Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Flanked by the spectacular flat topped Table Mountain, and surrounded by the deep blue oceans of the Atlantic sea it is a city that cannot help but flaunt it’s natural beauty.
It is packed with wonderful things to do and see, and if you never actually left the city, you would not be disappointed. However, Cape Town is also a complex and complicated place to understand, and stepping away from the main stage for just a short while might help you make a little more sense of it. And, when there is so much to discover just a short drive from the city, you would certainly be missing out if you didn’t leave the shadow of Table Mountain for at least a short while.
Starting the Day at Signal Hill
Signal hill is part of the Table Mountain National Park and easily accessible by car. At 350 meters high it is a great place to try and gain some perspective on the sprawling city. Most tourists will head for Table Mountain (and rightly so, it shouldn’t be missed), but this means it can become busy and because of the unpredictability of the weather quickly becomes shrouded in cloud, so that views from the top can be disappointing or simply impossible. From Signal Hill, which is a little quieter you also get some wonderful views of Table Mountain and a sweeping panorama of the city
Signal Hill was a lookout point for the early settlers. From here, flags were hoisted when an approaching ship was seen. This gave traders below time to prepare and display their wares for selling. Every day at 12 noon every day a cannon is still fired from Signal Hill. This dates back to 1806 when when it was used to mark the moment of 12 pm Cape Mean Time, to enable ships in the bay to check their chronometers – crucial for navigating rough seas
On route to Signal Hill, pick up a coffee and delicious pastry from one of the many cute cafes in Cape Town. Take it with you to the top of the hill and enjoy the quiet and still as you watch the city emerge into another shimmering day.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Just a short drive from Signal Hill and on the Eastern slopes of Table mountain is Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. A huge expanse of South African horticulture, and recognised as among the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. With Table Mountain which is almost in touching distance providing the dramatic backdrop, it would be difficult to argue with this
Kirstenbosch is a wonderful escape from the city. When its hot, the gardens provide plenty of shady spots and cool areas in which to seek respite from the searing midday sun. A thousand shades of green dotted with splashes of colour from the huge variety of Proteas which grace the beds of this garden add to the feeling of calm.
In January (mid summer) when we visited, agapanthus were the stars of the show. Tall blue and white balls of colour graced many of the borders framing some beautiful views across the city.
The Tree Canopy is a gentle walk along a curving steel and timber bridge which rises up through the trees revealing spectacular views of the gardens and beyond. Sculptures are dotted throughout the gardens adding to the interest provided by more than 7000 of South Africa’s plant species. If you are there during the summer, try and catch one of the outdoor concerts which take place on Sundays.
It is such a peaceful place to visit and is a perfect if seeking some tranquility, or if in need of a break from the city.
Kalk Bay
After a gentle morning strolling through the flora and fauna of Kirstenbosch, a late lunch and some se air might be called for. The place to find this in abundance is the picturesque, bohemian seaside town of Kalkl Bay
This working fishing town with its stunning views and low key, relaxed vibe lends itself to some gentle holiday meandering. In theory it won’t take too long to walk from one end of the town to the other, except there are so many interesting places to stop and look at along the way. Kalk Bay is filled with pretty shops selling paintings, sculptures, fabrics, homewares and some very covetable dresses. Many of these are made by local designers. This is very much a place to wander stopping off for a cool drink in one of the many roadside cafes when the mood takes you.
The harbour is filled with languorous seals lazily sunning themselves on the harbour wall or flopping around in the sea. Occasionally they raising a flipper. Perhaps as an acknowledgement to ‘out of towners’.
Muizenberg beach is the place to soak up a little of the South African sun as you sit amongst the colourfully painted Victorian bathing huts watching locals bathe in the sea and bask in the warm glow that comes from living in such a covetable place.
If you are fortunate to find yourself in Cape Town with a car and a day at your disposal, you could do much worse than visit Signal Hill, Kirstenbosch and Kalk Bay.
A wonderful place to visit. Lovely memories. xx