Things to do in Cape Town and its surrounds.
Table Mountain
Take the cable car or walk up this spectacular landmark for the most stunning views of the Cape Town and the peninsula, but choose a clear day.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
The world famous botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch are dramatically set on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. These beautiful gardens are a stunning showcase of Cycads, Proteas, Ericas, Restios, Mesembs and other South African flora.
Cape Point
Is a spectacular headland set in the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature reserve. Is often mistakenly claimed to be the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet (actually Cape Agulhas). The reserve has an abundance of floral diversity and wildlife.
Boulders Beach Penguin colony
Visit this 4000 strong colony of Jackass penguins, just the other side of Simon’s Town. This is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with penguins in their natural habitat.
V & A Waterfront
Shops, Craft Markets, Cinemas, Entertainment, Restaurants etc. All set under the splendour of Table Mountain.
Robben Island
Take a boat trip and a guided tour of the Island and its prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for much of his 27 year imprisonment.
Whale Watching
From July through to the end of November, Southern Right whales visit the shores of our coast to mate and to calve. The False Bay coast is particularly rich in sightings, take a trip over Boyes Drive towards Kalk Bay and on down to Simon’s Town.
Wine Tasting
The Constantia Valley has 5 fabulous Wine farms within a few kilometres of eachother, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg all produce award winning wines. All do wine tasting during normal hours and Groot Constantia which is the oldest wine farm in South Africa and a national monument offers cellar tours and fantastic restaurants. Further a field a trip out to the winelands around Stellenbosch will be well worthwhile for wine enthusiasts.
Silvermine Nature Reserve
Set in the mountains above Brown’s Cottage on Ou Kaapse Weg, Silvermine nature reserve is rich in bird and animal life and provides stunning views of the Cape Peninsula in all directions. It is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, picnics and has many designated braai (BBQ) areas.
World class beaches
Cape Town hosts seven of South Africas 21 beaches awarded with Blue Flag status for excelling in safety, cleanliness, the provision of amenities and setting and maintaining environmental standards.
Golf
There are four fantastic Golf courses within a few minutes drive of the cottage.
- Westlake Golf Club (2 mins drive) has excellent facilities and is a great favourite with the tourists. A parkland layout, it is known for its excellent playability throughout the year.
- Steenberg Golf Club (5 mins Drive) is a beautiful residential course set on a wine estate. The course is superbly conditioned and attractively laid out with parkland and wetland features.
- Clovelly Country Club (10-15 mins drive) is a relatively short course which rewards accuracy off the tee. It is known for its superb greens and magnificent club house.
- Royal Cape Golf Club (10-15 mins drive) Founded in 1885 this is the oldest Golf course in South Africa. It is again a parkland layout with new, well groomed greens. The course has excellent views of the surrounding mountains and has hosted the SA open 10 times.
Summer Concerts at Kirstenbosch
The summer sunset concerts at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens run every Sunday from November to April. Bring a picnic and watch the sun go down over table mountain whilst enjoying the music. The concerts host all sorts of local and international acts from Classical to Jazz to Pop to Rock music.
Township Tours
Take a tour of one of the many townships surrounding Cape Town where the largest portion of Cape Town’s population are living. This is a great way to experience the vibrancy and spirit of the South African people.
Helicopter Flights
These flights mostly leave from the V & A Waterfront and give fantastic birds eye views of Cape Town and the peninsula. There are a variety of routes and even combat flights to choose from.
Surfing & Kite-Surfing
Cape Town is blessed with not only beautiful beaches but also some of the best surf breaks in the world. With the famous Cape Town winds our coastline is also ideal for kite-surfing. The Cape area is well established in these sports and caters for all standards from beginners to the pros.
Adventure Activities
Climbing, skydiving, bungee Jumping, tree top tours, quad biking, river rafting, paragliding, sand-boarding, kite-boarding, adventure courses, surfing, pretty much anything you can think of to get the adrenalin pumping.
Hiking/Walking
The Peninsulas mountains are ideal for walking and hiking. There are many mountain trails catering for everyone from experienced climbers to those who prefer a gentle stroll. Visit the Hike Cape Town website for more information.
Newlands Rugby & Cricket
Watch South Africa’s biggest sports at these beautiful grounds set under the majestic Table Mountain. There are a host of both international and domestic fixtures for Rugby and Cricket. Newlands cricket ground has to be one of the most picturesque sporting sites in the world.
Shark Diving
Take a dive in a cage and get up close and personal with the Great White Shark if you have the guts.
Museums
- S A Museum
- District 6 Museum
- Castle of Good Hope
- SA Maritime Museum
- Robben Island Museum
- Rhodes Cottage Museum
Sea Side Towns
The historical sea side towns of Muizenberg, St. James and Kalk Bay are well worth a visit. Muizenberg for its Stunning beach and architectural heritage, St. James for its bathing in tidal pools and the trendy little town of Kalk Bay for it’s vibrant fishing community, restaurants and arts & crafts.
