Jack's Insider's Guide to Cape Town
Akasha Loucks
Known for Table Mountain, penguins, and a ridiculous amount of flowers, it’s Cape Town!
Enter: Traveler Joanne from our Facebook community, who’s just about to pull the trigger on flights to the Mother City. And with all the great fares we’ve been spotting there recently, can you blame her?
“Hi all. I’m considering booking a trip in January to Cape Town. Any recommendations of what to do and see, any areas to visit or avoid? What are the best bits?
Also are there any nice coastal towns for a chill beach few days?”
Of course, there’s nobody better to help plan her trip than the Jack’s crew. In this insider's guide, we’ve rounded up the best tips on Cape Town and beyond from the Jack's Flight Club community, as well as some insights from our very own Navigators - including some real local perspective.
Ready to hit the Cape?
What to See & Do
The Promenade Walk
Jenny recommends walking the city’s promenade from Green Point all the way to Camp's Bay:
“Their beach is gorgeous with the mountain backdrop and I saw lovely views and beaches in Clifton.”
The walk is a little under 5k with sweeping views of the Atlantic and the slopes of Lion’s Head - perfect if you’d rather take it in from below instead of tackling the full hike!
Day Tours:
Franschhoek’s Wine Tram was a highlight for Travelers Yvonne & Niren. You’ll hop aboard a vintage, air-conditioned bus, taking your pick of 5 different routes that loop through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley:
“If you are into wines and artisanal products, spend a day on the wine route tram and then spend a day at the Spice Route Destination.”
Jenny crammed heaps of day trips into her latest visit, with zero regrets about visiting the penguins on Boulders Beach (she wasn’t the only one) and taking a drive through Chapman’s Peak.
But if you’d rather watch these tuxedoed waddlers with less of a crowd, Windmill Beach, Froggy Pond, and Seaforth are popular hangouts for locals of both species.
If one activity stood out the most, however, it was the overnight safari:
“We did an overnight safari tour through Hotspots2c at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. We got to walk with their 3 elephants and had an incredible game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve.”
GOLD Restaurant
A massive group fave, Yvonne and Terry swear this is one of the best of Cape Town’s dining scenes.
“GOLD Restaurant in Cape Town offers a popular interactive djembe drumming lesson combined with a multi-course African meal - great night - short taxi ride in and out.”
The menu offers 14-course “taste-safaris” of dishes spanning the entire African continent. Remember to book a table in advance!
Beyond Cape Town
Once you’ve seen the city’s top sights, Navigator Will suggests stocking up on biltong and gas and hitting the open road on South Africa’s famous Garden Route.
“As you travel from the Western to the Eastern Cape, dotted along the journey are stops as remarkable as the last. Kicking off with the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the official start of the route and home to enough charming seaside eateries and idyllic beaches that you might consider just staying here for the whole trip instead.
Tear yourself away to Wilderness, where lush forests, plunging waterfalls and a kaleidoscope of avian colours are only a paddle away. Then it's off to Knysna, with indomitable sandstone cliffs framing the spectacular lagoon.
Drive on to the Robberg Nature Reserve by Plettenberg Bay, and have your breath taken away by dramatic views of a sprawling ocean, only eclipsed by the possible spotting of breaching dolphins and giant whales.
Finish your adventure at Storms River, with the swaying suspension bridge offering panoramas as close to the water as you can get, or a 2-hour zipline tour providing a slightly different perspective.”
What to Reconsider:
Robben Island
Once the prison of Nelson Mandela, the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but opinions about visiting are split. Yvonne recommends it and suggests booking ahead, but Terry warns, “It was a bit underwhelming, felt very touristy and rushed.”
Peak Summer Heat (January-February)
As Traveler Wendy pointed out,“it will be very hot in January. September and May are good times to go.” However Tim advised on bearing it for the cricket season! "SA v Eng at Newlands 3-7 Jan" is a "lovely place to watch."
Tip: Temps do spike to 30°C+, but don’t let that put you off. Tidal pools and beaches are never too far. Niren’s fave was Hout Bay.
Second Opinions From a Local
Jack's Navigator Jo
Our Head of Member Experience Jo hails from sunny South Africa and loves sharing her top tips for escaping the tourist crowds. When she's not busy helping our members, Jo can usually be found watching Barbie or playing Fallout (again).
As someone who firmly identifies as a Jo'burger and had never visited Cape Town before making the move to the Mother City (so-called because it takes 9 months to get anything done here, according to the local standing joke), I came here with a romanticized version of the place.
Expectation does not match reality; it seldom does.
I give you full permission to clutch your pearls at what I am about to say with my whole chest: I am not the most outdoorsy person, I don’t love hiking and biking, and, most egregiously, I do not drink or enjoy wine - even though I live on the Wine Route.
So, while some of the majorly hyped suggestions in and around Cape Town were even better than expected, most fell short for me. I have to agree with some of the recommendations above, though (as a now experienced local), and I've also found some seriously incredible places that get little-to-no buzz.
In the City
These are the classic spots I’d suggest as must-sees:
- Table Mountain - this obviously goes without saying!
- Boulders Beach (yes, tiny penguins).
- Robben Island. It’s harsh and hard but an important reminder of what apartheid did to my country, how far we’ve come, and how much still needs to be done and undone.
A firm skip for me among the city's classic spots is the V&A Waterfront. It's just an overpriced and oversold mall, and there are better places to do your souvenir shopping; it’s only worth going to say you’ve done it. Canal Walk and Tygervalley Waterfront are better options. And if you make your way up to Tygervalley, Jackson & Black is one of the best steakhouses around, closely followed by the Cattle Baron, which might be more accessible because there are a few of them around Cape Town.
I won’t give my opinion on the wine tasting and tours - I cannot be trusted to be unbiased, so I’ll leave that to our fellow Jack’s Travellers. But I will add that the weather plays a big part in how much you’ll enjoy these and any other excursions. Cape Town is known to be very, very windy in a way that can sometimes ruin your experience.
The one place on the Wine Route that I will recommend is the Spice Route. Even if you’re not a wine drinker, they have amazing gin, chocolate, and ice cream tastings. Don’t skip the apple pie moonshine - it’s delish!
Beyond Cape Town
There are other things to do within the Wine Route countryside in Franschhoek, like the brilliant car museum with special historical pieces and an incredible backdrop. Another stunning stay is Avalon Springs in Montagu - at least for a day or two. It’s a gorgeous hotel nestled in the mountains with beautiful walks, and apparently there are some great caves to explore - but we’ve already established I’m not doing that. Instead of cavorting through rocks, catch me lounging in the hot spring pools with an Amarula Dom Pedro!
As for beaches, I have to contradict Hout Bay and highlight a better option in pristine Langebaan. Last time I was there, we got to see an orca in the bay - some of the locals suggested that it was one of the pair that had been terrorising the great white sharks. While there, head over to the Cake Princess, and don’t you dare miss out on their millionaire brownies and their lemon meringue - it would be unforgivable. Also, Kokomo is right on the beach with an awesome selection of dishes (and a namesake that will live in your head rent-free).
Now, the Garden Route has my heart! Mossel Bay is a solid choice; I spent time there in January. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s laid-back and kinda... surfery (for lack of a better descriptor). Stadl Art is one of the coolest places to eat cake, plus the beach there is actually nice to swim in!
Further down, the Tsitsikamma people will tell you that Knysna is where it's at - it’s not; skip it, it’s just not worth the effort. In contrast, Plett is wonderful, and there are other wonderful places to stay close by. Nature’s Valley will always be my choice, but if you’re looking for a bigger town, George is a solid go-to with a lovely golf course, if you’re so inclined.
For other nearby experiences, the Wolf Sanctuary is beautiful and a great cause, as is the Monkeyland Sanctuary. The (boringly named) 'Big Tree' is a bit on the nose, but it’s terrific, and at least the expectations are set! If you go a little inland, there is the historic town of Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves there are truly stunning, you can round out your animal appreciation at the Cango Wildlife Rescue.
Staying Safe Around Cape Town
As far as safety goes, you already know to stay away from the 'dangerous areas.' Here are my golden rules:
- Plan your trip before and be mindful of your routes - Google is your friend, and check relevant subreddits for up-to-date information from locals.
- Make sure someone knows where you are if you’re travelling or exploring alone.
- Don’t carry cash unnecessarily and be conscious of your surroundings.
- Don't leave your belongings unattended and keep important bits on your person.
Bonus Tips to Be Aware Of
- Load shedding isn’t an issue at the moment (and it hasn’t been for quite some time), but it can happen at any time if there are issues with the electricity grid. Your accommodation will let you know, and most have contingency plans in place so that you won't be affected by it.
- We’re not currently in water shedding, but we are always mindful of water wastage, and a lot of places and homes have greywater systems.
Heading to the other Jo?
If your escapades take you farther than the spirited city under Table Mountain, bookmark Navigator Jo’s advice for how to spend a fortnight in Johannesburg and Mozambique.
What else would you add to this Cape Town guide? Any must-sees or must-skips, or top safety tips? Share them in the comments. Bonus points if your name is Jo :-)