Updated April 2019
On your marks, jet set, go! You have a weekend coming up in gorgeous Cape Town and you need to maximise your minutes – see the sights, eat all the food, drink all the wine and drench your eyes with views. I grew up in Sea Point on the Atlantic Seaboard, and have been living in Oranjezicht in the City Bowl for almost 10 years, so the itinerary I’m presenting to you is wrapped mostly into these two ‘hoods and the Cape Town CBD. Both suburbs are well positioned areas in which to base yourself if visiting the Mother of all cities. I’ve also thrown in a wine valley experience. You’ll thank me later.
This is how I’d get two incredible days down in the Peninsula…. #helloweekend !
First up, get all the sleep you need on the plane, take a deep breath, and launch yourself into the adventure. Let Cape Town imprint your heart!
DAY 1
08:00. But first, coffee and a bagel. No time to lie in – we’re on the tourist clock. Pop into Kleinsky’s on Regent Road in Sea Point for the first caffeine fix of the day, a cappuccino on the go, paired with a toasted cream cheese & salmon bagel. My other coffee recommendations in the suburb: Bootlegger, Jarryd’s (also on Regent Rd), and Pauline’s and Coco Safar – the latter is where you’ll find the best pastries in all of Cape Town fyi.
Kleinsky’s on Regent Road, Sea Point
Walk a few blocks down to hire a bicycle from Up Cycles, stationed next to the iconic Sea Point Pavilion , an art deco masterpiece (also fabulous for an early morning swim, no matter the season), and take a pedal along the Sea Point Prom, Cape Town’s answer to Nice’s Promenade Des Anglais. It’s a scenic showcase – waves crashing alongside, seagulls above and Lions Head presiding.
Hire a bike from Up Cycles & take in the gorgeous views along the Sea Point Promenade
09:30 ~ Breakfast is next and The Power & the Glory in Tamboerskloof is my recommendation~ order the scrambled eggs with avo, spread thickly with cream cheese and basil pesto, and roasted tomatoes on the side. Or have a bowl of porridge like baby bear. P&G is also a hipster bar by night – The Black Ram.
Breakfast at The Power & Glory in Tamboerskloof
10h30 ~ Table Mountain beckons. No trip to my town is complete without experiencing this New7Wonder of the World. Book online to avoid the queues and catch the cable car up and be amazed by the most breathtaking views… Robben Island, Signal Hill, the entire city and surrounds, on one side, and Camps Bay beach and the Clifton coves (all Blue Flag beaches by the way) and the Twelve Apostles mountain range on the other. Free wifi is available on top of the world too so you can do a walkabout and Insta to your heart’s content.
Go up Table Mountain by cable car (pic supplied by Splash PR for Table Mountain)
12h30 to 14h00 ~ lunch overlooking the harbour beckons and for this, there’s no better place than Harbour House on Quay 5 at the V &A Waterfront. Afterwards, visit the curio shops in the mall for top quality product and buy some fine SA wines and bubbly (try these, among my favourite brands> Le Lude , Weltevrede , Kanonkop , available at Vaughan Johnson’s, Springfield) right next to the big Cape Wheel…a few revolutions on the latter will show you the Mother City as far as the eye can see.
16h00 ~ no use fighting the fatigue so take a siesta. Kill two birds with one (hot) stone and have a massage at the Chilli Bar at the Radisson Red. you can always snatch an additional nap at your hotel before dinner.
18h30 ~ Batteries re-charged, it’s time for a pre-dinner drink and the gin bar behind Honest Chocolate on Wale Street is a fabulous choice (buy some decadent chocolate at the store while you’re at it – it’s good for you!)
20h00 ~ dinner at the chic new kitchen & bar, Mulberry & Prince on Pepper Street. Gorgeous food matched by stellar service & stylish decor. Other dining favourites of mine since this post> Love Thy Neighbour for Greek, The Shortmarket Club for oysters and contemporary cuisine, Pot Luck Club …
22h00 – next level cocktails at Outrage of Modesty in Shortmarket Street(next door to The Shortmarket Club) just off buzzing Bree, the ‘it’ street in CT that showcases the best of (almost) everything! It’s worth walking the length and breadth of Bree to discover all it has to offer, apparel and accessories included, at Missibaba and Alexandra Hojer.
Make Day 2 more of a chill day, drop the pace a little. See the Peninsula from the sky and take a helicopter flip to the Twelve Apostles and have breakfast overlooking a vast expanse of ocean and Lions Head…incomparable eye candy. And then, how about taking a drive out to Franschhoek, one of the most exquisite wine valleys in the Cape, if not the world, about 50 minutes from the CBD. Come rain or shine it’s gorgeous, with some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll ever see. Wine tastings are a big thing and a good place to start is at Noble Hill, where you sit fireside, uncork a fine cab sav and have a light Mexican tapas lunch at Cosecha. Haute Cabriere up on the hill does superb bubbly, and high tea at La Residence (book one in advance) is a sumptuous sweet and savoury offering. Plop into a big be-cushioned comfy chairs and absorb the glorious setting.
Mexican tapas at Cosecha at Noble Hill wine estate in Franschhoek
This is the view that awaits at La Residence, as you indulge in a delicious high tea…
As you head back to the city, let the memories of the weekend soften thoughts of an imminent Monday.
Cape Town is waiting.
Looking for the ideal accommodation in and around Cape Town? Then browse no further than Accommodation Direct, a hub that offers 1000 accommodation options and specials in and around the Mother City: https://www.accommodirect.com/destinations/cape-town/
All images, unless credited otherwise, by Allison Foat/CT DIVA
For great flight options and deals to Cape Town: www.cheapflights.co.za | For more info about the Mother City: www.capetown.travel | Getting smoothly from A to B: hop in an Uber
The original version of this post in 2016 won me the #HelloWeekend blogathon!
