Cape Town’s Central City is a vibrant CBD that is home to a diverse population, and the variety of food, art, and music on offer is truly unique. Restaurants, eateries, coffee shops, and a vibey nightlife are just some of the things that come to mind when thinking about Cape Town’s ‘City Bowl’.
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Long Street is the perfect place to start exploring, with its vibrant nightlife and array of shops, restaurants, and bars, while the famous Greenmarket Square, is where you can buy everything from spices to souvenirs – there’s always something going on.
TOP 5 POPULAR NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE IN CENTRAL CITY – CAPE TOWN
1. The Company’s Garden
The Company’s Garden is a 3,2-hectare public park and botanical garden in the heart of the city with Government Avenue running through this green space.
It is the oldest garden in South Africa and was originally created to grow fresh produce for the area and to supply and replenish the ships passing the southern tip of Africa. It later became a space to beautify too, with botanists bringing in a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs.
2. Woodstock
Woodstock is one of the oldest suburbs in Cape Town and it is also one of the hippest. An incredible mix of diversity and cultures combine to make the neighborhood a vibrant, bustling blend of food, fashion, arts, and design. Woodstock is a place to be seen and heard, favored by locals for good reason.
3. Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most distinct neighborhoods known for its vibrant, predominantly Muslim, Cape Malay community and its equally bold flat-roofed colorful houses and cobbled stone roads.
4. Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is one of South Africa’s oldest historical landmarks and is also viewed as a bastion of South Africa’s colonial past. Now, it welcomes visitors both local and international, who want to learn more about the history and heritage of the Cape.
5. City Hall
Cape Town City Hall is the grande architectural dame of the city and is home to the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra – the performances take place in the Grand Hall which boasts an impressive 3 165 pipe organ.
Things to Do in Cape Town’s Central City
Searching for activities in the heart of Cape Town?
You’ll have plenty of choices!
Although the V&A Waterfront is a great place to start, there are also some wonderful neighborhoods nearby.
1. ICOMEDY KONA SA
They provide proudly South African experiential entertainment-based productions. Their company specializes in theatre, club, and corporate stand-up comedy and team-building functions/workshops curated to provide maximum enjoyment and much-needed exciting team-building and bonding for their clients.
Their production content provides great insight into South African culture from different perspectives, making a great tourism experience to learn about the country while enjoying quality stand-up comedy at the same time.
Location: 2191 Sagwityi Street
Contact details: +27 72 467 5119
2. AUKWATOWA TOURS
Aukwatowa Tours is a small tour operator company based in the authentic harbor village of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape.
Aukwatowa Tours guides small and large groups on tour through Northern Namaqualand. Highlights on tours might include the Wondergat, Cornellskop, petroglyphs, and shipwrecks along the West Coast. There are 4×4 vehicles and all of the necessary camping and safari equipment to lead safaris through the Northern Cape, Namaqualand, the Diamond Coast, Richtersveld, Karoo, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Location: 47 Flosse St, Port Nolloth, 8280, South Africa
Contact details: +27 73 651 8833
3. ATLAS TRADING COMPANY
As far as spices go, you could not be more spoiled for choice. Atlas Trading stocks everything from South African Potjiekos spice to pure Spanish saffron.
Don’t miss their wide variety of nuts, beans and lentils, curry pastes, seeds, and incense sticks, and more importantly, don’t forget to ask for tips for that perfect Cape Malay curry.
Location: 104 Wale St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 423 4361
4. AFRICAN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE
African Authentic Experience is on a journey to transform ordinary trips into extraordinary experiences and unforgettable memories. They are your guide, bringing you personal experiences and knowledge. Wherever your travel takes you, they’ll show you the unique hidden gems and unmissable things to do in your destination.
They are a company that specializes in providing truly South African experiences, as they are able to access and explore areas that most tour operators cannot. African Authentic Experience not only allows you to see Africa, but experience it through the senses – taste, sound, smell, feel, and sight.
Location: 73 Burns Rd, Salt River, Cape Town, 7625, South Africa
Contact details: +27 72 506 0928
5. UNPARALLELED SOUTH AFRICAN TOURS
Whether you want to experience the country’s incredible natural surroundings or cultural tours that enrich visitors with an insight into the histories and nature of its peoples, you will find what you need with Unparalleled South African Tours. Golf tours and corporate trips can all be organized while journeys into the Karoo, the verdant farms of the Cape Winelands, the rugged coast of the Cape Peninsula, and the Garden Route can also be arranged. For the adventurers, there’s whale watching, hot air ballooning, safaris, rafting, and shark cage diving.
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Location: 5 Leeuwen, corner Long St, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Contact details: +27 79 609 7339
Places to Stay in Central City
Cape Town’s Central City is a vibrant and exciting place to stay, with plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets. Whether you’re looking for luxury accommodation or a more eclectic vibe the area has much to offer with its range of stylish hotels and apartments.
1. SOUTHERN SUN
Southern Sun is Southern Africa’s leading hospitality group comprising an extensive collection of award-winning hotels and resorts in South Africa, Africa, Seychelles, and the Middle East, a wide selection of restaurants and bars, and world-class conferencing venues. Southern Sun’s portfolio of brands includes luxury, full-service, and economy hotels, as well as a collection of resorts in idyllic settings.
Location: Lower Buitengracht, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 409 4000
2. AFRITE ROOMS
Afrite offers cost-effective Fast room services. Guests do hire hotel rooms at hourly rates or overnight stays. Day use offers a unique combination of flexibility & comfortable space to work rest or just relax for a few hours, paying a fair price for the duration of the micro stay.
Soak up the views and relax at Afrite, they offer a spectacular city vista or the views of the iconic table mountain from their Woodstock branch. It is a notable place to spend a few nights surrounded by hotel standard rooms. Their Rooms are Private and their staff members are friendly professionals and discreet. Security is provided by personnel and CCTV cameras.
Location: 59 Victoria Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 447 2061
3. CLUB MYKONOS RESORT LANGEBAAN
Your Little Piece Of Greece On The West Coast located on the serene shores of the scenic Langebaan Lagoon, Club Mykonos is a family-friendly West Coast beach resort that provides a unique and exciting holiday, as well as conference and events destination.
This premium resort offers guests tasteful accommodation offerings from the four-star Athenian Cascades and Terraces units to the elegant comfort of the Village, Beachfront, and Hillside units. Club Mykonos Langebaan delivers an abundance of entertainment options and will transport you to your very own Greek paradise.
Location: Mykonos Access Rd, Mykonos, Langebaan, 7357, South Africa
Contact details: +27 22 707 7000
4. VILLAGE N LIFE
Since launching Cape Town’s first Guest Street in De Waterkant in 1994, the hospitality village concept evolved and developed into an authentic “Village Experience” with all the services you’d expect from a hotel. Guests are no longer confined to their establishments but are invited to experience the spirit of their surroundings.
Village N Life offers quality accommodations ranging from affordable serviced apartments to luxury hotels acting as your host in the most desirable locations. These locations include the V&A Waterfront, Mouille Point, De Waterkant, and the ever-popular Camps Bay in Cape Town, as well as the towns of Hermanus and Langebaan.
Location: 69 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 437 9700
5. PEPPERCLUB HOTEL
Immersed in the buzzing city life, Pepperclub Hotel is settled amongst Cape Town’s most influential happenings, on Loop Street, hugging the lively Long Street. Whether you visit for work or play, their 5-star central Cape Town hotel and spa presents guests with understated sophistication and a healthy balance of both.
If you are a Cape Town visitor who enjoys spending time outdoors, their city center hotel is just a short drive from Table Mountain and Lion’s Head where you’ll have your pick of numerous hiking trails to explore. For their guests who are interested in experiencing city life at a slower pace, why not unwind in luxury at Cayenne Spa, their spa where you will be pampered from head to toe.
Location: Corner of Loop Street and, Pepper St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 812 8888
Places to Eat & Drink in the Central City
Cape Town’s Central City offers a wide range of places to eat and drink, from waterfront cafes to trendy restaurants.
1. SMOOTHIE ON THE GO
Brought together by the idea of creating a business that will serve good, tasty smoothies and summer drinks yet educate the people on being aware of what they consume, and how it can have an effect on their system and long-term health.
Location: Shop No3, Also find us, Bay 4, Government Ave, 149 Long St, CBD, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Contact details: +27 71 345 0406
2. HONEST CHOCOLATE
They offer coffees, teas, and hot chocolates, as well as a selection of chocolate truffles, tarts, and cakes. A large portion of their treats is vegan friendly, with the choice of dairy-free ice cream from Sorbetiere too.
Location: 64A Wale St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Contact details: +27 76 765 8306
3. NEWLANDS BREWERY
Newlands Brewery, dating back to 1820 is the oldest operating brewery in South Africa and the home of great South African beer.
Location: 3 Main Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
Contact details: +27 21 658 7440
