Cape City is a cultural melting pot, more and more celebrated for its artwork, meals and vogue, in addition to being a pure surprise, residence to beautiful surroundings – principally related to the ever-dominating Desk Mountain that appears out over the town – unbelievable land and ocean wildlife, which supply the chance to rise up shut with safari choices and exquisite seashores only a stone’s throw from the metropolis.

Although it’s a 12-hour flight from London, it has only a one-hour time distinction that means that it’s far sufficient away to really feel such as you’re exploring someplace completely totally different and but there is no such thing as a jet lag to acclimatise to. This makes it a really perfect long-haul location, particularly if you happen to’re wanting to flee when the temperatures drop within the UK and begin heating up in Cape City (the most popular months of the 12 months are January to March). Plus, there isn’t any visa necessities for UK residents.

All in all, it is very simple so far as far-away adventures go. In contrast to different lengthy haul journeys the place you may go for multi-destination holidays to justify the prolonged journey time, there isn’t the necessity to do that in Cape City. It has all the pieces – meals, seaside, nature, journey and wine – all inside a brief radius.

Offered but? You are not the one one. It’s no shock that within the aftermath of the pandemic, individuals have flocked to the African metropolis, with January to June 2023 exceeding pre-pandemic ranges by 104%, welcoming 1.4 million worldwide guests. Most guests come from the UK, with an estimated 70,000 British vacationers choosing Cape City as their vacation vacation spot within the first 4 months of 2023 alone.

This is all the pieces it’s essential to know, from inns to eating places to safari in Cape City:

Resorts in Cape City

The Silo Lodge

Discovered within the fashionable V&A waterfront space of the town, this former grain manufacturing facility provides beautiful 360° views of Desk Mountain to throughout the water of Robben Island. A perfect metropolis resort, the rooms have all the pieces you want and its scrumptious breakfast is first-class, setting you up completely for a day of sightseeing and exploring. The rooftop sky terrace is a must-visit for friends. Within the winter, benefit from the view whereas cosying up with a blanket and glass of wine from the bar. In the summertime, make use of the pool, which will also be discovered up there.

In addition to boasting its personal artwork assortment – you may as well have a personal guided artwork tour by their in-house resident professional – the resort is discovered on high of the Zeitz Museum Of Modern Artwork Africa, which is residence to a surprising assortment of artwork from throughout South Africa and the continent.

The One & Solely

The Cape City version of the posh chain has extra of a resort really feel (some rooms are accessible through a bridge over the canal the place a resident otter lives), which is a superb selection for travellers who like so as to add a component of R&R to their metropolis escape. The rooms are minimalist, however with clear African influences on its design, similar to printed curtains, beaded ornaments and pure wooden decor.

Outdoors of the room, you’ll be able to unwind within the spa, discovered by itself man-made island, the place a pre or post-flight therapeutic massage is unquestionably inspired or go to the resort’s wine studio for a personal wine tasting session by their very own professional sommelier sampling one of the best wine within the Cape City area, accompanied by a scrumptious charcuterie board. For eating, the all-day foods and drinks website, Vista Bar, sits instantly reverse Desk Mountain for unparalleled views. The One & Solely additionally boasts a Nobu restaurant, which till not too long ago was the one posting of the famed Japanese eatery on the continent (Chef Nobu and Robert De Niro opened up their second African restaurant in Marrakech in spring 2023). The concierge can assist prepare actions with excursions, together with whale watching, hikes and even shark dives supplied.

Eating places in Cape City

Cape City has actually put itself on the map for its eating choices in recent times, with an enormous number of eating places. From trendy takes on South African delicacies to full gastronomic experiences, the town has one thing for everybody. As a pescatarian, there’s an enormous quantity of non-meat choices, too. Plus, Ubers are a brilliant dependable, low-cost and straightforward solution to navigate the town and slot in as many eateries as doable.

New for 2023 is Salon, the sister restaurant of the world-renowned Pot Luck Membership (and located only one flooring under), which provides unbelievable multi-course tasting menus primarily based on all of the locations internationally the place chef Luke Dale-Roberts has labored. Salon’s tackle the Singapore Chilli, Malaysian Laksa and twist on the standard South African Malva pudding to complete off our dinner are highlights.

One other must-visit restaurant for a full multi-course and wine-paired culinary expertise is the unique Salsify on the Roundhouse (not too long ago named Africa’s finest landmark restaurant by the World Culinary Awards), whose setting overlooks Camps Bay in a single course (which is price a go to in itself. Head to the seaside simply earlier than sundown for beautiful views of the ocean on this quaint surfer setting) and Lion’s Head within the different. Salsify provides a prolonged ten-course chef’s menu (we cherished the road fish), the place for each course one of many kitchen’s cooks will deliver it to your desk and discuss you thru the dish.

For a lunch or dinner possibility in one of many cooler elements of the town, attempt the brand new spot Membership Kloof. The Italian-inspired menu specialises in small plates with Mediterranean affect. We advocate the Mac and Cheese Arancino and Mozarella-Stuffed Pizza Fritta paired with an Aperol Spritz, in fact. The brightly-tiled interiors make for a dreamy eating setting, too.

Talking of interiors, Higher Union is one other eatery the place the meals is elevated by the stylised decor of the constructing. Within the coronary heart of Cape City’s Kloof Avenue district, it’s an interiors lover’s dream because of the emerald, black and gold trendy twist on the standard Victorian heritage constructing. At Higher Union, you’ll be able to go for the chef’s menu of a giant major meal with sides (headed up by chef Amori Burger) or a sharing-style menu. Whichever you select, pair it with a cocktail from the mixologist’s menu of bespoke drinks.

Day journeys from Cape City

There’s a lot to see and go to in Cape City. A lot so that you simply most likely will not get to do all of it. However listed here are a few of the necessities that it’s best to attempt to tick off if doable.

You will note Desk Mountain wherever you go and may positively attempt to rise up there to view the Mom Metropolis from one of the best view doable. There are cable automobiles which go to and from Desk Mountain and we advocate downloading the app to double test the cable automobiles are operating as they do not if there may be poor visibility or troublesome climate situations. For those who’d favor to hike, there are a number of routes to take, differing in size and talent.

A vastly vital journey from Cape City is to Robben Island, the place a ticket contains the ferry over to the island the place former president and anti-apartheid chief Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, together with numerous different residents who had been held as political prisoners for his or her combat in opposition to the apartheid. The tour guides on Robben Island are former inmates, making the go to profoundly impactful as they current the squalid situations the place they had been compelled to sleep, eat and work, usually with very restricted outdoors visitation whereas being held below strict guidelines and rules, together with being forbidden from chatting with to different inmates. In addition to seeing Mandela’s cell, you might be additionally proven the areas the place he wrote (and hid across the jail) manuscripts for his memoir, Lengthy Stroll To Freedom.

One other day journey about an hour’s drive away from the CBD (central enterprise district) centre is the Cape of Good Hope, probably the most south-western level of the African continent. It is also the place the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean so be ready for breathtaking surroundings of lush inexperienced mountains and crashing waves on the pebbled seashores.

Have a pit cease at Kalk Bay en path to the Cape of Good Hope, for kitsch espresso outlets and memento spots, in addition to sampling the fish and chips on the waterfront earlier than taking a stroll to the place seals can be discovered fortunately sunbathing.

One other must-visit is Boulders Seashore, residence to the well-known colony of African penguins. Cute.

Vineyards close to Cape City

There’s the choice to spend day journeys visiting a few of the many vineyards within the close by wine area (some are as shut as half-hour away) or you’ll be able to lengthen your stick with an evening or two there. During which case, you’ll seemingly find yourself within the stunning city of Stellenbosch.

We opted to spend an evening on the majestic Lanzerac Property, a five-star nation resort with conventional décor full of lovely quirky china antiques. Surrounded by mountains with a grand tree-lined driveway, the property is residence to rows of lush vines. We advocate heading to the deli for a wine tasting session. Strive a glass of the rosé pinotage, a cross between the Pinot Noir and Hermitage grape, which originated at Stellenbosch College.

For a stunning eating expertise in Stellenbosch the place, in fact, the wine is simply pretty much as good too (there are 130 bottles on provide), we advocate the appropriately named The Wine Glass restaurant.

Safari close to Cape City

After all, safari is a should when heading to South Africa. Whereas the extra broadly recognized Kruger Nationwide Park is situated additional north nearer Johannesburg and Pretoria, it is incorrect to imagine there aren’t stunning safari choices nearer Cape City, too.

Gondwana recreation reserve is a 4 and a half hour drive away from Cape City. It is a simple drive, primarily one straight lengthy street as soon as out of Cape City (cease off at Tredici bakery in Swellendam en route).

Gondwana is residence to the massive 5: lion, elephant, rhino, hippo and buffalo, in addition to herds of zebra, impala, cheetah, giraffe, monkeys and extra. Company are normally taken out for a morning and late afternoon safari. Due to the extremely educated and passionate safari guides, highlights vary from seeing a child rhino crossing the trail along with his mom, a herd of giraffes having their morning breakfast and a post-hunt satisfaction of lions chomping on their prey.

Although it’s centrally in regards to the wildlife and ensuing unforgettable experiences you make, the expertise of Gondwana is heightened by the posh lodging. There are a selection of choices in your keep, from Ulubisi Home, the staffed three-bedroom non-public lodge with a personal pool, to the Kwena Lodge suites with a shared pool, sky lights for stargazing, and a variety of indoor and out of doors eating places providing unbelievable meals.

Effectively, what are you ready for?

Expertise Editor

Olivia Blair is Expertise Editor at Hearst UK, working predominantly throughout Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar. Olivia covers all issues leisure and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Timothée Chalamet and Cynthia Erivo over time.