Cape Town: one city, endless possibilities
Old walls, young style: Woodstock
Cape Town has it all: Beaches surrounded by mountains, sand dunes and steep cliffs, vineyards and palm trees... And its people are as diverse as the nature: A multicultural society shapes the life of the city in highly diverse neighbourhoods. One of them is Woodstock, a former industrial quarter where the old factory buildings are now used by artists and creative people. The streets of Woodstock are filled with thrift shops and vegetarian restaurants, and the restored Old Biscuit Mill shopping centre offers hip design shops. This hip, up-and-coming area is particularly popular with students.
Colourful & oriental: Bo-Kaap
The Muslim quarter of Bo-Kaap is equally exceptional. Here stands the oldest mosque in South Africa, and when the muezzin calls from the minarets, you almost feel like you're in the Orient. The cityscape here is also quite unique: Bright yellow, pink, red, green, and blue-painted houses line the steep uphill streets. The narrow cobblestone streets – another special feature of Bo-Kaap – that lead from the city centre towards Signal Hill require more stamina than you might think at first. But no matter how strenuous the walk up to the colourful houses is, a visit to Bo-Kaap is definitely worthwhile.
City with a beach: Camps Bay
Further south, directly on the Atlantic, lies Camps Bay. It is the largest of the beach bays near the city, with lovely white sand and a particularly attractive sea for surfers. The beach also attracts young people who come here to play beach volleyball, sunbathe, or go jogging. The chic waterfront promenade is full of restaurants, terrace cafés, and local shops. On a green area behind the beach, date palms offer some shade for a picnic. In the background, you can see the mountain range of the Twelve Apostles, which lends this part of the city a unique setting. In case you want to a new perspective: Lion's Head offers a spectacular view of Camps Bay.
Strolling and tasting: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Also located on directly on the water - the name says it all - are not only plenty of seals, but also the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Creatively painted buildings in candy colours, a white Ferris wheel, wooden boardwalks, and fancy boats characterise this district. It's easy to spend an entire day here. But make sure you plan enough time for the hip V&A Foodmarket, where you'll find every delicacy of Cape Town’s cuisine, from stews to seafood. Right next door, there is ‘The Watershed’, a modern shopping centre also in the style of a market hall, where mainly local artists sell their works.
Table Mountain & Lions Head
Cape Town's most emblematic landmark rises 1086 metres above the sea. Its plateau is several square kilometres in size and is surrounded by spectacular cliffs. Table Mountain gives the city arguably the most imposing skyline in the world, universally recognised as a natural wonder of the world. You can reach the plateau by a panoramic cable car that rotates 360 degrees during the ride. Another breathtaking view – but with considerably smaller crowds – awaits you on the 669-metre-high Lion's Head. This mountain lies in the middle of the city and can be climbed in just over an hour.
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