Hi friends! It’s me. Kellie. Remember? The girl who used to travel? When that was a thing?

I just decided to dust the cobwebs off my blog, and let me acknowledge that this is a weird time to be posting because a) it’s been 3 months since I’ve been in Cape Town and b) the world is still mostly locked down, or at least South Africa and Canada’s borders are, which are the 2 countries that are relevant to this story, but you know what, what better time than the present to share my GUIDE TO THE MOST EPIC TRIP TO CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA?!?!

In case you haven’t seen anything I’ve ever posted before, ever, in the history of the world wide web, then you should know that I’m quite obsessed with Cape Town. I’ve blogged about it excessively (and Insta-ed even more excessively) — here are some relevant articles for your trip!

These posts are filled with details and recommendations based on my experience in the Mother City.

But I did want to post an updated blog post on everything you need to do in Cape Town following my latest 3-month frolic there, for anyone who’s planning a trip in the (hopefully not-so-distant) future.

So here is a guide to everything you need to know for Cape Town — PROMISE it will be EPIC!!!!!

A sunrise for the soul. That’s Cape Town, baby.

Safety

Okay the main question everyone asks me when it comes to solo travel in Cape Town is about crime and safety. Especially my first trip there, everyone who heard I was there on my own would respond with: “You’re here by yourself?! Be careful!” and it started to freak me out. Then I learned how to navigate it and just fell in love with the city. So let’s get this topic out of the way.

South Africa is not the safest country to travel. There is a high level of crime and you need to keep your wits about you a little extra compared to many other places.

That being said, I would never advise any solo traveller not to go. I have never ever had a problem with safety in South Africa and the majority of people I’ve spoken to who have had a problem (ie. been mugged) say they saw it coming. They were walking by themselves at dark, they were venturing into an area that felt sketchy, they were being careless with their belongings, they had a gut feeling.

So my safety tips for Cape Town are as follows:

Understand your surroundings and where to avoid. Do research, talk to locals, and gauge the vibe.
If you’re getting an off vibe, cross the street, go into a restaurant, or book an Uber. Trust your gut.
Don’t walk by yourself after dark.
Get a SIM card so you can always Uber or Bolt, rather than walking (these rideshares are safe).
There are some areas (townships, most of Woodstock, near the bus station, Long Street at night) that I would never walk alone.
Don’t walk with your phone out, don’t leave it out on your table on a patio, don’t have it out at the bar. Don’t be careless. Be conscious that people can snatch it at any time.

Streets of Cape Town with my 🦁 in the background.

Where to stay:

Budget: Atlantic Point Backpackers (it’s the best hostel in Cape Town!)
Boujee: Get a sweet Airbnb in Camps Bay or Clifton or Sea Point… or Green Point (there are so many amazing neighbourhoods to stay in in Cape Town). Or if you wanna ball out, stay at the Silo Hotel in V&A — that’s bucket list stuff.

What to do:

Hike Lion’s Head at sunrise. This is my #1 reco for life and a non-negotiable for Cape Town if you like adventure and magic. Get a buddy, put your headlamp on, and get up there.

If you’re there in the summer, DEFINITELY go to Kirstenbosch outdoor concert series. Go on a day when there’s a fun South African artist playing, bring wine, and get ready to dance your bootay off.

MARKETS! Old Biscuit Mill and Oranjezicht. This is also non negosh. You’ve never been to markets like these — so vibey.

Old Biscuit Mill Saturdays, Oranjezicht Sundays = Perfect weekend.

Have a rooftop bev at Silo Hotel or Radisson Red, or Tigers Milk Camps Bay for sunset

Sunset from Radisson Red Rooftop, V&A Waterfront.

I literally just love strolling around V&A or along the top of Signal Hill or along the Sea Point Promenade. These are relatively safe areas with incredible views (spoiler alert, everywhere in Cape Town has incredible views). While at V&A, walk over to Granger Bay and look out for the dolphins!

Do a peninsula day trip: drive along Chapman’s Peak, explore the Cape of Good Hope, go see the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Go paragliding off Signal Hill or if you’re lucky, Lion’s Head! Book with Skywings.

Beach it: Check out Clifton’s 4 beaches, stroll across to Camps Bay. Check out the colourful huts at Muizenberg, the surf beach. Visit my personal fave, Llandudno aka paradise. If you visit a beach the day after a heavy wind storm you are in for the bluest most beautiful water <3.

Can hike Table Mountain or take the cable car but tbh i fricken hate hiking down that thing. Skeleton Gorge is nice to go up, it’s through Kirstenbosch. Do not hike down India Venster whatever you do. However you get up, walk across the top towards Devil’s Peak for an epic view of the city bowl and Lion’s Head.

Winery tour! Constantia is 20 mins from Cape Town centre, or you can drive 1 hour to Stellenbosch or Franschoek which are STUNNING! You can do a tasting for like $6 CAD.

My fave sunset spot is Maiden’s Cove by Camps Bay. It’s magic.

Getting there/around:

Getting to Cape Town from Vancouver is not quick or cheap but guys, it is SO. WORTH. IT.
I usually have a layover somewhere (Europe/NYC/maybe Kenya or Dubai) and then a layover on Joburg, and then from there it’s a 2-hour fight to Cape Town.
Travel hack: if you have time, give yourself a nice little extended layover so you can see a new city on the way. I did 3 days in Paris on my way to Cape Town last time (just call the airline to book) and it was actually cheaper than the “quick” one way flights!
Definitely get a SIM card so you can Uber everywhere. I buy mine at the airport from Vodacom and you can top up at grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.
There is a Citi bus that’s supposed to be reliable. You can also rent a car.

The gorg seaside streets of Bantry Bay. Can I live here plz.

Where to eat/drink:

Old Biscuit Mill & Oranjezicht markets are FOODIE HEAVEN.
Gardens: Tigers Milk, Kloof Street House, pizza @ I Love The Dough, Japanese @ Tjing Tjing, lunch @ Clarke’s, overpriced but Instagrammable acai bowl at Nourish’d
Camps Bay: Tigers Milk, Chinchilla rooftop (both of these for sunset)
Partying: Athletic Club is unreal. Asoka on a Tuesday night is life. Go to “Up Yours” (upstairs from Yours Truly), cocktail at Gin Bar, d floor at Sgt Pepper, dance to rap music at Waiting Room. Go to First Thursdays on Bree Street which is an epic street party on the first Thursday of every month!
Green Point: Hudson’s is right by Atlantic Point, I also looovvvee nü cafe (the miso chicken bowl omg. also the chicken and roasted veggie wrap), Bootlegger, Jason Bakery. Get fresh, delicious meals at Giovanni’s Deli.
Sea Point: Kleinskys Bagels, Scheckter’s Raw (health food), Jarryd’s for brunch, Mojo Market (this is also a vibe)!!
Digi nomad spots: Bootlegger anywhere, Jason Bakery (although WiFi is limited, I like the vibe), i LOVE Cocoa Oola, Truth Coffee, Strangers Club is boujee but v cute/trendy.
V&A: Silo Hotel Rooftop, Radisson Red Rooftop, La Parada is so nice, Bascule Bar is soo lovely for a Table Mountain view glass of bubbly.