Travelstart brings you 10 unusual, fun things to do in and around Cape Town that you probably don’t know about. There’s more to the Mother City than meets the eye and we guarantee there’s at least one item on this list you’ve yet to tick off your bucket list.
1. Penguin Sea Kayaking in Simon’s Town
Courtesy of rossnortier via Instagram
An unusual and fun way to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach is by kayak.
Price: R300 for 2 hours
Another unusual activity is to do is the much-in-demand Full Moon Rising Paddle Trip, held once a month when the weather is calm, from April to October each year. You can take-in the sunset and the moonlight from your kayak, and maybe even be accompanied by passing dolphins.
Price: R350. Book your place with Kayak Cape Town here.
Wharf Street, Simons Town
082 501 8930
2. Visit the R10 restaurant for tea and pastries
Courtesy of lee79_lifts via Instagram
Xpresso Café SA is here to save you some serious randelas. Everything on the menu (everything!) of this recently opened spot is priced at R10. Heralded as the best priced coffee shop in South Africa the food’s tasty without being pretentious. Just take a look at that giant chocolate biscuit!
Price: R10 per item
Open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, Saturday from 7am to 4pm and Sunday from 8am to 1pm.
16 Wellington Road, Durbanville
Courtesy of xpressocafesa via Instagram
3. Play a game of life-size chess in the Company’s Garden
Both kids and adults will love this Alice in Wonderland-sized chess set outside the Company’s Garden Restaurant.
Price: free
4. Camping at Kogel Bay Beach
Courtesy of matthew_verwey via Instagram
This picturesque spot is a favourite of Capetonians in the know and a secret spot for wedding proposals.
Find it by driving along Clarens Drive, 10 kilometres from Gordon’s Bay on the road to Rooi Els/Betty’s Bay. You can set up camp at Kogel Bay Resort.
Price: R124 in low season and R190 in high season
5. Smash some plates at Greek nights at Mykonos Taverna
Courtesy of sarahj_opperman via Instagram
The last Saturday of every month is their famous Greek evening where you can Zorba to your heart’s content, smash plates and drink ouzo.
Price: An average meal is around R80 a person
Call 021 439 2106 to book
343 Main Road, Sea Point
6. Go on a gentle hike to Kleinplaas dam
Courtesy of mikeasap via Instagram
A fun, easy hike to do with the family in the Redhill area above Simon’s Town, this is an unusual hike with a great pay off as you’ll be able to take some amazing photos here.
Price: free
7. Get your jazz on at Swing nights in the city
Courtesy of capetownswing via Instagram
Held in the beautiful Youngblood Gallery space every Tuesday, the Boogie Back Dance Company holds 4 classes per night catering for beginners and advanced swing dancers. Learn the Lindy Hop, Charleston and Blues. Find out more here.
From 6:30pm and 7:30pm every Tuesday in the Youngblood Beautifull Life Building
70-72 Bree street
8. Take in the 360 degree view at the Vue rooftop Skybar and Lounge
Courtesy of fenyo_phenyo via Instagram
This popular venue in the de Waterkant is the perfect spot to toast the arrival of summer and the best place to start your night’s revelry set against sprawling views of the Mother City.
Price: R40 for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc
Floor 15, 40 Chiappini Street
021 418 3065
Courtesy of thandoshelembe via Instagram
9. Dogs and Kids friendly Tokai Forest Market
Courtesy of tokaiforestmarket via Instagram
This lovely Saturday market set near the Tokai forest is a wonderful family-friendly environment to have a leisurely Saturday brunch and browse. No one is left out as dogs on leashes are welcome and kids will love the fun activities on offer. Formerly known as the Porter Produce Estate Market, the Tokai Forest Market started 9 years ago, this market is a Cape Town classic,
Orpen Road, Spaanchemat River Road, Tokai
082 334 5434
10. Learn how the best chocolatiers do it at Honest Chocolate Bonbon Classes
Courtesy of honestchocolate via Instagram
Held at the innovative and stylish design hub the Woodstock Exchange, Honest Chocolate’s Bonbon workshops are not to be missed. Held every few months (keep an eye on their Facebook page) you’ll get to spend a few hours learning the secrets of great chocolate making and cocoa production, plus you get to do tasters and take home a box of your hand-made bonbons at the end.
Get your tickets here for their workshop held at the end of October.
Price: R250