Tired of all the overcrowded attractions with long queues in Cape Town? Like other capitals, South Africa’s Cape Town has its own popular landmarks such as V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, and Robben Island. However, there is a lot more to this amazing city and lesser-known attractions can be found on every corner of the Mother City. Whether you wish to explore the underground tunnels or visit one of the local markets, here is our list of the best-overlooked attractions in Cape Town.
1 Silvermine Nature Reserve
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Silvermine Nature Reseve is a part of the Table Mountain National Park and offers an ideal opportunity for a weekend getaway in Cape Town. Expect to find everything from hiking and biking trails with spectacular views to picnic spots surrounded by indigenous wild flowers. You can also go for a dip in the Silvermine River dam. The entrance to the Silvermine Nature Reserve costs R30 per adult and R15 for children.
2 St George’s Cathedral
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One of the most overlooked attractions in Cape Town, Sir Herbert Baker building is the oldest Anglican cathedral in South Africa. There is a unique labyrinth located within its grounds, as well as dozens of remarkable ringing bells. Visitors will also have a chance to admire the stained glass windows with a black and a white Christ. In case you get hungry, there is a great jazz restaurant just below the cathedral.
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3 The Milnerton Flea Market
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Open on weekends, The Milnerton Flea Market is a go-to place in Cape Town for second-hand treasures, collectibles, garage sale specials, and plenty of other affordable goods. This junk collector’s paradise also offers old books, trinkets, antiquates, and even kitchen and restaurant utensils. Keep in mind that for best goods and to avoid large crowds, it is recommended to arrive early in the morning.
4 St James Coastal Walk
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Once known as the Golden Mile of Cape Town, St James Coastal Walk is a walkway that stretches between St James and Muizenberg. This picturesque path is an ideal place to snap some cool photographs and admire the beauty of the promenade. It begins right behind the railway station in Muizenberg and you can even walk barefoot down this path, as it is concreted the entire way.
5 The Old Biscuit Mill
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This place used to be a real biscuit and mill factory, but today the building houses dozens of different shops, productions, and even festivals. There are also several night markets with food stalls where you can get locally sourced fruits and vegetables, as well as some traditional South African dishes. If you wish to hang out with the locals and meet the young and innovative Capetonians, the Old Biscuilt Mill should definitely be included on your list of places to visit in the Mother City.
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6 The Labia Theatre
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Situated in a lovely art nouveau building, the Labia Theatre is an independent art movie house that once used to serve as an Italian embassy ballroom. Located on Orange Street, this fabulous old-school theatre showcases everything from independent movies to odd box office hits. Make sure to check out the cool antique ticket booth at the entrance and grab some brownies or popcorn to keep you entertained during the screening.
7 The Earth Fair Market
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The Earthfair Market is definitely an overlooked attraction in Cape Town and less touristy than the OZCF Granger Bay market. This indoor food market is a place where the locals shop for everything from cheese, dali food, and bread, to meat cuts, organic vegetables, and flowers. Keep in mind that the market can get quite busy on Wednesday evenings, so make sure to arrive early to find an available seat and enjoy some delicious food.
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8 The Underground Tunnels of Cape Town
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The truth is that these tunnels are not that secret anymore, but exploring them is not something that your average tourist would put in his or her travel itinerary while visiting Cape Town. These underground tunnels used to supply passing ships and Company Gardens with fresh water back in the day. After this, the canals were used for sewerage transportation until the end of the 19th century. Today, you can go on a tour through some of these myriad brick tunnels that date back to the 17th century.
9 Beta Beach
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No visit to Cape Town is complete without checking one of the lovely beaches in or around the city. Instead of going to an overcrowded beach, head out to Bakoven where you will find the amazing Beta Beach. This beach may lack in size, but it is quiet and offers an ideal getaway from the busy beaches in the city.
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10 Jamaica Me Crazy
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Jamaica Me Crazy is an up-an-coming joint in Woodstock that offers tasty Caribbean-inspired dishes and an extensive selection of drinks including shooters, beers, wines, and a variety of cocktails. If the weather is nice, you can go on their lovely rooftop terrace and enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
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