Table Mountain

Never journey to Cape Town without venturing up Table Mountain – the jaw-dropping views of the city, coastline and plethora of top model beaches are likely to give you the fuzzies, regardless of whether you’re a tourist or seasoned ‘Capey’. Yep, there’s definitely a reason why the majestic 260 million-year-old landmark was recently declared a New7Wonder of Nature.

The most authentic way to reach the summit is by foot and depending on the route and your fitness levels, this can take up to five hours. Lazier types may prefer to use the cable car – on arrival you’ll have plenty of opportunity to take a leisurely stroll across the 3km-wide plateau, spot a few baboons on the way and retreat to the table top restaurant to admire the Cape Peninsula in all its glory over a chilled Chardonnay and a bite to eat.

To see the city in a different light, trek up Table Mountain’s little sister, Lion’s Head, by full moon. Being able to glimpse the CBD all lit up under a starry sky will make the nocturnal two-hour round trip well worth your while – just watch where you’re going as the path is a tad dodgy in patches and be safe by travelling in a group.

Feast your senses at the Biscuit Mill

Capetonians are an arty bunch; they love their food and they like to mingle. At the Biscuit Mill markets, you can have all of that in one hit. This creative hub – marketed as an ‘old space with new ideas’ – is located in the former-industrial-turned-hip suburb of Woodstock, 10 minutes drive from the CBD.

On a Saturday, it’s the happening spot to indulge on creative foodie fare, ranging from wood-fired breads and fresh, organic produce to luxury beers and moreish gelatos. To the left of the main entrance you’ll find stores selling unique goodies including innovative jewellery, vintage furnishings, funky clothing and quirky décor. Everything is exceedingly colourful and inspirational, there’s live music around every corner. It’s also the place where locals go to show off their bubs and four-legged furry friends, so feel free to bring yours.

Get your culture fix

To get a taste of Cape Town’s vibrant multi-culture and colourful past, go for a wander through the Bo-Kaap. Ironically, ‘Bo’ is pronounced ‘boor’ in English and means ‘above’ since it’s nestled into Signal Hill just above the city centre. Dotted with beautifully restored, brightly hued abodes from the 1600s and 1800s, mosaic-decorated mosques and majestic Muslim shrines, the area is an architectural marvel. But it’s the eclectic mix of Eastern and Western cultures who live here that really give the Bo-Kaap its distinct flavour. Most local Bo-Kaapers are Muslim and descendants of the Indonesian and Malaysian slaves the Dutch East Indies Company brought to the country on their travels. But there is one thing very important to know about area: You can’t enter the Bo-Kaap without devouring a curry, or sampling bobotie, a traditional Cape Malay-influenced dish made with mince and curried raisins and rice. These guys are the masters of spice!

Also worth a nosy is the innovative new Fugard Theatre in the former Cape Town suburb of District Six, where South African politics left their trail of destruction on the local communities during the Apartheid years. Housed in a beautiful old building consisting of two transformed warehouses and part of a church, the acoustics are beyond words. Head there on a Monday for Woza Cape Town, dynamic show of music, dance and song that’s guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.

Spa with a view

If the term ‘ultimate indulgence’ sounds like you, consider a pamper session at The Spa at The Twelve Apostles, just outside the upmarket beachy suburb of Camps Bay. Set at the foot of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, just across the road from the vast Atlantic Ocean, the spa is a haven of peace and utter bliss cut into rocks. Many of their holistic treatments use the indigenous ‘fynbos’ (fine shrub) flora for an authentic healing touch. You can also have your massage or facial in a private gazebo overlooking the deep blue.

Life really doesn’t get much better than this – except if you prolong the experience by popping in at SALT at the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay ten minutes down the road for a sundowner. Or, if you really want to see the world’s most magic sunset, pack a picnic and head five minutes the other way, out to powder-perfect Llundudno (don’t forget your camera and your surfboard).

Explore the Cape Quarter
Snug and stylish, the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village in the seaside suburb of Green Point is a brilliant place to get a taste of the local art, design, fashion, furniture and cuisine all in one compact piazza. Roam the funky boutiques, check out the galleries showcasing local artists’ inspirational masterpieces or shop for some interesting bling – and then top it all off with a meal at one of the Quarter’s seven restaurants. If you feel like splurging and sampling some of the seaside city’s exquisite seafood in a swish environment, try the very fancy Aqua. Their 20,000-litre fish tank filled with rare oceanic creatures is a feast for the eyes – as much as the tucker is for the tastebuds. And while you’re in the area, if you’re in the mood for an after-dinner boogie, heading to one of the clubs or watering holes in the Waterkant – aka the gay hood – always makes for a fun, memorable night out.