In South Africa Cape Town is fondly called the Mother City, and there is nothing quite like the energy and atmosphere of Cape Town’s City Bowl which provides the lifeblood to the greater surrounding areas of this unique city. Shaped like an amphitheatre the City Bowl includes the mighty Table Bay and is guarded over by the mountains of Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Devils Peak and of course one of the 7 natural wonders of the world – Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
They say if you want to get to grips with a city you have to start down town and feel the history, and melting pot of cultures, legends and diversity.
Apart from being home to Cape Town’s financial hub, the houses of parliament and one of Africa’s busiest working harbors, the City Bowl is home to a truly diverse set of areas that each provide something different. Cape Town City Bowl is a perfect place to play, eat, dance and explore. It boasts a huge array of foodie, craft, clothes and antique markets, art galleries, deli’s, coffee shops, roof top sundowner spots, open air cinemas, on trend restaurants, elegant night clubs and of course boutique and interesting shops selling vintage clothing, antiques, vinyl music, artisan and leather goods, art, crafts, books and everything in between!
Bree street is the place to find something to eat and is popular with Capetonians and visitors in the know alike. On the first Thursday of every month the art galleries, bars and restaurants in the City Bowl stay open until late for an event called First Thursdays. Bars and restaurants open up onto the pavements, live music and food, craft beers and the outstanding wine sampling that Cape Town is famous for, give the City Bowl a good excuse to party.
Long and Kloof Street continues to offer a blend of clubs, bars, quirky places to shop and eat as well as live music venues and a great night time club scene. When the sun goes down the City Bowl comes alive and the true energy of the city can be experienced.
You can explore the City Bowl on foot at your own pace, or make use of the MyCity public bus network, or simply hail an uber taxi – inexpensive and gives you a chance to interact. You can also take a guided walking tour where you can feel the pulse of the city and interact with the locals, sample the huge range of traditional Cape Malay and African foods on offer either from street markets as well as sampling some of South Africans most awarded and trendy restaurants.
The cobbled streets set on a hill side are home to the colourful painted houses of The Bo-Kaap region with its amazing photography opportunities. For the history lovers among you The Castle of Good Hope, the Company Gardens where you can stroll around on the lawn and people watch, the Isiko Slave Lodge and the Bo-Kaap museum offer ample opportunities to get to grips with South Africa’s heritage. District Six houses the district Six museum with its story telling guides that bring alive the forced removal of its residents during the grim period of Apartheid. It has seen somewhat of an urban revival with artisan shops, quirky eateries and delis and from here it’s an easy walk to the suburb of Woodstock where all kinds of designers and entrepreneurs produce furniture, clothing and all things trendy and beautiful.
The City Bowl is magical and there is a huge array of accommodation on offer from luxury hotels, boutique hotels, guest houses, apartments, luxury villas and also a good range of more budget accommodation that is quirky and atmospheric.
