellenbosch wine tour
botanic gardens of Kirstenbosch
.just worried for missing out on garden route......................?? is it a must...................?? also missing safari.......................??
brickwall said:
Wine: Groot Constantia is a great vineyard - has a lovely restaurant and the wine tour is good. About 25 min Uber from the centre.
Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
La Colombe is without doubt one of the best overall dining experiences I have had anywhere in the world - food, wine, atmosphere, staff were all perfect and it is worthy of its place in any of the various rankings.Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
I would also add Greenhouse in Constantia - another excellent meal, but not quite up there with La Colombe.
In Franschoek, Foliage was excellent and I was very sad not to be able to do the tasting menu (as my partner didn't feel up to it).
avaF1 said:
absolutely......................!!
hows this.............6 items spreading..............7-8 days.....................
hike up Table Mtn
hike up Lions Head...........................maybe
llandudno beach chill
hire car 24hrs.......................visit Cape Of Good Hope.................full day trip....................stops along way incl BouldersBeach penguins
Stellenbosch wine tour
botanic gardens of Kirstenbosch
.just worried for missing out on garden route......................?? is it a must...................?? also missing safari.......................??
Sounds like a good itinerary, definitely hike up table mountain, the India Venster route is amazing, Platteklip Gorge more like a natural staircase. If you go organised group, bare in mind they want to set off before sunrise to get to the top before it gets too hot - I set off up IV around 5.15am. The good thing about this is you are up and down by lunchtime (particularly if you cable car it down). When I did it the cable car was closed due to high winds, so when we got to the top around 10am it was deserted which was worth the trip up by itself as it can get busy up there. We then hiked back down Platteklip and was done for about 1pm. Perfect for an afternoon chilling on the beach!hows this.............6 items spreading..............7-8 days.....................
hike up Table Mtn
hike up Lions Head...........................maybe
llandudno beach chill
hire car 24hrs.......................visit Cape Of Good Hope.................full day trip....................stops along way incl BouldersBeach penguins
Stellenbosch wine tour
botanic gardens of Kirstenbosch
.just worried for missing out on garden route......................?? is it a must...................?? also missing safari.......................??
Also, Lions Head, never hiked to the top, but there are some parascenders who take off from the south west face and land on the cricket ground between Clifton and Camps Bay - we did that and it was great fun. Again could be done in the morning, with the afternoon on the beach! I do see some tours up Lions Head in the evening, again that looks great!
Any particular reason for Llandudno? It’s a lovely spot granted, but there’s not much there apart from houses! It is lovely though, would love to retire there! Clifton Beach, particularly Clifton 1st and 2nd beaches which are quieter than 4th beach which is bigger and busier is an alternative option.
Car hire for boulders and cape point/cape of good hope would work well and you’d cover a lot of ground if you get away early. Wine tour another great idea, some of the wine estates are amazing, and great for food and drink too! With a tour you are limited to which estates you visit, some are a bit tourist trappy, maybe investigate a smaller more personalised tour you can have some input into into where you go.
Kirstenbosch is nice, but not a full day imho, maybe again combine it with the beach or table mountain/lions head?
As for garden route, maybe not in the time you have available, but it is doable if you really want to go. I’m not sure what I’d cut out to give you the time though, bearing in mind to get there and back you are looking at nearly a full days travel. Victoria Bay, Wilderness (the beach side!), Storms River Mouth, the worlds highest bridge bungee at Bloukrans River, Knysna and surrounds are all worth a look.
Safari is an entire different holiday! There are some ‘close’ to Cape Town, but these are really glorified safari parks and a pale imitation of the real thing. We’ve never done one so can’t give a first hand opinion though.
Edited by Imasurv on Wednesday 20th November 14:13
spence1886 said:
brickwall said:
Wine: Groot Constantia is a great vineyard - has a lovely restaurant and the wine tour is good. About 25 min Uber from the centre.
Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
La Colombe is without doubt one of the best overall dining experiences I have had anywhere in the world - food, wine, atmosphere, staff were all perfect and it is worthy of its place in any of the various rankings.Places to eat - there’s no shortage of stunners. My favourites:
- La Colombe
- The Shortmarket club
- The Test Kitchen
I would also add Greenhouse in Constantia - another excellent meal, but not quite up there with La Colombe.
In Franschoek, Foliage was excellent and I was very sad not to be able to do the tasting menu (as my partner didn't feel up to it).
We really enjoyed Foliage, if you go ask for the table next to the open kitchen (not been for a while but assume it’s still the same), watching the kitchen staff work is worth the price alone.
spence1886 said:
La Colombe is without doubt one of the best overall dining experiences I have had anywhere in the world - food, wine, atmosphere, staff were all perfect and it is worthy of its place in any of the various rankings.
I would also add Greenhouse in Constantia - another excellent meal, but not quite up there with La Colombe.
In Franschoek, Foliage was excellent and I was very sad not to be able to do the tasting menu (as my partner didn't feel up to it).
Good to know, we’ll be at Colombe next week. Also got Pot Luck Club, Social Reverie and Hussar (Camps Bay) booked.I would also add Greenhouse in Constantia - another excellent meal, but not quite up there with La Colombe.
In Franschoek, Foliage was excellent and I was very sad not to be able to do the tasting menu (as my partner didn't feel up to it).
O/P here. My wife and I had an amazing week in Cape Town and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for some winter sun.
As suggested, there is plenty to do. Highlights of the trip were Table Mountain (we managed to miss the reported queues), a day driving down to Cape Point via Boulders Bay and back along the Chapmans Peak Highway and a day exploring the vineyards. We ate very well. We started off with a superb lunch at the Chefs Warehouse at Beau Costantia and we had a great dinner at the Pot Luck Club. The standout was dinner at La Colombe. The meal was expensive compared to the others, especially when doing the drinks “flight”, but worth every penny. It really is a great place. We were also surprised by the Two Oceans restaurant down at Cape Point where we had a cracking seafood platter.
Thank you once again to all those that made suggestions.
As suggested, there is plenty to do. Highlights of the trip were Table Mountain (we managed to miss the reported queues), a day driving down to Cape Point via Boulders Bay and back along the Chapmans Peak Highway and a day exploring the vineyards. We ate very well. We started off with a superb lunch at the Chefs Warehouse at Beau Costantia and we had a great dinner at the Pot Luck Club. The standout was dinner at La Colombe. The meal was expensive compared to the others, especially when doing the drinks “flight”, but worth every penny. It really is a great place. We were also surprised by the Two Oceans restaurant down at Cape Point where we had a cracking seafood platter.
Thank you once again to all those that made suggestions.
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