From cocktails at the Silo Rooftop Bar to reservations at the most sought after restaurants in the city; from afternoon concerts, art galleries and museums to speciality shopping at Cape Town’s weekend markets, our guide to the best things to do in Cape Town provides the inside knowledge you need to really get the best from your time in this vibrant city.
1. Cocktails at the Silo Rooftop Bar.
This is Cape Town’s brand new and trendy hotel on the waterfront with panoramas of Cape Town and the wonderful natural working harbour. If you are not staying at The Silo, then we can make a reservation for you to access the rooftop bar one evening.
Cocktails at the Silo Rooftop Bar.
2. Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Just opened is the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the Zeitz MOCAA. With the largest collection of art from all over Africa and its own bizarre architecture, it is well worth seeing. The Silo Hotel and the museum are located within the same historic grain silo building which was built at the harbour in 1924.
Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
3. Old Biscuit Mill
Visit the Saturday morning gourmet food market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. This award winning bustling market of speciality traders includes artisan bakers, oysters, wine, craft beer, fine food, organic merchants, fashion, music and great cafes. Capetonians come here to have a good time and there is always a great weekend vibe.
Visit the Saturday morning gourmet food market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.
4. Pot Luck Club
Also at Old Biscuit Mill, enjoy dinner at the Pot Luck Club, one of the most talked about and coolest restaurants in Cape Town. With a tapas style plate-sharing concept, open plan lively kitchen and great atmosphere, people from all over the world vie for a table here. Prior to departure, we make advanced reservations for our guests.
Pot Luck Club
5. Footsteps to Freedom walk
The Footsteps to Freedom walk is an excellent three hour walking tour around central Cape Town and Company Gardens with a historical theme led by an expert guide. Including the story of Dutch and British rule, slavery, apartheid, freedom and democracy, it is a private tour and brilliant start to getting to know the city. A second walking tour is ‘Mandela in Cape Town – from Prisoner to President’.
Footsteps to Freedom walk
6. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Summer Sunday afternoon concerts in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a must visit for a sunny summer Sunday in Cape Town, from November to April.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
7. Cape Point
Helicopter ride over the city or to Cape Point, the southernmost tip of Africa. This is much the best way to view Cape Town and Table Mountain, where queuing is currently two hours for the cable car going up Table Mountain, and 2 hours coming back down.
Helicopter ride over the city or to Cape Point, the southernmost tip of Africa.
8. City Bowl Galleries
On the first Thursday evening of each month, the art galleries in the city bowl are open until late, all along Long Street, Bree Street and up towards the Cape Malay quarter. Here there are also street artists, musicians, craft stalls, with busy cafes and restaurants. The streets and galleries come alive on these vibrant evenings.
City Bowl Galleries
9. Mount Nelson Hotel
Afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel is something of an institution. Tea at this old colonial style hotel, the grand old lady of Cape Town, is very popular so we would need to make advance bookings.
Mount Nelson Hotel
10. Shopping
Take home some unique designs from Cape Town’s weekend markets. Explore the Watershed on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront for South African craft design, the Old Biscuit Mill for small specialist shops or around The Silo Hotel for some new interior design shops. We can arrange tailored shopping trips with our expert guide.
Take home some unique designs from Cape Town’s weekend markets.
