Dreaming of a vacation destination where you can enjoy wild times in the lap of luxury? For discerning travelers in search of big, beautiful and truly unique travel adventures, Cape Town, the jewel of South Africa, is a city like no other. Follow our guide to the most memorable experiences from wine tasting to whale watching and a hand-picked selection of extraordinary luxury villas to rent in Cape Town.
The star attractions
Cape Town, a vibrant port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, is lapped by cobalt blue waters and lies in a valley beneath the iconic Table Mountain.
There’s plenty to dazzle you in this captivating city, which combines a wealth of rugged natural beauty and the pristine sands of the Clifton Beaches, Camps Bay and Houts Bay with a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a bumper crop of award-winning restaurants, and rich, if complex, history. You could easily spend two weeks just exploring the coastline, and the lush Cape Winelands and wondrous wildlife in the national parks are also on the doorstep.
The most unique travel experiences in Cape Town
When you book a stay at one of our luxury villas to rent in Cape Town, you can also enjoy personalised itineraries for unforgettable travel adventures. Here are 10 of the most unique travel experiences in Cape Town to whet your appetite. We can arrange private bookings and bespoke tours for all of these experiences and many more:
- Get your bearings: Why not take off on a private helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of the city, Table Mountain, Cape Point, and the stunning coastline, including the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Or step aboard a private yacht for exclusive cruises around the Cape Peninsula.
- Table Mountain tours: Take a scenic ride up the iconic rock via the rotating Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, or for a more adventurous experience, hike up one of the many trails. The summit offers panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains.
- Magical marine life: For jaw-dropping thrills, head to the nearby town of Gansbaai in Overberg on the Western Cape’s ‘Whale Coast’. From here you can go on incredible whale watching tours and spot Southern Right and Humpback whales. (Every year between June and December, they can be seen along the south coast from Cape Town to Mossel Bay). If you’re feeling brave, this is also the place to cage dive with great white sharks, if you really must. This adrenaline-pumping experience allows you to get up close with these magnificent predators in their natural habitat.
- Visit Robben Island: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, and is now a living museum, offers a deeply poignant and educational experience. Take a guided tour led by former political prisoners, including a visit to Mandela’s former cell, to learn about South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
- Meet the penguins: Visit Boulders Beach to see the famous African penguin colony. Stroll along the boardwalks and you’ll see these charming creatures up close as they waddle along the beach, pose for photos and play in the surf.
- In full bloom: Explore the lush, world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Wander through diverse gardens showcasing South Africa’s unique flora, and don’t miss the Tree Canopy Walkway, also known as the “Boomslang,” which offers stunning views over the gardens and the city.
- In the neighbourhood: Visit the historic Bo-Kaap district, famous for its vibrant, multi-coloured houses and rich Cape Malay culture. Take a guided walking tour to learn about the area’s history, enjoy traditional Cape Malay cuisine — and for a bigger bite of the food culture, you can also take a cooking class to learn how to make the local dishes.
- On the townships: Gain insight into the cultural and social fabric of Cape Town by taking a private guided tour of a township such as Langa or Khayelitsha. These tours offer an authentic look at local life, showcasing community projects, local markets, and traditional music and dance.
- Perfect for paragliding: Soar over Cape Town on a tandem paragliding flight from Lion’s Head, one of the city’s iconic peaks. This exhilarating experience provides a bird’s-eye view of the city, Table Mountain, and the stunning coastline below.
- On the waterfront: Spend time at the bustling V&A Waterfront, a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Top attractions include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) and you can also watch the sunset while sipping champagne on a luxury yacht.
Exceptional wine tasting experiences in Cape Town
For those who know and appreciate very good vino, the Cape Winelands serve up joy by the barrel. Cape Town is surrounded by some of the most famous wine regions in South Africa, notably Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The abundance of picturesque vineyards not only offer the chance to taste world-class wines but also a feast of gourmet dining experiences. And you can pedal off the excess by taking a bike tour up and down the rolling hills and through the scenic countryside.
Six of the finest luxury villas to rent in Cape Town
We’re proud to offer 57 of the city’s finest properties in our Cape Town Collection. Our exclusive selection of stunning apartments and luxury villas to rent in Cape Town are situated in the most prestigious locations in Clifton, Bakoven, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Llandudno and Glen Beach.
Camps Bay Cliffs
Location: Camps Bay Cliffs is a hot property ideally situated on the lower cliffs of Camps Bay with spectacular views of Bali Bay.
Style points: This beautiful three-bedroom haven exudes contemporary chic with elegant interior design and an impressive collection of artworks.
Why we love it: Every aspect conspires to create a refined but laid-back vibe, and the outdoor terrace with bar and grill is the perfect spot for cocktails with sublime sunsets over the ocean views.
Villa De Wet
Location: Welcome to Villa De Wet — one of the most magnificent luxury villas to rent in Cape Town, perfectly positioned between the iconic Lion’s Head and the Atlantic Ocean.
Style points: Design buffs take note: this striking property is a rectilinear home designed by renowned local architecture firm SAOTA. Top marks also go to its custom-furnished interiors and lush infinity pool.
Why we love it: A feast for the eyes inside and out, this three-bedroom retreat also offer a generous amount of beautiful spaces for lounging and al fresco dining and entertaining in style.
Nettleton Ridge
Location: For a home within strolling distance of golden sands, the gorgeous six-bedroom Nettleton Ridge, set on the slopes of Lion’s Head and perched above the coves of Clifton Beach, is hard to beat.
Style points: It’s a marvel of mid-century modernist architecture with sumptuous interiors designed by Peerutin Karol. Wow factors include an outdoor barbecue area and pavilion with sunken bar.
Why we love it: So good you’ll never want to leave, this showstopper also has a home theatre, as well as an extensive home spa with indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.
Noordhoek Beach Villa
Location: One of the most magical luxury villas to rent in Cape Town for beach lovers, the charming five-bedroom Noordhoek Beach Villa has direct access to Long Beach via a hidden path.
Style points: Open-plan minimalism and a muted palette compliment the contemporary African accents and its stylish white oak flooring with beach-inspired furnishings make this a design dream.
Why we love it: This beautiful beachside haven offers total relaxation, and is close to lovely Noordhoek Farm Village, which has great shops and restaurants, live music and two excellent food markets.
Clifton Beyond Villa
Location: The stunning Clifton Beyond Villa boasts a unique position on the highest point in Clifton, with breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean — and it’s a 15-minute drive from the V&A Waterfront.
Style points: Surrounded by a secluded garden, this beautiful home offers the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living, with multiple entertaining areas, including a bar with a glass floor
Why we love it: Its superb views, spacious sun decks, heated infinity swimming pool, and a gym, sauna, steam room make this one of the most sought-after luxury villas to rent in Cape Town.
Clifton Second Beach
Location: A peach of a property, the delightful three-bedroom Clifton Second Beach is perfectly situated on the rocks with direct access to the most popular of Clifton’s four beaches: sensational Second Beach.
Style points: Light and airy with wonderful ocean views, the property’s open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, which leads onto two elegant outdoor terraces are among the design highlights.
Why we love it: The spectacular west facing rim-flow swimming pool and its sunset views makes the downstairs terrace here one of the most desirable ‘sundowner’ locations in Cape Town.
The best restaurants in Cape Town
Our luxury villas to rent in Cape Town are situated in all the best locations with buzzing restaurants and bars within easy reach. Cape Town is home to some truly innovative cuisine with an impressive selection of excellent fine dining venues, as well as a wealth of restaurants that serve great food in a more laid-back setting. Here, hot new restaurants open faster than you can knock back a Springbokkie, which keeps the scene stirring. And when it comes to a culinary feast paired with the finest South African wines, some places simply never go out of style.
Among our favourites:
Situated on a prime spot on the V&A Waterfront, you’ll find the fabulous fine dining venue PIER —one of the most celebrated of Scot Kirton’s (of La Colombe fame) clutch of restaurants. Dive into the divine French inspired tasting menus in a sumptuous dining room with equally show-stopping sea views.
(Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. Reservations@pier.restaurant).
Feast on the best of modern South African cuisine at Salsify, one of hottest restaurants in the city which serves a stunning 10-course fine dining menu with sublime wine pairings in an arty avante-garde building overlooking Camps Bay. (The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, off Kloof Road, Camps Bay. Reservations@salsify.co.za).
First-class concierge services
Making reservations at the top tables is just one of the ways our concierge team can make your stay a gastronomic delight. We can also arrange private chefs to cater for your every whim, and organise food and wine experiences and cookery classes in the city and Cape Winelands.
Discover our full range of concierge services and experiences and let your imagination run free — whether you want a private surfing lesson with a pro or serenity in the form of a luxury spa, we can craft magical itineraries tailor-made for you and your family or friends.
For details of our full portfolio of luxury villas to rent in Cape Town, and bespoke travel experiences, make an enquiry or speak to one of our expert representatives on +44 (0)207 586 5342.
Explore the full Luxury Villas South Africa Collection
Peruse our fine selection of luxury villas to rent in South Africa, including the most spectacular places to stay in the beautiful Cape Winelands and the Overberg Region.
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