Tips and practical guide to Cape Town

For: Javier Brandoli (text and photos)
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(World Cup Special for Spanish fans. An exception for the Red)

Cape Town is a beautiful city, quiet, chosen by nature and history. The 'Mother City', as is known, where a group of Dutch lettuce planters were installed to help stop infant deaths scurvy and propagated by the ships of the Dutch East India Company that were made East Asia, and began this history we know as South Africa, is now, probably the most cosmopolitan city in the entire continent. Do not be afraid to leave, a andar, yes, with the same eye and precautions to be taken when you are a tourist and is surrounded, sometimes, hunger. Here are some tips for fans of Red to come here:

Where to eat:

Socieyt Bistro: My favorite restaurant. Food, risotto and pasta, delicious (especially the pasta with sausage and rice with bacon and rice with mushrooms). All kinds of wines. The waiters are charming and dinner by the fireplace, Shelf stable, unmatched. A weakness of this traveler. Around 120 rands per person (12 EUR). Direction: Orange Street, 50. Gardens. Telephone: 021 424 2100

Beluga: One of the most sophisticated restaurants in the city. Delicious and modern environment. Before you can have something to eat in his long rod, where there is an extensive range of cocktails, South African wine champagne. The menu is varied: The sushi is exquisite (during the meal is half price) and dishes like Squid in Patagonia, el Fishline, el Slow Roasted Duck o el Lamb Shank son, simply delicious. The price of a dinner for two, with wine, round the 600 Rands (60 EUR). A low price and high here in Europe. should be reserved. It is very close to the stadium.
Direction:The Foundry: Prestwich Street. Greenpoint (near the stadium). Telephone: 021 4182948

Niche: An Italian restaurant in Sea Point. The pizzas are great, thin crust and fresh tomato, and chicken and mushroom lasagna is tremendous. The tiramisu, the 2 kilos, Also spectacular. Price, with wine, round the 100 rands per person (10 EUR). The service is lovely. Direction: Main Road, 323. Sea Point.

Do not be afraid to leave, a andar, yes, with the same eye and precautions to be taken when you are a tourist and is surrounded, sometimes, hunger.

The naker: Belgian mussels, with fries and a cold bottle of white wine with his terrace attached to the boats in the harbor is a great alternative after returning from Robben Island. This Belgian restaurant, search of the Memorial de Nelson Mandela Robben Island, and Waterfront, is best to eat at the mall overloaded. Yes, we must ask for lobster without hot sauce, please. About 200 rands per person (20 EUR).

Direction: Pierhead, Waterfront. Telephone: 021 419 0251

The Sidewalk Café: A secret city. This little cafe is full of charm and is located in the residential suburb of Vredehoek. The views, If the weather and grab the barrel of the door, with two stools, while sipping a good wine, invite peace. The site is ideal for any time: breakfast, the food scene. Cozy living room decorated like a home, unpretentious, letter has a short but quality. The best thing is the atmosphere. Reservations are:
Direction: Derry street, 33. Vredehoek. Telephone: 021 461 2839.

Bebe Rose: For those who want to experience a truly African food, no frills, in a place nestled in the midst of a market, This is your place. Here eats the black population and the food is authentic of these lands. The site has a rough and although this in the same Long Street, by Mister Music Store, remains completely off the beaten path. It's very good chicken with rice and banana. (There is food from different countries). The price does not exceed 100 Rands (10 EUR) per person.

Transport:

There is bus service from the airport to downtown. El taxi, if traded, should not exceed the price of the 220 Rands (in taxis, although they use meters, some are really getting on trucados.Antes a price is agreed, not always accepted: a bargain. In the central, ie between Gardens, Sea Point and Green Point offering price should not exceed 50 Rands.
The minibus are, my taste, the best option for getting around the city. It's fun, slope 5 rands journey, and live a little African experience. While many travel guides, including Spanish consulate, say they are not caught, are safe and do not know anyone who has had a single mishap. They can enter 20 people in the van, whose destiny announces a guy who shouts from the window.

Addition, the City has created six bus lines, information ask at the airport or at the tourist offices, always going empty, cost eight euros, and having, yes, little traffic (another good option for non-stressed).

What to visit

-If you are going to be for Cape Town only three or four days, following selection, I encourage you to catch, when they arrive, tourist bus: allowed to get an idea of ​​what this city and stop at the Botanical Gardens, a wonder for lovers of plants and flowers (South Africa is the third country with the highest biodiversity on the planet) o en the Table Mountain, emblem of the city and where you have to climb to the top and admire the spectacular views. They can hop off the bus as many times as they want and have the opportunity to see something outside of Cape Town.
-If you feel strong, vayan a Lions Head. A mountain, frente in Table Mountain, that walking up, over an hour and a zone rather hard, but that has wonderful views of the entire city.

If you are going to be for Cape Town only three or four days, following selection, I encourage you to catch, when they arrive, tourist bus

-In case of good weather, acérquense to Camps Bay, and its beach and restaurants with terraces, and if they can wander through the four beaches (Beach 1,2,3 and 4, simple).

-Are mandatory to visit Robben Island (I recommend reading the article we did on the old prison).
-In the center, must walk to Gardens, where this Parliament, African Museum, National Gallery ... and manicured gardens, plagued by squirrels.
-Finally, Castle, District Six Museum and the Museum of slaves, visits are recommended for history lovers. Everything is very close.

Surroundings

Clearly, for my, the best of Cape Town. Rent a car, down by the west to the Cape of Good Hope and Stop at some of the bays and beaches that stumble on the road (no need to name names, you will see them). Then, after the Natural Park of Cabo, where 1488 folded slip Portuguese boats Bartolome Diaz, up the Peninsula on its east side where they stop at Boulders Beach, where you can see a beach full of penguins; the Kalk Bay, it has a wonderful fish market, full of restaurants and life 200 meters, Station Road or Muizemberg Beach, with violent waves and its colorful houses, to convert to surfers.
A good place to stop to eat or sleep is the Boulders Beach Lodge& Restaurant. In a small cove, from which you can see some penguins, provides meal, beautiful views and good price. Telephone: +27 (0) 0217861758

Shopping

In the center there are two places neuralgic: la calle Long Street, with tourist shops at low prices (have to bargain) and more African style, y el Waterfront, a huge shopping mall, harborside, full of luxury, shops and restaurants. Each style has its charm.

Cups

Again we find the referent of Long Street, which is the street to nightlife. Environment mad, full of bars, in which anything goes. There selling drugs at some points and some pickpockets, but it is a safe place for the massive influx of people. There are a lot of supply.
Front of the stadium, I Main Road, is the Club Buenavista, where you can hear and see a lot of dancing salsa school (Buenavista just opened a two-story next to the stadium also. If ve easily).

In Cape Town there insured up until two o'clock. Then there are clubs that are open late.

For those seeking a more sophisticated, the disco Hemisphere, in the plant 31 the Absa Centre, an option. No flip flops are allowed inside or very casual clothes, but do not worry you do not make time to take. Delivery Address: Riebeeck Street, 2.

For those coming on a Sunday, what else is going to Cafe Capricce, Beachfront, in pijisima and quiet area of ​​Camps Bay, to end the night. If the weather is good, people are on the street.
And Waterfront, the Michells is an option for night owls. There is usually mixture of hobbies.
Finally, I Main Road, Green Point, is the Cubana. Open late, has mostly black people ambient, is fun and there is plenty prostitution masked (be careful if they believe they have linked).

In Cape Town there insured up until two o'clock. Then there are clubs that are open late.

Security

Cape Town is safer than other South African cities. The center, Gardens from the Sea Point, is taken by the police. Must be taken reasonable precautions to try not to walk alone at night in sparsely populated streets, but no paranoia that make them live in a bunker that enables them to enjoy a very open and easy.
The thing to be careful is if you come into the township and is intended wander on your own in the midst of misery. The visit to Guguletu, Langa o Khayelitsha es recomendable, joy will surprise people and contrasts, but it must be planned (many companies do tours. If you do not know anything or anyone is safest).

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Comments (24)

  • Xavier

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    Hello, good morning
    Thanks for the info. I will visit Cape Town in May, since I want to dive with white shark. Unfortunately I will only have two mornings and two afternoons in Cape Town. I was thinking of spending one morning going to Boulders and Muizenberg and another taking a walk down Long Street or maybe going to the cable car. Is a walk in the evening safe going from Long street to Church street alone?(my hotel is there)? They are central and tourist streets, so I suppose it will be safe but one reads so much that in the end doubts. I just want to go to Mama Africa for dinner out of curiosity
    Greetings and thanks

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  • Javier Brandoli

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    You can do it, I, no problem. At least i did. They are close. What I would not do is go to Mama Africa, With the amount of good restaurants that there are, that is very touristy

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  • Xavier

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    Ok thank you very much 😀

    Answer

  • Stibaliz

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    I plan to travel to South Africa in May and will spend a few days in Cape Town, Is it a safe city for a lonely girl?
    Thanks.

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  • Javier Brandoli

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    Hello Estíbaliz, I think it is safe although you should have some logical precautions, at night especially. South Africans are wonderful people in my experience

    Answer

  • Stibaliz

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    Voucher, I understand that it is then common sense.
    How do I look forward to the date, I'll be in Port Elisabeth for a few days, then I'll do the Garden Route and stay 4 the 5 days in Cape Town , from where i plan to go to Stellenbosh, Do you think it is a good option?
    Thank you very much Javier

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  • Javier Brandoli

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    Yes, but I would do part of the Garden Route and part of the route 62, en el Little Karoo, which is fantastic.
    In any case you will love it

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  • Laura

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    Hi Javier,
    Congratulations on your page, I find it most useful. We traveled to South Africa within 5 days with first stop in Cape Town. There we have rented a car to 4 days. To move around the city, it is clear that it will be useful to us, but within the city, you recommend us more public transport and legs? I have no idea of ​​the distances. Thank you very much!

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  • Javier Brandoli

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    Hello Laura, because the city is small and during the day you can make good journeys on foot or use the minibuses. Even, now, there are already some municipal bus lines. At night you will see that the streets are empty, so you have to use taxis. Ask to be metered, although they are not expensive. Where are you staying?

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  • Laura

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    Thanks Javier, We will consider it. We stayed at the More Quarters. We have rented a car for Cape Town…Let's see how about driving on the left, a little respect already gives me! Then we go to kruger, panorama route and we finish in Victoria Falls.
    If you have any more recommendations, I receive it with open arms!
    Thanks! We leave tomorrow. Can not wait!

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  • Javier Brandoli

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    In Kruger, if you want to see animals stay in the southern camps. I recommend Lower Sabie. Northward, where there is more vegetation and it is more difficult to see animals, Oliphants is very nice, great views. In any case, especially for the felines, the best area is between Lower Sabie and Satara, camp in the middle that I like a lot also to sleep if you go from south to north.
    In Cape Town do the peninsula, the road is wonderful, do it in the round and eat at Boulders Beach Simonstown: http://www.bouldersbeachlodge.com/

    Enjoy, South Africa and South Africans are wonderful!

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  • tobacco

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    How am I from Colombia and I would like to know if when I arrive at Cape Town airport it is easy to find someone who can speak Spanish and can give me clearer information about accommodation and some tours since I do not know about how to move in that city, thank you..

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  • sandra

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    i plan to stay 8 days at the end of January in Cape Town, which area is recommended to book a hotel, for safety and access to walks. I'm going with my teenage nephew.

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  • javier Brandoli

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    Hello Sandra, I recommend Sea Point or Green Point. The second is closer to the center and the commercial area to be able to go on foot.

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  • Mayte

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    Hi Javier, my husband and I are leaving the 2 April to Cape Town 4 days. We do not speak or understand English well, how could we do to have a guide in Spanish for the excursions?
    I wait your answer. Thank you very much.
    Ah thanks for the information you provide us.

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  • javier Brandoli

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    Hello Mayte,

    the truth is that I do not know guides in Spanish in Cape Town. Look with this friend who has a travel agency that operates in South Africa, but they guess they sell complete packages- His name is Alex Poo and his company is Tuareg. Alex@tuareg.com

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  • Juan

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    Hi Javier, thanks for all this information. We are finishing planning a trip to SA which we will leave in a couple of weeks, and whose end are 4 nights in Cape Town. It is the only part that we need to organize. It is not very clear to us where we should stay. We do not pretend luxuries in the hotel, just normal comfort. We walk a lot and we would like to be able to travel it a lot, especially its central points.

    We also do not know well whether or not to keep the car (we come on a trip from the Garden Route). Maybe not for the places there but if we want to get away a little, as for the Cape of Good Hope, yes we need it. What do you think? It's several dollars more, clear, but if it justifies it, we have no problem.

    Thanks!

    Answer

  • Javier Brandoli

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    Hello John, I would keep the car to do the Cape Peninsula which is in my opinion the most beautiful and even to go to the vineyards of Constantia or Stellenbosch. Dormir and Waterkant, Green Point o Sea Point (there are three neighborhoods in a row, well placed and pretty).
    Luck!

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  • Monica

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    Hello, Stibaliz… My name is Monica and I am also going to travel alone to that area… Can you contact me, please to ask you some things? Thanks…

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  • silvina

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    Hi Javier, I was following your stories. I'll be from 20 the 23 inclusive en Cape town, then we want to make the circular route to return the 29 early to take air to Joh, and from there rent a car to Kruger.
    Questioning:
    Interesting points in the garden route and where to stay?
    Joh to Kruger by car for free…and.. vi lower sand o Cocodrile bridge a tu sugerir? But…I don't want to spend so much on safaris and private lodge, that is, if I take out some accommodations within the park in that area, Then I can combine with the same owners of the accommodation an extra safari?
    Greetings
    Silvina from Argentina

    Answer

  • mireia

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    hola quiero ir en setiembre, I don't know if it's a good time because of the weather and I would also like to know if there will be a reserve close to us to see animals, I've been looking for it and I can't quite see it clearly if there are hotels but the rest is not clear to me,can you help me? thanks

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  • javier Brandoli

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    Hola Mireia, September is a good month to go to the Cape Peninsula. Animal reserves are not nearby, at least not high value national parks. For that you have the Kruger or Kgalagadi. The first if you don't have a car you can do it by flying to Nelspruit.

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  • Monica

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    Hi Javier, we are two older couples and we want to stay in an area where we have the option of walking safely,to take a bus and that is not as expensive as WHATERFRONT
    I need your opinion
    Thank you
    I also have a travel blog
    dejarhuella.com

    Answer

  • Javier Brandoli

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    Hello Monica, yo elegiria Sea Point o Green Point. The Waterkant is also very good. Luck, you will love them

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