Making Sense of Cape Town

It’s almost time! It’s really here. Friday is Kick Off date and the excitement is palpable all over Cape Town. Today we blew our vuvuzela’s and hooted in support of our National side- Bafana Bafana. Our cities and airports, our train stations and even our funicular at Cape Point have been upgraded as South Africa shows its readiness to host this incredible football tournament. What an amazing country we have and we are so thrilled to be hosting visitors from all over the planet! Wow! Our endeavour is to make every visit as easy as possible and a memorable experience that will be talked about for years to come in every corner of the globe.

Being proudly Capetonian, Cape Point Route thinks that Cape Town is a simple city to navigate and explore so it is sometimes with amazement that I hear visitors announce their confusion. So here is our attempt to demystify the city of Cape Town for our guests and make sense of the city so that it becomes a straight forward destination.

Think of Cape Town as an upside down triangle. At the top of the upside down triangle there is a flat mountain. (Capetonians call this Table Mountain for obvious reasons). At the base of the mountain is the city centre. The pointed bit at the bottom of the triangle is a steep cliff with jagged rocks – we call this Cape Point – because it is pointed and at the bottom of the Cape!
To the left of the triangle is ocean – the Atlantic Ocean and to the right is more ocean – False Bay. In the middle is a mountain range (called Table Mountain National Park). As you head eastwards (and just off the triangle) you will come across vast wine estates and this area is called the winelands – which are easily accessible from the top or the bottom of the triangle!

There is basically one road running down the left side and one road running down the right side. (When you get closer to the city centre you have a top road (M3), a middle road (M4 or Main Road) and a lower road (M5 – a highway).

That’s it in a nutshell – a mountain facing north with a city centre at its’ base; a jagged point at the bottom and ocean on either side! Not very complicated really!

Cape Town city centre is arguably the most well known hub with all the big city action – from restaurants to nightlife, from museums to the Cape Town stadium.

We think that the Cape Point Route (the pointy triangular bit) is the coolest. Down in the south we have baboons, we have seals on an island on the left and seals on an island to the right - and a few geat white sharks! We have penguins in the bottom right and in season we have whales all around the coast.

The Cape Point Route is diverse, bohemian, with vibrant energy, barefooted folk, big smiles and untapped energy. The towns on the Cape Point Route are seaside villages with a friendly welcome that lie between the mountain and the sea. We hope you will visit us and hang out with the real folk and not merely drive through on a speedy day tour from the city centre.

Hout Bay has a lively active harbour, gorgeous swimming beach, spectacular mountain peaks, a sociable village centre, loads of activities (World of Birds, Mariner’s Wharf, Boat trips, fishing, hiking, museums and art galleries, a Sunday craft market and Imizama Yethu township).

Chapman’s Peak Drive is a spectacular road that connects Hout Bay to Noordhoek.

Noordhoek is Cape Town’s rural treasure, famed for its long white sandy beach, vast wetlands and ancient mikwood forest. Noordhoek Farm Village is the heart and soul of Noordhoek and Cape Point Vineyards is the area’s wine estate and open for tastings and sales 7 days a week.
Kommetjie and Scarborough are renowned for their beaches, surfing and birdwatching. Kommetjie is distinguished by it’s lighthouse but look out for Imhoff Farm on the way – a historic Cape Dutch homestead with a multitude of activities. Nearby Masiphumelele and Ocean View are diverse communities that reflect Cape culture. In Scarborough it is worth stopping at Cape Farmhouse which doubles up as a live music venue.

Simon’s Town is South Africa’s third oldest town, where penguins and the Navy share sand and sea. Simon’s Town has history, museums, characters, colours, boats and beauty. Visit the penguin colony, stop at Mineral World and Scratch Patch, hang out at the Simon’s Town waterfront, visit Just Nuisance statue on Jubilee Square, take one of many boat trips or try sea kayaking!

Fish Hoek has a family friendly bay where early morning swimmers (all year round) greet traditional “trek” fisherman and water sport enthusiasts encounter Southern Right Whales. This is also the commercial hub of the Cape Point Route for shopping and banking and supplies. Stroll along Jager’s Walk, golf at Clovelly Country Club, go hiking up Elsies Peak or visit Peers Cave – an historic stone age cave site.

Kalk Bay is a fishing village where trendy diners mingle with bohemian artists. Hikers stroll down cobbled streets and surfers ride waves past great colonial mansions of “Millionaire’s Mile”. Hang out at Kalk Bay Harbour especially when the fishing boats come in with the catch of the day. Take the water taxi to Simon’s Town, shop, eat and browse. Catch some theatre or walk to St James beach – well known for it’s coloured bathing boxes and safe tidal pool.

Muizenberg is a hot spot of surf culture in the Cape and is also home to grand architecture, fascinating museums and an annual kite festival. Visit Dalebrook Marine Reserve for a rock pool safari, hike up the mountains to the Kalk Bay caves or simply use the Muizenberg – St James walkway for a stroll along the Ocean Front. Westlake Golf Course is a panoramic 18 hole course.

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities,
Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the
CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Hout Bay; Noordhoek; Kommetjie; Scarborough; Cape of Good Hope; Simon’s Town; Fish Hoek; Kalk Bay; St. James; Muizenberg

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