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 and meet-and-greet service to get you to your hotel. This will save you the hassle of navigating the rideshare pickup area with random drivers hassling you for a ride.

Safety

Walking around town is fine, but take standard big city travel precautions. Don’t casually flash money, jewelry, or phones around, and avoid walking outside of well-lit tourist areas at night. Avoid hiking alone as there have been muggings on some hiking trails. We suggest getting all of the cash you need at the airport, so you don’t have to be exposed at a random ATM. However, if you do need to get cash, only get it at a busy shopping mall or inside of a bank.

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.
• Eastern Food Bazaar: Just around the corner from Fyn is a large public food hall with a wide selection of Cape Malay and Indian Cuisine. It’s a really authentic place to sample the flavors of South Africa.
• 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.
• Time Out Market: Food hall on the V&A waterfront with a wide selection of cuisines from Cape Malay to burgers.
• Williamson Bar at the Silo: Unbeatable views and tasty drinks from the Silo, one of the best hotels in Cape Town. You can get a reservation here even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.

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.

V&A Waterfront

This is an obviously touristy destination. However, strolling down the waterfront, shopping, watching boats and seals is a charming way to spend a fine afternoon. It’s a great area to take the kids and a soft landing for new visitors to Africa.

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. Plattekip Gorge is the shortest and most popular hike, but it’s a real thigh burner and the views aren’t as good as other routes. We suggest booking a pro guide to show you the way and keep you safe. The weather can change quickly and there have been some muggings of solo hikers. If you are taking the car, get there early or buy a fast pass to avoid the crowds.

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 and buy some spices or dried fruits at Atlas Market.

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.

Kloof Street

This is the hip part of town set back from the water and complete with an array of good shops and restaurants.

Planning a South African honeymoon?

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