20 Tips of things to do in Cape Town:
Support local artists and businesses or animal rehabilitation center, while avoiding crowded spaces.
1. Take the Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak Drive is OPEN (weather permitting). Take a scenic coastal drive, have picnic or alcohol free sundowners on Chapman’s Peak Drive and watch the sunset in the Ocean, or enjoy various beautiful walks or hike up Chapman’s Peak Mountain!
2. Visit Hout Bay Harbour
Buy freshly caught fish at Marina’s Warf for a braai (barbeque), watch the seals playing in the harbour, browse through the open air curio shops, have lunch or early supper at the one of the open air terraces overlooking the Ocean or take a boat trip to seal Island!
3. Visit Dunes Restaurant
Dunes Restaurant is situated practically on Hout Bay beach and offers large open air terraces to enjoy a lunch, early supper or a drink whilst enjoying the beautiful beach views.
4. Visit World of Birds
The World of Birds is the largest bird park in Africa and one of the few large bird parks in the world. Over 3000 birds (and small animals) are resident. They also rescue and rehabilitate birds and small animals. Support this good cause by visiting!
5. Swim and Snorkel with the Seals!
Hout Bay is renowned for its seals. On an average day while walking around the Harbour you will be able to spot many of these adorable, playful creatures lazing about on the jetty’s or playing around in the water giving a quick wave to curious onlookers. Tourists and locals alike are able to put on a wetsuit and snorkel with these playfully adorable mammals. The two main companies taking visitors for a seal snorkel experience are Animal Ocean and Cape Town Bucket List.
6. Go up Table Mountain
Take the Cable Car up and down Table Mountain (Weather permitting). There are many beautiful hikes up the mountain (guided hikes are recommended), or for the very adventurous, how about Abseiling?
7. Visit V&A Waterfront
How about stand up paddling on the canals of V&A Waterfront? Plenty to see and to do around this large famous Waterfront in Cape Town.
8. Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens
The magnificent Botanical gardens in Cape Town, filled with birds, beautiful indigenous fynbos, and sweeping views, is a must visit! Bring your camera and spread the love.
9. Visit the quaint Seaside Village Kalk Bay
Did you know that Forbes voted this quaint seaside village as one of the the coolest neighborhoods in the World, beating Manhattan and New York? > read article
10. Visit Colourful Bo Kaap
Bring your camera and visit the Bo Kaap and admire the colourful houses. Other interesting suburbs to explore are the Waterkant, Woodstock and Observatory.
11. Walk along the Boulevards
Enjoy the beautiful scenic sea views, watch the waves crash and boats go by, inhale the healthy fresh sea air to nourish your soul. Listen to the seagulls and who knows, you may even be lucky and spot dolphins.
Hout Bay promenade: there are a couple of café’s and restaurants overlooking the beach. Grab an ice cream on your way at ‘Ice Dream’. Sea Point Promenade or Camps Bay Boulevard have many café’s and restaurants to enjoy.
12. Enjoy nature walks or hiking
Put on your hiking boots and connect with nature in the many hiking spots in Cape Town, such as Constantia Nek, Newlands Forest, Tokai Forest, Table Mountain and Silvermine Nature Reserve.
If you are not familiar with the area’s or hiking protocols it’s highly recommended to familiarize yourself with safety protocols and go with a guide. Fun tips for families with children; hunt for Cape Town Rocks (search for it on facebook), or search for geocaching treasure hunts.
13. Take a day trip to the Cape Winelands
Support this industry by visiting them, try out their wines, have a picnic or simply enjoy their beautiful gardens; such as the magnificent gardens of the historical Vergelegen Farm or popular Babylon’s Toren. Visit Post Card Café in it’s beautiful picture perfect setting, this is one of our best kept secrets!
Visit the Butterfly World, support them for rescues and rehabilitation of small animals. Or visit a sanctuary such as the Lion Park in Paarl.
14. Visit Sculpture gardens
Support local artists! Norval Foundation is situated in Steenberg and has beautiful gardens with fabulous sculptures.
In Stellenbosch, visit the Dylan Lewis Sculpture gardens (by appointment only), great for nature and art lovers!
15. Visit Noordhoek Village
Noordhoek village, with it’s rural character and horses, has a lot of hidden gem places to visit.
Cape Point Vineyards, situated in Noordhoek, with sweeping ocean and vineyard views is wonderful for a picnic.
Support small local businesses and visit the quaint farm village, which offers a lovely Deli restaurant, curio shops, Café Roux, boost your immune with delicious juices at Faith Juice, take away coffee at the Village Roast, stock up organic food from the health shops, book a massage or pedicure at Caroline’s Health and Beauty and don’t miss Kristen Kick Ass Ice Creams; the best ice cream and waffles in the Cape!
Other worthwhile visits in Noordhoek; Monkey Valley Resort with its beautiful beach views, Aegir brewery on Beach Road is popular amongst locals (they do currently serve non alcohol beer, under the milkwood trees) and Jakes Restaurant overlooking the Noordhoek Common with horses.
16. Visit the historic Navy village of Simon’s Town
Walk along the beautiful historical buildings on the main road and visit the harbour.
17. Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve
You might be lucky and spot Ostriches, bokkies, baboons or other wildlife whilst exploring this park, along with beautiful fynbos and coastal scenery. Stop at the Cape Point Ostrich Farm on your way.
18. E-bike rentals and bike tours
Explore Hout Bay in a fun and Eco-Friendly way…Rent a GoNow Bike and at a press of a button riding uphill became easy.
19. Visit Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie
Imhoff farm with it’s rustic vibe has many lovely places to browse, including a few restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating as well as sweeping views. The touch farm is great for kiddies. Plenty to view, see and do for all for a fun outing.
20. Paint pottery at Clay Cafe
Ceramic painting at the Clay Café in Hout Bay, a lovely fun filled activity for the whole family. This café is a large venue with large concertina doors opening onto the terrace. Choose your already made ceramic and start painting! Imhoff farm also has an interactive pottery studio. Painting is a wonderful occupation therapy!
Stay safe
Wear masks indoors in public at all times, wash hands regularly, keep social distance, avoid queues and crowded spaces and be sensible whilst undertaking your outings.
Travel Insurance tips:
Ensure Covid-19 medical is covered and not excluded from your Travel insurance cover. Some travel insurance worth looking into that might offer this service includes Emirates and Bupa.
Where to stay
Hout Bay Beach Cottage is a self-catering free standing home with private garden and pool, sleeps 6, family friendly. Braai facilities, fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and uncapped WIFI to work from home. For availability and reservations: www.houtbaybeachcottage.co.za
