Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town has been on my bucket list for a while, and it truly delivered—breathtaking landscapes, delicious food, warm people, and unforgettable experiences. If you’re planning a trip, I’ve pulled together some personal highlights and tips from our visit to help you make the most of your time in this incredible city.
To Stay
Pineapple House Boutique Hotel – Sea Point
We stayed at Pineapple House in Sea Point, and I’d absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for a boutique hotel with charm. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, the rooms were surprisingly spacious for a city hotel, and the location is ideal—just a short walk to the promenade and surrounded by great restaurants.
Breakfast is made fresh to order each morning, and it was one of the best we had during our trip. Just a heads-up: there's no elevator, so pack light if you’re on an upper floor. One night we walked back from dinner, and I didn’t feel totally safe—it felt like typical big city stuff, but worth mentioning if you’re walking late. My fiancé felt totally fine, so it could’ve just been me being cautious.
To See & Do
V&A Waterfront
Livelier than expected! It’s essentially a massive mall by the water, but also where many sunset cruises and tours depart. Great for people-watching and quick eats, though the restaurants are mostly touristy and start to blur together.
Table Mountain
There’s a cable car that rotates to give everyone a view—if the weather cooperates. Sadly, it was too windy and cloudy on our last day, so we missed it. Pro tip: if you get a clear day, prioritize this right away. Don’t make our mistake!
Lion’s Head Hike
A must-do, especially at sunset. The views of Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, and the coastline are unreal. It’s a fairly doable hike with some ladders and light climbing—totally manageable even for casual hikers (we saw someone do it in jeans). Bring a flashlight for the descent; it gets dark fast after sunset.
Bo-Kaap
We drove through this colorful neighborhood but didn’t stop. It wasn’t recommended to walk around too much for safety reasons, but even from the car, the vibrant houses were beautiful—even on a gloomy day.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
One of my favorite spots in Cape Town.
Amazing food vendors (bao buns, juice, pizza, craft cocktails—you name it), and great local shopping for souvenirs. It felt like a true mix of locals and tourists. Go hungry!
Camps Bay
We didn’t get to explore it during the day, but it’s known for its beaches, restaurants, and nightlife. We had dinner at CodFather, which was a blast (more on that below). I wish we had more time to explore this area!
To Go / Day Trips
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Book in advance! We spent a night at Maison Montagne at Dieu Donné Winery. The views were stunning, the room was massive, and the sunset over the vineyard was magical. The breakfast was decent, and the staff were great.
Boulder’s Beach (Penguins!)
Seeing penguins up close was a highlight. They roam right up to the walkway. Entry was around $11 USD. We arrived right before closing, so only had about 20 minutes. Sadly, some tourists were loud, and someone even let a dog loose, which scared the penguins. I hope others have a better experience. It’s a special place—just be respectful to the wildlife!
Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point
Take the hike from the southwestern point sign up to the lighthouse—it’s easier than it looks and filled with amazing views. You can also drive up and take the funicular. There’s a small café at the top, too.
Muizenberg Beach
Known for its colorful beach huts and surfing scene. It had such a fun vibe with surfers everywhere, lots of little cafes, and even a shark spotting education center. Very photo-worthy!
To Eat
Brunch & Breakfast Spots
We didn’t try many breakfast places since our hotel included a great morning meal, but here are a few we had on our radar:
Jarryd’s (Sea Point) – Known for pancakes. I had a smoothie bowl that was decent but quite liquidy. The space was under renovation when we visited.
Kleinsky’s – Known for bagels. I regret not making it here.
Pauline’s – Healthy, take-away style in Sea Point. Looked great.
Truth Coffee, Our Local, Nourish’d, Scheckter’s Raw, Strangers Club, and Mulberry & Prince all came recommended but we didn’t have the chance to go.
Dinner Spots
Kloof Street House
Had my birthday dinner here!
The ambiance is dark, moody, and stylish. Very cool decor. Food was decent—I had steak and mashed potatoes, which came a bit rare, but I chalk it up to personal preference. The arancini were great, and they surprised me with a birthday cheesecake, which was fun.
CodFather Seafood (Camps Bay)
An experience. There’s no menu—you pick your sushi off a conveyor, then go to the fish counter where a server explains your options. It was a little overwhelming (no prices and lots of choices), but the sushi was some of the best I’ve ever had. The sides were forgettable, but the vibe was electric. Definitely worth doing, and you can BYOB with a corkage fee!
Other Notable Mentions
We didn’t get to try all of these, but they were on our list or recommended:
The Test Kitchen – High-end dining
The Potluck Club – Tapas-style, requires deposit
The Bungalow – Great sunset spot
Thali – Indian tapas
Una Mas Mezcalria – Near Sea Point
Zuney – Burgers, takeaway style
Bao Down – We tried their bao at the market—so good
Pier – In V&A Waterfront, looked upscale but didn’t impress from the outside
To Drink
Bars
Tiger’s Milk (V&A Waterfront) – Nice outdoor seating with a city view, but service was very slow. We just had drinks. Go for the view, not the vibes.
The Kloof Street location looked more fun and lively.
Cafes
We didn’t make it to many cafes but had these saved:
Honest Chocolate Cafe – Looked amazing
The Ladder – Another one we didn’t get to
To Know
Currency: South African Rand
Tipping culture: seems common to tip around 10% at restaurants and bars