When there is so much to do and see in one city where does one begin? In the first of our “best of” series, we have put together this list of Cape Town experiences:
In no particular order here is our list of must-do experiences in and around the beautiful city of Cape Town!
TANDEM PARAGLIDING FROM SIGNAL HILL
Are you looking for the thrill and excitement of flying but skydiving and bungee jumping is not for you? We suggest you soar above Signal Hill and Cape Town in a tandem paraglide. Feel the wind on your cheeks and observe the city below you from a bird’s eye view. This is a unique and thrilling way to experience Cape Town.
DORRANCE WINERY – WORKING URBAN WINE CELLAR – TASTING AND DINNER
Right in the heart of the Mother City’s CBD is a winery. Yes, an actual working wine cellar that turns grapes into wine. And pretty wine fine, at that.
Set in one of the oldest Etonian building dated back to 1771, Dorrance Wines is a very unique set up. Winemaker Christophe Durand – originally from Normandie in Northern France – takes grapes from three very distinct terroirs (Perdeberg, Elgin and Franschhoek – where he has complete control of the viticulture) and brings them to his cellar in Hout Street to be fermented, made into wine and matured in French oak. Stop in to taste this wine and while you are there stay for dinner – a private cellar awaits you.
ALTERNATIVE CITY WALKING TOUR BREE STREET & SURROUNDS
This walking tour of Bree Street and its surroundings allows you to get up close and personal with The Mother City. Home to over 40 new spots in the last 18 months – this is the hub of the quirky, creative and artisanal.
Start with Truth coffee – a quirky cafe that’s a steampunk world of pipes and old metal, with gourmet, home-roasted coffee. Snack on a cheese platter at Culture Cheese Club, right next door to Bacon on Brie for artisanal bacon. Pop in at Revolution Cycles – this store gives you the feel of a local family-run bike dealership. Shop at Cape Town design pioneer, Heather Moore’s shop, Skinny laMinx, a local institution. Next stop Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar to indulge in your favourite juniper-infused beverage. Lunch stop at Inside and You’re Out (IYO) Burgers, the place to go if you’re looking for a burger joint with organic, locally sourced ingredients, grass-fed beef, and a laid-back ambience. Last stop a visit MonkeyBiz, a non-profit company with 400 beaders supplying them with beaded artworks.
COMPANY GARDENS EXPERIENCE
The Company’s Garden was first built as a refreshment station for the trade route that rounded the tip of Africa between Europe and the East. Ships sent by the Dutch East India Company would stop by after months at sea and stock up on fresh produce grown in the garden—hence, “The Company’s Garden”.
The Company’s Garden is Cape Town’s green lung. This oasis right in the centre of the city is a favourite for both locals and tourists. The site is important historically and is a thriving urban space where buskers strum guitars while office workers sun themselves over their lunch hour and tourists and locals alike pop in for either breakfast, lunch or a great coffee on their way through the city.
CYCLE CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world and plays host to many high-profile cycling events such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour. From wide open spaces surrounded by nature to scenic mountain routes along the ocean, grab your bike and experience these amazing cycle routes in Cape Town. Some of our favourite routes: Cape Point Nature Reserve, Sea Point Promenade meander, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Constantia Greenbelt and the Cape Winelands.
AMAZING RACE – CITY TREASURE HUNT
Live the culture and feel the rhythm of the Mother City. Relive the fascinating history of Cape Town in an on-foot amazing race through Cape Town’s CBD. Once divided into teams, each will receive a race-kit, maps and clues to navigate their way around the diversity of Cape Town’s CBD. En-route answer questions, and stop at numerous checkpoints such as Company Gardens, Green Market Square, Church Square, Adderley Street and the Bo Kaap and complete challenges and tastings before moving onto your next destination. The race is based on scores, not time, so the team with the most points wins!
WINE TASTING ON HORSEBACK
You have heard and most likely done your fair share of wine tasting you may have even tried the Wine Tram or the Wine and cycle but have you ever experience wine tasting on horseback? Granted this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but to meander through the vineyards on horseback between wine farms is a wonderfully unique and grounding experience that we recommend to our adventurous animal lovers.
BUY FOOD AT ORANJEZICHT FARMERS MARKET AND HAVE A PICNIC AT GREEN POINT PARK
Be a local for the day and spend your Saturday morning at the Oranjezicht Farmers Market at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront, the OZCF Market Day is a community farmers-style market for independent local farmers and artisanal food producers to sell their produce. food stalls and baristas stand at the ready to make you a delicious meal that you can enjoy on-site or to walk over to the Green Point Park and enjoy with lesser crowds.
JOG ALONG THE RESERVOIR AT ORANJEZICHT
For our active groups when choosing a running route in Cape Town, you are spoilt for choice but we suggests that for those runners who would like uninterrupted views of both Table Mountain and Signal Hill, enjoy a run or stroll around the Oranjezicht reservoir. Other routes include the V&A Waterfront and along the scenic Sea Point Promenade.
FORAGE WILD FOODS AND MUSHROOMS
The spellbinding Elgin Valley lies in a lush arboreal fold on the cusp of the Overberg, where verdant forests and carefully tended vineyards play tag team against the rolling hills. It’s in this epic setting that renowned mushroom forager Gary Goldman, celebrated chef Robert Knuckey, and wine guy extraordinaire Richard Rose join forces to take curious mushroom foraging adventurers on an epicurean journey to unravel the rather marvellous mysteries of our local fungi. – Eatsplorer
For those who’d prefer to skip the trip in the woods, and rather dine at a restaurant where wild mushrooms are served, La Tête, ASHand Greenhouse are great places to experience these delicacies, while Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day at Granger Bay occasionally sells these delicacies too.
DRIVE ALONG CHAPMANS PEAK
Why is Chapman’s peak on this list? Because it’s simply beautiful and offers one of the best views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean, that’s why!
FIRST THURSDAYS – ART/WINE/FOOD EXPERIENCES
If you’re anybody who knows anybody you will be out on the streets of Cape Town every first Thursday of the month to enjoy Cape Town’s open galleries, sip on great wine and indulge in amazing artisanal food prepared by street vendors or the old faithful but every trendy restaurants that line the streets of Bree and surrounds in the CBD.
SHAKER COCKTAIL SCHOOL – MIXOLOGY
If you love a good cocktail, coffee or specialised evening drink, why not learn from a master how they’re made and how to make it yourself. Shaker Cocktail School offers 3hr or 3-day courses.
KITE-SURFING LESSONS IN BLOUBERG
For our adrenaline seeking active groups looking for a new and exciting sport to learn on your incentive, why not learn how to surf the ocean waves while being towed by a kite!
