Cape Town’s Big 6

Lead photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Cape Town is a city that has it all: beautiful mountains, stunning beaches, incredible natural-and man-made tourist attractions, world-class wine farms and restaurants and of course, an unfailing diversity that permeates South Africa as a whole.

And, while there are so many wonderful places to go and things to do in the Mother City, in this post we focus on her six iconic destinations, fondly known as the Cape Town Big 6.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (1)

As one of the New Wonders of Nature and indeed the city’s iconic natural landmark, Table Mountain is an unmissable Cape Town attraction that tourists and locals alike should strive to visit at least once.

Happily, the famous aerial cableway allows you to do just that in a quick, five-minute ride that takes you from the bottom to the top of the mountain, where you can explore, shop and eat.

From here, you can see right across the vast city and spot some of the other Big 6 locations, such as the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Other highlights include navigating the mountain’s carefully laid out walkways, hiking via Platteklip Gorge (if you prefer that route down), spotting various fauna and flora found at this UNESCO World Heritage site, shop for curios, gifts and keepsakes at the two top shops and, lastly, grab a bite to eat.

However you decide to explore it, Table Mountain is worth enjoying and so too is the world-renowned Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

Best for Which Type of DK Villas Guests:

We recommend any of our guests visit Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. It’s an experience for young and old to enjoy and an ideal outing for couples, solo travellers, families or groups of friends travelling together.

Our three-bedroom Harbour View or two-bedroom Boardwalk apartment guests will especially relish this experience, as it’s definitely more fun with a group or your loved ones.

And, have gotten down and driven home to your tranquil Hout Bay accommodation, you can enjoy our beautifully appointed self-catering apartments, which sleep six and four guests respectively.

Robben Island Museum (2) and the V&A Waterfront (3)

Robben Island is a painful, yet sobering part of South Africa’s difficult history. It serves as a physical reminder of the country’s journey to democracy, particularly as it was primarily where late former president Nelson Mandela served out his 27-year prison sentence (although he actually spent some 18 years on Robben Island specifically).

The ferry ride to the island departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, another of our CT Big 6 attractions.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Once you arrive at Robben Island, you then embark on a guided tour, run by former political prisoners. This offers visitors a poignant, yet factual look into the country’s past.

At Robben Island, you can visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell, explore the surroundings in a guided bus tour and even spot African penguins before heading back to the V&A Waterfront via the ferry.

We must also mention that the V&A Waterfront is our third, much loved CT Big 6 attraction. This trendy destination offers over 450 retail outlets and more than 80 different eateries. It is also home to the famous Two Oceans Aquarium, IMAX and standard cinemas, quality markets and so much more.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Best for Which Type of DK Villas Guests:

This experience is suitable for any of our guests but is perhaps best suited to smaller groups (like couples) or even a solo traveller who can reflect on all that the historic Robben Island conveys regarding South Africa’s turbulent past.

With this in mind, we recommend our guests from Riverview, our one-bedroom apartment (which sleeps a maximum of two guests) explore Robben Island.

Once you return to your Hout Bay apartment, take stock of everything you’ve seen on our balcony or even enjoy a stroll on the beach, which is a few minutes away.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (4)

Considered one of Africa’s most beautiful gardens, Kirstenbosch is a sprawling, diverse botanical garden that covers some 36 hectares on the slopes of Table Mountain.

While the garden has paid entry, it offers some amazing experiences year-round.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

You can walk among the treetops via the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway, explore various garden trails and routes, picnic with loved ones, birdwatch, enjoy a seasonal summer concert, shop for souvenirs and keepsakes or enjoy guided tours, which teach you all about South Africa’s uniquely famous, indigenous flora.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Best for Which Type of DK Villas Guests:

This is a wonderful family-friendly outing so we recommend it for our Harbour View guests.

It’s especially great for exploring with children as it offers plenty to see and do.

Cape Point (5)

Cape Point is a fiercely beautiful part of our world and one of Cape Town’s finest natural attractions.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

This incredible place allows you to see a 150-year-old lighthouse, perched high above the icy Atlantic, enjoy breathtaking views, eat out (there are takeaway options, a classy restaurant or you can picnic or braai within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve), shop and sightsee to your heart’s content or even enjoy a fun ride on the Flying Dutchman funicular.

In the process, admire the rich flora and fauna that inhabit this special corner of earth.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Best for Which Type of DK Villas Guests:

We like this experience for all of our apartment guests. Whether you stay alone or as a couple at Riverview; as up to four guests at Boardwalk; or as a family or group of six at Harbour View, you are guaranteed a thrilling road trip from Hout Bay to Cape Point and, of course, an amazing experience within this protected nature reserve!

Groot Constantia (6)

Last but by no means least among our CT Big 6, we have the historic Groot Constantia, which is South Africa’s oldest producing wine farm.

Established by Simon van der Stel in 1685, this glorious estate is a national monument and a rare beauty among the Western Cape’s multitude of beautiful wine farms.

Here, you can tour its 17th century Manor House, enjoy a special cellar tour or great wine tasting, dine at one of the two on-site restaurants (Simon’s or Jonkerhuis) and, above all, explore vast, often oak-filled grounds or vineyards.

Photo credit: Cape Town Big 6 via Facebook

Best for Which Type of DK Villas Guests:

We fancy this one for our Harbour View and Boardwalk guests, as it’s such a family-friendly estate to explore.

Little ones love the big open spaces, adorable estate ducks and the two child-friendly eateries found at Groot Constantia.

While you can drive to this Constantia estate, we actually recommend catching the popular City Sightseeing Purple Bus Tour, which passes through Hout Bay.

It gives you the best of both worlds: a taste of Hout Bay’s seaside charm and a glimpse into Constantia’s verdant, altogether lovely wine-producing valley.