Our relaxed, early morning travel style is something we love, so much so, we wrote a blog and 2 free downloadable travel guides on it, “Your Daily Slow Travel Planner + Bonus Relaxed Morning Blueprint” request your free copies at the top of the page or through one of our pop ups.
Planning a trip to this destination?
We offer a personalized travel planning service to help you build a relaxed, memorable trip that’s uniquely yours. Contact us today to make your appointment and let’s plan something special. Your initial planning session is complimentary, in hopes that when you start to book your trip, accommodations, car rentals, trains, tours, or activities you would consider using our recommended affiliate links, as we would then get a small commission that would help support our business, at no additional cost to you.
For more information and inspiration on Cape Town, South Africa, checkout our other articles in this travel series: “Top 10 Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa: Ocean Views, Mountains & Islands” and “4-Days in Cape Town, South Africa: Mountains, Beaches & City Life”.
For flights, car rentals, activities, and stays we use Expedia, if you make an account with them, you will earn One Key Cash (travel dollars), with each booking, to go towards your next adventure. For tours, activities, and more, we use Get Your Guide or Viator. For train travel, we use the convenient OMIO App.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a booking or purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend places, experiences, and products that we have personally used or genuinely believe add value to a trip.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Where to Stay
- Where to Eat in and Around Cape Town
- Essential Local and General Travel Tips
- Our Favourite Photo from our time in Cape Town
- How to Make Traditional Bobotie from Cape Town
- References
- The Wrap Up
Boulder Beach
1. Introduction:
Cape Town is one of those destinations where the scenery is almost impossible to ignore. With Table Mountain rising above the city, beautiful beaches stretching along the coast, historic neighbourhoods, dramatic mountain roads and plenty of places to stop for a good meal, there is a lot to explore.
But where you stay and how you get around the city can make a big difference to your trip.
During our time in Cape Town, we explored everything from the city centre and V&A Waterfront to Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, and the Cape Peninsula. We found that having a little flexibility in our plans made it much easier to enjoy the scenery, stop for photographs and simply take our time.
In this guide, you’ll find some accommodation options, places to eat and practical tips to help you plan your own Cape Town adventure.
Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa
2. Where to Stay in Cape Town:
Cape Town has accommodations in a number of different areas, and choosing where to stay really depends on how you plan to spend your time.
For a first visit, staying in or near the City Bowl puts you close to many of the city’s historic sights and restaurants. The V&A Waterfront is convenient and lively, while areas such as Sea Point and Bantry Bay offer a coastal atmosphere. If you enjoy having a little more space and being near the beach, Milnerton can also be a good option. Alternatively you could stay in a smaller town along the peninsula, like Simon’s Town or Hout Bay, if you plan on renting a car. Checkout our list of recommendations, but spend some time researching there is a lot out there.
Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa | Milnerton
Beachfront | Ocean views | Pools & spa
This is the property we’d recommend if you’re looking for somewhere a little removed from the centre of town while still being within easy reach of the city. This is where we stayed and really enjoyed
Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa sits directly on the beachfront in Milnerton, with views across the water towards Table Mountain. The hotel has three outdoor pools, a spa, two restaurants and a beachfront setting, making it an appealing choice if you like being able to relax by the water after a day of sightseeing.
Why consider it: The beachfront location and views make this a nice option if you want a quieter base away from the busier city centre.
Check current rates & availability: Check here
Hotel Sky Cape Town | City Centre
Modern | Central location | Rooftop views
If being right in the city is most important to you, Hotel Sky Cape Town is a modern option in the City Centre. It has parking and breakfast included.
The hotel has three restaurants, two outdoor pools, a gym and free Wi-Fi, and its central location make it convenient for exploring the city.
Why consider it: A convenient choice if you’d like to be close to the city centre and have plenty of restaurants and attractions within reach.
Check current rates & availability: Check here
Cape Heritage Hotel | City Centre
Historic character | Central | Boutique atmosphere
For something with a little more character, Cape Heritage Hotel is a great option in the heart of Cape Town.
The hotel is close to Long Street and within walking distance of several central attractions. The individually decorated rooms, historic character and courtyard atmosphere give it a very different feel from a modern chain hotel. It also has several restaurants and a terrace, along with a spa and other amenities. There is breakfast, parking and an airport shuttle for a fee.
Why consider it: A good choice if you enjoy smaller, character-filled properties and want to stay centrally.
Check current rates & availability: Check here.
Cape Town Lodge Hotel | City Centre
Central | Rooftop pool | Traditional hotel
Located close to the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town Lodge Hotel is another central option.
The hotel has a rooftop terrace and outdoor pool, a restaurant and bar, a gym and free Wi-Fi. It’s also a practical base if you plan to spend time exploring the city centre.
Why consider it: A straightforward central base with plenty of hotel amenities.
Check current rates & availability: Check here.
President Hotel | Sea Point
Ocean View | Pool | Sea Point area
If you’d rather stay along the coast, President Hotel in Bantry Bay offers a very different experience from staying in the city centre.
The hotel is right by the ocean and has an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant and fitness facilities. Its location also puts you close to the Sea Point Promenade and the Atlantic coastline.
Why consider it: A good option if ocean views and a coastal setting appeal to you more than being in the middle of the city.
Check current rates & availability: Check here.
Chapman’s Peak Hotel and Restaurant
3. Where to Eat in and Around Cape Town:
One of the things we really enjoyed about Cape Town was the variety of places to eat. From harbourfront seafood and casual cafés to restaurants tucked into neighbourhoods along the coast, you don’t have to go far to find somewhere interesting.
Here are a few places to consider as you explore the different areas of Cape Town.
V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is a convenient place to stop for a meal, particularly if you’re already spending time exploring the harbour.
A Belgian-inspired restaurant right on the waterfront, Den Anker is known for its harbour setting, seafood and Belgian-style dishes. It’s a nice option when you’d like to sit outside and enjoy the views while having a leisurely meal.
If seafood is what you’re after, Baía offers Portuguese-influenced seafood right on the waterfront. Its harbour views make it particularly appealing around lunch or early evening.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a natural stop when you’re driving the coastal route along Chapman’s Peak drive to and from the Cape Peninsula.
Set right in Hout Bay Harbour, The Lookout has a large deck overlooking the harbour and surrounding mountains. The menu includes seafood, pizza and sushi, making it a relaxed option after exploring the area.
For something much more casual, Fish on the Rocks is a long-standing Hout Bay stop for fish and chips. It’s right beside the harbour and is more about a simple meal with a great coastal setting than a formal dining experience.
Chapmen Peaks Hotel & Restaurant
We ate here, out on their patio overlooking Hout Bay, the views were impressive as was the food, they serve seafood, steaks, Portuguese dishes, salads, vegetarian and more. It’s located right on Chapman’s Peak Drive the main route from Cape of Good Hope to Hout Bay.
Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg has a completely different atmosphere from central Cape Town, with its colourful beach huts, surf culture and relaxed seaside feel.
Located on York Road, Empire Café is a laid-back café serving breakfast and lunch. It’s a good place for a relaxed morning before or after exploring Muizenberg Beach.
Right at Surfers Corner, Ocean Basket is a casual seafood option with a beachfront setting. You’ll find seafood platters, Mediterranean-style dishes and sushi on the menu.
Simon’s Town
Simon’s Town makes a natural stop when visiting Boulders Beach and the surrounding Cape Peninsula.
This popular, super cute café-restaurant has a relaxed coastal atmosphere and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seafood featuring prominently on the menu. It’s conveniently located on St George’s Street in the heart of Simon’s Town.
Located along the Simon’s Town waterfront, SAVEUR offers seafood, steaks and other dishes with views over the harbour. It’s another convenient option when exploring Boulders Beach and the Penguins near Simon’s Town.
Milnerton
If you’re staying around Milnerton, you don’t necessarily have to head into the city every evening for dinner.
Located in the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating with view over the canals. They serve specialty cocktails, seafood, vegan options, burgers, seasonal dishes and more.
Located beside the Lagoon Beach Hotel, this restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating with amazing views over Milnerton Beach and is perfect at sunset. We ate here and really enjoyed it, they serve great Thai food, soups, salads, bowls, seafood platters and more. This would be a great place to end your Day 4 on our itinerary.
Castle of Good Hope
4. Essential Local & General Travel Tips:
- Consider renting a car
If you’re planning to explore beyond the city centre, we found having a car particularly useful.
A rental car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you see a view you want to photograph—which, in Cape Town, happens often!
It’s especially useful for exploring Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Muizenberg, Boulders Beach and the Cape Peninsula.
We rented our car through Expedia.
If you prefer not to drive, Cape Town also has ride-sharing services, taxis, buses and sightseeing buses available. Cape Town Tourism’s current transportation guide lists car rentals, ride-sharing apps, metered taxis, MyCiTi and train services among the city’s transportation options.
Another option would be to book a tour for the places along the peninsula our favourite tour companies for this are Viator and Get Your Guide.
Tip: If you rent a car make sure you have access to a GPS, weather it’s on your phone connected with portable wifi/e-sim or you rent a GPS through the rental company, we found it super helpful.
- Using the MyCiTi bus
The MyCiTi bus can be useful if you’re staying in an area served by the network and don’t want to drive.
A new myconnect card costs R40, and 1, 3 and 7-day passes currently cost R130, R290 and R420 respectively. Day passes provide unlimited travel for the selected number of consecutive days.
Fares and passes can change, so it’s worth checking the official MyCiTi website before your trip.
- The City Sightseeing bus can be useful for first-time visitors
If you’d rather not drive around the city yourself, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus can be a convenient way to get an overview of Cape Town and reach several major sights.
It’s also a nice option for your first day if you’d like to get your bearings before deciding which areas you want to explore more independently.
- Getting to and from the airport
Cape Town International Airport is around 20 km from the city centre, taking approx. 20 to 30 mins. You can arrange a rental car at the airport, take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Uber. The Uber is typically between $15 to $25 CAD, where is the Taxi is closer to $22 to $33 CAD. Tip if taking a taxi, only use the taxis waiting in the official queue, don’t accept rides from drivers who approach you inside the airport terminal. Make sure you are carrying some local currency as some taxi drivers prefer cash and the typical tipping is 10%.
If you have questions once you arrive, the Cape Town Tourism Visitor Experience Centre at City Hall is located at 56 Darling Street.
Current opening hours are Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday 8:30 to3:00pm and Sunday/public holidays 9:00 to1:00pm. There is also a visitor centre at the airport, currently open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm.
It’s worth checking out, particularly if you want maps, local information or help planning activities once you’re in the city.
Cape Town’s weather can change quickly, particularly around Table Mountain.
Before heading up, check the current conditions and the status of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. If the weather isn’t cooperating, don’t be afraid to rearrange your plans—you’ll have a much better experience when the mountain isn’t hidden behind clouds.
- Dress in layers
Even when the day starts out warm and sunny, conditions can change quickly.
Layers are especially useful if you’re going up Table Mountain, spending time along the coast or heading out early in the morning. And if you’re planning a full day outdoors, it’s worth having something warmer with you even when the forecast looks good.
- Start your off Day Early:
Start your day off early, this will always be our suggestion! When we say early, we’re talking 6:30/7:00am, but we know that’s not for everyone, so just get started as early as you can and always keep in mind open/closing hours and open/closing days for the attractions that you really want to see. If there is something you really want a photo of without people in the shot, start there! For more information on the advantages of getting up early, check out our posts “Three Significant Reasons to Get Up Early, while Travelling”. and “How to See More, Avoid Crowds and Capture Better Photos, While Travelling”.
- Leave room in your itinerary
Don’t try to fill every minute of your trip.
Cape Town is a destination where some of the best moments can happen between the major attractions—a scenic drive, a beautiful viewpoint, a quiet beach or simply stopping somewhere for coffee.
Leave yourself some breathing room. You’ll be glad you did.
- Keep an eye on your belongings
As you would in any large city, be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure.
If you’re driving, don’t leave cameras, bags or other valuables visible inside the vehicle when you stop. It’s a simple precaution, particularly when you’re stopping at viewpoints or exploring unfamiliar areas. And when you’re walking around a crossbody bag is ideal to secure all of your important belongings, one with a lock is even better.
- Sunrise and Sunset Times.
Check daily sunrise and sunset times before your trip to help you plan your days, especially for great lighting for photography, beach walks and in the summer, and better temperatures. Check it out here!
- Using Points
Whether it’s Airmiles, Aeroplan, hotel chains, or credit card points, collect them religiously and use them for travel!! We have stayed in some amazing places using points, some we normally wouldn’t have even looked at because of the price, we’ve used points for flights and rental cars too. They are so satisfying to use, but you have to get to know what is a good value and what isn’t. For example, if you’re using Airmiles for flights, the points cover the flight cost and you pay the taxes, so generally the taxes cost us in the range of $200/$300, which is reasonable, but if we fly to Europe from Canada, the taxes were over $700, (we were told this was because their airport taxes were higher) we were shocked, it didn’t make sense to use the points for that, so you have to get to know how to best work you’re points, but once you do, you’ll be hooked!
- Phone service
When travelling in Europe we use Hippocket Wifi, but they also service Canada and the United States. So, for people travelling to Canada from another country, this could be a good option for you. They are based in France, but you can simply order it online and they ship it directly to you 3-5 days before you leave for your trip. It comes with a small carrying case, charger, (including a car charger if needed) and an addressed, stamped return mailing envelope, so you simply drop it off in the mailbox at the airport/ferry terminal/train station before heading home. The great thing about this is that if you are traveling with other people, you can all use it and share in the cost or if you’re a family you can all use it. You can have up to 8-10 users at the same time. If you have multiple users, I recommend getting the unlimited options, as the 1GB/day option may not be enough. The unlimited works out to be approximately 7.00 to 9.00 euros per day, including all shipping, (because they are based in France, they charge you in euros). It’s a great option, check it out here!
- Speaking the Language:
For some people speaking different languages comes easy and for some, it does not, I’m the latter. Although it’s not easy, we always make an effort to learn at least the pleasantries when we’re travelling. It’s one of our many favourite things to do! When in Japan, a lot of people spoke English and most signage was in English, as well, but there were some more remote areas or smaller cafés that did not, so knowing a few phrases was helpful. We carried a language pocketbook with us, and we had google translate on our phones! We also like the free language app, Duolingo for some fun!
5. Our Favourite Photo from our time in Cape Town:
For our favourite Cape Town photo, we had a few in mind but choose this scene of Milnerton Beach because we loved how every aspect of it worked together. This was the View from our hotel balcony! The first time we saw it, it looked like a painting. There was so much to look at, the sandy beach, the wind-swept grasses, the people walking the beach, the waves rolling in, the white buildings, the terracotta rooves, the curve of the shoreline, the person flying a kite, the mountain in the background the fluffy white clouds drifting by, we loved it all. We took multiple photos at different times a day, but this was our favourite. It worked best in landscape so you can get as much of this beautiful scenery in as possible, then we just lightened it up a touch and added a little colour to it. We loved just sitting and looking out our window!
Bobotie
6. How to Make Traditional Bobotie, A Taste of Cape Town:
Bobotie is a comforting South African dish of spiced minced meat topped with a soft, golden egg custard, often served with fragrant yellow rice and chutney. The combination of savoury spices, a hint of sweetness and creamy custard makes it a wonderfully unique dish—and one that feels very different from many of the recipes we might typically make at home.
Bobotie has deep roots in Cape Malay cuisine, which developed in Cape Town through the cultural traditions of enslaved people brought to the Cape from places including Indonesia, Malaysia, India and other parts of the Indian Ocean during the colonial period. Their culinary traditions, spices and cooking techniques became an important part of Cape Town’s food culture, and dishes such as bobotie have continued to be passed down through generations.
Today, bobotie is considered one of South Africa’s iconic dishes, but its history is also a reminder of the people and cultures whose traditions helped shape Cape Town.
For our final article in this four-part Cape Town series, we decided to bring a little taste of Cape Town home and try making bobotie for ourselves. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. How to Make Traditional Bobotie from Cape Town, South Africa.
Plan. Travel. Capture.
7. References:
For our Cape Town Travel Series, we created our top things to do, itinerary, and tips and recommendations from our own experiences, as well, we leaned on a mix of trusted guidebooks, including DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cape Town Travel Book, which helped shape our adventure. In addition to the books, it’s helpful to reference official tourism websites, (capetown.travel) attraction sites, public transportation resources (like trains, buses, and ferries), and a few local food blogs to see what local foods piques your interest. Google Maps for driving and walking distances, and tour apps for the activities, like Get Your Guide, Viator and Expedia. We hope you find these tips & recommendations helpful when you plan your own adventure to this scenic, coastal city.
Sunset at Milnerton Beach
8. The Wrap Up:
Cape Town is a destination that rewards you for slowing down and looking around.
Yes, there are the famous sights—the mountains, beaches, penguins, historic landmarks and beautiful coastline—but some of our favourite moments came from simply driving along the coast, stopping for a photograph, wandering through a neighbourhood or sitting down for a meal with a view.
When planning your trip, don’t feel that you have to see everything. Choose the places that interest you most, group them into sensible days and leave a little room for the unexpected.
Whether you choose a beachfront hotel in Milnerton, a character-filled property in the city centre or somewhere along the Atlantic coast, Cape Town gives you plenty of ways to experience the city at your own pace.
And that’s exactly how we like to travel.
Planning a trip to this destination?
We offer a personalized travel planning service to help you build a relaxed, memorable trip that’s uniquely yours. Contact us today to make your appointment and let’s plan something special. Your initial planning session is complimentary, in hopes that when you start to book your trip, accommodations, car rentals, trains, tours, or activities you would consider using our recommended affiliate links, as we would then get a small commission that would help support our business, at no additional cost to you.
Our relaxed, early morning travel style is something we love, so much so, we wrote a blog and 2 free downloadable travel guides on it, “Your Daily Slow Travel Planner + Bonus Relaxed Morning Blueprint” request your free copies at the top of the page or through one of our pop ups.
Plan Better. Travel Deeper. Capture More.
Thank you,
Beth
Beth de Verteuil
Wild Meadow Studio
Travel Guides & Photography
Plan. Travel. Capture.