Cape Town is known as one of the best cities in the world, and for good reason. Boasting fantastic shopping, excellent restaurants, miles and miles of wine estates, adventure activities, superb beaches….and that’s just for starters.  

Jazz Hounds

Cape Town jazz-lovers are an insatiable lot, and there a few choice venues in and around the City Bowl.

• One simply can’t visit Cape Town without popping into The Green Dolphin. Superb musicians such a Sylvia Mdunyelwa, Dave Ledbetter and Gavin Minter frequent the place and you are guaranteed of a good meal along with great African and traditional jazz.


• Marimba (at the Convention Centre) is another favorite for those who love jazz and R&B, although it’s always a good idea to book ahead of time when stars like Judith Sephuma and Gloria Bosman are on the bill.

Health and Wellbeing

Cape Town is known for being a mind, body and spirit destination. Not only does the city boast a number of top spas and hydros, there is also a thriving esoteric community - if healing and alternative therapies are of interest to you.


• Cape Town’s Serenite day spas are known for their superb treatments and wholistic therapies.. Serenite Constantia boasts a delightful Feng Shui Spa Garden whilst Serenite’s Mouille Point Day Retreat with its sea views, is just what the doctor ordered.


• AltiraSPa (at the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel) is the ultimate city-spa, Situated on the 19th floor of the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel with views of Table Mountain.


• The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa was recently noted for excellence in the Conde Nast UK Reader’s Choice Awards as well as in its sister publications USA.

Boutique Hotels

South Africa prides itself on a bustling and brilliant hospitality industry. Over the past few years the international boutique hotel trend has really made its mark on the South African hotel industry.

We selected a few Cape favorites:

• Kensington Place can be found in Cape Town’s rather exclusive Higgovale district. Consisting of eight rooms that are an eclectic mix of European and contemporary African styles. Attention-to-detail is key and Kensington Palace is a must-see for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

• A hotel called Hippo. This industrial style hotel on Kloof Street is making serious waves amongst the décor and design communities. Hippo is the ultimate boutique hotel for those who are urban-minded and super-stylish.

• Although not traditionally a boutique hotel, the Cape Grace certainly deserves a mention when one refers to Cape Town’s finest city hotels. A repeated winner in the Conde Nast Traveller UK Gold Awards, this hotel – situated at the V&A Waterfront- is superb in every aspect. From its spectacular service, to rooms-with-a view, to the Bascule Bar (see below) to the finest dining options in town. Whisky anyone…? La Bascule at the Cape Grace is a whisky lover’s dream come true. One of the only authentic whiskey bars in the country, La Bascule offers regular tastings and talks for those who want to know more about their favorite tipple. With over 420 whiskies to choose from, La Bascule boasts the largest collection of single and double malts in the Southern hemisphere. Definitely worth a visit.

Label Nation

Many laugh about the fact that Cape Town is referred to as `a parochial fishing village’ but it must be said that the great names of the fashion world have realized that Cape Town is where it is all happening on the African continent.

• Louis Vuitton has opened up the Mother City and Fabiani also has a strong presence (not to mention the offerings from Escada, Gucci and Armani... to mention just a few).

• However, we like to think that local labels are up the with the best of them – look out for some of Cape Town’s best loved designers: Hip Hop, Errol Arendz, Gert van der Merwe and Catherine Moore.

Food, Glorious Food

Cape Town has considered itself to be the foodie capital of the country since time immemorial. The winelands offer gorgeous restaurants in spectacular settings, and the city centre offers urban eateries of the finest quality.

Here are a few restaurants to consider on your visit to Cape Town.

• Bukhara in the City Bowl for traditional North Indian food.

• Societi Bistro in Cape Town for it’s style-value and Provencale-inspired menu.

• Willoughby’s on the V&A Waterfront, still offers the freshest sushi in town.

• Also at the Waterfront, Balducci’s is another sushi favourite although there are lots of options on the menu to choose from – coffees, salads, tramezzinis, fantastic deserts you name it.

• Belthazar restaurant is said to boast the biggest wine-by-the-glass bar in Africa.

• Moyo at Spier in the Cape winelands offers a glorious African-inspired menu in a truly authentic South African setting.

Life’s a Cruise

There are a number of yachts for hire on your visit to Cape Town during the warm summer months. Double accommodation, superb cuisine, magnificent water sports options and top class service are all simply part of the deal. Surely there is nothing to beat sailing around Cape Town, champagne in hand and toasting the bright city lights?

SEE MORE FUN THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN