Cape Town simply has it all: stunning nature, cool cafés and bars, dreamy beaches and plenty of action. The city at the foot of Table Mountain won us over from the first second, with breathtaking views, relaxed beach days and unforgettable experiences. We soaked up the view from Table Mountain, marveled at the coast from a helicopter and glided over the city on a paraglider. Away from all that, we let Cape Town's laid-back atmosphere sink in over cozy cafés and restaurants, discovering a few real favorite spots along the way.
We flew with Condor from Frankfurt via Johannesburg, around 14 hours including the stopover, for €1,180 per person including checked baggage (an open-jaw routing with a domestic flight on to Kruger National Park). From the airport in Cape Town it was a relaxed Uber ride to our accommodation. Two important notes on arrival: at Johannesburg airport, people in yellow vests grabbed our suitcases without being asked and then demanded money for their "help", so better not to let go of your luggage. At Cape Town airport, some taxi drivers persistently tried to steer us away from the official pick-up area, claiming we were walking in the wrong direction, thanks to the Uber app we knew better, best to simply trust the app and not let yourself get rattled.
Lovely ambiance, pleasant atmosphere, spacious rooms with daily cleaning, friendly and helpful staff, tasty food. Cost: around €98 a night.
Small downsides: no air conditioning (only fans, so rooms often got too warm), oat milk in coffee costs extra, and the breakfast area often opened later than stated, which was inconvenient for early tours.
Verdict: Great atmosphere and good comfort. Despite the minor downsides, a recommendable place to stay in Cape Town.
Good location right across from a shopping center with a supermarket and café, practical for everyday needs. Nice ambiance, but very noisy, plus construction work nearby during our stay, correspondingly loud early in the morning and at midday. The room was too small for the price, and the bed far too narrow for two people.
Verdict: Fine for a short stay, not ideal for longer trips.
Four beautiful stretches of beach on the Atlantic coast with fine white sand and clear but very cold water. Clifton 4th Beach in particular draws visitors with its relaxed atmosphere and less wind than other Cape Town beaches. No restaurants or bars on site, best to bring your own snacks. Perfect for a relaxed beach day with a dreamy backdrop.
One of the city's best-known beaches, surrounded by restaurants and bars with sea views. Honestly, it didn't fully win us over: we found other beaches prettier, plus pushy beach vendors and often a lot of wind. Fine for a quick stop or a drink at the beach bars, but for a relaxed beach day Cape Town has nicer alternatives.
In Simon's Town, about an hour away, famous for its colony of African penguins. The beach itself is fairly small, but the penguins make it something special, wooden boardwalks let you watch the animals up close. If you want to swim, there's a separate section for it, though the water is icy cold. A must for animal lovers, best to arrive early before it gets crowded.
On False Bay, known for its colorful beach huts and as a surf hotspot. The colorful huts are a popular photo spot, the water is warmer than on the Atlantic coast but often fairly rough. A great beach for surf beginners and photo fans, anyone wanting to swim should keep an eye on the shark warnings.
Stylish and cozy, an impressive cocktail menu (Espresso Martini and Passion Fruit Martini were highlights), plus excellent food and attentive service. An absolute must for a special evening, definitely book ahead.
Often recommended, but it didn't quite convince us flavor-wise, the dishes felt somewhat bland. The atmosphere was still pleasant, staff were friendly.
We came here almost daily, for good reason. Good coffee, tasty smoothies, bowls, snacks and bagels. Our favorite: the espresso banana peanut smoothie, plus iced coffee and iced mocha.
A distinctive steampunk vibe, excellent espresso, plus a really good Espresso Martini. One of the best spots in Cape Town for quality coffee.
Modern diner, tasty comfort food, especially the sandwiches and burgers are a must, juicy, well-seasoned, freshly made.
A hidden gem with beautiful decor, a relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Drinks are great, food fresh and delicious. A real feel-good spot.
Good quality, modern ambiance, but didn't win us over quite as much as other spots in the city.
Pleasantly surprised even as a non-matcha-fan, especially the coconut milk and strawberry variations. A nice selection of other drinks and snacks too.
Charming café with small shops. The French toast didn't fully win us over, but the Turkish egg was absolutely delicious. Relaxed vibes, definitely worth a visit.
A nice spot for a relaxed start to the day, especially the Turkish egg was a favorite.
Small, authentic bar with a great selection of mezcal and creative cocktails, the margaritas were especially good.
Unfortunately a big disappointment. The value for money didn't add up at all, small portions, unspectacular flavors, plus chaotic service with long wait times. Our worst experience in Cape Town, absolutely not recommended.
Simple, uncomplicated, tasty. Fresh juices and a good selection of bagels for a quick snack.
Delicious juices and smoothies, but the clear highlight was the banana bread.
Really tasty bao buns and perfectly seasoned edamame, ideal for a quick, flavorful snack.
We were picked up right at our hotel at 7:30am, then it was along the coastal roads of the Cape Peninsula with several stops: a photo stop at Maiden's Cove with a view of the Twelve Apostles, the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, Hout Bay with an optional boat tour to the seal colony, the legendary scenic Chapman's Peak Drive, an ostrich farm in Noordhoek, the Cape of Good Hope itself with the famous photo sign, and to finish, the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Cost: around €38 per person (duration about 10 hours), entrance fees for the Cape of Good Hope (around R455) and Boulders Beach (around R220) come on top.
Verdict: A thoroughly successful tour that brought the landscape variety and fascinating wildlife of the Cape Peninsula to life for us. Absolutely recommended.
We joined a small-group guided hike, which was safer and more relaxed. This popular trail unfortunately sees repeated muggings, so a guided tour is the safer option. The hike takes about 3.5 hours, headlamps on for a steep climb, with some sections requiring actual scrambling. Once at the top: an absolute goosebumps moment, the city slowly waking up while the sky glowed in warm colors.
Verdict: An absolute highlight of our trip and a must for anyone who wants to experience Cape Town from a truly unique perspective.
Either by cable car (which rotates 360 degrees during the ride) or on foot, for instance via the popular Platteklip Gorge route (2 to 3 hours). Especially beautiful early in the morning or shortly before sunset, when the light bathes the city in a golden glow.
Verdict: A must for anyone visiting Cape Town. If you have the time, take on the climb on foot, the view and the sense of achievement are worth it.
A genuine insider tip in Bantry Bay with a brilliant view over the Atlantic. Unbeatable especially at sunset, with no crowds of tourists. A perfect spot to enjoy the view and simply take a breath.
One of the most relaxed ways to discover the wine estates of the picturesque Franschhoek valley. We chose the Navy Line and stopped at Vrede en Lust (a beautiful estate with fantastic wine), Plaisir (relaxed ambiance, excellent tastings) and Boschendal (historic buildings, great food). Usually you can manage 4 to 5 estates in one day.
Verdict: An absolute highlight. No need to worry about driving, so you can focus entirely on the enjoyment.
About 45 minutes from Cape Town (Uber there and back around €30). After arriving, a wine tasting with a generous cheese and antipasti platter, then we explored the sprawling gardens and the sustainable farm concept. At the end, we picked up wine, olive oil and delicatessen items at the small shops.
Verdict: A thoroughly worthwhile day trip, good wine, great food, relaxed ambiance.
Starting at Signal Hill, after a short safety briefing we were off. Depending on wind conditions the flight lasts 5 to 20 minutes, we landed gently at Sea Point Beach. The view of Cape Town, the Atlantic and Table Mountain from above is simply breathtaking.
Verdict: Anyone who wants to experience Cape Town from a bird's-eye view shouldn't miss this flight.
Starting at the helicopter pad in the V&A Waterfront, we booked the Atlantico Route: Table Mountain, Cape Town Stadium, Clifton, Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles, Hout Bay. Cost: €182 per person.
Verdict: An unforgettable experience that shows Cape Town from a completely new perspective.
Right at the V&A Waterfront (Sat 8:15am to 2pm, Sun 9am to 2pm, smaller market on Wed). Fresh fruit and vegetables, handmade bread and cheese, dishes from all over the world. Perfect for after-work vibes: drinking wine, enjoying good food, and shopping cool souvenirs along the way.
Every weekend at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock (Sat 9am to 3pm, Sun 10am to 4pm). High-quality, handmade food, local producers, fashion and art from local artists, plus live music and DJs. The perfect spot for a relaxed market day with friends.
In Sea Point, open daily from 8am to 11pm. A wide selection, though we found the vegetarian options rather limited, and the vibe felt more like a covered food hall than the special charm of the other markets. Fine for a quick snack, but less inviting compared to Oranjezicht or Neighbourgoods.
Well-known neighborhood on the slope of Signal Hill with colorful houses and historic flair. Worth seeing: the Bo-Kaap Museum and the Auwal Mosque, the oldest mosque in South Africa. Lively and rich in history, though often busy during the day. After dark it's better not to walk alone, take a taxi or Uber instead.
In Clifton, playing padel with a spectacular view of the city and mountains. Sporty and dynamic, yet relaxed, suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. The combination of fun, weather and views makes the experience unforgettable.