Traveling to Cape Town
How to reach South Africa
Option 1: fly to Johannesburg and transfer domestically to Cape Town
Option 2: fly directly to Cape Town
If you are flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town, you can book cheaper flights through domestic local airlines.
There are two airports in Johannesburg:
- OR Tambo International Airport
- Lanseria Domestic Airport
If you are flying internationally to Johannesburg, and not going to exit the airport, you must book from OR Tambo International Airport. The Lanseria Airport is far.
To search for South Africa local flights, use Search Engine: cheapflights.co.za. Budget airlines include:
- Mango
- Kalula
- FlySafair
- South African Airways
- British Airways
How to reach Vrede en Lust
Vrede en Lust is a wine estate located in the village of Franschoek. This is about an hour's drive from central Cape Town and renting a car is the easiest way to explore the area and visit various wine farms.
Car rental in Cape Town is convenient and safe. Please see some of the popular car rental companies:
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Budget
- Thrifty
- Bidvest
Make sure you have a valid drivers license that is recognised in South Africa!
What to do in Cape Town
Cape Town is an ideal place to go for the weekend – it is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the world! There are many things to do to suit any person! Here are some of the top sights:
Table Mountain (with optional cable-car ride up) – The cableway takes you right to the top of the famous Table Mountain. A must-do if there are no clouds, especially for sunset! It is also possible to hike up Table Mountain, but it is generally advised to go with someone knowledgeable
Lion’s head – iconic short hike up the Lion’s Head mountain. Best to do for sunrise or sunset. There will be many people doing the hike, but it can be strenuous
Cape Point – the most south-westerly tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are fabled to meet. It is about 60km outside of Cape Town and the route there is very beautiful. The restaurant has a great view and there is a funicular to take you to the old lighthouse. Half day trips can be arranged. The trip to Cape Point is also beautiful and shows the famous fynbos vegetation of South Africa.
Robben Island – Take a ferry from the V&A Waterfront to the island a few kilometres away. Learn about the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years.
V&A Waterfront – A shopping centre with many restaurants which sits in the Table Bay harbour and has great views of the harbour, Table Mountain and the City. The Cape Town aquarium is close by.
Constantia wine lands – these are the closet vineyards of this famous wine region. Groot Constantia is one of the oldest but there are several excellent wine estates in the area.
City centre and historical sights – Use one of the sightseeing buses (there’s a red hop-on hop-off bus)
Beaches – the water is freezing but Cape Town has some of the most picturesque beaches. Camps Bay Clifton, Llandudno, Boulders Beach (and go visit the many penguins found on the beach – great for kids!)
Kirstenbosch – Cape Towns stunning botanical gardens, sitting snugly under Table Mountain. The Boomslang is a tree-top wooden walkway which is a great way to see the gardens from high. Take a pinic!
Muizenberg and Kalk Bay – seaside towns close to Cape Town. Can walk along the sea from one town to the other, about 30min walk. Kalk Bay has a famous fish market, and great fish and chips!
Chapman’s Peak Drive – one of the most beautiful roads in the world, it hugs the cape coast between Noordhoek and Hout Bay.
Art galleries – The South African national gallery is centrally located and contains important South African art work; Zeitz MOCAA is the new contemporary art gallery which is not to be missed as it is housed in refurbished silos (close to V&A Waterfront)
Where to eat
Cape Town has multiple top restaurants, so best advised to check out the latest reviews!
The Test Kitchen – rated as one of the top restaurants in the world. A Luke Dale Roberts restaurant. Book far in advance!
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia – a must lunch spot if doing wine tasting in Constantia. Nini and I have been here more than once.
Foxcroft - Casual Fine Dining, Southern Suburbs (Great option if you're in the Constantia wine region)
The Cousins - Hole in the wall. Excellent authentic Italian food. Great for their pasta. Try the pasta wheel or the lamb ragu.
The Silo Hotel – stunning views at the trendy Silo Hotel
High Tea at the Mount Nelson – an institution of a hotel in the city centre
Publik Wine Bar - Great local wine bar stocked with a variety of wines from independent farms. Excellent cheese and meat boards.
Jarryds - The best breakfasts. Go to the one on Church Street in the central business district, you're more likely to get a table there.
Granger Bay Market – Every Saturday. Lots of good food and drinks, and possible to pick up organic fruit and vegetables. Great way to spend a Saturday breakfast/brunch!
Giovannis - Italian Deli with lots of great take away options or a spot for a cappuccino & croissant after your early morning hike. (Open til late)
Woodlands Eatery - Casual Italian café
Hudson's - Burger Bar
Jerry's Burger Bar - Very casual
Jasons Bakery - Great spot for breakfasts
Maria's - Greek
Nonna Lina - Causal Italian
Bocca - Great for pizza
Active Sushi - Recommended for take-away sushi
He Sheng - Chinese
New York Bagels - if you're missing the New York spirit.
Charlie's Bakery
Deluxe Coffee - The best coffee in Cape Town
The Power and the Glory - Super hipster bar that picks up in the evening.
Sushi Box
Babel - Fine dining Restaurant in Babylonstoren.
Fyn
Janse and Co
La Tete - French Bistro
The Shortmarket Club - Fine dining, another Luke Dale Roberts restaurant
The Commissary - Tapas, another Luke Dale Roberts restaurant
Tjing Tjing - Fine Dining Asian Fusion. Cool Bar is upstairs and a casual dining option available downstairs.
La Colombe - Fine Dining
Hemelhuijs - Great spot for breakfast in town. Must book.
Salsify - Fine dining, another Luke Dale Roberts restaurant!
Mulberry and Prince - Great brunch on weekends
Willoughys and Co - Excellent Sushi and Seafood if you are shopping at the V&A Waterfront. Does not take bookings
Tasha's Café - Relaxed café, healthy options, great salads
Junior - Burger place. Great alternative to McDonalds
The Stack - Brasserie with a stunning bar. Excellent cocktails
El Burro - Great Mexican food. Awesome vibe.
Nourish’d - Great smoothie bowls and avocado toast. Perfect spot for after a Table Mountain Hike. Plant-based
Scheckter’s Raw - Best vegan pancakes in Cape Town! Vegan
The Potluck Club - Fusion fine dining
The Bungalow - Great Beachside drinks
The Lawns at the Roundhouse - Picnic, drinks and light meals
Addis in Cape - Ethiopian food and coffee. Excellent food
Safety tips
South Africa is not as safe as many of your countries of origins. In order to make the best of your trip, and to stay safe throughout the whole process, please note the following:
- Be safe when drawing money
The trick about being safe in South Africa and Cape Town, is to always play it safe. Don’t use ATMs that are out in the open, use an ATM inside respected stores or head straight to a bank. When you visit an ATM that is not in a trusted store or center you run the risk of having your card scammed.
When using an ATM, you need be aware of your belongings at all times – purse snatching happens within a few seconds and is a common crime in Cape Town. Many of the places you may visit in Cape Town are busy areas and a purse snatch can happen in the blink of an eye and catching the perpetrator is not easy. - Be smart about where you go
When it comes to exploring Cape Town and being safe, all you need to do is use your common sense. If you avoid dark streets and alleys, stay in a group, and don’t show off your wealth or any technology that you may have you will minimize the chances of being robbed.
As festive and fun as Long Street in Cape Town can be, it can also be unsafe. If you are planning on visiting any of the night clubs along this bustling street always stay in a group and do not venture off on your own. - At your hotel
Much like any hotel in any other country, you need to follow a few rules to ensure that you and your belongings are safe at all times. You should never leave your luggage unattended, even when you are in the hotel. If you have valuables that you don’t want to take everywhere with you store them in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Always be sure to keep your hotel room locked, whether you are in it or not and never open the door straight away when someone knocks. When you leave the hotel, leave your keys at the reception desk and collect them when you return. - When you’re in a car
If you have decided to hire a car when you visit Cape Town, then there are a few things you need to be aware of. To be safe, plan your route beforehand so you know where you are going and what areas to avoid. Always remember to keep your doors locked and your windows up. When you stop at a destination, lock your items in the boot (trunk) and park in a well-lit area – this will also make returning to your car safer. - General safety tips
When out and about in the city, always leave your valuables at your hotel or your Airbnb so you don’t have to traipse around the city with your valuables. Items that are targeted are laptops, cameras, mobile phones, and handbags. Never wear your valuables when touring the city because this will only draw attention to you. Do not get separated from your group or get distracted, which may give potential perpetrators the chance to make off with your valuables.
South Africa is famous for our beggars and car guards – a concept that is foreign to many tourists. Don’t take out your whole wallet or purse if you intend to give them some change as this is the fastest way to have it stolen. - Know where to go at night
If you have decided to do a bit of exploring at night you need to take extra precaution as this is the easiest time to get robbed. Never go out alone as you will be an obvious target and using a taxi to get to your destination is a safe option. It’s best to use Uber or a trusted taxi service when travelling at night as the public transport is not always safe.
