Cape Town is one of our favourite locations. It has it all! A cool city set on the southernmost tip of Africa. With white sandy beaches, stunning views friendly people, and of course amazing adrenaline programs. If you are heading to South Africa on your gap year, definitely do not overlook Cape Town. Cape Town has a European feel to it, you could be forgiven for forgetting you are actually in Africa, but look hard enough and you will soon discover the clues all around you.
While there are loads of activities that are included on the Cape Town adrenaline overload, there are plenty of extra activities and locations you should check out why you are here and here are some of them.
Some great things to do in Cape Town: Xtreme gap year’s guide.
Visit table Mountain
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a visit to table Mountain. One of the natural wonders of the world, this epic plateau dominates the skyline. The views from the top on a clear day are unforgettable.
Check out a sunset on Signal Hill
Just across from table Mountain above camps Bay you have signal Hill. With superb views pointing West it is the perfect spot to check out the golden African sun setting into the Indian Ocean. You will need a car to get up there, or alternatively jump on the hop on hop off bus as this makes a stop at therefore sunset as well. Be sure to bring your own drinks and some snacks as there’s not much up there other than stunning views!
Visit the Victoria and Albert waterfront and shop till you drop
the Victorian Albert waterfront, used to be the main docks the Cape Town. Regenerated into a superb waterfront complex with bars restaurants and shops. The evening is the time to come, particularly at the weekend when it really comes into its own. Live music, and the hip and happening crowd of Cape Town. Eating out is cheap in South Africa, so why not enjoy a meal in one of the nice restaurants where you can expect to pay between 10 and £15.
Hit the markets at the Old Biscuit Mill at the weekend
Another hippie chic location, hit the old biscuit Mill at the weekend. This is the place to be seen and is superb for people watching. Food stalls with everything you could ask for, and cold drinks make this a great place to come and chill out for a few hours. The old biscuit Mill is located in Woodstock, so you will need a taxi to get you there. As the name suggests it set in an old disused mill, with great views of table Mountain. It’s kind of like the South African equivalent of Camden market: but chic and better.
Learn to kite surf in table view
The wind blows consistently in South Africa´s Cape Town. It also has one of the world’s top kite surf locations. In table view you can take some kite surf lessons, get to grips with the sport if you do this for one day you will be grinning from ear to ear, if you book a learn to kite surf package you will become a kite surf legend! Set on the white sands of Blouberg Beach if you want to learn to kite surf now is your opportunity. Obviously kite surfing is weather dependent, so do allow enough time to fit this into your itinerary.
Go for some posh nosh in Camps Bay
Camps Bay is located round the side of table Mountain. It’s where the jet set crowd head. Nestled into the side of the mountain with unbelievable views of the ocean, and white sandy beach it’s a great place to hang out for the day. You would expect restaurant prices to be quite expensive, but you can find some pretty reasonable eateries as well. Check out some drone footage of camps Bay.
Take on the world’s highest abseil off table Mountain
Table Mountain is pretty big so what better setting to host the world’s highest abseil! You can abseil down a 10th of the mountain, watch out though because as a surprise waiting for you halfway down. Fair warning though this is extremely scary, but it will blow your mind if you do it!
Check out the craft markets of Long Street and then have a nice icecold Castle Lager
Long Street is the main backpacker district, and as the name suggests is a very long Street ripping through the centre of Cape Town. It cuts through the old town, and off the street you have lots of curio markets, craft markets and is a great place to hunt for bargains. Be prepared to haggle. It’s hot firstly work so afterwards make sure you hit one of the pubs and have a nice cold beer. Castle Lager or Wndhoek are the main lagers, but keep an eye out for the craft beers hanging around.
Brave the baboons and visit the Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape of Good Hope is located about an hour outside of Cape Town. Often considered Africa’s most southern point (in fact it is not that is Cape Aguhilas near Gaansbaai) it’s well worth a visit. Dramatic cliffs represent where the two oceans meet (the Atlantic and Indian Ocean). Just watch out because there are some cheeky baboons en route who may take an interest in your sandwiches if you have any available!
