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10 Things I Miss About Cape Town Places to visit and activities to try when visiting the Mother City
WORDS Cecilia Martin
Cape Town, or the Mother City, is a place so full of wonder that you may not fully appreciate when you are there. It was only when I landed back in Switzerland that I recognised the places that warmed my heart, that shaped my South African experience, the places where I met the most incredible people, the places that I will now cherish for years to come.
I left Cape Town in December 2018, and now after some reflection, I want to share my most special spots and experiences with you, so you can enjoy them just as much as I did.
Brassbell Karaoke Nights
In case you didn’t know, Wednesdays in Cape Town are designated karaoke nights. With a large selection of famous hits ranging from Cotton Eyed Joe to some classic ABBA, you can choose virtually any song to sing with friends or perform by yourself at Brassbell, set on the water’s edge in Kalk Bay.
It’s packed with people from all around the world who are there to have a great time and dance to what is often, awful singing. But that won’t matter. You yourself will sing so loudly that it will drown out the noise of anyone else.
A typical Brassbell Wednesday Night
At Brassbell, no one is there to judge. It is an exciting venue where you can sing and dance like nobody is watching, with everyone watching. It might also not be the most authentic South African spot, but you will encounter many backpackers, travellers and students from around the globe.
Spending Time in Muizenberg
I feel like one of Muizenberg’s main characteristics is that it consistently looks warmer than it actually is. There’s always sunshine accompanied by a chilly sea breeze. Although what you won’t know for sure is whether you have goosebumps from the cold or from Muizenberg’s striking beauty.
Scenic boardwalks, several swell surf shops, cool cafes and many friendly folks, make up this little South African coastal suburb. It’s also a hub for surfers from across South Africa and around the world. This coastline is under constant surveillance from the Shark Spotters on the lookout from Boyes Drive down to the beach, where thousands of surfers race to the waves each year.
This surf spot is like no other, because regardless of how much of a family the surfers are, they are still some of the most welcoming people I have ever met. Just after a few minutes of sitting on the shore, they will ask you where you’re from, what your name is and “what’s your story, bru?”.
Surfers enjoying the beach in Muizenberg
If you go to Muizenberg, I highly recommend walking around the surf shops and spending a minute in the Hang Ten Cafe, where you can get delicious crêpes (the Veganissimo is a personal favourite too). Walk up the paved streets that are decorated with flags on your way to rent a surfboard and try the sport yourself. The Putt-Putt course is also great fun for people of all ages!
Then you can also spend a night out in this seaside village, starting at Oroboros. This lovely little bar is a gathering place for all of the travellers staying in the hostels in Muizenberg but also surfers of the area. This mix of people makes for a very welcoming crowd and great drinks for reasonable prices. The service is quick, no matter how many people are in the bar, and there are always new people to meet and talk to.
After some time in Oroboros, head to the African Soul Surfer. This hostel also has a bar with a pool table, couches and many candlelit coffee tables. The atmosphere is very relaxed and jazzy. You’ll be sure to meet all of the people staying in the hostel as well as many local surfers. This is the perfect destination if you would like to go out but don’t want to dance too intensely. At the African Soul, you can lay down on a couch and relax, while listening to some very chilled music. Often on Fridays, they have a live band playing.
Sunrise and Sunset on Table Mountain
I know it’s one of the most popular activities in Cape Town, but Table Mountain truly is majestic. Overlooking the Mother City, it is a very popular destination for tourists who either take the Cable Car or hike up. Personally, I believe that hiking the mountain makes the experience much more authentic and I highly recommend it.
A fellow journalist at Cape Chameleon, Carter Havey, decided to summit the mountain at sunrise and it was an incredibly moving experience for him. I highly recommend you to read his article on summiting Table Mountain for sunrise here.
Taking the cable car up to Table Mountain with sushi in my backpack!
If you have the time, Table Mountain is a great place for dates or just fun with friends. Pick up takeaways (my favourite is sushi) or snacks and take them up for a feast on top. You can enjoy a gorgeous sunset surrounded by dassies (rock rabbits) and stay on the mountain until it gets dark. Although I don’t recommend walking down in the dark, for safety reasons. I did rather enjoy it, because we were surrounded by fireflies!
Paragliding off Lion’s Head
One thing that I highly recommend is paragliding off Lion’s Hill, adjacent Table Mountain. My friends and I did it with a company called Hi 5 Tandem Paragliding and they were fantastic. Professional but friendly, they walked us through the whole process and we had an amazing time. The feeling of gliding through the air cannot be compared to anything and doing it in such, a lovely place just adds to the experience. We could see the Green Point Stadium, the Atlantic coastline and more! It was just overall an incredible view of all of Cape Town.
GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World
The GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, is a place in Cape Town where you will never get bored. It hosts the only casino in Cape Town and, according to their website, is “the largest entertainment destination of its kind in South Africa”.
I probably went to the GrandWest over 10 times during my stay in Cape Town and every time, I did something different. In addition to the casino, it has an arcade (with air hockey tables), an ice skating rink (yes you can ice skate in Africa), a movie theatre and much more. It is an incredible place for both families, couples and any curious travellers.
I highly recommend the Italian restaurant called Casa Bella if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere, good food and reasonable prices.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for a space to stroll around peacefully or lay in the sun, you should head to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. This lovely place is home to all types of plants, restaurants and walkways that will keep you entertained for a whole day.
It is certainly worth the R70 fee (for adults) and you’ll be surprised by how cheap it is for students and children. The whole place is very welcoming to families and is the perfect place to hold a picnic.
ZEITZ Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Although museums might not be your thing, I recommend that you stop by the Zeitz MOCAA. With four floors of interesting exhibits, you could spend the entire day wandering through its halls and admiring the creative displays. Whether the art pieces be giant octopi made of acrylic nails, videos of people shaving or paintings attacking certain African political parties, rest assured, you will be entertained.
My friends standing in front of Ruby Swiney’s art in the Zeitz MOCAA
When I went, I had the chance to see Ruby Swiney’s art on the last floor and I really enjoyed it. If you appreciate art, you should definitely stop by her exhibit!
You can read more about the museum here!
Exploring the V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is right by the museum and is equally as interesting. With a big Ferris wheel at its centre, it offers activities for everyone. Whether you would like to shop, grab a bite to eat or go on a boat tour, anything that you please will be readily available to you there. Restaurants from all parts of the world stand both inside the main mall and our near the docks. You will find whatever you’re looking for.
The Waterfront is also the place where you can begin your boat trip to Robben Island, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cape Town. On your tour of the Robben Island, you could be accompanied by an ex-political prisoner, which makes the experience even more unique. He will tell you all about what he endured during his years in the prison during apartheid and the consequences of it on modern South Africa. Along the way, you may encounter dolphins so keep your eyes on the water!
Eating at Honest Chocolate
I’m a big fan of chocolate. In fact, it’s probably the first thing many people think of when I come to their mind. I’m Swiss, I can’t help it.
When I was seeking something to appease my constant need for chocolate, I ran into Honest Chocolate Cafe in downtown Cape Town and I was extremely satisfied. From chocolates in the shape of politician’s heads to chocolate shakes, this lovely cafe will make your day.
If you walk past the counter into the garden behind it, you will find a quaint area to sit down and enjoy whatever chocolate product you chose. Separated from the busy streets, you can disconnect from your life for a minute and appreciate the ethical, bean-to-bar delights on your plate.
Drinks on Long Street
SGT Pepper and Beerhouse are two fun bars to visit on Long Street before a night out at clubs. You’ll see for yourself, Long Street is filled with people and bars, but from my experience, those two were certainly the best out of the bunch. Long Street is simply known as the single best place to go, when you’re looking for a night out.
To conclude, I hope that you will enjoy these places as much as I did! If you have other suggestions, please leave them down in the comments below. Let us know if this article inspired you to visit any of these places!
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