The AllThingsMomSydney 2018 World Tour:

10 Top Places for Families to Visit in Cape Town

AllThingsMomSydney is taking its readers and families around the world. This June we’re going on the 2018 Family World Tour and getting some guest posts from moms around the globe who show us the 10 best places to visit in their city. First up is Cape Town, South Africa!

A huge thanks to Bianca for taking us through 10 Top Places for Families to Visit in Cape Town. For more from Bianca, head on down to the bottom of the post where you can find all her details.

Now, we as a family never lived in Cape Town but I can tell you that if we were to visit South Africa as tourists, this is the place we would visit. Not only Cape Town absolutely beautiful but it is also probably the safest of the major South African Cities. That’s just my personal opinion though.

One of the best things about  Cape Town is that you can be on the beach in the morning and then in the winelands in the afternoon. If you’re going to the region and have never been before – you have to go check out the winelands, they are the best in the world, again in my opinion 🙂 But I am sure Bianca and thousands of others from around the world would agree. 

 

10 Top Places for Families to Visit in Cape Town

 

The combination of metropolitan areas and natural surroundings makes for a never-ending list of things to do in Cape Town. There is guaranteed to be a little something for everybody to enjoy. The best way to see it is renting your own car and exploring the coastline. Its easy and safe to get around, and with your own transport, you’ll get to crap more into the time you have. Don’t wait another second! Pack your things and head for the welcoming southern tip of Africa.

Cape Town has a rich history and a wide variety of activities for families eager to take in the breathtaking sights of this unique and diverse city. With its location by the sea, it offers not just a coastal adventure, but as you move inland, it has mountains to explore and then reveals the lush winelands. When you consider the warmth of the people, you have a city that will remain forever in your heart.

 

1.  Table Mountain

 

The first of the 10 Top Places for families to visit in Cape Town in the world famous Table Mountain.

Reaching over 3,500 feet, Table Mountain is a popular attraction with amazing view over the ocean and Cape Town’s city. The best route to the top for families with younger children is the cableway.

To hike up the mountain takes about 1 and a half hours up, and about the same coming down. For the more adventurous, there is also rock climbing, caving, and even a mountain biking route.

 

2.  Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

 

 

This is the ideal family picnic spot. The gardens are beautiful to explore and depending on the time of year, concerts are held on the open lawns. There is a tall bridge that winds through the tree canopy called the “Boomslang”, meaning tree snake. It’s a safe vantage point that the whole family will enjoy.

Skeleton Gorge is another hiking trail which starts in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the back of the mountain. It is a bit more of a challenge, but the reward is great as it winds through thick forest and has perfectly placed waterfalls that make ideal, shaded resting spots.

 

3.  Lion’s Head Hike

 

This trail is iconic and best enjoyed at sunset on a full moon, its is best suited for adults and older children. The route has a path that leads around the peak for those looking to just enjoy an easy walk, but it also offers an optional climbing wall to add a bit more of a challenge for the hiking enthusiast. You can enjoy the amazing scenery from the top of the Lion’s Head and truly appreciate the coastal beauty of Cape Town.

4.  Hout Bay Harbour & Chapman’s Peak

 

Hout Bay is a colorful and lively hotspot, offering a large range of leisure activities and attractions. You can find traditional handmade arts and crafts in the local market, as well as feast on delicious local foods. If you’re travelling with family, you should also consider visiting the World of Birds, bird sanctuary nearby for a truly unique experience. Being so close to the water also makes Hout Bay the perfect place for paddle boarding, fishing and boat tours that take you out to the nearby seal colony.

 

 

Chapman’s Peak towers several hundred feet above the Atlantic Ocean overlooking the Hout Bay Harbor. It’s a short drive from the harbor market and a great place to enjoy a picnic with sights that are truly spectacular!

5.   Horse Riding on Noordhoek Beach

 

Book a guided beach ride that takes you trough the wetlands, onto the beach and along the water’s edge, past the Kakapo shipwreck. Sunset is the best time to take in the pure magic of this breathtaking location.

6.   Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

 

Combining the lively restaurants, craft markets and boats sailing out on the calm waters, makes the V&A Waterfront a must-see location. If shopping and delicious food wasn’t enough, consider booking a trip to the historic Robben Island, or visit the Two Oceans Aquarium for all sorts of family-friendly fun.

7.    Wine Routes

 

The climate near Cape Town is ideal for growing delicious tasting grapes. It makes sense that both locals and tourists go out of their way to visit the Cape Winelands to try the latest wines from the region. Dutch explorer Jan van Riebeeck was the very first to make wine in the area centuries ago in 1659. To top it all off, you get to enjoy the tour with towering mountain ranges in the background.

 

Wine farms like The Spice Route and Fairview in the Paarl area, cater not just to adults, but to kids too. Kids can play in full view on the lawns and jungle gyms, while parents get to sample the food and wine. The wine estates also have chocolate and beer tastings and make their own special ice creams for you to sample.

8.    Big Bay Kite Beach

 

Who doesn’t love kite flying? And who doesn’t love the beach? Combining these two aspects will undoubtedly result in a lot of fun.

Big Bay has a flat beach area, gentle waves and just the right amount of wind to make it the ideal spot to fly your kite. You can bring along your favorite flyer and give it a whirl or bring along a picnic, enjoy the sun, and watch as other high flyers take to the skies.

 

9.   Meet the Penguins at Boulders Beach

 

 

Boulders beach is not just special for being a clean and secluded swimming beach. What makes it so unique, is you get to share your beach experience with local penguins. These curious little birds watch from a distance and make for the most memorable beach day. It’s a great spot to spend a sunny day, and the large boulders provide great protection from wind and sun. Get there early to find the best spot.

 

10.   Atlantis & The West Coast National Park

 

Driving a short 40 minutes up the west coast will have you in a completely different and arid looking terrain. In Atlantis, soft, white dunes create the opportunity for Sandboarding and quad biking.

A little further up the west coast road is the entrance to the West Coast National Park and the turquoise water of the Langebaan Lagoon. Being so close to the ocean presents a fantastic opportunity to enjoy freshly caught seafood. From oysters to lobster and caught-that-day fish, there are several family friendly restaurants in Langebaan that will cater to everyones tastes.

 

 

♦

More about Bianca 

Bianca has spent most of her life in South Africa, of which 8 years have been in Cape Town. Her love for the outdoors and nature has been solidified living in this beautiful part of the world, surrounded by mountains, ocean and forests. Each location hides a collection of unique wildlife, views and treasures like lakes, caves and waterfalls. This is what keeps her exploring her own back yard and where she blogs about a life that’s WellWorthLiving.