From City to Mountains on South Africa’s Coast

I’ll admit: when planning trips, cities are rarely at the top of my list. Having lived in big cities throughout most of my 20s, I prefer to prioritize more relaxing or off-the-beaten-path destinations. However, Cape Town is one of the coolest and most geographically diverse cities I’ve visited. It really has it all: incredible restaurants, soaring mountains, and beautiful beaches. Plus, there are so many amazing day trips from Cape Town, including a beach full of penguins!

No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Cape Town, and it serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the country. Be sure to add this beautiful city to your dream South Africa itinerary.

A Few Things to Note

Cape Town was our first stop on our two-week vacation to South Africa, and part of (what I believe to be) a dream two-week South Africa itinerary.
We spent a total of five nights in Cape Town, which felt like plenty. I’d recommend splitting your time between the city itself and Camps Bay, a beautiful beachy suburb of Cape Town. More on this in the Where to Stay in Cape Town section!
Be sure to check out the Hermanus & Franschhoek and Blyde River Canyon & Kruger National Park guides for where else to explore in South Africa.

Best Time to Visit Cape Town

The best time to visit South Africa is in the spring, during the months of September, October, or November. This is a great time to visit because the temperatures begin to warm up, there is minimal rain, and you’ll find fewer crowds/lower prices than the summer months/high season (December-February). We visited from end of September to mid-October, and had perfect weather and prime wildlife viewing conditions everywhere we went.

October temperatures in Cape Town range from the high-50s to the low-70s. This was perfect beach and hiking weather, and we were plenty comfortable at night in pants and a light jacket or sweater. Be sure to pack a variety of clothes, from dressier outfits for dinner to bathing suits to hiking attire (I wore sneakers on our Lion’s Head hike and was totally fine; more on that later!)

How to Get to Cape Town

Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is located just 20 minutes from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront (where a lot of the great hotels are) and 30 minutes from Camps Bay. You can fly nonstop from the US to Cape Town on Delta (from Atlanta) and United (from Newark and Washington Dulles). If you don’t live in/near one of these cities, you’ll likely connect through Johannesburg or a European airport. Since we were coming from Denver at the time, we had a 24-hour layover in London, which ended up being a ton of fun as we had some friends who lived over there for a few years. Since it’s a long-haul flight (almost 15 hours if you fly nonstop!), it was kind of nice to break it up and squeeze in some London sightseeing.

Once in Cape Town or Camps Bay, you don’t need a rental car. We got a taxi from the airport to our hotel, and then it was easy to get around with Uber. Even if you’re staying in Camps Bay and want to go out to eat/sightsee in Cape Town, it’s an easy, 15-min ride.

Do rent a car your second-to-last day in Cape Town! From Cape Town we continued on to Hermanus and Franschhoek, so we needed a rental car anyways. But, as I mentioned above, you’ll want one to do the scenic day trip to Hout Bay, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, and Muizenberg (more on this later!) You’ll find familiar rental car companies like Hertz and Avis both downtown and at the airport.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

As I mentioned above, I’d recommend splitting your time between Cape Town and Camps Bay. Remember, they’re only a 15-minute drive apart and Ubers are widely available. Stay in Cape Town near the V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront for city vibes, and Camps Bay for laidback beach vibes. If Cape Town is your first stop on your South Africa trip, I’d recommend heading straight to Camps Bay. After a long-haul flight, the beach is just what the doctor ordered.

Camps Bay

POD Camps Bay ($$-$$$) - This modern boutique hotel is centrally located in Camps Bay with beautiful views of Camps Bay Beach. We stayed in a Terrace Pool Room (~$1000/night), which had a private, heated plunge pool and views of the Twelve Apostles (plus a partial sea view). You can also book a more affordable room type and enjoy the hotel pool, which has great views of Camps Bay Beach. We loved having breakfast here each morning, and the service was wonderful.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa ($$$) - While technically located less than 10 minutes down the coast from Camps Bay, this is a gorgeous five-star hotel that sits oceanfront under the shadow of its namesake, the Twelve Apostles mountain range. We didn’t stay here, but it’s on my list for when we go back!
- Book with me to unlock exclusive perks like a welcome drink on arrival, free daily breakfast for two, complimentary transfers to the V&A Waterfront, hotel credit, and more!

Cape Town

The Westin Cape Town ($$-$$$) - Marriott Bonvoy members rejoice! Earn points by staying at the Westin, which is a short, 5-minute walk to the V&A Waterfront. We stayed here for two nights and our room was spacious and comfortable. What we loved most about the Westin was the spa, which is located on the 19th floor and has panoramic ocean and city views. We got a wonderful couples massage here, and the views from the infinity pool and sauna were stunning. Book with me for better rates than booking direct!
Cape Grace Hotel ($$$) - Located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront is this beautiful Fairmont-managed hotel. We ate dinner here one night (though the restaurant has since changed) and enjoyed cocktails in their downstairs whiskey bar, Bascule.
- Book with me to unlock exclusive perks like daily complimentary breakfast for two, a VIP welcome, hotel credit, room upgrades (subject to availability), and more!
The Silo Hotel ($$$$) - Also located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront is this boutique hotel that was once a grain storage elevator and is now a modern art and design lover’s dream. It didn’t open until after we had already booked our trip, so it’s on my list! The Silo’s art collection houses work by some of Africa’s most talented and emerging contemporary artists, and the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) is located just below the hotel.
- Book with me to unlock exclusive perks like daily complimentary breakfast for two, room upgrades (subject to availability), hotel credit, early check-in/late check-out, and more!
Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel ($$$$) - Opened in 1899, this iconic pink hotel is located in the Gardens, an affluent inner-city suburb of Cape Town. Enjoy beautiful views of Table Mountain, relax by the pool, and attend afternoon tea, a hotel tradition. Since we didn’t have much time in Cape Town, we didn’t get a chance to make our way here; just another reason to go back!
- Book with me to unlock exclusive perks like VIP welcome treats, daily breakfast for two, hotel credit, complimentary upgrades (subject to availability), and more!
I can also get you exclusive perks at the Ellerman House and One&Only Cape Town. Reach out to learn more!

Where to Eat & Drink in Cape Town

The Pot Luck Club ($$$$) - If you love tapas, be sure to make a reservation at the The Pot Luck Club. It’s located on the sixth floor of an old grain silo and has beautiful views of Cape Town and Table Mountain (try to request a window-side table!) The food and cocktails are incredible and they have an extensive wine list. Reservations required; this place is super popular!
Heirloom Restaurant ($$$$) - Located inside the historic Cape Grace Hotel is Heirloom Restaurant. We dined here when it was Signal Restaurant, which has been since reimagined. However, the new menu still draws inspiration from local flavors, and you can enjoy the tasting menu or order à la carte. Reservations highly recommended.
La Colombe ($$$$) - La Colombe is ranked in the top 50 best restaurants in the world and was awarded best restaurant in Africa. It’s located in Constantia, a wine-producing suburb of Cape Town, and is about 45 minutes from downtown and 30 minutes from Camps Bay. We ate at their sister restaurant in Franschhoek, so if it’s anything like that, you’re in for a real treat. You can enjoy the multi-course chef’s menu for lunch or dinner, and reservations (plus deposit) are required.
The Bungalow ($$-$$$) - If you love sushi and a gorgeous sunset, then be sure to grab dinner at The Bungalow in Clifton (suburb next to Camps Bay). Our hotel recommended we check this place out, and I’m so glad they did. Be sure to request a table outside under the pergola for unobstructed views of sunset, the ocean, and the Twelve Apostles. We were able to get a table without an advanced reservation, but I’d recommend making one to ensure you’ll get a seat.

Best Restaurants Cape Town | Travel Bug — The Bungalow, Clifton, South Africa

Bascule Bar - If you love whiskey or a good cocktail, be sure to check out Bascule Bar in the Cape Grace Hotel. It has over 400 different kinds of whiskey and we were told by one of their bartenders that it’s the largest whiskey bar in the Southern Hemisphere! We grabbed post-dinner cocktails here and they were delicious.

Things to Do in Cape Town

Hike to the top of Lion’s Head - If you’re only able to fit in one hike while in Cape Town, I’d do Lion’s Head over Table Mountain (you can take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain instead). It’s less than three miles roundtrip and 1,141 ft of elevation gain, but don’t let that fool you: it’s a good workout! There are multiple exposed rock faces along the way, which require chains or ladders to scramble up. So if you’re really afraid of heights, this might not be for you! However, the views at the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town, the Twelve Apostles, and the ocean are insane and worth the climb. There’s very little shade and it can get really hot in the sun, so I’d recommend getting an earlier start (plus it’s a super popular hike, so the parking lot can fill up!)

Things to Do Cape Town | Travel Bug — Lion’s Head, Cape Town, South Africa

Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for sunset - While I’d prioritize the Lion’s Head hike over hiking to the top of Table Mountain, you cannot miss taking the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the top, especially for sunset. You can take an Uber to the cable car station, and then from there it’s less than a 5-minute ride to the top. Sun sets a little after 7 pm in October, and the last car up is at 7 pm/the last car down is at 8 pm. Be sure to check their website for the most up to date operating hours, and note that it will close for inclement weather/strong winds (and yearly maintenance from mid-July to September 1st.) While you can buy tickets online in advance, keep in mind that it might be better to wait until day of in case of last minute closures.

Visit the Bo-Kaap - This is one of Cape Town’s most historic neighborhoods, and it’s best known for its cobblestone streets lined by colorful houses. The colorful houses represent the freedom given to the Muslim community after years of hiding their religion. It’s an easy, less than 30-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront, where many popular accommodations are.

Relax on the beach - The Cape Town suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay both have beaches with stunning views of the Twelve Apostles. Camps Bay Beach is bigger and the Clifton beaches (First, Second, Third, and Fourth) are divided by coves/are more protected from the wind. Clifton Second Beach is the biggest, but you can easily walk between all four to check out which one suits your vibe. If you’re staying in Camps Bay, it’s less than a 30-minute walk to Clifton, but I wouldn’t do it at night (take an Uber instead!)

Best Beaches Cape Town | Travel Bug — Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Peninsula Day Trip - As I mentioned above, make sure you rent a car for at least one day while staying in Cape Town or Camps Bay to visit all of the beautiful sites along the Cape Peninsula. If you’re starting in Cape Town, the whole drive will take a little over three hours. When you factor in spending enough time at each location, you’ll want to devote an entire day to exploring the Cape Peninsula. Here are the spots to visit:

Hout Bay: This seaside suburb is located just 30 minutes from Cape Town. Be sure to pull over at the Chapman’s Peak Drive Lookout Point for beautiful views looking back on the bay. As you continue down the M6, you’ll pass beautiful Noordhoek Beach. For all my Potterheads: it honestly reminded me a lot of the beach where Shell Cottage is located (R.I.P. Dobby!)

Boulders Beach: Boulders Beach is home to the famous African Penguin colony (there are over 3,000 of them!), and the only place you can get this close to African Penguins. There’s a small fee to enter (R95/~$5) because its a marine protected area, which helps keep the beach clean and safe. The beach is beautiful and the penguins are so cute! Supposedly the penguins spend most of their time in September and October out at sea fishing, but we still saw a ton of them!

Day Trips from Cape Town | Travel Bug — Boulders Beach, South Africa

Cape of Good Hope: It’s a common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost point in Africa (really it’s Cape Agulhas). However, when you’re there, you can’t help but feel like you’re at the ends of the earth! Cape of Good Hope is significant because its discovery opened up the first all-water route from Europe to Asia, before the opening of the Suez Canal. Today it’s a nature reserve with plenty of trails, wildlife, and a snack shop/restaurant. First we walked to the New Cape Point Lighthouse and then to Cape Point, which is less than 4 miles total from the parking lot. While you can drive to Cape Point, I’d recommend walking to enjoy beautiful views of the ocean, Dias Beach, and the Old Lighthouse along the way. We even saw an ostrich! There is a R400 (~$22)/person entry fee.

Ostrich! (Cape of Good Hope, South Africa)

Muizenberg Beach: Muizenberg is a beautiful little beachside town with surfer vibes, and is home to the iconic colorful beach huts. We thought this was the perfect last stop on our Cape Peninsula roadtrip and after walking the beach, we enjoyed a late lunch at Hudsons. Hudsons is a great little burger joint located directly across the street from the beach and has awesome (you guessed it) burgers, salads, and pizza. They also serve beer, wine, and cocktails.

Helpful Cape Town Tips

Only keep a small amount of cash in the local currency (rand) with you. We easily got around with Uber and used our credit card at all restaurants and bars, and only used cash to tip gas station attendants.
Tipping is customary in South Africa. As a general rule of thumb, you can tip around 10% of the bill, or 15-20% for exceptional service.

Cape Town is one of the few big cities I’d love to go back to. There’s so much to do here, from hiking to eating out to scenic coastal drives. If you’re looking for more Cape Town recommendations or want to take advantage of exclusive perks and discounts at one of the hotels listed above, reach out to me! Here are some other favorite pictures from our trip:

Cape Town Travel Guide

From City to Mountains on South Africa’s Coast

Woodstock Travel Guide

Anguilla Travel Guide