Anyone who’s ever been to Cape Town knows it as one of the worlds most stunning and likeable cities. Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town is the definition of picturesque. With it’s chilled atmosphere and laid back beaches the city is very popular amongst those looking for a very relaxed holiday, whilst the beautiful natural  surroundings bring in the adventure seekers by the hordes.

 With so much to do, a single top five list can’t do this wonderful city justice.  Unfortunately as I was there during a slight lockdown there was only so much I could experience. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to return someday because there’s so much more to see and do, but for now, here are my Five Areas to explore in Cape Town:

Sea Point Promenade

Running along the Atlantic Coastline, the sea point promenade reaches from Mouille point right by the beautiful green point park down to Bantry bay. The promenade is a great place to go on a stroll or run with the ocean at your side. They’re also a couple rocky beaches you can use along the way. As well as bike rentals which we tried for ourselves and had a blast with.  There’s also a mini golf course if you’re interested. 

While it may not have as memorable and iconic as the other places on this list, the Promenade is a great appetizer for the rest of the city and definitely a lot of fun.

Signal Hill and Lions Head

Whilst Table Mountain gets all the attention when it comes to Cape Town hiking, Lions Head sure gives it a run for its money. Going up the mountain you will continuously stop to admire the view only for it to get even nicer around every turn. The way the path spirals around the mountain means there is always an amazing view, one minute of the city and beach the next of Table mountain.

Going up, the path starts off fairly easy before  giving way to clambering over rocks and eventually using metal rungs and chains which, though quite different to the view from Table Mountain in its own way, is just as good.

Next to Lions Head there is Signal Head, which it’s far easier and shorter. Or… you can just drive to the top. At the peak you have the opportunity to paraglide down over Sea Point, landing on the Promenade.

Cape Point

Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point is famously known as the meeting point of two oceans and the windiest place in Africa. Though it’s definitely very windy, don’t let it stop you from exploring this stunning region. The main point of interest is of course cape point itself. To get there you can either take the  Flying Dutchman Funicular from the parking lot or take the 20 minute walk. At the lighthouse the views are spectacular with the vast oceans on either side (sometimes they’re different shades!). Afterwards you can take a short hike towards a second, smaller lighthouse on the very tip of the point. There are some cool bunkers to check out on the way, and the windy conditions make it quite the experience.

Aside from the point, there are many other trails to explore in this unique area. Try the trail to the Cape of Good Hope or the shipwreck trail.

Look out for the wildlife, especially the baboons which are cute but will gladly help themselves to your stuff should you give them the chance.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Boulders Beach for a chance to swim with penguins.

V&A Waterfront

Short for the “Victoria and Alfred Waterfront”, the V&A is a lively seaside area chock full of things to see and do. This place could have a list for itself! First off there are the many interesting shops, the mall, and the great “Watershed”, a large space full of the most amazing locally designed pieces of art. Then we have the museums, with the Diamond museum, the Zietz Art Museum, and the Rugby museum amongst the many. The waterfront also has a host of activities. Such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, the huge Cape Wheel, and the many cruises available from here including a sunset cruise in a pirate ship. The best bit about the Waterfront has to be the amazing atmosphere, the place somehow manages to always be buzzing and relaxed at the same time in a way few other places can replicate.

Table Mountain

I mean, was there ever a doubt? There’s a reason it’s considered one of the new natural wonders of the world. Towering over the city throughout your stay, there are two ways to tackle the mountain. The first is to hike the mountain. Of the many routes you can take I recommend the Skeleton Gorge Trail. This is the route I took my first time up and it has to be one of my favourite hikes ever! The trail started within the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens (there was a small fee of ZAR75( around five USD)) . We strolled the gardens for a bit before we came to the trail head. The hike starts off in a lush forest full of mossy fallen trees and small waterfalls, oh and a ton of stairs. The further up the mountain we got, the more the stairs gave way to boulders, before eventually a series of wooden ladders which brought us out of the forested area and to the start of the insane views. The trail is more rocky and dusty now as you snake up the mountain to a fork in the path. One path going to a mountaintop reservoir, the other to the highest point of Table Mountain, Maclear’s Beacon. We took the path to the beacon, and after a tough slog further up the mountain, we finally made it to the highest point of Table mountain!  The views from the top are truly mind blowing! Once at the top of the mountain, you can explore the diverse plateau-like area atop the mountain. After some time at the beacon, we set across the mountain towards the cable station. The walk from Maclear’s Beacon to the cable station was around one hour. Though we were already quite exhausted, the walk was mostly flat thus making it far easier. The views at the Cable Station, though slightly lower, were even crazier than by the beacon as you could now see the city, the mountains, and the sea. Also, it was now evening and the clouds were spilling over the mountainside making it simply magical. 

The second way up the mountain is the way we went down; the cable car. I don’t have much to say about this, it’s exactly how you picture it; a stunning ride up/down an imposing mountain. At the end of the day though, the hike would absolutely blow the experience of the cable car out of the water (my humble opinion) so unless you have trouble climbing or are short on time, I’d recommend hiking up and perhaps taking the cable car down.

Table Mountain is one of the most recognizable sights in the world and it sure lives up to its reputation. A once in lifetime experience not to be missed!