A Short and Sweet Cape Town City Guide

By: Scott Dubois, Fauna Travel Designer

Cape Town is one of the world’s great cosmopolitan cities. It’s a cultural melting pot perched on the dramatic coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s our favorite way to decompress from a trans-Atlantic flight and rest for safari. We’ve compiled a quick list of favorites to help you navigate and enjoy the city.

Getting Around

Uber is the safest and easiest way to get around Cape Town, so we suggest leaning on the car service. Local cabs are unreliable and can scam you at the worst of times. Always confirm the driver and plates for your car; paying extra for Uber Blacks is worthwhile if you want a clean and professional driver.

The one exception to our Uber advice is for airport transfers, where we suggest a professional driver meet-and-greet service. This will save you the hassle of navigating the rideshare pickup area with random drivers hassling you for a ride.

Walking around town is fine, but take standard travel precautions. Don’t casually flash money, jewelry, or phones around, and avoid walking outside of well-lit tourist areas at night.

Where to Eat

Cape Town has become an unbeatable food destination with plenty of options. Plus, the reasonable exchange rate on the rand means you can have a Michelin-quality meal for the cost of an average night out in a major American city. Here are some of our favorite spots:

• Fyn: Japanese South African fusion that is consistently ranked in the world’s top 100 restaurants.
• Truth Coffee: This cafe and coffee shop is a reliable place to caffeinate or get lunch in central Cape Town.
• Publik Wine Bar: One of our favorite stops outside the Winelands for tasting South African wines.
• La Colombe: Amazing French-inspired Michelin-starred farm-to-table fare with a $100 tasting menu.
• Seven Colours Eatery: Delicious South African food on the V&A waterfront.
• Williamson Bar: Excellent city views and tasty drinks from the Silo, our favorite hotel in Cape Town.

Pro Tip: Restaurants constantly change, so we’re fond of leaning on our hotel concierge for the latest dining advice.

Where to Go

It would be hard to capture everything you can do in a short list. We’re passionate about walking and hiking anywhere we go, so these options reflect that.

Bo Kaap

This formerly segregated Islamic district on Signal Hill has become a tourist attraction because of its colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. Visit the Bo Kaap Museum to learn about the area’s unique Cape Malay culture.

V&A Waterfront

This is an obviously touristy destination. However, strolling down the waterfront, watching boats pass, and enjoying the Ferris wheel is a charming way to spend a fine afternoon.

Lions Head

For the best view of Cape Town, hike to the top of Lion’s head. Make sure you pack enough food and water for the long hike, and pay attention to the weather. Conditions can canchge quickly leaving you outside in the fog or wind.

Table Mountain

This iconic Cape Town stop is often reached by cable car, but more active travelers will enjoy hiking to the top and riding the car down. To make sure you’re not left without transportation, we recommend booking the cable car in advance online.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

The South African fybos or Cape Floral Region is one of the world’s most diverse botanical ecosystems with over 9,000 vascular plant species, including the dramatic protea flower. The Kirstenbosch garden is a must see destination for nature lovers who aren’t venturing beyond Cape Town down the Garden Route.

Robben Island

Learn more about the history of Apartheid at this small island prison off the coast of Cape Town. Nelson Mandela famously metamorphosized these tragic conditions into the modern rainbow nation of South Africa.

Planning a South African honeymoon?

Check out our guide to honeymoon safaris to explore all of the options for your African adventure.