If you are planning a trip to Cape Town and would like to explore the city like a local, you have come to the right place. WanderfullySo aims to deliver virtual travel experiences to travel lovers like no other. Our vision is to help travel lovers Reimagine Travel in Africa by helping change the way you, the travelers
, get information and local insights about destinations in Africa.
One of our core pillars is to elevate local hosts and businesses through our efforts and support of our travel community that is focused on making a difference. We are all about finding the unique beauty in things, just like our beautiful and unique African sunsets, this is why we have listed below some of the best hidden gems in Cape Town you will definitely want to visit.
EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTRY FEELING AT THE WILD FIG RESTAURANT
This country set up restaurant can be found in the hip suburb of Mowbray in Cape Town. They offer starters to desserts and the tab definitely will not break your bank either. What makes the quaint and cosy restaurant so unique is that part of it is situated on a historic estate called Valkenburg Estate. The bar area is situated in the original barn which also happens to be a National Monument. They have beautiful outdoor seating areas as well as private dining areas.
They also offer plenty of specials, for the month of October they will be having Happy Hour Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm-6pm; sirloin steak specials and every Sunday they offer a lunch time roast from 12pm. The Wild Fig Restaurant caters for all manner of events such as functions, conference, weddings, cocktail functions, breakfasts and celebrations. They are open from Tuesdays to Sundays, so make sure to add them to your “places to visit” list while in Cape Town.
EXPLORE THE CAVES OF DAPPAT SE GAT BEACH
This beach is definitely one for the books, and those looking for a bit of adventure. Dappat se Gat is in the Gordon’s Bay region of Cape Town and is home to some of the most beautiful caves, which makes this beach a hidden gem in our eyes. It is a beach popular with surfers, with warm water and rocky cliffs that offer protection from the wind. To get to the beach, you walk down a man-made walkway from the side of the road down to the beach, but be careful because as said before, it is man-made which makes it a bit slippery and rugged. However, once you get down to the beach it is absolutely amazing and worth it as you can see the caves immediately. The sand has a stunning caramel glow and the water has deep hues of blue and green. If you go in the correct season and look close enough, you might even spot a shark or two. One important thing to remember about Dappat se Gat, however, is that you can only visit this beach during low tide, this is because once high tide starts coming in, it fills the caves. So be sure to start your day off early enough at this gorgeous beach.
GLEN BEACH FOR THE EXPERIENCED SURFERS
This stunning beach is cradled between huge boulders on the Atlantic Seaboard and the popular Camps Bay suburb of Cape Town. Even though the beach is set within one of the most popular summertime spots in the city, the beach is generally much less crowded as most locals and tourists tend to visit its neighbouring beaches, Clifton and Camps Bay beach. It boasts large rocks which offer a scenic view and provides privacy and shelter from the South Easterly wind. Glen Beach seems to pick up swell when there is not any, anywhere else, so in Summer it is good when other beaches seem flat. It gets quite hollow, breaking onto a shallow bank at low tide and locals get barreled there. Mid tide is a bit more forgiving. The beach also offers magnificent views of the Twelve Apostles Mountain right between Clifton Beaches and Camps Bay. Not only are there magnificent views for while you are catching a wave, but there are many places to check out along the beach front while taking a break or after you have hit that swell, such as Blues which is a bit more upmarket; Primi Piatti for some tasty Italian, the Sandbar which is very friendly, Bayside which gives off a homey feel and Vida e caffè for some incredible coffee. These are just to name a few
HIKE UP TO CRYSTAL POOLS FOR A FUN DAY OUT
Jump into a pool of refreshing mountain water and escape the city hustle and bustle just an hour outside of Cape Town CBD when you hike to Crystal Pools near Gordon’s Bay. The hike is about 45 minutes to an hour and you will need to book your permits ahead of time and these will be checked on arrival. The trail is lush with indigenous fynbos, and there are large boulders along the route. It starts out fairly easy but the climb gets tough. The first pool is about 45 minutes from the start of the trail and you can stop here for a snack or break in the shade. The second pool is another 10 to 15 minutes up ahead and this pool is ideal for swimming and loafing. If you are up for the challenge you can keep going after the second pool to the third pool that offers more swimming opportunities and an excellent view of the area. Crystal Pools has a stunning waterfall, which you can stand below and enjoy an open-air cold shower. You can even jump off the rocks into the pools which is sure to be an exhilarating experience, but we have to stress that you should only do this with a professional guide or expert hiker who is familiar with the route and the pools. It is a ton of fun, but it is also dangerous so do not take any chances if it is your first time. Pack enough water and some snacks for a relaxing picnic by the pools and remember to take an extra bag for your trash as it is a bin-free hike.
These are just a few of the hidden treasures the Mother City has to offer. Book a free concierge session with WanderfullySo for a customized tour or you could book a virtual tour with one of our Wanderful Hosts where they will show you the beauty that Cape Town has to offer.
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