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YOUR INSPIRATION TO EXPLORE THE WORLD

A Pocket Guide to Cape Town

Morgane Croissant, Staff Writer

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June 24, 2026

Cape Town should not be a pit stop on your way to your safari lodge or to your gourmet trip to Franschhoek. Cape Town is a destination in and of itself. Because the city on the very southern tip of the African continent has it all: beaches, mountains, wildlife, an incredible food scene, luxury hotels, and some solid wellness offerings to round off the top. We would recommend spending at least a week in Cape Town to get a good feel for the city’s charms, but for those who only have a few days, we selected the best hotels, restaurants, and activities to book for a short stay. But be aware: Getting a quick taste of the city almost always results in wanting more. After all, nobody can resist the pull of Boulders Beach’s adorable African penguins.

Top Hotels in Cape Town

Ellerman House

Picking only one of Ellerman House’s best qualities is very hard. Yes, the sea-facing location is a definite highlight, especially when you’re admiring the views from one of the terraced lawns’ plush loungers or the pool. But, is it better than the fact that this very large hotel has only 13 rooms and suites, making your stay almost as intimate as renting a private villa? We’re not quite sure. And speaking of villas, Ellerman House has two of them in case you do want an even more private vacation. The property’s one-and-a-half acre of lush gardens planted with indigenous species is another of Ellerman House’s best features. But as far as we’re concerned, the icing on the cake that is Ellerman House is the concierge services. Because if you wish, they’ll organize hikes, tours, picnics, paddle-boarding sessions, helicopter flights, and even a little jaunt to Antarctica just for you.

One&Only Cape Town

If location is paramount to you, then stay at One&Only. The resort is in the V&A Waterfront, a trendy neighborhood packed with restaurants, stores, and museums. And because of its address, One&Only Cape Town also has some incredible views of Cape Town’s marina and Table Mountain – a definite bonus. Of course, these views can be enjoyed from the 131 rooms and suites, all of which have balconies. Rumor has it, that the accommodations at One&Only are the largest in the entire city, so you shouldn’t lack space. The resort’s lagoon-style infinity pool is a great place to relax, but it’s the spa (located on its own little private island within the complex) that will send you to heaven. Take advantage of the thermal facilities and book the Table Mountain Tonic treatment for a local taste of wellness.

Mount Nelson

We love a hotel with a bold aesthetic, and Mount Nelson certainly has that. Not only is the building a lovely shade of baby pink, but so are the pool towels, the loungers, and the vintage sidecar and Volkswagen van in which you can take a tour of the city. In short: It’s an Instagrammer’s dream. Indoors, the colors are much more muted, but the decor remains on point, mixing elegance and playfulness to perfection to make guests feel both special and at ease. Every single one of the 198 rooms and suites is stunning, but we do have preference for the green-heavy Strelitzia Suite and its views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. The nine-acre garden is a lovely place to stroll and unwind, but nothing beats the Librisa Spa with its peaceful conservatory, herbal teas, and CBD massages.

Must-Try Restaurants in Cape Town And The Cape Winelands

OneEighty

The name of this Ellerman House restaurant alludes to panoramic views and that is exactly the case. OneEighty, whose decor and general atmosphere is more akin to a friends’ living room than a gourmet restaurant, has large windows with striking views of the Atlantic ocean. But because vistas don’t stave off hunger, there’s also excellent and artfully prepared food to be had. The menu changes daily according to the local ingredients available, so you can go there twice during your stay in Cape Town and have a different experience both times. OneEighty is open for both breakfast and dinner.

Curate

Also at Ellerman House, Curate opened in May 2025 to offer guests a fine dining experience that focuses on contemporary South African cuisine and wine pairings. The set-up for this dining venue is the hotel’s impressive Wine Gallery, which houses more than 7,500 bottles of wine. While the knee-weakening, multi-course tasting menu is the highlight of Curate, it’s impossible not to mention the giant corkscrew-shaped carbon fiber sculpture that serves as wine storage. It’s in the middle of the restaurant, so it draws the eyes.

Chef’s Warehouse

A 35-minute drive from Cape Town proper, Chef’s Warehouse sits as close as possible to the Atlantic ocean. In fact, if you opt for a table near one of the venue’s many floor-to-ceiling windows, or on its outdoor deck, you could easily believe you’re floating on the water. As per the restaurant’s location, the menu focuses on delicate seafood in the form of modern tapas. Chef’s Warehouse serves both lunch and dinner and also offers a plant-based and a vegetarian menu.

FYN

Located in Cape Town’s CBD, on the fifth floor of an office building, FYN serves a Japanese-inspired, modern African cuisine in a venue that looks more like a contemporary art museum than a restaurant. So as to satisfy all customers, there are several menus for both lunch and dinner: a tasting menu, a pescatarian menu, and a plant-based menu. Every dish is carefully crafted to look and taste refined.

Delaire Graff Restaurant

If you opt to take a day trip to the Cape Winelands, make sure you stop at Delaire Graff Estate’s restaurant for lunch or dinner. And not just for the exquisite, locally sourced food and wine, but also for the incredible views. If you come for a midday meal, sit on the terrace to admire the vineyards, olive groves, and mountains. Afterwards, walk around the magnificent gardens and look out for the many art pieces on the estate.

JAN Franschhoek

Franschhoek being the gourmet capital of South Africa, you’d be remiss not to pay it a visit. And because it’s only one hour away from the city, you can make it a day trip. JAN Franschhoek is a seasonal and communal dining concept so you have to be in the region at the right time and be comfortable sharing a table with strangers to experience it. The setting for this culinary event is a dream: a 19th-century farmhouse in the middle of a lavender field on La Motte Wine Estate. And the food is just as spectacular; Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s South African cuisine will have you ooh and aah. Reservations are highly recommended.

Non-Negotiable Activities To Do in Cape Town

Hike Table Mountain

Table Mountain dominates the landscape around Cape Town – it’s the city’s most recognizable feature. To see Cape Town from a totally different perspective and get your steps in, you can hike Table Mountain by using one of five different routes, some of which are strenuous, while offers are more easily tackled. Luxury experiential travel company &Beyond can get you set up with a guide for you to reach the top of Table Mountain no matter your fitness level. And if you want a more immersive hiking experience, you can opt for the Cape of Good Hope Trail, a 21-mile, two-day overnight route.

Cruise Chapman’s Peak Drive in Style

Chapman’s Peak Drive is an extremely scenic cliffside coastal road that starts in Hout Bay and winds all the way up to Chapman’s Point. The views of the Atlantic from the road are exceptional, but to make the experience even more special, we recommend that you hire a chauffeur and a classic car. That way, you can admire the scenery safely and in style.

Wine tram and African penguins in Cape Town — Photos courtesy of Franschhoek Wine Tram and Unsplash/Mystery Cat

Hang Out With Penguins at Boulders Beach

You don’t have to go on a full-blown safari to see wildlife in South Africa. A quick trip to Boulders Beach (part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area), just 40 minutes from the city, will allow you to see African penguins up close. And if you’re really keen, you can even kayak with the penguins. Again, &Beyond can arrange it all for you.

Ride the Franschhoek Wine Train

A quick and efficient way to enjoy Franschhoek in all its deliciousness is to ride the Wine Tram. There are five routes available for you to choose from. Once on board, you can hop off at the various wine estates you wish to visit and partake in tastings and meals, before hopping on again when you’re ready for the next one.