10 Things I Love About Cape Town, South Africa

by Hillary Fox on Mar 11, 2015 in Travel Lifestyle

I’ve spent the past three months in sunny Cape Town, South Africa. Not only did I gleefully escape winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but I also rediscovered my ultimate paradise.

Cape Town offers the perfect mix of city life and natural wonder. In partnership with Cape Town Tourism, I spent a few weeks exploring some of my favorite things about my favorite city. 

1. Epic Coastal Roads: Chapman’s Peak Drive

There’s no shortage of coastal roads along the Cape Peninsula. My favorite is Chapman’s Peak Drive, pictured below, for its great curves and stunning sunset views.

2. A Noble History: Robben Island

Robben Island is where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela were held for decades during Apartheid. The island is rich with an inspiring and important history that speaks to the strong character of South Africans.

3. Unique Wildlife: The Penguins at Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is a great location for swimming and sunning on pristine beaches. The best part? It’s home to a unique African Penguin colony who will join you for a swim.

4. The Ends of Earth: Cape Point

Cape Point marks the most Southwestern tip of the African continent. If you traveled 4,000 miles off the coast here, your next stop would be Antarctica.

5. Beautiful Beaches: Camps Bay

Camps Bay offers a little of everything: an awesome beach, an amazing strip of trendy bars and restaurants, and sweeping views of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain.

6. Shopping Sprees: The V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is a hub for modern upscale shopping and dining with calming views of the harbor and cityscape.

7. Amazing Vistas: Table Mountain

The enormous Table Mountain forms the iconic landscape of Cape Town. With its cascading clouds known fondly as the “tablecloth,” it is truly majestic. Visitors can hike many different routes or ride the cable car to visit the top.

8. World-Class Hiking: Lion’s Head

Lion’s Head offers an idyllic hike with the most jaw-dropping panoramic sights you’ve ever seen. In less than two hours you’ll reach the summit with views of the city bowl, Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Robben Island, and more. It’s the perfect place to take in the sunset.

9. Bottoms Up: The Vineyards

South Africa is known for its excellent wine and Cape Town is dotted with vineyards — large and lush estates welcome visitors to take a sip.

10. Volunteer Opportunities: Khayelitsha Township

Neighboring townships offer a great opportunity to volunteer. I visited Khayelitsha with Juma and enjoyed a day playing with sweet kids.

There are so many more things I love about Cape Town. I’m looking forward to exploring and shooting more in the coming months.