Cape Town took my breath away. I was visiting for five days with my South African cousin who had been many times before, and we hardly scratched the surface of this vibrant city. You could spend months in Cape Town and still have stones left to turn over. The weather can be temperamental, so if you are heading out for the day, be sure to bring a jumper, a rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses… you get the picture.

I stayed in Noordhoek with a family friend, 92-year-old Geoff, though he didn’t look a day over 70. It is a sleepy corner of the west coast tucked away among the oak trees between Chapman’s Peak and Kommetjie, on the mountain pass Ou Kaapse Weg – ‘The Old Cape Road’ in Afrikaans.

Here are a few recommendations from my short trip.

Noordhoek

Noordhoek Farm Village

Each morning began with a coffee at The Roost (delicious and around £1.50 for a large cappuccino) crafted by the chatty crew running the place. It seemed to be the go-to for many locals post-cycle/run and the coffee shop itself stocked cycling accessories.

I experienced the hottest hot yoga of my existence thus far at Origin Yoga after picking up a bad case of sunburn whilst surfing earlier in the day. It was an inferno, and it was not for the faint-hearted! The instructor was awesome, very welcoming and clearly had many years of experience under his belt – I just felt bad for him being shut in a room of 20 ultra-sweaty humans. The studio runs several types of classes, so if you are a yogi you’ll find a class to suit your style.

There are several shops alongside the cafes, restaurants and wellness studios, with my favourite being Tenga Tenga where I found some souvenirs for friends and family back home. The concept store stocks locally crafted items including jewellery, homeware and clothing. I bought some socks for my friend which had a cartoon braai (South African BBQ) which I found amusing and thought would be a practical souvenir!

Noordhoek Beach

This beach is a stunning stretch of white sand, framed by the vegetation along the banks. It is beautiful for a walk, but it will likely be very windy! Some people surf here but the sea can be very dangerous due to wind conditions coming in off the Atlantic, and the likelihood of becoming a Great White’s lunch is much higher here than at Muizenberg. This beach is not monitored by any lifeguard or authorities.

Family friends advised us not to walk alone on this beach, so if you decide to visit make sure to enlist some friends or find a walking group – this is advisable for most walks and hikes around Cape Town.

Aegir Project

If you enjoy beer and a view, this place should be at the top of your list. My favourite evening in Cape Town was spent here playing backgammon for four hours watching the sunset with my cousin, with a craft lager from the brewery and some of their awesome food. The team there are accommodating (I moved tables 3 times as people left so I could get the best view!) and the vibe is very chilled.

If you can, I would book ahead (weather-dependent) as the place is not big, but it is very popular. On Friday nights in the summer, they have a DJ play on the terrace which I found to be reminiscent of the surf party town vibe in Biarritz. Aegir is situated in the Red Herring Trading Post alongside several other eateries, it is family and dog friendly.

Chapman’s Peak

This drive is a must-do in the Western Cape, especially if you have a hire car like we did. This route takes around 20-30 minutes, and on a sunny day it is simply magical. At one end you will need to pay the drive fee which is sub £3 for a regular size car.

Muizenberg

The only thing I knew about Muizenberg prior to my visit was it was somewhere I could surf. I cannot call myself a surfer despite having dabbled in the sport for nearly six years, but I enjoy it, nonetheless.

Surf Emporium

After chatting with friends who lived locally, I went through Surf Emporium where I booked a 1.5-hour private surf lesson, suit and board hire for around £20 (amazing value!). The instructors I had on both days were fantastic, and I wasn’t handed the standard, beaten up 8ft foamie which is so often the case when renting boards.

The two days saw me trying out a 10ft resin longboard which was perfect in the baby waves and coupled with affordable one-on-one instruction, I genuinely felt as though I had made some progression!

If you find yourself in Muizenberg, I couldn’t recommend these guys more – the instructors are very positive and know their stuff, and the in-house team are helpful and efficient. They also remembered my name – the small details all count. I’ll certainly be heading back their way on my next trip to CT.

SHARK POTENTIAL – there is a dedicated shark spotting system at Muizenberg, and it is worthwhile taking a minute to understand the warning system before you jump in the water. You can also read more here: https://sharkspotters.org.za/

Hang Ten Café

On arrival in Muizenberg my pre-surf ritual consisted of an Ashwaganda Surprise Smoothie in the morning sunshine outside Hang Ten, watching the world go by. Post-surf, I could be found with my lunch taking a break from the rays in the café with a top-notch view.

The portions were hearty but super healthy. After consuming a multitude of braais the previous week in Pretoria and the Bush, the green salads at Hang Ten were a welcome change. I left feeling well-nourished with enough leftover in my to-go box for my dinner.

TRAINS – To travel between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay I took the train which took only several minutes. The walk along the coast takes around 30 minutes and you’ll be accompanied by bright blue ocean down below. However, if you need to take it easy in the heat the train is a quick and easy option. I believe beyond Kalk Bay, the train reaches Simon’s Town (I didn’t manage to visit here) where you’ll see the penguins!

Kalk Bay

Salt

This hidden gem nestled in Kalk Bay demands a visit. A fabulous selection of wines with picture perfect dishes crafted from the freshest produce, Salt has a Spanish undertone which personally I find to be a slice of heaven.

I met friends here for dinner – you’ll find a tapas-style selection of small plates to start, an inspired menu of mains and the perfect sweet to finish. The restaurant also serves brunch each day which I have yet to try! The staff are friendly and attentive – I managed to sneak back here for an afternoon coffee, seeking some shade and the waiter lent me his pen for my postcards.

Not only will your tastebuds thank you for making Salt a priority, but your friends and family will too. It is super value for money in terms of ZAR to GBP, and for selfish reasons I sincerely hope it doesn’t go viral. I will undoubtedly head back here when I make it back to the southern hemisphere.

Sirocco Café

I had a quick drink here with my cousin late afternoon and it seems to be a staple for many locals and tourists. The friends I met at Salt were originally planning to meet me at Sirocco but alas it was full (divine redirection if you ask me). It is next to the train station if you turn right as you exit, and you’ll likely see some surfer types hanging out under the umbrellas sipping a beer or two.

In the summer from around December onwards, the venue hosts a few DJ sets likely luring out the younger locals and backpackers in and around the area. I wouldn’t name this a top priority when visiting Cape Town but if you need a cute spot for a drink and a snack, you could find a lot worse than Sirocco.

Miscellaneous Recommendations

The following are a few words on places I bounced off, but you may find of use.

Camps Bay – I found myself on a cold and slightly damp Cape Town morning at a cold-water swim club at 6am, conscripted by my cousin. We joined the Cold-Water Social Club (does what it says on the tin) and the members usually swim at Clifton, however the day my dear cousin had chosen was the day that Poseidon was having a mild tantrum. The ocean was too rough to swim safely, so instead the tidal pool at Camps Bay was the chosen venue. This particular bay is on the Atlantic side of Cape Town, which is significantly colder than Muizenberg, where the water is from the Indian Ocean. If this sounds up your street, you can find the club on Instagram @coldwatersocialclub and they were very welcoming. The majority of members are Cape Townians but were very open to our one-off tourist visit – we even made it onto their page. They also head for a coffee post-swim to warm up!

V&A Waterfront – This area is very commercial and if you are a keen shopper looking for something to do on a rainy day, this might just be the place for you. Our first day in CT was substantially soggy and so we headed to the shops where I became mildly obsessed with Cotton On. Like any good mall, you’ll find your favourite brands, a cinema and numerous eateries.

Stellenbosch – Oh how I wish I could have spent longer in the winelands! My grand total of two hours in the Delaire Graff Restaurant was my first taste of the famous Stellenbosch region and it was still spectacular despite the heavy blanket of cloud that day. I can only imagine how idyllic it must be on a blue summer’s day. A family friend, a CT native, took my cousin and I out to eat at Delaire Graff which was suitably luxurious given the status of the area. It is on the CT side of Stellenbosch, an hour’s drive from the city, give or take. The food was as one would expect: divine but expensive, paired with wines of a similar sentiment. If you have the time when visiting CT, plan a weekend out in the winelands and pray for sunshine – it could only be magnificent.

https://www.delaire.co.za/dine/restaurants/delaire-graff/

Until next time

You could spend months in Cape Town and scarcely make a dent. I certainly plan on returning one day and spending at least another week or two there.

Of course, there are many problems in Cape Town and South Africa, as there are across the world. If you plan on travelling here, it is strongly recommended to explore the city with others regardless of your gender. Unsurprisingly some places are more dangerous than others in the city, so read local advice and travel guides for more information. I used Uber but it is recommended to select Uber Black/Exec to ensure your driver’s car is MOT-checked. Other than this, Uber is generally regarded as a very safe thing to use in CT.

If you are able to, it is good to carry a small amount of cash for tips when out and about, be it for restaurant staff, car park security or car washing for example.

You’ll never regret a trip to this part of the world, so make the most of it and please comment if you have any more recommendations!

Disclaimer: all photos are my own from my trip.