24 Hours in Cape Town

The Mother City is one of the world's top tourist destinations with the famous Table Mountain standing sentry while the city stretches out below. From its sun-soaked beaches to its green forests, from its trendy nightlife to its rich heritage, Cape Town has something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you enjoy cosmopolitans and mojitos in fashionable beach bars, or relaxed picnics in the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, you are sure to find something to keep you entertained. With so much on offer you are guaranteed to want to stay longer, so make sure you have a basic idea of what you want to see and do before you book your holiday, that way ensuring you have plenty of time. And, don't forget to leave at least one day to relax and soak up the sun on one of the beautiful beaches!

To view the different restaurants listed below you can go to WiningAndDining.

Breakfast at Andiamo in the Cape Quarter

Cape Townians love good coffee, and there are plenty of places across the city to get your kick-start for the day.

There are also wide variety of places to enjoy a good breakfast with restaurants like Andiamo and Café Sophia offering great breakfast options and daily specials. Get your energy up for a busy day adventuring around the beautiful peninsula.

Cablecar

Table Mountain is a beautiful and incredibly iconic landmark, with breath-taking views of the peninsula. The mountain was recently voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Explore the mountain by hiking to the top for the adventurous, or by taking a trip on the cablecar. The revolving floor of the cable car allows you a complete 360 degree view of the mountain and town below on your journey up and down.

During December the first car goes up at 08:00 and last car returns down as late as 21:00. The cost is R175 for an adult return, and R85 for children.

Watch the Video of Table Mountain.

Take a walk around Kirstenbosch Gardens

One of the greatest botanical gardens in the world, Kirstenbosch is filled with beautiful walks, flowering plants and vibrant birdlife. Situated against the back slopes of Table Mountain, the gardens offer picturesque views and stunning vistas, particularly from the upper slopes. Relax on the lush grass, walk through the art exhibitions and photograph up a storm. During the summer months the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts take place on Sunday afternoons. Various local artists take to the stage in the gardens while the audience sit and watch from the comfort of their picnic blankets.

The entrance fee for the gardens is R40 for adults, R25 for SA students with student cards, and R10 for children ages 6-18. Children under 6 years are free. Summer concerts are additional and priced per concert.

Watch the Video of the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Drive over Chapman's Peak

Known as one of the world's most scenic drives; Chapman's Peak drive is a road carved out of the rocky mountainside on the Atlantic coastline. Linking Hout Bay with Noordhoek, Chapman's Peak is a 9 kilometre drive and its 114 curves provide ever changing panoramic views. There are a number of parking areas along the drive, where visitors can stop, take in the scenery and enjoy a picnic. Chapman's Peak is a toll-road and visitors will be stopped on the Hout Bay side and asked to pay a small fee to use the road.

Watch the Video of Chapman's Peak.

Lunch in Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay is a popular little seaside town. The town has many art galleries, quirky shops, delicatessens and restaurants with beautiful sea views. Visitors can browse the eclectic stores and explore the cobbled roads before settling down for lunch at one of the restaurants. The Brass Bell is a popular choice and has become somewhat of an institution in Kalk Bay offering a variety of dining options, particularly seafood, as well as beautiful views of the breaking waves below.

Waterfront

After lunch head to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Waterfront is, interestingly, the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa. It is filled with an abundant array of restaurants, cinemas, boutiques, galleries and large stores all found in the magnificent setting of a working harbour. The central amphitheatre showcases a varying line-up of live music and entertainment, and the sound of music from the many musicians and buskers makes for a lively atmosphere.

Explore the magnificent aqua world of the Two Oceans Aquarium or take a ferry tour around the harbour soaking up the beautiful surroundings and enjoying the friendly attention of the local seals. The Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Clock Tower precinct is also found within the Waterfront and is the starting point of the Robben Island tour.

Watch the Video of the V&A Waterfront.

Robben Island

Take a ferry tour out to the famous Robben Island where a number of political figures, most famously Nelson Mandela, were imprisoned during the apartheid years. The island is 12 kilometres from Cape Town and tours depart regularly from the Robben Island Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and last about 3.5 hours. The tour includes two half-hour ferry rides across Table Bay to and from the island. Once on the island visitors will be given a guided tour of the Maximum Security Prison by an ex-political prisoner, allowing for an eye-opening understanding of the hardships these resilient prisoners endured. The tour then ends with a 45 minute guided bus ride around the Island taking in the animal and bird life as well as the picture postcard view of Table Mountain from across the bay.

Bookings can be made in advance and this is recommended as the ferry can become very busy in the summer months. Ticket cost R220 for adults and R110 for children (U/18) and can be bought from http://www.robben-island.org.za/.

Watch the Video of Robben Island.

Camps Bay for sundowners and dinner

Head around the mountain to the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay. Here you can enjoy a walk on the soft, white beach, and afterwards choose from one of the many bars and restaurants along the beach for a cocktail while you watch the sun set. Camps Bay is one of the more popular beaches in Cape Town with stunning views of the ocean and a backdrop of mountains. You can find a great place for your sundowner drink and dinner by going to WiningAndDining Camps Bay.

Watch the Video of Camps Bay.

Watch an Art-house Film

Cape Town is the film-capital of South Africa with many local and international films being made in the town. Why not take some time out to settle down for an independent film at one of this unique and interesting cinema.

Cape Town's longest running independent cinemas is the Labia on Orange in town, which plays a variety of local and international art-house films.

Go out on Long Street

After the film you can head down to the famous Long Street to party the rest of the night away. This the centre of night life in Cape Town with lots to do and see with a variety of live music performances happening in the bars and night clubs along the street.

What else to do

There is so much more to see, do and experience in Cape Town, so go to the Attractions Page for more details.