TEAR OUT GUIDE
Cape Town is a beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. It’s a great place to get active, whether you fancy surfing from one of its beaches or abseiling from the top of its defining landmark.
BOULDERS PENGUIN COLONY
Simon’s Town
This picturesque area, with enormous boulders dividing sandy coves, is home to a colony of African penguins. A boardwalk runs from the Boulders Visitor Centre at Foxy Beach to Boulders Beach, where you can mingle with the waddling penguins (don’t, however pet them). The bulk of the colony, which has grown from just two breeding pairs in 1982, seems to hang out at Foxy Beach, where, like nonchalant, stunted supermodels, they blithely ignore the camera-toting tourists snapping away on the viewing platforms. You can also paddle out to the colony with Kayak Cape Town (kayakcapetown.co.za).
MUIZENBERG BEACH
Popular with families, this surf beach is famous for its colourful Victorian bathing chalets. Surfboards can be hired and lessons booked along Beach Rd. The sea is generally safer here than elsewhere along the peninsula. At the eastern end of the promenade is a fun water park, Muizenberg Water Slides (muizenbergslides.co.za).
WINE DOWN
South Africa’s wine industry began in 1685, when Governor Simon van der Stel chose the area for its grape-growing potential. The Constantia Wine Route is named after his farm and comprises 15 upmarket wine estates and restaurants (
constantiawineroute.com).
SEA POINT PROMENADE
Strolling Sea Point’s promenade is a pleasure shared by Capetonians from all walks of life. Once a white-only area, it’s now a great place to enjoy the city’s multiculturalism. There are kids’ playgrounds, an outdoor gym and public artworks. The coast here is rocky and swimming is dangerous, although you can get in the water at Rocklands Beach.