Hike, cycle, surf, and run in South Africa’s Mother City.
Cape Town is a haven for those seeking active adventure. The city boasts a total of 18 peaks including the iconic, flat-topped Table Mountain. The oldest city in South Africa, it's also home to idyllic beaches along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and a rich and complex history.
Plan your trip between February and April, as temperatures are moderate and the summer crowds have dispersed. Here, how to explore the Mother City:
Where to stay
Gorgeous George is a modern design-forward hotel in the heart of the city. Since it's walking distance from the District Six Museum, the V&A Waterfront, and the colorful Malay quarter, Bo-Kaap, you'll have easy access to some of Cape Town's most culturally significant spaces.
Cellars-Hohenort, in the wine region of Constantia, dates back to the 17th century. The nine-acre property was once home to a farm, but now houses the hotel, expansive gardens, and a small vineyard.
Or stay at POD, a boutique property on the Camps Bay waterfront. Choose a room with a mountain view or opt for an oceanside one, equipped with a private plunge pool.
What to do
For the hiker: Table Mountain
Seen from nearly every point in the city, Table Mountain is one of Cape Town’s most recognizable features. Start in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and hike the Skeleton Gorge Trail, a four-mile uphill trek through lush forests and running streams. Get a bird's-eye view of the city from the top, and dip your toes in the water at Skeleton Gorge Beach nestled into the mountain’s peak. Circle back on the same path or take the cable car down.
For the cyclist: Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapman's Peak Drive, a scenic seven-mile winding road, follows the Atlantic coast and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Rent a bike from Complete Cyclist in Hout Bay and cycle toward Noordhoek. Coast back down the road, taking in the clear water and surrounding mountains.
For the surfer: Glen Beach
This spot, located just north of Camps Bay, is a favorite for intermediate and advanced surfers, thanks to its hollow waves. Before you hit the beach, stop at the Stoked School of Surf to rent a wetsuit and a board.
For the runner: Tafelberg Road
For a route that's challenging but not crowded, start your run at the Table Mountain cable car station and venture down Tafelberg Road. The four-mile road, which is blocked off from traffic, snakes along the side of the mountain, providing views of the waterfront and Robben Island, a former prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years. After your run, walk into the nearby city center for a dose of culture. Stroll through the Company’s Garden, the oldest garden in South Africa, and explore the local flora and fauna, bird aviary, and the South African National Gallery.
Where to eat
For breakfast:
Fuel up at The Strangers Club, a quaint café in Greenpoint, serving smoothie bowls, eggs, and vegan pastries. Get a matcha latte to go, and walk around the V&A Waterfront and the impressive Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Loading Bay in De Waterkant serves their avocado toast and eggs on slices of double-fermented sourdough, baked in-house daily. For a high-protein option, try the grass-fed beef bone broth with zucchini, mushrooms, and poached chicken or the smoked trout and cauliflower salad.
For lunch:
After a day on the water in Camps Bay, pick up vegetables, assorted proteins, and some charcoal at Woolworths for a braai (a South African barbecue). Then head to Maiden’s Cove, right off the main beach, where grills and picnic spaces are aplenty.
Founded by twins Jamie and Jesse Friedberg, who opened the equally-popular Skinny Legs Luxury Café, Between Us is a chic yet casual option for a mid-day meal. Try the fresh pappardelle with an oxtail ragù or the Italian kale with black rice and a poached egg.
For dinner:
Visit the Groot Constantia Winery for a tasting and a tour of the grounds. Then walk down the road to Foxcroft. The four-course dinner, crafted by Chef Glen Foxcroft Williams, includes mussels with pickled squid and octopus, and lamb served with spiced apricot and buckwheat. Diners can also opt for a completely plant-based menu featuring tandoori cauliflower and radish escabeche.
Book a table at Janse & Co on bustling Kloof Street. The menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients. Start with a colorful five-radish salad with grapefruit and pan-fried peas, then try the duck, served with cherries and horseradish.
Old Biscuit Mill, an outdoor market in Woodstock, draws a bustling crowd on Saturdays thanks to pop-up food and handicraft stalls. On any other day of the week, however, the mill's main draw is The Test Kitchen, which was named one of the world’s 50 best restaurants in 2019. Meals include a range of global flavors, with South African, French, and Asian influence. The first six courses take place in "The Dark Room," a dimly-lit space where guest share tables, as cocktails and small plates are served. You'll move to "The Light Room," an elegant and more formal area, for the remaining eight courses.