My two-month trip through South Africa in 2014 began in Johannesburg and ended in Cape Town. Was I in Jo’burg still shocked by poverty and desolation, I could assume that awaits me in Cape Town the opposite. I was not disappointed.
On the contrary: My thoughts were buzzing every day about that Cape Town is a really good winter residence. I could well imagine, back in the years to come for a few weeks or months. That’s what I’ve done and spent early 2015 for another five weeks at Cape Town. Ample time to explore the city. The following ten experiences and attractions can I recommend in any case.
10. The Cape Peninsula
A trip to the Cape Peninsula has to be in any case. But you should take a day and time is best to rent a car. While there are also guided tours, but the freedom of your own car was worth a lot to me. I initially Simonstown driven, where the famous Boulders Beach is located. There the penguins basking on large rocks. Well, something like that, anyway. First comes the penguin colony, and a few hundred meters away there is the small beach with the huge stones. Also there are around a couple of penguins. Both are part of the Table Mountain National Park and therefore cost entry.
Tip: In the 90 kilometers away from Cape Town past Betty’s Bay there are also a penguin colony. There you get even closer to the penguins zoom, there are hardly any tourists and the entrance fee is the equivalent of less than 1 Euro.
Boulders Beach from later I drove into the National Park and eventually reached Cape Point, the southernmost point of the peninsula. There I found a wonderful view and wandered on to the Cape of Good Hope. This short hike from 30 to 40 minutes I can highly recommend. You can reach the Cape of Good Hope as from above. There could be run down, but there is nothing to see below, besides a large number of tourists.
9. Robben Iceland
The former prison island is one of the very classic sights of Cape Town. After I had read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, was certainly clear that I had to watch myself. The tickets purchased are best a few days earlier on the Internet and then come on time to the pier at the V & A Waterfront to still be there for a while. First, it comes with the ferry to the island. Then follows an island tour by bus. During the tour, the places are approached, which I already knew stories from Mandela: The quarry where political prisoners worked more than 10 years and the seaweed collection point from which they could see the close and yet so distant city. Later, we continue with a tour of the prison. The tours are always carried out by former political prisoners.
8. Table Mountain
Man everywhere and always sees it from several perspectives. Table Mountain dominates the town like nothing else. Often, however, hangs a cloud over the mountain. Anyone who has a few days, should use the first available opportunity to get to the top. You can either walk up on foot also take the cable car. In good weather, but you have to stand in line, and most of the tourists cavort above near the gondola station. If you are looking for a quiet natural experience, strings better walking shoes. More Table Mountain you can find here.
7. Lion’s Head and Signal Hill
The Lion’s Head is a good alternative to Table Mountain when the infected again in a cloud. For the Lion’s Head is somewhat condition must, however, bring, as there is no cable car. The first half of the route is easy to walk, then it is a bit exhausting. If you already once there, you can then have two minutes to Signal Hill continue. From there you can still see something more – for example, the beautiful World Cup Stadium.
6. Long Street and Kloof Street
Not far from the mountains of Cape Town, the Long Street is in the heart of the City Bowl. The long road is lined with backpacker hostels, restaurants, pubs and bars. At night there is the nightlife district of Cape Town. For several nights I lived right in the Longstreet (Airbnb apartment) and it would never do it again. I have rarely slept so badly because it is really loud between 22 clock and clock 5. However, to go out, the road is just right.
Following the Longstreet further inland is from her Kloof Street. This is already more to my liking. Click here for a quiet and out of the bars are coffee shops, designer shops and charming restaurants. I also felt there even safer. I spent a week near Kloof Street (District: Tamboerskloof) lived and enjoyed it very much.