Entertaining your visitors in Cape Town
Everyone loves Cape Town. That’s why the Telegraph declared the Mother City the best city in the world to travel to. For the third year in a row.
One of the biggest reasons Cape Town is such a hit is because there is so much to do. But what do you do when your friends and family come visit you from out of town and you only have a limited amount of time to show them around?
Do you take them only to the big tourist spots, or do you show off your local status by only showing them the less mainstream haunts?
How about a mix of both, so that your friends get a well-rounded Capetonian experience.
The important tourist spots
There are a few sites and activities that every tourist should see and do. You’ve probably done them all, but it can be fun experiencing your city again from the point-of-view of a tourist.
V&A Waterfront: The Waterfront is the most visited tourist destination in Africa. It’s an especially convenient location if your friends are staying in a hotel in Greenpoint. Go for a harbour cruise and sip champagne, and then have dinner at a world-class restaurant as you ogle the ocean juxtaposed with the mountain.
Kirstenbosch: The Kirstenbosch Gradens are always a delight, and an affordable one at that. Pack a picnic basket and show off the renowned Botanical Garden in the midst of the sprawling city.
Table Mountain: No trip to Cape Town is complete unless the Table Mountain has been enjoyed up close. Whether this is a trip up with the cable cars or a morning hike.
Party in Long Street: Your visitors’ can’t leave Cape Town without having experienced its night life. And Long Street certainly must feature in the endeavour.
Biscuit Mill: The Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock, more commonly known as the Old Biscuit Mill Market, is such a popular haunt that you’re best off arriving as early as possible. Make sure you come hungry.
Something different
You are probably familiar with these already, but they’re likely less well known to your out-of-town friends.
Full Moon Hike up Lion’s Head: Tell your friends that you’ll be hiking up Lion’s Head, the distinctive-shaped slope next to Table Mountain. But then tell them to bring a flashlight. It’s a truly magical experience having the sunset on one side of you and the full moon on the other. Bring a bottle of wine to share at the top.
Shop in Woodstock: While Cape Town has many world-class malls and boutiques, you can enjoy a different kind of shopping experience in Woodstock. Vintage boutiques, trendy art galleries and reclaimed furniture shops show why Woodstock is becoming Cape Town’s bohemian art centre.
The Vintage Experience: If your friends love vintage clothing but don’t have time (or patience) to sift trash from treasure in thrift stores, then the monthly night markets hosted by the Vintage Experience is the solution.
PechaKucha Nights: PechaKucha 20×20 began in Tokyo and is a Japanese term for the sound of “chitchat”. It is an interesting format where any creative can make a presentation out of 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, where the speaker talks along to the images. Entrance is free and there are frequent beer breaks.
Labia Theatre: The Labia Theatre on Kloof Street lets you go to the movies without having to enter a mall. This independent movie house shows documentaries, foreign-language films and art house films.
Seeing as how Cape Town is such a popular destination with South Africans and foreigners alike, there’s no doubt that you will get visitors from time to time. If you’ve been living in Cape Town for a while, you probably have your tried-and-tested favourite hangouts, and are still discovering new places and activities all the time. Rediscover the reasons why you fell in love with this city while you give your visitors the chance to tick boxes off the Cape Town holiday list.