Secret Cape Town

10 Best Restaurants in Franschhoek 2021

Located approximately 75 kilometres from Cape Town, the beautiful Franschhoek Wine Valley is home to some of the most exceptional culinary gems and magnificent Wine Estates. Boasting a selection of South Africa’s ‘Top 100’ restaurants, Franschhoek has established itself as the country’s culinary capital.

Here are the 10 best restaurants in Franschhoek, each of which promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Steenbras River Gorge hike Trail

The Crystal Pool Hiking Trail offers a 2-kilometre-long hike to a series of mountain pools in Steenbras River Gorge. The trail starts about 6 kilometres past Gordons Bay along the R44, just after you’ve crossed the bridge over the mouth of the Steenbras River. It starts out fairly easy but gets tougher as you ascend. Just follow the little yellow footprints to stay on the path. About 45 minutes from the start of the trail, you will come across the first pool.

Kraalbaai Beach

The long sandy of the Kraalbaai Beach forms part of the multi-functional Zone A of the Langebaan Lagoon in the Western Cape. The beach is 1.1 km from the centre of Kraalbaai and about one and a half hour’s drive from Cape Town.

To reach the beach, you need to drive around the Langebaan Lagoon, through the popular West Coast National Park. You will find the beach just before entering the restricted gates of the Postberg section of the park, which is only open from August to September.

WYNBERG PARK

The park is located in the lovely leafy Southern suburbs of Cape Town. It stretches over 22 hectares and boasts with authentic Western Cape vegetation. Inside the park you can find the spring of the Krakeelwater River.

Other great features include a beautiful conifer garden and abundant hydrangeas, creating a beautiful colourful carpet in summer. Hunt down the elusive Silvertree, which once grew abundantly in the area, but now only one solitary tree remains.

SKELETON GORGE HIKING TRAIL: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HIKING SKELETON GORGE

Going on a Table Mountain hiking adventure is undoubtedly considered one of the top things to do in Cape Town. Standing tall at 1 085m at its highest point of elevation, the giant of the Cape Town skyline is not only considered one of the Mother City’s most iconic landmarks, but one of the New7Wonders of Nature too. Thereby making hiking up Table Mountain an exhilarating experience you won’t soon forget. While there are a few ways to make your way up Table Mountain, Skeleton Gorge is one of the most popular. To ensure you are fully prepared to conquer Skeleton Gorge, here is everything you need to know about this top Cape Town hiking trail.

Food Delivery Cape Town

Looking for a food delivery company in Cape Town operating during the Corona Virus Lockdown, follow the link below to find out. 

SLANGKOP LIGHTHOUSE

The Slangkop Lighthouse is a white circular lighthouse located in the town of Kommetjie. It is the tallest cast iron tower in South Africa, standing 41 meters high with a circumference of 33 meters. The lighthouse consists of 272 cast iron segments each weighing 500 kg, made in England and bolted together on site.

The lighthouse forms part of the Marine Protected Area of the Table Mountain National Park and is also one of South Africa’s oldest lighthouses.

The Kasteelspoort Hiking Trail

The Kasteelspoort Hiking Trail is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most thrilling hiking trails for avid hikers and keen adventurers. While the Table Mountain National Park boasts a wide variety of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from beginner to advanced, Kasteelspoort is certainly in a league of its own.

This scenic hike is found on the western slopes of Table Mountain and is a great option if you’re looking to escape the large hiking crowds and enjoy a less-congested hiking experience up one of the seven New Wonders of Nature. By taking on the mighty mountain from the Twelve Apostles side, you will be treated with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, Lion’s Head and beyond. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see Robben Island.

TOP 19 – TIDAL POOLS CAPE TOWN

Cape Town is home to some of the most beautiful and world-famous beaches. Whether you’re looking for a place to swim, surf, or simply relax—Cape Town has it all. For those looking for a safe spot, tidal pools are rocky pools built along the coastline and regularly filled by the tides to provide a safe, family-friendly place to swim and play. 

There are 19 tidal pools to visit along the coastline of Cape Town, and we’ve listed them for you here. So load up the kids, pack some snacks, and check out one of these Tidal pools Cape Town has to offer.

SEA POINT POOL

Just a few kilometers to the west of the CBD is one of Cape Town’s most beautiful public pools. Set right on the beachfront in Sea Point with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sea Point Pool offers a 50-meter Olympic size swimming pool, two kiddies splash pools and a deep diving pool with springboard diving equipment.

This environment-friendly facility makes use of filtered and chlorinated fresh sea water.

MUIZENBERG BEACH HUTS

About 30 minutes drive from Cape Town’s City Centre is a seaside suburb known as the South African surfing birthplace. Muizenberg has a beautiful long beach which attracts people from all walks of life. The beach is 20 kilometers long and stretches all the way around the top of False Bay to the Strand. It is one of the best places in the world to learn surfing because of its consistent great waves and good surfing facilities. 

The beachfront also has shops, restaurants, a visitor center, adventure, and surf activity operators. In season there are lifesavers present, making it a perfect family destination.

MOST SCENIC DRIVES IN CAPE TOWN

Cape Town’s natural beauty is awe inspiring. And the best thing about it, is that it’s entwined in the cityscape. Instead of roughing it up on dirt roads, you can hit a tar road and soak up the mesmerizing scenery whizzing by. But beware, you won’t be the only one hitting the road, so choose the timing of your scenic drive in Cape Town carefully.

As with all major cities, mornings and afternoons are the peak traffic times. And over the weekends roads can become heavily congested on a beautiful sunny day. But even if you get stuck in traffic, the epic landscapes will keep you entertained. Cape Town scenic drives offer you it all – meandering bends, panoramic views, and engineering feats.

CLAY CAFÉ HOUT BAY – OPEN DURING LEVEL 3 LOCKDOWN

It’s official! The beloved local Hout Bay hidden gem the Clay Café is finally open during Cape Town’s Lockdown Alert Level 3! There is no doubt that the Clay Café Hout Bay has become one of the Mother City’s top attractions for locals and tourists alike. Situated in the heart of the valley of Hout Bay, a visit to the Clay Café should be on everyone’s Cape Town bucket-list!  

Besides it’s sought-after status and charismatic appeal, the Clay Café boasts a beautiful large open patio with stunning outside tables overlooking a luscious garden. They also have a veggie garden and their own African chic boutique.

BEST DAMS AND RIVERS FOR SWIMMING IN CAPE TOWN

If you’re looking to take a refreshing dip away from the sand, sea water and large crowds, Cape Town’s wide variety of dams and rivers are the perfect place to do just that. Let’s be honest, what’s more thrilling than plunging into a crystal-clear rock pool in one of the most beautiful locations in the Western Cape?

Here are some of the best dams and rivers for swimming in Cape Town, all of which deserve a prime spot on your bucket list.

TOP 10 COMPANIES – BEST CAR RENTAL CAPE TOWN

Although the public transport system in Cape Town is of high quality, the freedom to move around on your own schedule, is very appealing. To truly experience Cape Town, you must drive to the outskirts to enjoy the vast difference between areas.From the outstretched beaches of the Atlantic coast, to the forest-like feel of the Southern Suburbs, to the rocky mountains near Muizenberg. 

Each little hub of Cape Town has its own unique vibe. And cruising around in your own rental car, will offer you a much more holistic picture of the city.We’ve found the best car rental Cape Town has to offer. Some names are well-known across the country, and world. Others are local companies, passionate about offering you a reliable way of exploring the Mother City.

CAMPS BAY TIDAL POOL

Tidal pools are rocky, man-made pools built to give beachgoers a safe place to cool down in the ocean without having to worry about being hit by the waves. There are numerous tidal pools around Cape Town. One of the most popular tidal pools along the Atlantic Seaboard is Camps Bay Tidal Pool.

This tidal pool can be found on the southern side of the Camps Bay Beach with easy access to the strip of cafes and restaurants along Victoria Road, which makes it the perfect dip-and-dine destination in Cape Town. It has a nice white sand beach to relax on in between swims, as well as public toilets and paved access via stairs or a ramp.

Kasteelspoort Hiking Trail

The Kasteelspoort Hiking Trail is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most thrilling hiking trails for avid hikers and keen adventurers. While the Table Mountain National Park boasts a wide variety of hiking trails to choose from, ranging from beginner to advanced, Kasteelspoort is certainly in a league of its own.

This scenic hike is found on the western slopes of Table Mountain and is a great option if you’re looking to escape the large hiking crowds and enjoy a less-congested hiking experience up one of the seven New Wonders of Nature. By taking on the mighty mountain from the Twelve Apostles side, you will be treated with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, Lion’s Head and beyond. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see Robben Island.