14 Random Insider Faves from Cape Town
Everyone knows about Table Mountain and the Waterfront, but what about the hidden secrets waiting to be discovered in Cape Town? For all the out-of-towners and overseas visitors, here’s the lowdown from locals on where to go and what to do next time you’re in the Mother City. 1. Drive to Constantia Nek Stop at the […]
Everyone knows about Table Mountain and the Waterfront, but what about the hidden secrets waiting to be discovered in Cape Town? For all the out-of-towners and overseas visitors, here’s the lowdown from locals on where to go and what to do next time you’re in the Mother City.
1. Drive to Constantia Nek
Stop at the circle to buy some grapes, and then bundu-bash into the trees to find the easily missable Art in the Forest gallery. More info: www.artintheforest.com
2. Grab a movie at the Labia
First opened as a theatre for live performances in 1949. Now showing honest-t0-goodness flicks. More info: www.thelabia.co.za
3. Hang out at the South African National Gallery
Now exhibiting William Kentridge: The Refusal of Time, among other things. A walk and tea (even if you don’t drink it normally) in the Company’s Garden afterwards is crucial. Bottom line: Both are just lekker places to hang out. More info: www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-national-gallery
4. Jog or walk from Sea Point to Clifton
Or just laze high above the sea – taking lots of breaks to drink in the view.
5. Wander (while keeping your wits about you, though!) through Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory
New stuff is opening all the time, art galleries, Superette, the Biscuit Mill, the Tap Room Craft Beer Pub & Restaurant – oh, just go and explore!
6. Take your time over a coffee and croissant at the Olympia Café, Kalk Bay…
followed by a walk through the harbour across the road to check out the seals. At Artvark, find one of the best shops for the latest in carefully sought-out local art, sculptures and much more.
7. Browse through Clarke’s Bookshop, Long Street…
if you happen to be one of the people not there during its nighttime festivities.
8. Go search for flamingoes…
in the vlei at Muizenberg or Noordhoek lagoon, and if you don’t find them take a hike down to Diaz Beach at Cape Point.
9. Learn to cook Cape Malay food in the Bo-Kaap
Or just go there and eat it! Bobotie, samosas, chilli bites, pickled fish, malva pudding, the list goes on.
10. Soak in the view and the sounds at Summer Sunset Concerts
If you happen to be lucky enough to visit Cape Town during one of the open-air concerts at Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden, go park on the lawn and listen!
11. Rent a scooter…
to see the Cape with the wind in your hair or get in the sidecar of Cape Sidecar Adventures. More info: www.sidecars.co.za
12. Hike up Lion’s Head for moonrise or sunrise
Still talked about as one of the most amazing hikes around, and smack in the middle of the city.
13. Visit the humble District Six Museum
Be taken through the life of the colourful but blighted suburb that by 1980 was torn down and still remains unbuilt on.
14. Do lengths or loll inside or alongside the 50-metre Sea Point Swimming Pool…
where waves sometimes crash on you and model shoots happen often.
