Cape Town
Cape Town is, without a doubt, our favorite city in the world. It’s a place where jaw-dropping natural beauty meets vibrant culture, rich history, and a laid-back lifestyle that’s impossible not to love. Towering Table Mountain, turquoise coastlines, world-class vineyards, and colorful neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap make every corner of the city feel like a postcard. Beyond the scenery, there’s an incredible energy here—so much to do, from shark cage diving and hiking to wine tasting and exploring Cape Point.
The people are warm, welcoming, and proud of their city, and one of the best surprises for travelers is how affordable it can be compared to destinations like Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, great food, or unforgettable views, Cape Town delivers it all—and then some. Scroll through the photos below to see why we completely fell in love with it. We had the time of our lives here, and if you ever get the chance to go, we promise you will too.
The City
The city itself is endlessly exciting and incredibly easy to explore. Cape Town is bursting with amazing food—from fresh seafood at the V&A Waterfront to trendy cafés in Kloof Street and world-class fine dining in Camps Bay. Nearly every meal comes with a view, and it’s not just any view—you’re often dining with the iconic Table Mountain towering behind you and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean stretching out in front. It’s hard to find another city in the world that offers this kind of natural backdrop with such effortless charm.
One of the best parts of Cape Town is how accessible everything is. You can hop in a quick taxi or take a ride on the affordable MyCiTi bus and be in a completely different part of town in minutes. A short trip from the city center takes you to Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town’s most photogenic and culturally rich neighborhoods. With its brightly painted houses and cobblestone streets, Bo-Kaap offers a colorful glimpse into the city’s Cape Malay heritage, complete with the scent of spices drifting from family-run kitchens. And just beyond that, you’ll find neighborhoods filled with art, live music, and some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Cape Town is one of those rare cities that effortlessly blends adventure, relaxation, culture, and beauty—all in one unforgettable destination.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain, one of the official New 7 Wonders of Nature, is truly one of the most iconic and breathtaking landmarks on Earth. Rising dramatically above Cape Town, it creates a stunning backdrop for the city and offers a completely different experience when you’re actually on top of it. Seeing it from below is impressive—but standing on its summit, looking out over the coastline, city, and endless horizon, is unforgettable.
If you’re up for the challenge, we highly recommend hiking to the top. There are several trails, but the most direct and popular is Platteklip Gorge, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your pace. It’s a steep, rocky climb, but completely doable for anyone in moderate shape, and the sense of accomplishment when you reach the top is worth every step. If hiking’s not your thing, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a great alternative—just be sure to go early in the day, especially during peak season, as lines can get incredibly long (sometimes even longer than the hike itself!).
Once you’re at the summit, the real magic begins. The top of Table Mountain is flat, as the name suggests, and crisscrossed with well-maintained paths that let you wander for hours. You’ll get panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Robben Island, and even the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Bring a jacket—it can get windy and cool up there—and don’t forget your camera. It’s easily one of the most scenic spots in the world, and whether you’re up there for an hour or all afternoon, it’s an experience that stays with you forever.
Great White Shark Diving
If it’s not on your bucket list, it should be. This is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have in South Africa. Lauren and I were lucky enough to go (Mitch had his dive canceled due to weather), and it was one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip.
Being in the cage, face-to-face with a Great White just inches away, is a surreal and humbling moment. A few even rammed the cage, which sent a jolt of excitement through everyone on board. The sheer force and size of the sharks is something you can’t fully appreciate until you see it in person.
What made the experience even more incredible was watching from the upper deck. There you could clearly see the sharks circling the boat, occasionally breaching the surface or slamming into the cage below. Yes, the water was absolutely freezing (even with wetsuits), but when you’re staring into the eyes of a Great White in the open ocean, you’re not thinking about the cold. You’re thinking: this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and you’re lucky to be living it.
Sky Diving
Cape Town is a dream destination for adrenaline lovers, and skydiving tops the list of must-do adventures. With breathtaking views of the coast, mountains, and ocean, there’s no better place to take the plunge.
Despite being afraid of heights, Dad didn’t just go once—he went skydiving twice, once on each trip, alongside the kids. Mitch took the leap at 16, and Lauren followed at 17. Strangely enough, the fear of heights seems to disappear the moment you’re free-falling thousands of feet above the earth.
It was an unforgettable rush—part awe, part adrenaline—and easily one of the most exhilarating experiences of the trip. Every one of us loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Robben Island
Visiting Robben Island was nothing short of extraordinary. Taking a guided tour through the island and the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity was deeply moving and eye-opening. Standing in the very cell where he was held—bare, small, and humbling—brought the magnitude of his resilience and sacrifice into sharp focus.
One of the most impactful aspects of the experience was that former political prisoners now lead the tours, offering firsthand accounts of life on the island and the daily struggle for dignity under apartheid. Their stories are not just historical footnotes—they’re personal, raw, and real.
Travel has a unique way of making history come alive, and Robben Island is a powerful reminder of how one person’s courage, patience, and vision can transform a nation. It’s not just a place to visit; it’s a place to reflect, to learn, and to be inspired by the strength of the human spirit.
