Cape Town trips and vacations

No vacation to Cape Town is complete without getting to the top of one of the natural wonders of the world. The Platteklip Gorge route is the least challenging and takes roughly three hours for the return trip. If the cable car is more your speed, make sure you’ve booked tickets online and arrive early to beat the lines. It gets windy up there, so bring layers.

Holidays to Cape Town should include a visit to Boulders Beach, where you’ll find a colony of endangered African penguins, accessible to view by boardwalk. See thousands of these rare birds waddle across the pale sand and scrub. Just remember not to touch. For other wildlife adventures, stop at Seal Island, where options include kayaking with dolphins and whale watching.

The soil and climate diversity in South Africa makes the country home to some of the finest vineyards in the world, not to mention the oldest continuous winegrowing region in the Southern Hemisphere. Get to know the grapes with a day of tasting along the Constantia Route, just 20 minutes from Cape Town, and visit wineries that go as far back as the 1650s.

This is where to stay in Cape Town if you’re interested in the city’s cultural history. Bo-Kaap originally housed enslaved people from Asia and Africa, and today the neighborhood’s homes are painted in a rainbow of colors, a post-apartheid expression of freedom. Consider a cooking class as a way to learn about Cape Malay culinary traditions.

Good for: Colorful houses, history, cultural immersion

Woodstock attracts a free-spirited crowd, making it the best neighborhood to stay in Cape Town if you’re looking to find the city’s creative juices at work. A trip to the Woodstock Exchange for goods by local artisans is a must. Explore exhibition spaces and markets, and join a tour with mural artist Juma Mkwela, who gives insight into the neighborhood’s street art.

Good for: Street art, markets, galleries

You can’t do better than Sea Point if you’re looking for easy beach access. The sunsets here are perfect, but be aware that the ocean currents are strong. Best to take a dip in the salty waters of the Sea Point Pavilion instead. You’ll find these swimming pools along the promenade. Head one street over to the Mojo Market for indoor food vendors and live music.

Good for: Ocean views, swimming, families

See South Africa’s marine fauna and flora — including one of the few living kelp forests on display in the world — at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Kirstenbosch, the first UNESCO World Heritage–listed botanical garden, is home to some 22,000 plant species and showcases some of the world’s most rare and beautiful flowers. The accessible ‘Boomslang’ canopy walkway ensures everyone can enjoy this slice of paradise.

The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront is a good starting point for souvenir shopping in Cape Town. Look for crafts from MonkeyBiz, a not-for-profit project reviving the fascinating art of African beadwork and empowering women to find financial independence. Note that it’s illegal to buy ivory or rhino horn.

The museums in Cape Town will open your eyes to the city’s complicated past. At District Six Museum, dive into South Africa’s history of segregation. Set aside half a day at least to visit UNESCO World Heritage–listed Robben Island, where former inmates will guide you through the prison in which Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.

Some of the best nightlife in Cape Town can be found on Long Street, which is characterized by its pretty Victorian architecture. Sample a tasting tray at Beerhouse and watch the world go by from its wrought-iron balconies. Finish the night with fast food favorite ‘bunny chow,’ a mild curry concocted by Indian migrants and served in a hollowed loaf of bread.

One of the best restaurants in Cape Town for visitors is Mama Africa, founded post-apartheid to celebrate the continent’s diversity. The adventurous traveler might start off with spicy mopane worm before moving on to crocodile steak. Expect a spectacle of live marimba music, traditional dance and drum circles. For a sweet treat, go to Tapi Tapi cafe for ice cream in a variety of uniquely African flavors.

Cape Town has a whopping 72 beaches to choose from. Muizenberg Beach’s colorful huts, warm water and lack of current make it a solid choice for families. Book a lesson at Surfers Corner Surf School to ride South Africa’s legendary waves. Not a water baby? Mnandi’s sweeping coastline makes it one of the best beaches in Cape Town for walking.