Cape Town is a cultural melting pot, increasingly celebrated for its art, food and fashion, as well as being a natural wonder, home to stunning scenery - mostly associated with the ever-dominating Table Mountain that looks out over the city - incredible land and ocean wildlife, which offer the opportunity to get up close with safari options and beautiful beaches just a stone's throw from the metropolis.
Though it is a 12-hour flight from London, it has just a one-hour time difference meaning that it is far enough away to feel like you're exploring somewhere totally different and yet there is no jet lag to acclimatise to. This makes it an ideal long-haul location, especially if you're wanting to escape when the temperatures drop in the UK and start heating up in Cape Town (the hottest months of the year are January to March). Plus, there's no visa requirements for UK citizens.
All in all, it's very straightforward as far as far-away adventures go. Unlike other long haul trips where you might opt for multi-destination holidays to justify the lengthy travel time, there isn’t the need to do this in Cape Town. It has everything - food, beach, nature, adventure and wine - all within a short radius.
Sold yet? You're not the only one. It’s no surprise that in the aftermath of the pandemic, people have flocked to the African city, with January to June 2023 exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 104%, welcoming 1.4 million international visitors. Most visitors come from the UK, with an estimated 70,000 British tourists opting for Cape Town as their holiday destination in the first four months of 2023 alone.
Here's everything you need to know, from hotels to restaurants to safari in Cape Town:
Hotels in Cape Town
Found in the trendy V&A waterfront area of the city, this former grain factory offers stunning 360° views of Table Mountain to across the water of Robben Island. An ideal city hotel, the rooms have everything you need and its delicious breakfast is first-class, setting you up perfectly for a day of sightseeing and exploring. The rooftop sky terrace is a must-visit for guests. In the winter, enjoy the view while cosying up with a blanket and glass of wine from the bar. In the summer, make use of the pool, which can also be found up there.
As well as boasting its own art collection - you can also have a private guided art tour by their in-house resident expert - the hotel is found on top of the Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa, which is home to a stunning collection of art from across South Africa and the continent.
The Cape Town edition of the luxury chain has more of a resort feel (some rooms are accessible via a bridge over the canal where a resident otter lives), which is a great choice for travellers who like to add an element of R&R to their city escape. The rooms are minimalist, but with clear African influences on its design, such as printed curtains, beaded ornaments and natural wood decor.
Outside of the room, you can unwind in the spa, found on its own man-made island, where a pre or post-flight massage is definitely encouraged or visit the resort's wine studio for a private wine tasting session by their own expert sommelier sampling the best wine in the Cape Town region, accompanied by a delicious charcuterie board. For dining, the all-day food and drink site, Vista Bar, sits directly opposite Table Mountain for unparalleled views. One&Only Cape Town also boasts a Nobu restaurant, which until recently was the only posting of the famed Japanese eatery on the continent (Chef Nobu and Robert De Niro opened up their second African restaurant in Marrakech in spring 2023). The concierge can help arrange activities with excursions, including whale watching, hikes and even shark dives offered.
Restaurants in Cape Town
Cape Town has really put itself on the map for its dining options in recent years, with a huge variety of restaurants. From modern takes on South African cuisine to full gastronomic experiences, the city has something for everyone. As a pescatarian, there's a huge amount of non-meat options, too. Plus, Ubers are a super reliable, cheap and easy way to navigate the city and fit in as many eateries as possible.
New for 2023 is Salon, the sister restaurant of the world-renowned Pot Luck Club (and found just one floor below), which offers incredible multi-course tasting menus based on all the places across the world where chef Luke Dale-Roberts has worked. Salon's take on the Singapore Chilli, Malaysian Laksa and twist on the traditional South African Malva pudding to finish off our dinner are highlights.
Another must-visit restaurant for a full multi-course and wine-paired culinary experience is the exclusive Salsify at the Roundhouse (recently named Africa's best landmark restaurant by the World Culinary Awards), whose setting overlooks Camps Bay in one direction (which is worth a visit in itself. Head to the beach just before sunset for stunning views of the ocean in this quaint surfer setting) and Lion's Head in the other. Salsify offers a lengthy ten-course chef's menu (we loved the line fish), where for every course one of the kitchen's chefs will bring it to your table and talk you through the dish.
For a lunch or dinner option in one of the cooler parts of the city, try the new spot Club Kloof. The Italian-inspired menu specialises in small plates with Mediterranean influence. We recommend the Mac and Cheese Arancino and Mozarella-Stuffed Pizza Fritta paired with an Aperol Spritz, of course. The brightly-tiled interiors make for a dreamy dining setting, too.
Speaking of interiors, Upper Union is another eatery where the food is elevated by the stylised decor of the building. In the heart of Cape Town’s Kloof Street district, it is an interiors lover's dream thanks to the emerald, black and gold modern twist on the traditional Victorian heritage building. At Upper Union, you can opt for the chef's menu of a big main meal with sides (headed up by chef Amori Burger) or a sharing-style menu. Whichever you choose, pair it with a cocktail from the mixologist's menu of bespoke drinks.
Day trips from Cape Town
There is so much to see and visit in Cape Town. So much so that you probably won't get to do it all. But here are some of the essentials that you should try to tick off if possible.
You will see Table Mountain wherever you go and should definitely try and get up there to view the Mother City from the best view possible. There are cable cars which go to and from Table Mountain and we recommend downloading the app to double check the cable cars are running as they don't if there is poor visibility or difficult weather conditions. If you'd prefer to hike, there are a variety of routes to take, differing in length and ability.
A hugely important trip from Cape Town is to Robben Island, where a ticket includes the ferry over to the island where former president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, along with countless other citizens who were held as political prisoners for their fight against the apartheid. The tour guides on Robben Island are former inmates, making the visit profoundly impactful as they present the squalid conditions where they were forced to sleep, eat and work, often with very limited outside visitation while being held under strict rules and regulations, including being forbidden from speaking to to other inmates. As well as seeing Mandela's cell, you are also shown the areas where he wrote (and hid around the prison) manuscripts for his memoir, Long Walk To Freedom.
Another day trip about an hour's drive away from the CBD (central business district) centre is the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point of the African continent. It's also where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean so be prepared for breathtaking scenery of lush green mountains and crashing waves on the pebbled beaches.
Have a pit stop at Kalk Bay en route to the Cape of Good Hope, for kitsch coffee shops and souvenir spots, as well as sampling the fish and chips on the waterfront before taking a stroll to where seals will be found happily sunbathing.
Another must-visit is Boulders Beach, home to the famous colony of African penguins. Adorable.
Vineyards near Cape Town
There's the option to spend day trips visiting some of the many vineyards in the nearby wine region (some are as close as 30 minutes away) or you can extend your stay with a night or two there. In which case, you will likely end up in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch.
We opted to spend a night at the majestic Lanzerac Estate, a five-star country hotel with traditional décor full of beautiful quirky china antiques. Surrounded by mountains with a grand tree-lined driveway, the estate is home to rows of lush vines. We recommend heading to the deli for a wine tasting session. Try a glass of the rosé pinotage, a cross between the Pinot Noir and Hermitage grape, which originated at Stellenbosch University.
For a gorgeous dining experience in Stellenbosch where, of course, the wine is just as good too (there are 130 bottles on offer), we recommend the appropriately named The Wine Glass restaurant.
Safari near Cape Town
Of course, safari is a must when heading to South Africa. While the more widely known Kruger National Park is located further north nearer Johannesburg and Pretoria, it's incorrect to assume there aren't beautiful safari options nearer Cape Town, too.
Gondwana game reserve is a four and a half hour drive away from Cape Town. It's an easy drive, essentially one straight long road once out of Cape Town (stop off at Tredici bakery in Swellendam en route).
Gondwana is home to the big five: lion, elephant, rhino, hippo and buffalo, as well as herds of zebra, impala, cheetah, giraffe, monkeys and more. Guests are usually taken out for a morning and late afternoon safari. Thanks to the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate safari guides, highlights range from seeing a baby rhino crossing the path with his mother, a herd of giraffes having their morning breakfast and a post-hunt pride of lions chomping on their prey.
Though it is centrally about the wildlife and ensuing unforgettable experiences you make, the experience of Gondwana is heightened by the luxury accommodation. There are a range of options for your stay, from Ulubisi House, the staffed three-bedroom private lodge with a private pool, to the Kwena Lodge suites with a shared pool, sky lights for stargazing, and a range of indoor and outdoor restaurants offering incredible food.
Well, what are you waiting for?
