Places to Visit & Things to Do in Cape Town
Known for stunning vistas, local delicacies and a diverse heritage scene – Cape Town might be the oldest city in South Africa, but it is nevertheless a modern cosmopolitan hub. From the coast to the mountains, there’s plenty to discover.
Sights & Attractions in Cape Town
It's hard to miss Table Mountain as it looms dramatically above Cape Town. For picturesque views across Cape Town, take advantage of the varied ascends available of this iconic sight. The Platteklip Gorge hike is ideal for those who want a straightforward walk, or try the India Venster trail if you’re a more seasoned hiker. Of course, the cable car to the top is the major attraction, offering 360-degree views as it takes you over 1,000 metres above Cape Town to the summit. If you’re geographically minded, dedicate time to visiting the mountainous Cape Peninsula. Take in stops at Kalk Bay for its harbour-side foods, Boulders Bay for the penguins, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, and maybe even an ocean drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Art & Culture in Cape Town
Cape Town’s multicultural history offers a myriad of art and design. Start at the Zeit Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and take time to look up at the museum’s striking building that was once a waterside grain silo from the 1820s. Nearby, in the Woodstock district, take in exhibitions at WHATIFTHEWORLD, Stevenson Gallery, and Goodman Gallery. As you wander between the galleries, look around at the frequent murals across the neighbourhood which transform the area into an open-air gallery. Back in the city centre, WORLDART, the Association for Visual Arts, and Gallery MOMO exhibit the works of new artists and the latest contemporary pieces. Shows, musicals and performances can be seen at Artscape and the Baxter Theatre Centre, while the Cape Town Opera presents regular performances throughout the year at the Artscape Theatre and Opera House.
Shopping in Cape Town
The biggest shopping location in Cape Town is along the V&A Waterfront, covering everything from designer stores including Louis Vuitton and Gucci to high-street brands. But, as a former World Design Capital, it comes as no surprise that much of the fashion offerings in the city lie beyond the shopping centre. Stay on the waterfront and you’ll find the Watershed, a craft and design space that hosts over 150 creators, offering art, clothing, jewellery and food with a local flair. Stop by Mungo & Jemima for women’s clothing from South African designers, or Missibaba in Woodstock for handmade luxury leather goods with innovative designs. While KLûK CGDT, the award-winning fashion house, can be found near the city centre and releases new clothing collections three times a year.
Food & Drink in Cape Town
With Winelands nearby, it’s not surprising that some of the best restaurants in the country choose Cape Town as their base. Visit La Colombe on the Silvermist Estate for its multi-award-winning French cuisine, or try the Azure Restaurant at the 12 Apostles Hotel, which aims to centre local culinary delicacies. Cape Town also boasts a vibrant market culture. The Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock has street food, local producers and designers. While the Oranjezicht City Farm Market by the beach caters for all diets and hosts a selection of lifestyle stalls too. In recent years, the number of coffee roasters in Cape Town has risen dramatically – Truth, Rosetta Roastery, Tribe, Deluxe and Origin are all local favourites.
Unique to Cape Town
The stunning geography of Cape Town is what makes this city stand out. Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to breathtaking views of the city from vantage points Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain. Other unique attractions include the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Here, you’ll find Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which regularly holds summer concerts and art exhibitions and is a perfect picnic setting. Beach lovers should try the oceanfronts at Clifton, Llandudno, Noordhoek and Muizenberg, while the tidal pools and playgrounds at Sea Point, as well as its beaches and walking routes.
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Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
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Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
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The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
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