Whether with friends, family or in couple, it is always difficult to know what to do when you spend only the weekend in a city, and the Mother City is no exception. We recommand you 6 activities you can do to spend an intense and wonderful weekend in Cape Town, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Let’s go!
Friday evening: The Hout Bay Craft Market (5pm – 9pm)
About 30 minutes driving from Cape Town, the Hout Bay Harbour is a timeless place. During the day, the charming little habour is a fantastic place to see seals looking for fish and glad to play the game of pictures. Every Friday evening, the place comes alive thanks to the Hout Bay Craft Market. There, you will find local craftpeople showing their work like animals with wire and beads, clothes, bags and jewels among many other things.
Throughout the market, musicians playing music participate in the creation of the warm atmosphere. Sometimes pop, jazz, folk or RnB, but it always livens things up and will may be make you danse! At the back, next to the musicians, many restaurant offers snacks from all around the word. You can try typical South African food like a springbok burger or Biltong, there is also asian food, soups and a lot of yummy cakes for the dessert which you will not be able to resist.
It is simply impossible to get bored at the Hout Bay Craft Market as you will be taken in the South African atmosphere.
Saturday: Discover the Cape Peninsula
In one day, you can discover the most famous places of the Cape Peninsula. From Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope, you will travel in the pace of impressive landscapes and encounters with animals free-roaming next to your vehicule.
The trip begin along the Atlantic Ocean through Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, two famous spots to relax and enjoy a sunbath at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Next, you will drive towards Hout Bay, then discover the area from Chapman’s Peak Drive, on the mountain just opposite.
Around the bottom of the peninsula, enter in the well-known Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Keep your eyes wide-opened to try to see ostriches, antelopes or birds living in the area. At Cape Point, especially if you go to the lighthouse, take your time to take in the magical view of the Atlantic Ocean all around. These large stretches of water will make you want to discover the world like the first explorers did in South Africa more than 300 hundreds years ago. Moreover, it is not rare to see guzzler baboons walking around so, be careful to your snacks.
Just below, appreciate your picture at the famous Cape of Good Hope! Between sea and mountains, this place and its history are so inspiring. Even if it is not the most southern place in Africa, you will feel like if you have reached the wolrd’s end…
Coming back to Cape Town, why not try a stop at the Boulder Penguin Colony at Simons Town to see the lovely African Penguins. In the protected area, you will learn to better know about this threatened species while they will walk in front of you or hide between rocks. To finish this trip, you can make a last relaxing stop at the Kisrtenbosch Botanical Gardens. At the foot of the mountains, it offers peacfullness and serenity like large stretches of grass and flowers.
Visiting the Cape Peninsula in one day is intense, but it is worth it!
Saturday evening: Longstreet
Longstreet is one of the places to be in Cape Town to enjoy the night! You can start with a dinner at one of the many restaurant before have drink in a bar for a relaxing time or go into a club for memorable dancing night!
On Longstreet, it is esy to meet a lot of different people coming from all around the world to experience the South African way of life. Let yourself being carried along the atmosphere and enjoy the moment. You won’t be disappointed for sure!
Sunday morning: Table Mountain or a ride on the Sea Point Promenade
Table Mountain is the symbol of Cape Town! If weather permitting, don’t hesitate to take the cableway to reach the top and have an amazing view of the City Bowl. During the winter, temperature at the top can be cold so bring a jacket and a scarf with you. On the contrary, during the summer, do not minimise the sunbeam and come with a sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
At the summit, you have the opportunity to do hiking to explore the area and discover even more stunning views, like Hout Bay or Camps Bay. You can also relax at the cafe and of course, bring back with you souvenirs of this moment from the only shop at the top.
If you can’t go to Table Mountain, not worries, enjoy a ride on the Sea Point Promenade is just as pleasant. You can choose to just walk along the Atlantic Ocean and breath the clean sea air, or ride a bike to join the V&A Waterfront to the Sea Point Pavilion. Nothing is more refreching during the morning!
Sunday afternoon: The Winelands
Cape Town is also an area worldwide known for the quality of its wine, especially the Pinotage. Only produced in South Africa, it is a perfect blend of Pinot Noir and “Hermitage”, two variety of wine. Inland, the sceneries are not compared unfavourably to the French or Californian vineyards.
Surrounded by the mountains at the background, nothing could be better than a glass of wine in the sun. Locals wine-growers will be glad to introduce you their last vintages, teach you how to taste and appreciate the wine and show around their cellar. It is a fantastic introduction to oenology, whether if you are already a wine lover or a novice.
Cape Town is a dynamic city with many diverse activities to offer between montains, sea and inlands. If you come to spend the week-end, you will always find something to do, whether during the summer or the winter. So, don’t wait any longer and plan your next dream week-end to Cape Town!