10 Reasons to love Cape Town
We love Cape Town, and we’ll happily shout it from every rooftop or mountain top in the Mother City. The beautiful and vibrant city of Cape Town has stolen the hearts of locals, travellers, and wanderlust wonderers from around the world. There’s no doubt that she’s captured our hearts too! The Mother City’s unapologetic natural beauty, bold lust for life, diverse cultural heritage, thrilling sense of adventure and vibrant energy is unlike anything you’ve experienced before. But once you do, you’ll be hooked, head-over-heels in love, always wanting more. That’s just the glorious Cape Town effect, and who are we to fight it.
Before we dive a little deeper into all the reasons to love Cape Town (and why we have no doubt that the Mother City will steal your heart too), here are some accolades and global recognition this incredible city has received over the years:
- Cape Town was voted the ‘Greatest City in the World’ by the Telegraph Travel Awards 7 years in a row. Beating heavy-hitters and fan-favourites like New York and Tokyo!
- Cape Town was crowned the 15th ‘Most Instagrammable Place in the World’ by Big 7 Travel on their coveted 2020 list.
- In 2018, the readers of Travel + Leisure named Cape Town one of only 15 “World’s Best” cities to travel to.
Besides the fact that the Mother City is one of the top travel destinations in the world, she truly is one of a kind. Here are just 10 reasons to love Cape Town, although we could give you a million more.
#1 CAPE TOWN IS BEAUTIFUL
The fact that Cape Town is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, makes this a pretty obvious one. But we can’t help but mention it anyway! From towering mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, charismatic coastal towns, the majestic Cape Winelands, nature reserves and untouched wilderness, there is nothing that comes close to the unapologetic natural beauty of the Mother City. Whether you’ve seen it twenty times or two, it will never cease to amaze you. Every now and again you will find yourself completely in awe while staring at Table Mountain, taking a moment of appreciation while standing at the top of Lion’s Head or even counting your lucky stars while sipping on a glass of wine overlooking the winelands. The simple truth is, Cape Town is beautiful, and her beauty and sense of wander trumps all others.
#2 THE SIGHT OF A GLORIOUS SUNSET
There truly is no sunset quite like a Cape Town sunset, and we openly challenge anyone to prove us otherwise. The Mother City has become known for her spectacular sherbet-coloured sunsets that set the sky alight in a glorious celebration of colours. It thus comes as no surprise that it has captured the hearts of sunset lovers from around the world. It doesn’t quite matter whether you watch the Cape Town sun go down from a mountain top, beachfront sundowner spot, winelands escape, beach boulders, high-rise rooftop or the comfort of your own home, it promises to sweep you right off your feet.
Cape Town sunsets are so glorious that going on the ultimate sunset chasing adventure around the city has become one of our favourite local past-times and things to do. If you haven’t witnessed a beautiful Mother City sunset yet, we highly suggest that you add it to the top of your Cape Town bucket-list right away.
Here are some of the best sunset spots in Cape Town as well as some of our favourite local secret sunset spots too: Lion’s Head; Signal Hill; Top of Table Mountain; Bloubergstrand; Camps Bay Tidal Pool; Chapman’s Peak Drive; Kloof Corner; Victoria Road; Clifton Ridge Rocks; Llandudno Beach boulders; The ‘Secret Sunset Rock’; Look-out Cave on Chapman’s Peak Drive; Bakoven Beach. Have a look at our Top 5 Secret Sunset Spots blog to find out exactly how to get to these stunning sunset destinations.
#3 ESCAPE TO A NEW WORLD WITHOUT REALLY LEAVING THE CITY
One of the many reasons to love Cape Town is that it is home to an amazing variety of incredible destinations. Each one distinctly different from the next. This means that by taking just a short drive from the city centre, you will be able to escape to a whole new world entirely without really leaving the city at all. The best thing is you won’t even need a magic carpet ride to do it! From the hustling and heightened energy of the City Bowl, the majestic serenity of the Winelands, blissful beach vibes of the Cape west coast and untouched natural beauty of the Cederberg Wilderness and Kogelberg Nature Reserve, it’s all just a short drive away. That’s merely scratching the surface of the incredible variety of destinations the Western Cape has to offer.
Not only does this make discovering the different parts of the beautiful and diverse city of Cape Town a thrilling experience, but it gives you the perfect opportunity to pack your bags and embark on the ultimate adventure whenever you want. Just another perk of living in a city that quite literally has it all!
#4 TABLE MOUNTAIN
We absolutely could not make a list of the 10 reasons to love Cape Town and not include the almighty giant of the Cape Town skyline. Standing tall at a staggering 1,086 meters above sea level, Table Mountain is one of the New7Wonders of Nature as well as one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks and sought-after attractions. Besides its top mountain range status, this mountainous gem has a very special place in every Capetonians heart and has undoubtedly stolen the hearts of travellers and tourists from around the world too – We don’t blame them one bit, it is Table Mountain after all! Whether you’ve seen Table Mountain 200 times or 2, the sheer grandeur and unapologetic natural beauty of this glorious mountain will never cease to amaze you. It’s just part of the irresistible Table Mountain charm.
While witnessing this magnificent natural wonder from below is a glorious sight, there is no view that comes close to the one you’ll experience from the Table Mountain summit. To reach the top of Table Mountain you can choose to enjoy an exciting Aerial Cable-way ride. Or if you’re feeling extra daring, energised and adventurous, we highly recommend hiking to the top. It promises to be a thrilling bucket-list worthy adventure you’ll never forget. Plus, the fact that Table Mountain has a variety of hiking trails to choose from, catering to different fitness and experience levels, means everyone can join in on the Table Mountain hiking fun and games.
Besides the gentle giant of Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Mother City is also home to a wide variety of other magnificent mountain ranges located in various destinations across the Western Cape. All of which should be on your Cape Town bucket-list. Some of these include Lion’s Head, the Twelve Apostles mountain range, the Cederberg Wilderness, Cape Point, the mountains of Drakenstein, Paarl, Franschhoek, Jonkershoek, Simonsberg and Stellenbosch, as well as the beloved Hottentots-Holland range.
#5 ULTIMATE ADVENTURE DESTINATION
Are you ready to experience the Mother City’s wild adventurous side? You better be, because she’s about to awaken the inner adventurer in you whether you like it or not! The Western Cape is known as the adventure capital of Africa. Making it the ultimate destination for thrill seekers, adrenalin junkies and adventurous souls from around the world. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be much of a risk taker, once you step foot in the exciting city of Cape Town, you’ll be converted into a head-over-heels adventure lover in no time. That’s the thing about the Mother City, she encourages you to step out of your comfort zone in the best possible way. Before you know it, you’ll have a whole bucket-list of thrilling adventures and exciting experiences you can’t wait to tick off.
What makes it even better is that Cape Town has an adventure experience perfectly suited to everyone. The fact that it’s home to such a diverse variety of destinations, landmarks, and attractions, means nothing is off limits. From shark cage diving, paragliding, wind surfing, sky diving, surfing, kloofing, abseiling and bungee jumping, to sandboarding, hiking, snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals, kayaking with African Penguins, helicopter rides, hot air balloon trips, the list goes on and on! In Cape Town, the adventure never ends, and we’re enjoying every thrilling second of this wild ride. Trust us, you will too!
#6 CHARISMATIC & COOL MARINE LIFE
The Mother City’s thriving and trilling marine life scene is just another incredible reason to love Cape Town. From our favourite Cape Town cool kids, the African Penguins, to the charismatic Cape Fur Seals, majestic Southern Right Whales and playful Dolphins that are only too happy to make the ocean waves their playground, Cape Town’s marine life is the real deal. And locals and travellers just can’t get enough of these cool Cape Town ocean locals. These 4 beautiful ocean beings, together with the Mola Mola Sunfish, is lovingly referred to as Cape Town’s very own Marine Big 5.
Besides spotting them from the shoreline, which is always a spectacular sight, you can also choose to enjoy various thrilling ocean adventures with them by your side. From snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals, kayaking with African Penguins and shark cage diving to boat-based whale watching and deep-sea diving, there is an exciting experience for everyone. All of which deserve a prime spot on your Cape Town adventure bucket-list.
#7 CAPE WINELANDS & IT’S EXCEPTIONAL WINE
In Cape Town, anytime is wine time. Don’t be surprised if you see Cape Town locals celebrate every occasion, celebration or random event or get together with a sensational glass of Cape vino in hand. The fact that the Western Cape is home to the largest wine producing region in Africa means there is an endless variety of incredible Wine Routes, award-winning Wine Estates, and exceptional wine to choose from. So, it only makes sense that we sip, savour, celebrate and enjoy everything the glorious Cape Winelands has to offer and share it with the rest of the wine loving world too.
Did you know that the Western Cape’s wine is among the best in the world? This is mainly because Cape Town’s climate lends itself to perfect grape-growing conditions. Cape wines are also known to punch well above their weight and they often cost considerably less than those from other parts of the world. Which is just another plus in the Cape Town wine column! This undoubtedly makes Cape Town the ultimate destination for wine lovers from all around the world.
Besides the captivating Cape Winelands and its incredible selection of Wine Estates, there’s a thrilling and thriving wine bar scene that’s sweeping the streets of Cape Town. Giving local and global wine lovers the opportunity to experience Cape Town’s authentic local wine culture in a whole new and exciting way. Have a look at our Top 5 Wine Bars in Cape Town blog to find out more about the Mother City’s wine bar hotspots!
#8 EVERY SEASON IS UNIQUE
Another one of the many reasons to love Cape Town is the fact that every season brings with it something unique and exciting to be enjoyed by all. Boasting a beautiful year-round mild Mediterranean climate means every Cape Town season is glorious in its own way. While summer in Cape Town is all about being sun-kissed, salty-haired and beached-out as you enjoy every sensational second of the sunny summer weather, late sunsets and blissful beach days, winter transforms the Mother City into a gloriously lush nature-loving paradise perfect for adventuring and exploring.
The Cape Town spring season is world-renowned and widely known as the Mother City’s vibrant flower season. This is the time of year when the weather is lovely, the lively spring vibe fills the air and the city transforms into a glorious floral escape covered in Cape wildflowers that stretch as far as the eye can see. Not to mention autumn, where the weather is perfect for just about everything. It’s no surprise that Cape Town is considered the ultimate year-round travel destination.
Here’s a little local insider secret with regards to Cape Town’s weather patterns, just to make sure you’re fully prepared for what’s to come – The Mother City’s weather is every bit as bold and dynamic as her personality. She’s widely known for her wildly unpredictable weather ways that can change just as quick as they settle. Oh and how she loves to keep you guessing! It’s safe to say that in Cape Town, the four season rule definitely doesn’t apply.
Capetonians lovingly refer to it as ‘lucky-packet-weather’ because you never really know what you’re going to get. It’s also perfectly normal to experience all four seasons in one day. While a beautiful Cape Town day may be filled with sunshine, blue skies, and a clear view of Table Mountain, it can just as easily throw a strong South Eastern wind, dark clouds, and gloomy drizzle your way. The best thing to do is to just embrace and enjoy it anyway. It’s all part of the adventure right?
#9 VIBRANT CULTURAL DIVERSITY
The Mother City’s vibrant diversity of cultures is by far one our top reasons to love Cape Town. South Africa has a colourful history and diverse cultural composition that extends far beyond what most people realize. Besides South Africa’s unique cultural background, did you know that Cape Town is considered as one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world? Home to a diverse melting pot of people, races, religions, traditions, and backgrounds, the Mother City is a vibrant celebration of diversity. As South Africa’s oldest city, Cape Town has a complex, layered, and unique history that has shaped and formed it in so many profound ways. There is nothing quite as rewarding, enlightening, and enriching as exploring and experiencing it first-hand.
A lot of Cape Town’s cultural diversity and diverse history and heritage can be explored through its historical architecture, culturally diverse neighbourhoods, and colourful cuisine.
#10 TOP CULTURAL & CULINARY DESTINATION
ART & CULTURE
Cape Town is one of the top cultural destinations in the world as well as at the forefront of the global culinary landscape – talk about a city that does it all! First, let’s dive a little deeper into Cape Town’s cultural status. Not only does Cape Town boast a wide variety of iconic historical sites, museums, art galleries, theatres, heritage sites and multi-cultural destinations of great significance, it is home to the world-renowned Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Crowned the ‘Best overall Cultural Destination’ of the Year at the 2018 Leading Culture Destinations Awards, the Zeitz MOCAA has become a leading attraction for art and culture enthusiasts from around the world.
Besides claiming this prestigious title, this contemporary art museum also won the award for ‘Best New Culture Destination in Africa and the Middle East’ and was named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 destinations of 2018. Situated in the iconic Grain Silo building, the Zeitz MOCAA is one of the grandest displays of contemporary African art in the world. A visit to this world-renowned artistic gem undoubtedly deserves to be on everyone’s bucket-list, especially if you’re a head-over-heels art and culture lover at heart.
CULINARY CAPITAL
Now it’s time to have a look at Cape Town’s exceptional culinary landscape. Named the best food city in the world in 2016 by Conde Nast Traveller in its Readers’ Choice Awards survey, it’s no secret that Cape Town is one of the top food capitals in the world. It’s certainly giving the global culinary heavy hitters a real run for their money. Crowned Africa’s culinary hub, Cape Town truly is any food lover’s dream come true with avid foodies and culinary enthusiasts travelling from around the world to experience the city’s thriving and thrilling food scene first-hand. Here are just a few of Cape Town’s culinary rising stars.
The sought-after Test Kitchen was crowned one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the world as rated by the World Restaurant Awards. Not to mention that it ranked 22nd in The World’s Best Restaurant Awards in 2016 as well as claimed the number 44 spot in 2019 and the ‘Best Restaurant in Africa’ title at The World’s Best Restaurant Awards. It’s no surprise that it is one of the most sought-after dining experiences in Cape Town.
Wolfgat is another Cape Town hidden culinary gem to has staked its claim to the global culinary throne. Named the Best Off-Map Destination & Restaurant of the Year in the internationally acclaimed 2019 World Restaurant Awards, this west coast wonder is an absolute must for anyone planning future trips to Cape Town. Wolfgat is a tiny beach restaurant situated in a 130-year-old cottage and cave on the beach at Paternoster. This Cape West Coast restaurant is all about sustainable, back-to-basics cooking. It’s bound to steal your food-loving-heart in a matter of seconds.
Have a look at our ‘Top Cape Town food & drink spots that have received global recognition’ blog to discover more of Cape Town’s world-renowned culinary hotspots.
**BONUS: Just because narrowing it down to 10 reasons to love Cape Town just isn’t quite enough!
#11 THAT MAGICAL CAPE TOWN FEELING
It truly is all about that Cape Town feeling! There is an unexplainable magic to this city. A vibrant infectious energy that fills the air. It’s something that’s pretty hard to put into words. You have to feel it. Once you do, you’ll be hooked, done, game over, always wanting more. Whether it’s the Mother City’s unapologetic natural beauty, bold lust for life, die-hard adventurous spirit, vibrant cultural diversity, rich history, laid-back beach vibe, beautiful year-round weather, the fact that she welcomes everyone with open arms, or the perfect combination of everything. Cape Town quite literally has it all!
It’s because of all these things and so much more why we love Cape Town, and we can’t wait for you to fall head-over-heels in love with this glorious city too!
