Cape Town
Visit Table Mountain
Cape Town Quick Guide: Quirky Tips, Fun Facts & Must-See Adventures for Every Traveler
Where Is It?
Perched at the southwestern tip of South Africa, Cape Town is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans flirt (though they don’t technically “meet” — that’s Cape Agulhas, 170km away, but the myth is too romantic to skip!). With its own international airport and year-round buzz, it’s your gateway to sun, surf, safari, and soul-stirring scenery.
Fun Fact: Cape Town is one of only two cities in the world (along with Rio de Janeiro) to have a “New7Wonders of Nature” landmark, Table Mountain!
Where Can I Stay?
Forget cookie-cutter chains — Cape Town is boutique hotel heaven. Whether you crave oceanfront glam, minimalist chic, or garden estate elegance, there’s a pillow for you:
- Atlantic House (Camps Bay): Wake up to crashing waves and sundowner cocktails just steps from the sand.
- Kensington Place (City Bowl): Sleek, intimate, and just 8 rooms, perfect for design lovers who want to be in the heart of the action.
- The Bishop’s Court (Gardens): Think sprawling suites, a floodlit tennis court, and views that’ll make your Instagram cry. Yes, please.
Quick Tip: Book early in summer (Dec–Feb) — these gems fill up fast!
What Can I See & Do? (Beyond the Brochure)
✅ Table Mountain: Ride the rotating cable car for 360° views. Brave souls can hike up — Platteklip Gorge is the classic (and sweaty) route.
✅ Robben Island: Take the ferry to Nelson Mandela’s former prison. Tours led by ex-political prisoners add powerful, personal depth.
✅ V&A Waterfront: Shop ‘til you drop, nibble at gourmet food markets, or catch a street performer while seals bark nearby. Don’t miss the penguins at nearby Boulders Beach!
✅ Wine & Dine: Just 30 mins away, the Constantia and Stellenbosch wine routes offer world-class tastings — often with mountain views and cheese boards bigger than your head.
✅ Quirky Bonus: Hunt for street art in Woodstock, sip gin at a distillery in a shipping container, or join a “Paddle & Tapas” kayak tour at sunset.
Fun Fact: The ocean off Cape Town’s west coast is freezing (thanks, Benguela Current), while the east side (False Bay) is balmy — perfect for penguin cuddles (okay, viewing — no touching!).
How Do I Get Around?
Rent a Car: Best for freedom — especially to hit Winelands, coastal drives, or penguin colonies. Remember: drive on the LEFT!
Bike It: Safe, scenic cycle lanes along the Sea Point Promenade or through Green Point Urban Park.
Taxis & Rideshares: Uber works well in the city. For safety, avoid unmarked cabs.
Public Transport: MyCiTi buses are clean and reliable for main routes. Trains connect to suburbs but aren’t tourist-friendly after dark.
Quick Tip: Traffic gets gnarly during rush hour — plan adventures for early morning or post-4pm.
Cape Town in a Nutshell:
Romantic sunsets? Check.
Adrenaline hikes? Check.
Wine, wildlife, and wonder? Triple check.
Whether you’re here for 24 hours or 2 weeks, Cape Town serves up unforgettable moments with a side of quirk. Pack sunscreen, curiosity, and an empty memory card, you’ll need it.
“Cape Town doesn’t just welcome you — it hugs you with mountains, dazzles you with oceans, and feeds you with flavor.”
Cape Town: Table Mountain is probably the biggest tourist attraction in the Western Cape Province. Whenever anyone lands, the first port of call is most definitely this magnificent mountain with its “table top”. The base of Table Mountain consists out of granite while most of the mountain is sculpted from sandstone and rises about 1 086 m above the bay. Its flat summit measures around 3 km from one end to the other.
Table Mountain,Cape Town,South Africa
Table Mountain has been declared a national monument and is home to more than 1 470 species of plants. This is more than all the plant species put together in the whole of the British Isle! Many of these plants appear nowhere else on earth including the rare Silver Tree. On a clear day, the mountain is visible from over 200 km on the open sea. Most definitely a sight worth seeing. Take a boat out on the open sea and experience this breathtaking sight.
It is unbelievable to think that people say Table Mountain was formed under the sea, and because of erosion over millions of years (and many other reasons), it takes on the shape it has today. Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head appear on the eastern and western side of the “table”. Table Mountain is as well known for its “tablecloth” as it is for the flat top shape of a table.
You might ask what this tablecloth is, so let met quickly explain. During the summer months (December – February, but sometimes longer), a great amount of cloud cover appears over the top of the mountain when the southeaster blows. This causes a white cover that looks exactly like a tablecloth, used in the kitchen or anywhere else.
Safe access to the summit of Table Mountain can be obtained by the cable car that was opened in 1929. This cable car has expanded and changed so much that the newest car even rotates! You can see a 360°C view without having to move, or push other people around you.
More than 600 000 people are conveyed to the top of the mountain every year and the total time it takes to reach the summit, is an unbelievable 6 minutes! On the summit is a restaurant and souvenir shop from which letters can be sent, bearing the Table Mountain postmark. If you prefer walking and enjoying nature, you can opt to climb the mountain. There are more than 350 recognized paths to the summit you can choose from, ranging from easy and comfortable to extremely difficult.
View Of Table Mountain
When you choose one of these paths, please do make sure you are accompanied by someone experienced who knows the route very well. It is very easy to lose your way if you don’t know the area. In the past, lions, leopards and buffalo used to live in these mountains. Over the years they died out and were killed as the Cape became a city, inhabited by many people.
Only baboons, small dear and rabbits remain. Going to see Table Mountain is a great experience, relaxing for the soul and giving you the chance to live and breath the magnificent views once you reach the summit.
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The tremendous beauty can not be described in words, so please make sure you visit this great “flat top” Table Mountain. Try to visit when the skies are blue, with no cloud cover around.
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