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Food and attractions

Food and attractions in Cape Town and nearby (south on the peninsula). Numbers correspond to points plotted on the maps below.
Map number Name Description Priority
6 Robben Island Ferry Robben Island, of course, is where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela did time during Apartheid. The main event is a tour of the prison, but one can see penguins and whales from the ferry and the tour includes a bus trip around the island and great views of the city and Table Mountain from out in the bay. Load up for the ferry from the Victoria and Albert Waterfront; great place to walk around, too High
7 Company Gardens Really nice park downtown near Parliment High
9 Bean There World’s best coffee. Also see chocolate shop next door! High
13 Table Mountain cable car This is where one gets on the cable car to the top of Table Mountain High
16 District Six Museum Important perspective on the history of Cape Town (and Apartheid South Africa in general) in a cool building in a cool neighborhood High
17 Moyo (Restaurant) Classy but not too expensive restaurant located in the Kirstenbosch gardens that serves traditional South African food. Go for supper after the Gardens High
18 Kirstenbosch National Gardens An absolute must. Best place in the city, one of the best botanical gardens in the world High
1 World of Birds Weird but fun zoo thing with aviaries
2 Public penguin beach Small but no-fee beach with penguins
3 University of Cape Town Historic campus with great views
4 Mouille Point Lighthouse Really just a landmark along the sea wall, great place to go for an oceanside walk
5 Mesopotamia Great, affordable Kurdish food in luxurious restaurant
8 Scarborough beach Funky surfer town with amazing beaches
10 Chapman’s Peak drive Crazy winding motorway cut into mountainside over ocean
11 Boulder’s Beach (penguins) SA National Parks fee area with boardwalks along the dunes where the penguins nest
12 Signal Hill Very high vantage point with unique views of city, Table Mountain, and ocean
14 Royale Eatery Great lunch spot on Long Street, which has a lot of activity
15 Two Oceans Aquarium Definitely worth a visit

Maps

Greater Cape Town

The greater Cape Town area, with Table Mountain in the middle. Moyo and the Kirstenbosch Gardens are smooshed tegether in the lower right shadow of Table Mountain. Taking the cable car to the top (starts at 13) is a must-do! The views and hiking are great and there is a cafe.

The greater Cape Town area, with Table Mountain in the middle. Moyo and the Kirstenbosch Gardens are smooshed tegether in the lower right shadow of Table Mountain. Taking the cable car to the top (starts at 13) is a must-do! The views and hiking are great and there is a cafe.

City bowl

Zooming in on the main centre of Cape Town, known as the 'City Bowl.' Food and coffee plotted as squares, attractions plotted as circles. Maybe have lunch at the Royale Eatery (14) on Long street (aka Langstraat in Afrikaans), stroll through Company Gardens (7) to Bean There coffee (9) and the chocolate shop next door. It should be safe to walk to the District Six museum (6) from the city center, or take a cab.

Zooming in on the main centre of Cape Town, known as the ‘City Bowl.’ Food and coffee plotted as squares, attractions plotted as circles. Maybe have lunch at the Royale Eatery (14) on Long street (aka Langstraat in Afrikaans), stroll through Company Gardens (7) to Bean There coffee (9) and the chocolate shop next door. It should be safe to walk to the District Six museum (6) from the city center, or take a cab.

Beyond the city

Head south from the city and take the Chapman's Peak tollway (10) to little towns like Scarborough (8), with amazing beaches. Cut over the peninsula on the M65 and M66 to Simon's Town to see penguins up close and personal.

Head south from the city and take the Chapman’s Peak tollway (10) to little towns like Scarborough (8), with amazing beaches. Cut over the peninsula on the M65 and M66 to Simon’s Town to see penguins up close and personal.