Cape Town: An Ideal Family Holiday Destination
Cape Town is unquestionably the most popular South African holiday destination for families, both among locals and tourists worldwide. The city's many beautiful beaches, mountain ranges, botanical gardens, and city parks offer fantastic outdoor activities. At the same time, museums, theatres, and other entertainment venues keep visitors entertained even when the weather is bad outside.
South Africa experiences its busiest travel season, during the summer school holidays in December and January. Before and after these dates, accommodations and booking flights to Cape Town are less expensive, and the city is less crowded and pleasant.
While public transportation and taxis make getting around Cape Town city easy, first car rental for family outings inside and outside the city, may be more convenient.
To make things a bit more fun, take the Hop on-Hop off sightseeing bus lines that run between all of the major tourist destinations in Cape Town.
What makes Cape Town an ideal destination to travel to? Let's see.
The City Bowl
The inner city, known as the City Bowl, is filled with dynamic and trendy areas filled with bustling shops, marketplaces, museums, rooftop bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that cater to urbanites and young adults. However, the inner city should not be overlooked because it still has many family-friendly attractions, and quieter, more spacious accommodations can be found in the mountain neighborhoods such as Tamboerskloof, Gardens, Oranjezicht, and Vredehoek.
The V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is a popular site due to its central location in the city. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and even pirate-themed boat rides are available throughout the harbour and canals, while the quaysides host year-round events, including exhibitions, concerts, and festivals. Two Oceans Aquarium, one of Cape Town's most popular family attractions, should not be missed if you are visiting with children.
Clifton and Camps Bay
The affluent seaside districts of Clifton and Camps Bay are home to some of Cape Town's best beaches, restaurants, and cocktail bars, as well as some of the city's best ocean sunset views. Accommodation in this area is both in high demand and expensive, but if you're looking for a luxurious lifestyle in Cape Town, look no further. This location is particularly popular among teenagers, and it's easy to see why. After all, this is where the rich and famous socialize themselves.
Table Mountain
The city's most iconic landmark, Table Mountain, should be at the top of each visitor's list when in Cape Town. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway cable car turns 360 degrees, giving you the finest views possible as you journey 3,500 feet up to the summit. Once you've reached the summit, you can do things like writing a postcard, shop for gifts, having a cup of coffee and a slice of milk tart, and exploring the rest of the Tabletop. Snack on delicious treats while using the free wifi in their wifi Lounge.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is home to Cape Town's favorite monochrome inhabitants— zebras, quaggas, and the African Penguin population. Only a handful of penguin species are found on the African continent, and they are officially listed as endangered. There is a lot to see in the Boulders Beach region, and Simon's Town is a lovely spot for lunch and a wander through the neighborhood's ancient streets, which also houses a naval base.
Cape Point
The cliffs at Cape Point offer breathtaking views from the South Peninsula, near Simon's Town. When you visit this historic region, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous fynbos, baboons, and ostriches. While you're there, take their audio tour to learn about the history of the lighthouse and the surrounding coast, and don't forget to ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular.
The Bo-Kaap
The vibrantly colored Bo-Kaap neighborhood is a short walk from the city's central location and a must-see for first-timers to Cape Town. Cooking tours in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood are a great way to learn how to prepare things like roti, Cape Malay curry, and samosas if you're a foodie. Also, in Rose Corner Cafe, you'll find delectable sweet koeksisters (kind of a doughnut but spice-infused and topped in syrup and desiccated coconut). Visit Bo-Op to see what local designers are wearing, and Bo-Kaap Bazaar to find unique gifts and souvenirs.
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is only a half-hour drive from Cape Town, so it's perfect for a day trip, but the laid-back vibe makes it worthwhile to spend a night or two there. The town of Stellenbosch in South Africa is a wine lover's dream come true. The town is surrounded by vineyard-filled valleys, and hundreds of wineries can be found in the nearby wine areas of Franschhoek and Paarl. In addition to Pinotage and Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch produces various grapes and wine styles, including some delectable sparkling wines that rival Champagne in quality yet cost half the price.
Garden Route
This region of South Africa's Garden Route is home to some of the country's most spectacular botanical treasures, including towering mountain ranges, breathtaking views, colorful valleys, lakes, rivers, and forests, as well as miles and miles of pristine white sand coastline.