8 Hidden Gems in Cape Town Only Locals Know About

Set in opposition to the backdrop of the breathtaking cliffs of Desk Mountain, Satan’s Peak, and Lion’s Head, and famend for its distinctive tradition and thrilling eating and nightlife scenes, Cape City, South Africa, sits on the assembly level of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. With iconic websites just like the bustling V&A Waterfront, the colourful BoKaap neighborhood, and in style Boulders Seaside, recognized for its African penguin inhabitants, I used to be overwhelmed with choices for how to spend a week on this eclectic metropolis, however this previous February, I had the chance to expertise this vibrant metropolis like an area with the assistance of some of my buddies who’re native (and near-native) to Cape City.

“As a vacationer vacation spot, Cape City has all of it: mountains, seaside, and metropolis,” my good friend Abbey Hudetz tells me. “It’s simple to fall in love with this place and, in my case, the folks.”

Abbey, who spends winters in Cape City together with her husband, Matt, who was born and raised there, is the founding father of Oyster Creative, a advertising company and he or she likes to maintain her finger on the heartbeat of native happenings each in Cape City and New York, the place she lives the remainder of the 12 months.

“I feel Cape City is actually probably the most stunning metropolis on the planet. I typically describe it as turning life’s saturation and vibrancy on ‘full’ whenever you’re there,” added my good friend Michaela Abrahamse, born and raised in Cape City earlier than shifting to New Zealand. “The solar is brighter, the sand is whiter, the water is extra blue, the grass is greener, and the individuals are happier and friendlier.”

“Everybody there’s at all times [open] to creating new buddies and [welcoming] new folks into their lives. Typically, my mother and father would go to the grocery store, meet new folks, and we’d have them and their children over for dinner that night time,” she added. “I genuinely assume it’s the right place for solo vacationers purely because of this.”

With all that in thoughts, Abbey and Michaela gave me the within scoop on the important suggestions and tips for navigating town and took me to a few of their favourite spots and native haunts to assist me expertise Cape City from an area perspective. 

Know Earlier than You Go

Past introducing me to town’s greatest off-the-beaten-path locations and hidden gems, my Cape City professionals demonstrated their experience by sharing just a few important suggestions.

Be ready for load-shedding.

South Africa experiences regular load-shedding, which suggests there are widespread blackouts all through the nation. Locals and guests alike can count on day by day energy outages — assume lights, electrical home equipment, heating and cooling, web connectivity, and extra — and unreliable mobile knowledge for a number of hours. Cape City is separated into completely different areas, starting from 1 to 23, that every experiences load-shedding throughout completely different hours of the day. Abbey urged I obtain the ESP load-shedding app on my telephone earlier than my arrival so I might observe which areas could be experiencing load-shedding and when. The app proved extraordinarily useful for me, particularly as this was one thing I wasn’t acquainted with earlier than coming to South Africa.

Uber is one of the simplest ways to get round.

Whereas native buses can be found to get from place to position, Ubers are much more handy and are usually cheap (when in comparison with costs within the U.S.). Whereas taxis are additionally out there in Cape City, I didn’t see them as typically as I anticipated and located calling an Uber extra dependable and handy. Word, too, that Ubers service the airport, even in the event you get approached by wayward taxi drivers on arrival telling you they don’t — they may seemingly cost you considerably extra.

In case you’re contemplating renting a automobile, keep in mind that they drive on the left-hand facet of the street, and observe that fuel stations can typically be affected by load-shedding, making it difficult to replenish your tank frequently.

Preserve it low-key.

“Rising up in Cape City, locals are low-key. Issues are understated, and over-the-top shows are usually not nicely obtained. To slot in, keep away from doing an excessive amount of, whether or not ingesting, sporting flashy labels, or being loud,” Abbey’s husband and South African native, Matt, informed me. “It’s a must to be respectful of the wealth discrepancies. That being mentioned, we do prefer to have a lekker jol (‘good occasion’ in Afrikaans), and in the summertime months (December to February), it’s just about nonstop.”

Security could be a problem.

Whereas letting your guard down in Cape City is straightforward, it’s essential to stay acutely aware of your private security. When strolling round in public, it’s best to hold a detailed eye in your belongings and keep away from bringing flashy valuables.

“Many locations are thought-about secure to locals however could also be unsafe to vacationers. To really feel a way of security and safety in Cape City comes all the way down to [using] frequent sense and trusting your intestine,” explains Michaela. “Guaranteeing you’re not voluntarily welcoming unsafe vibes is essential, like leaving your pockets on the desk at a busy restaurant or holding your telephone loosely in your hand in a crowded surroundings. These are frequent experiences you should have in Cape City the place a easy ‘higher secure than sorry’ mentality is answerable for [keeping you safe].”

Verify (and double test) passport and visa necessities earlier than entry. 

Whereas a tourist visa is not currently required for entry into South Africa (if touring on a U.S. passport), South Africa does require you to have two consecutive empty visa pages per entry, not together with endorsement pages. Make sure to double-check your passport nicely earlier than you journey to make sure you’ll have the mandatory empty pages and validity lasting no less than 30 days past your supposed exit date from South Africa. I personally hit a little bit of a snag on my approach into the nation, which delayed my entry by a number of days, so I can attest to the significance of double-checking and absolutely understanding the necessities forward of time.

The faucet water is secure to drink.

Cape City’s faucet water is secure to drink, so you should definitely convey a reusable water bottle you possibly can refill for cost-efficient and environmentally pleasant hydration.

The Finest Hidden Gems in Cape City

Security suggestions addressed, these are Cape City’s greatest hidden gems, based on locals.

Stellenbosch Wineries

Only a fast 45-minute Uber journey from town lies certainly one of Cape City’s absolute most interesting hidden gems: the breathtaking Stellenbosch wine nation. Think about rows upon rows of lush inexperienced vineyards and charming white Cape Dutch-style buildings set in opposition to the dazzling backdrop of hovering mountain ranges; now image your self, wine in hand, strolling across the property with no care. That’s Stellenbosch. A straightforward day journey from town, it truly is as magical because it sounds, particularly whenever you go to Babylonstoren, a pristine wine property and favourite native hangout of Abbey and Matt.

“Babylonstoren is an agro-tourism amusement park. [Home to] a backyard cafe, butchery, cheesemonger, pastures, wine tasting, vineyards, and labyrinths backyard, it’s an onion of a vacation spot. My favourite spot is the backyard cafe, although the primary restaurant, Babel, can also be fairly a present. When now we have been previously, you order a coloration and so they convey all the pieces from the latest harvest in that hue in a sculptural show,” says Abbey. “I nonetheless love the Greenhouse cafe and lately had breakfast there with buddies. Whereas Babel is a must-book, the Greenhouse and tasting room accommodate walk-ins.”

Whereas Babylonstoren is a superb possibility for many who would slightly spend the day at a single vineyard than really feel like you want to go to a number of throughout your journey, “there are dozens of farms within the space. Another favorites are Boschendal and Leeu Estates,” Abbey provides.

Hidden Coves and Off-The-Crushed Monitor Seashores

Cape City’s multitude of seashores are to not be missed. However why battle by crowds at extra touristy coastlines when you possibly can go to secluded, off-the-beaten-track shores as an alternative? Michaela prefers the hidden coves of Cosy Bay, a secret seaside characterised by crystal clear (albeit chilly) waters alongside large boulders and rock formations which can be tucked into the shoreline not removed from the extra in style Clifton and Camps Bay seashores. “My favourite hidden seaside would most likely be Cosy Bay. It’s such a hidden gem, and I like its exclusivity. It nonetheless provides the serene white sands and rock formations that Clifton has whereas minimizing the crowds. It’s like a mini Clifton hidden from overpopulation,” she says.

Whereas I used to be additionally a fan of the privateness of Cosy Bay, the Clifton 1st by 4th seashores are nonetheless value a go to. The Clifton seashores are every tucked into fairly, mountainous coves with Malibu-style cliffside houses dotting the panorama. Every has its personal persona, and you’ll simply stroll between the seashores to expertise all of them. In accordance with Matt, Clifton 4th is greatest for household enjoyable, Clifton third has nice vibes and is thought for being very LGBTQ-friendly, Clifton 2nd is quiet and personal, and as for Clifton 1st, guests can “give it a miss.”

“Recently, Clifton has grow to be a hotspot for sundown gatherings, with reside music and arranged social actions akin to volleyball, permitting for alternatives to make connections and construct group among the many youthful generations, which has been a constructive final result of its reputation,” Michaela says.

Oranjezicht Metropolis Farm Night time Market

One in all my favourite native experiences in Cape City was the Wednesday Oranjezicht City Farm night market. Michaela, Abbey, and I donned our trendiest outfits and made our approach out to the V&A Waterfront neighborhood, the place we had been greeted by numerous native distributors, from bakeries and eateries to trendy clothes and homewares stalls. The bohemian market runs Wednesday nights from September to April from 5 to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and options extraordinary ocean views.

Full of Cape City’s most stunning folks, Oranjezicht is the place to see and be seen, with overhanging string lights that forged a romantic glow all through the market and set the tone for an evening out in town. “The vibe is certainly fashionable and geared toward a youthful viewers than your ordinary markets. There are many beer and wine bars with unimaginable meals. It’s extra on the excessive finish of a Cape City native’s finances. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent time, and many individuals use it as a stepping stone on their street to going out for the night time,” Michaela says.

However Oranjezicht isn’t Cape City’s solely noteworthy market. “Whereas I benefit from the mixture of meals stalls, produce, and artisan distributors, I favor to hit The Old Biscuit Mill market, which is in Woodstock, open on Saturdays and Sundays,” says Abbey. “Don’t sleep on the classic garments at Outdated Biscuit Mill. I’ve discovered a few of my favourite items there.”

Wonderful Native Eating and Nightlife Scene

Whereas Cape City’s buzzy eating and nightlife scenes are not any massive secret, there are just a few spots that our native specialists like to frequent.

One in all Abbey’s favourite native haunts is The Stranger’s Club cafe, positioned within the trendy Inexperienced Level neighborhood. This sceney cafe has a bohemian vitality excellent for assembly buddies for a prolonged brunch, working remotely, or simply having fun with the afternoon with scrumptious meals and an aesthetically-pleasing environment. Be ready to see a lot of the identical crowd eating at The Stranger’s Membership as you’ll on the Oranjezicht Night time Market — the general vibes are very comparable.

One other must-visit eating institution is Ouzeri, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant within the coronary heart of town. In accordance with Abbey, “Strangers Membership and Ouzeri are [both] aesthetic areas, however they’re much greater than Instagram locations. Each are uncompromising on meals. The Strangers Membership is a daytime lunch spot and idea retailer, whereas Ouzeri is the present scorching reservation simply off Bree Road, the place fashionable eating places and artwork galleries are inclined to cluster.” Close by, The Gin Bar is one other charming spot for an evening out with buddies. Not resistant to town’s load-shedding phenomenon, this bar comes ready with candlelight illuminating the house when the ability inevitably goes out, making a dreamy nightcap surroundings.

A ultimate vacation spot value visiting is The Bungalow, a well-liked beachfront restaurant within the luxe Camps Bay neighborhood. One other vigorous native spot to see and be seen, it’s a fantastic place to take pleasure in a cocktail whereas watching the sundown over the glowing ocean.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Simply exterior town middle lies the magical Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Good for a morning stroll or late-afternoon picnic (I like to recommend avoiding a go to in the midst of the day, significantly in the summertime months, as it might probably get extraordinarily scorching), these gardens provide a peaceable respite from the hustle and bustle of the remainder of town. Previous guests embody Nelson Mandela, and in trendy instances, locals take pleasure in sundown concert events and plenty of mountaineering paths, reward retailers, and patio eating places. Don’t miss the serene Tree Canopy Walkway, which options views of iconic Desk Mountain and Cape City’s verdant panorama.

District Six Museum

Guests to Cape City could be remiss if they didn’t take a while out of their journey to grasp the position that apartheid has performed in South African society. The District Six Museum is positioned inside an previous Methodist church close to town middle, in a neighborhood as soon as residence to Cape City’s huge multi-racial inhabitants. Within the Nineteen Sixties and ‘70s, throughout apartheid, greater than 60,000 folks had been forcibly faraway from their houses and positioned into townships removed from town middle, the place a lot of them and their descendants nonetheless reside at this time. Whereas it’s undoubtedly one of many extra sobering stops on a Cape City itinerary, the museum works to provide guests perception into the historical past of apartheid and provide a extra well-rounded understanding of town and South Africa as an entire.

Langa Township Tour

Langa is Cape City’s oldest township, established within the Twenties on account of apartheid, and remains to be residence to members of town’s Xhosa group at this time. Whereas I wasn’t in a position to personally take a tour of Langa throughout my go to, I would definitely advocate it to others who need to help the area people and achieve a deeper understanding of the historical past and tradition of Cape City, which is particularly significant with added context from the District Six Museum.

As vacationers, it’s important to acknowledge that whereas this metropolis has a lot to supply, as with all place, it’s not with out flaws. We should hunt down cultural and social context when visiting a brand new vacation spot to get the whole image and achieve real perception into a spot past merely what we see by the often-gilded vacationer lens.

Conventional South African Braai 

On my final night time in Cape City, I used to be handled to a standard South African braai in Matt and Abbey’s close by Rondebosch suburb. A braai is a barbeque cooked over an open flame, and sometimes, visitors convey their very own meat to be grilled by the Braai Grasp.

“The Braai Grasp is answerable for the standard of the meals and takes possession over the braai, cooking meat and timing dishes. The Braai Grasp will assemble the hearth (typically lighting it with a Lion match),” Matt tells me.

“A standard South African braai [happens on] fairly a variety of events. It’s family members getting collectively to cook dinner meals over a hearth. It usually entails boerewors (sausage) and kebabs. We like going to Woolworth’s (our model of Complete Meals or Dealer Joe’s) to get meat, dessert, and braai provides,” provides Abbey.

Michaela explains {that a} conventional braai appears just like an American barbecue, save for various spices and wooden fireplace use. “This additionally offers the meat a extra genuine smoky taste, which South Africans crave,” she provides. “And lots of of our spices, salads, and desserts descend from the Cape Malay inhabitants.”

Abbey took on the position of Braai Grasp, so she, Michaela, and I spent the night enjoyable by firelight, listening to music, gossiping, and consuming conventional malva pudding with vanilla ice cream. It was the right method to finish an outstanding keep in Cape City. (In case you don’t have any native buddies (but) who will invite you over for a braai, you possibly can at all times sign up for a tour to expertise this native custom that approach as an alternative.)

Cape City has grow to be certainly one of my all-time favourite cities, distinctly African however with European vitality. It’s a novel and fascinating place with a lot to supply, from attractive pure landscapes and luxurious wine nation to wealthy tradition, fabulous seashores, and beautiful folks. It’s a superb place for taking a extra off-the-beaten-path strategy for an unforgettable, well-rounded native expertise.