The Ultimate Guide to Cape Town, South Africa

On the edge of the Atlantic surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Cape Town is undeniably a wonder that’s worth exploring. If you have a trip booked here, you’ll want to experience all of the wonderful site and culture opportunities this amazing city has to offer, so it’s important to know where to look. So before you head off to Cape Town, South Africa, check out this ultimate travel guide!

Where to Stay

On the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, the luxurious Ellerman House offers one of the most beautiful views in Cape Town. Situated in the exclusive Bantry Bay, this elegant hotel is owned by art-collector Paul Harris and has been maintained with an artistic eye.

Art fills all 13 rooms, and the whole building radiates luxury and decadence. At the same time, the welcoming staff make you feel at home. They guarantee that you are well taken care of and will happily give you recommendations of where to visit and how to get around.

The property includes terraced gardens and a swimming pool, as well as other amenities such as a 24-hour snack bar and direct access to the kitchen that takes requests for favorite dishes. For sommeliers, there is an impressive collection with over 7,500 bottles of local wines and a fully stocked spirits selection. 

The Ellerman is pricier than other options, but if your budget allows, stay at least one night in this hotel. You’ll never want to leave!

Where to Eat

It will be impossible not to encounter an impressive meal filled with South African flavors while in Cape Town, but with such a vast selection throughout the city it will be hard to decide on one option. Trust The Test Kitchen in the Old Biscuit Building of Woodstock, which has recently been regarded as one of the best at the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards held in Spain.

It goes without saying that you’ll want to book far in advance – the restaurant’s reputation in town has made it wildly popular among tourists and locals alike.

If you’re unable to get in there, try the Pot Luck Club, which is conveniently located in the same building. The food is rich with local flavor, so much so that the entire menu is designed around the five-flavor profiles- salty, bitter, sweet, sour, and umami. The Pot Luck Club knows how to surprise guests with endless creativity and interesting twists on Cape Town cuisine.

Where to Drink

Known as the place “to see and be seen,” the Bungalow at Clifton Beach is a lively bar with a terrace overlooking the ocean. This is where to grab a post-dinner cocktail and watch the sunset.

For coffee and tea beverages, House of the Machines is a trendy and popular coffee shop that roasts local beans and food crafted from hand. The store also sells spirits, and craft beers, and cool apparel that would make a nice souvenir.

Where to Shop

The Woodstock Neighborhood hosts The Old Biscuit Mill (same as the restaurants above), which functions as a space for designers, artists, shopkeepers, restaurants, and farmers to sell their unique visions of South African culture. On Saturday is the Neighbourgoods market, where over 100 specialty traders are set up with their own creations. This is the best spot for authentic Cape Town shopping and is the number one destination for gifts to bring home.

For shopping with a view, also try the Oranjezicht Saturday farmers market near the V&A Waterfront. This is a picturesque market with high-quality goods and a relaxing atmosphere. This is a great spot to treat yourself to an expertly crafted breakfast or lunch, and there are enough picnic tables and seating to unwind in the beautiful coastal weather.

These are only a few of the amazing attractions that Cape Town offers its astounded tourists. For more suggestions, especially unconventional or non-touristy recommendations check out Secret Cape Town. You’ll find great insiders about little known spots in the city that are guaranteed to make your trip special.  

Is South Africa on your travel bucketlist? Comment down below with your must-do's and must-visit's!