The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cape Town, South Africa

This post comes from blogger Amy Scheepers, Author of Fancy Pants!

A while ago I packed my bags and moved to what I honestly believe to be one of the best cities in the world, Cape Town – and just over a year later I still get excited by the smallest things.

Things like walking out my door and seeing Table Mountain still blow me away, as does the fact that I can squeeze in a hike, freezing ocean swim, and take advantage of the brilliant coffee shop culture – all in the space of a few hours. I guess it’s the variety of things to do, combined with an undeniable beauty, that this city has totally won me over. There are a few specific parts of Cape Town that are especially close to my heart though – the city center, the gardens, the beaches and a little town called Kalk Bay.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over the city center, it always reminds me of when I used to visit on holiday and knew nothing about the city; I’d walk up and down Long Street for hours exploring every corner. While I’m very familiar with all its secrets by now I still can’t resist going for a stroll and taking in the views, seeing what the vintage market has that I haven’t noticed  before and popping into the local designers boutiques. Whenever I’m asked where the best shopping spots are for local goods, my answer is always the same: Long & Kloof Streets!

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Kalk Bay was an easy one to include – it’s a tiny coastal town just outside the city, it’s always humming with tourists and the main road is lined with all sorts of antique stores, art galleries, and delicious places to eat. My favorites? Cafe Olympia for the pastries, Wauhaus for all sorts of vintage treats, and an amazing Moroccan store up one of the side streets for incredible rugs and jewellery. I’m pretty sure this is where I’m going to become an old eccentric lady with the most phenomenal bohemian style one day, that’s the dream at least!

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Get the look: Nomad Cotton Fringe Shawl, Isabelle Embroidered Flare, We the Free Muscle Beach Baby Tee, Goodnight Moon Sunglasses

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I’m a big fan of gardens within cities, as much as I love city life there’s few things that beat strolling around a beautifully curated cacti garden or napping on a picnic blanket! I have 2 that I visit whenever I can think up an excuse: Kirstenbosch Gardens which is pretty central and makes for a lovely afternoon picnic and it hosts summer concerts every weekend during summer, which is something you have to experience. And my absolute favorite: Babylonstoren, which can be found about 30 minutes outside of the city. I go there for the views, an amazing bakery that’ll have you taking home all sorts of crazy loaves to try out (gorgonzola & pear is my favorite!), lunch inside the greenhouse and cactus maze – but there are so many other treats to discover, as well as a hotel I have yet to try out.

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Get the look: Kuta Dress, Queen of California Rimless AviatorOlivia Wedge

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Get the look: Olivia Wedge

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Get the look: Lucky Loosey Shapeless Dress, Loire Tall Boot, Twiggy Round Sunglass

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To round out my favorite places, I had to include our beaches – seeing as we have some of the most beautiful shores in the world. My favorites are probably a toss up between The Hoek and Lundudno – although Glen Beach and Clifton are all kinds of amazing too. Nothing beats a Cape Town beach sunset in the summer, and all my free moments are inevitably spent on the beach or in the car looking for waves with my boyfriend and our pug-child, Neville.

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Get the look: Ayu Dress, Gwen Leather Choker

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Follow Amy on Instagram and check out her blog here!

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8 years ago

This is an incredible tribute to Cape Town – I love the way your outfits fit so perfectly into your surroundings. Beautiful!

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

Natasha
8 years ago

What a beautiful post! I lived in South Africa for almost a year & this brings back such beautiful memories. It is an incredible country & Capetown just might be thee best city there! I still have treasures from a favorite shop called Gypsy, in Simons Town. I wonder if it is still there…?! Thank you for sharing the beauty of Capetown.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/breathesun

8 years ago

Beautiful post with lovely style and cool emotion behind the photos.

sandandpalette.squarespace.com

8 years ago

You have wonderful photos in your post! I love the styling, colors, and emotions evoked in every picture. I loved learning about Cape Town, since South Africa has been of interest to me for a future travel adventure. I enjoyed seeing all of the local shops, boutiques, restaurants, and jewelry. Looks like there’s a great deal of variety in Cape Town!

http://passportcouture.com

8 years ago

What a gorgeous country! I’ve never considered South Africa on my destination list. Great guide!

cindy
8 years ago

Thanks for the wonderful story of Cape Town. I’m going there next winter and I’m so excited. I’ll be sure to keep track of all your interesting suggestions for my trip. Thank you for sharing your favorite places.

8 years ago

Wow, this makes me want to visit South Africa. Photos and outfits are gorgeous as well! Especially love the first outfit.

8 years ago

omg this makes me really, really want to go to Cape Town right now!!! so beautiful <3

https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/

8 years ago

oh goodness this makes me seriously want to visit!!

http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com

Skye
8 years ago

Welcome to my city! Thank you for this lovely feature on my home town!

8 years ago

Beautiful pictures, they are taking me back to Cape Town where I’ve been two times. I miss South Africa so much. The beach, all those cute shops and the people.
I definitely have to come back!

http://p-lichtblicke.blogspot.de/

Michelle
8 years ago

I’m from Cape Town, SA, and i LOVED this!!! You make me see my own city in a new way.

paulbroad
8 years ago

You have done an amazing job of compressing your trip like this into highlights through words and pictures. What a fascinating place Capetown must be. People, food, culture, heritage, scenery, architecture – everything. Fabulous post. I am ready to go there right now!
http://www.travangelo.co.uk/

8 years ago

Nice post. It is easy to forget that sometimes the best thing you can do is just pass along your own experience through stories.

8 years ago

Very interesting post!!
Thanks for sharing the about travelling tips.
Also,Travel is full of pitfalls.One wrong step and your vacation could be ruined.Therefore take
the help of travel agents,they will take care of everything from start to end and makes your trip joyful.

6 years ago

Hey Amy,

I know this is a little late. But a really nice take on Cape Town. I really enjoyed my time there too!

5 years ago

I am pleased to remember a trip to Cape Town and I recommend this city to everyone. It was there that I discovered South African wines and for the first time I had dishes with ostrich meat. It is also a city that I would like to return to. The first time I did not have time to climb the Lion Head or swim in a cage surrounded by sharks.

Marvin Joie Cox
5 years ago

Thanks for sharing ! I used to stay in St. James, Capetown with its beautiful beaches, scenery and quaint shops.
It was a charming time.

3 years ago

I always dreamed to visit Cape Town. Maybe one day…