Situated between the city center and the lush, green suburbs further north, Cape Town’s northern suburbs offer the best of both worlds. From the trendy shops of Belville to the world-class Winelands, cafes, and leafy avenues of Durbanville.
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Nature lovers will feel right at home in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. The area is home to a number of nature reserves, including the Tygerberg Nature Reserve and the Durbanville Nature Reserve. In addition, the Winelands are just a short drive away, offering visitors the opportunity to sample some of South Africa’s finest wines.
TOP 5 POPULAR NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE IN CAPE TOWNS NORTHERN SUBURBS
The Northern Suburbs are known for their mixed scenic beauty and quaint suburban atmosphere. There are a number of attractions to keep you busy in the area, including its extremely popular wine farms and nature reserves.
1. Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Located in the Century City Precinct, and conveniently located on the N1, Canal Walk is the third-largest shopping center in Africa.
The center has over 400 stores and thousands of the best local and international brands to choose from. There are shops selling fashion, leisure, entertainment products, and more for the whole family, all under one roof.
The center has a variety of eateries, from sit-down restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops to takeaway outlets in the spacious Food Court. Also located in the food court are two massive digital screens and plasma TVs mounted throughout the court, making this a hot spot for sports enthusiasts come match day.
The center has 17 cinemas, screening the best local and international blockbusters.
Canal Walk has a Wonderland play center, with plenty of coin-operated arcade games, pool tables, and a bowling alley for hours of fun-filled entertainment.
2. Majik Forest Durbanville
Majik Forest is a tranquil park nestled between a green corner of vineyards and residential spaces in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs.
The lush grassy banks’ stretches of manicured lawns and picnic areas are perfect places to relax for a bite to eat, while a kids’ play area provides plenty of entertainment for the little ones.
The forest is teeming with flowers, shrubs, and densely forested areas.
3. Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Tygerberg Nature Reserve is a 300-hectare nature reserve on the Tygerberg Hills in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, offering spectacular views of the city, sea, and mountains.
The reserve is an ideal place for hikers, and fauna and flora enthusiasts. It is home to around 137 bird species, 24 mammal species, 22 reptiles, seven types of frogs, and a variety of butterflies.
4. Tyger Waterfront Bellville
The Tyger Waterfront is a 23-ha area between Tyger Falls and South Gate precinct. Tyger Waterfront is a commercial and residential area located in the Tygervalley region, on the outskirts of Cape Town.
Tyger Waterfront is known for its lively, fun, and relaxed environment, as it is positioned near many attractions as well as being easily accessible to Cape Town’s major highway.
5. Intaka Island
Intaka Island is a series of natural wetlands and manmade islands that emerged as a result of an Environmental Impact Report suggesting the preservation of a portion of the area when building, then heavily inundated with alien vegetation wetlands and fynbos.
Things to Do in the Northern Suburbs
The Northern Suburbs of Cape Town is a great place to explore, with something to suit everyone. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails to discover, as well as a number of parks, gardens, and heritage sites.
1. CYCLE TOURS WITH CAPE ACTIVE TOURS
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the gorgeous landscapes is on a customized cycling tour. Cape Active Tours has designed and organized various cycle tours and invites locals and international tourists to see South Africa from new perspectives.
Location: Tours take place in Cape Town, from the Cape Winelands to the False Bay Coast and beyond
Contact details: +27 82 972-9807
2. TEN-PIN BOWLING AT GRAND WEST
Strike it lucky at the state-of-the-art ten-pin bowling alley – fantastic fun for the whole family. Lots of fun for the whole family, the brand new ten-pin bowling has come of age and is now open for your entertainment.
The twelve lanes are situated in the new exciting Magic Company complex at Grand West Family Entertainment Centre.
Location: Grand West, 1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 535-4582
3. ICE SKATING AT GRAND WEST
Featuring an Olympic-size skating rink, the Ice Station at Grand West Family Entertainment Centre is home to action-packed adventure and affordable family fun – all year round. With bright lights and contemporary music adding to a festive vibe, The Ice Station offers energetic entertainment for kids, teenagers, and adults alike. With plenty of seating place in the stadium, it’s a fun sport for spectators too! And it makes for a great venue.
Location: 1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town
Contact details: +27 21 535-2260
4. EXPERIENCE THE GAME OF PAINTBALL
Experience the game with Paintball Africa!
Location: Shop Address is Unit 2b, 15 Montague Drive, Montague Gardens, Cape Town.
Contact details: +27 (0)21 551-3115
5. WILLOWBRIDGE SLOW FOOD MARKET
Food farmed on the urban edges is sold directly in this urban center at the Willowbridge Slowfood Market. Only a small percentage of imported goodies are allowed on site so the majority of mouthwatering are local labors of love. This formerly forgotten style of grocery selection is remembered here by producers who sell only products that they have grown, raised, caught, made, baked, preserved, crafted, and/or transformed with their own hands.
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Location: Slowfood Market, Willowbridge Shopping Centre, 39 Carl Cronje Drive, Tygervalley.
Contact details: none
Places to Stay in the Northern Suburbs
Whatever your accommodation needs are, you are sure to find something to suit you in the Northern Suburbs. Accommodation ranges from camping to luxury homestays near the wineries or quaint B&Bs closer to town.
1. HOTEL VERDE CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Set within a tranquil wetland, approximately 400 meters from the Cape Town Airport. The hotel has been designed to offer luxury four-star accommodation with minimal environmental impact, providing you with an eco-friendly experience that is 100% carbon neutral. Each one of their 145 spacious rooms boasts double-glazed windows for a restful stay, separately controlled air conditioning, and minibar fridges, and offer you a variety of room types ranging from standard, studio, and executive suites.
Location: 15 Michigan St, Airport Industria, Cape Town
Contact details: +27 21 380 5500
2. EXCELLENT GUEST HOUSE
Excellent Guest House Accommodation in Bellville, Cape Town. They offer luxury, comfort, style, and warmth at affordable prices. The Guest House is suitable for business people, tourists, and even South Africans visiting family in the area.
Excellent Guest House in Bellville, Cape Town North has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with 43 x tastefully furnished double rooms with en-suite. Each room has a private door from the outside. Only a selected few rooms are equipped with bathtubs. Please request a room with a bath if required. Suites are equipped with hot and cold air conditioners, Satellite TV, coffee-making facilities, an iron & ironing board, a hairdryer, and other personalized touches to make your stay as comfortable as possible. (Free Wi-Fi)Each room has a parking bay conveniently situated outside the room and guests have 24/7 access to the electronic gates. Rooms are serviced daily and they can outsource laundry. They can assist with reception transfers. Please arrange a shuttle.
Location: 1 Helderberg St, Chrismar, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
Contact details: +27 84 474 4444
3. ISLAND CLUB HOTEL & APARTMENTS
The property is situated within walking distance of Canal Walk Shopping Centre, as well as conference venues and renowned attractions like Intaka Island and Ratanga Junction Theme Park.
Island Club Hotel and Apartments offer all the benefits of luxurious 4-star accommodation in a central location. The hotel is surrounded by a serene canal, across from Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Century City, Cape Town.
Choose from 24 unique and spacious rooms and suites as well as chic one and three-bedroom apartments. All guest rooms are marked by a level of luxury and tranquility as they overlook the canal and the palm-filled swimming pool.
Scrumptious buffet breakfasts can be enjoyed indoors or out on our terrace, overlooking the canal.
Three is also access to private gym facilities, a heated indoor and cool outdoor swimming pool.
Facilities include a concierge service, room and bar service, 24-hour reception and security, transfers, laundry service, and dry cleaning.
Location: N Bank Ln, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 528 7000
Places to Eat & Drink in the Northern Suburbs
The area’s restaurants offer cuisines from all over the world, so you’re sure to find something to your taste. And if you’re in the mood for something a little more local, Durbanville is also home to some of South Africa’s best wineries.
1. HAZENDAL WINE ESTATE – STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTE
A short distance from Cape Town, nestled against the Bottelary Hills, lies one of Stellenbosch’s historic wine farms: Hazendal Wine Estate. Their illustrious wine estate combines Russian and South African traditions for a unique Winelands experience. Hazendal has something for the whole family. They offer a wide variety of exquisite culinary, cultural, and adventurous experiences.
Dining options include the Avant-Garde Restaurant, Babushka Deli and Picnics, Russian Tea Experience, and Pivnushka Beer Garden.
Location: Bottelary Road New entrance from Ronelle Street via, Kruis St, Stellenbosch
Contact details: +27 21 903 5034
2. BEERHOUSE ON LONG STREET
The vanguard of the beer revolution, Beerhouse on Long Street is committed to its role as a tasting room for the burgeoning beer industry, supporting local micro-breweries and giving them a platform on which to shine. They give beer lovers an all-year-round Beer Festival by providing a large and inclusive variety of beer & brew food, a social atmosphere, high standards of service, beer culture, and education.
Location: 223 Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Contact details: +27 79 369 8990
3. REVERIE SOCIAL TABLE
You can expect a refined contemporary menu, influenced by chef Julia Hattingh’s training, as well as her surroundings in Cape Town. Reverie Social Table is situated in the eclectic neighborhood of Observatory, and by day, the eatery serves up a variety of plat du jour to suits from the surrounding businesses.
Reverie Social Table is a proudly South African, table d’hôte style eatery located in the quirky neighborhood of Observatory, Cape Town, with a focus on social dining and seasonal, local produce.
By night, Chef Julia Hattingh welcomes guests to join the Social Table Dinner experience and enjoy a superb meal accompanied by local boutique wines and great company.
By day, Reverie welcomes you to relax, make use of the free Wi-Fi and tuck into the simple chalkboard menu offerings.
Bookings for dinner are essential.
Location: 226A Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Contact details: +27 79 060 6971
