|
With the mountains on one side and the sea on the other, the City Bowl contains the heart of the Mother City.
Tamboerskloof: One of the oldest residential suburbs in Cape Town, Tamboerskloof lies between Gardens and the Table Mountain National Park. Situated just beyond the reaches of Long Street, where there are many bars, restaurants and nightclubs, Tamboerskloof has fantastic access to nightlife, but is not part of the madding crowd. There’s a definite character to Tamboerskloof with its Victorian style homes and laid-back attitude. (www.tamboerskloof.co.za)
Higgovale: This upper-class suburb has superb views from alongside the mountain slopes of Table Mountain. Little roads weave their way around the suburb (trying to defeat the mountain slopes and not winning). Home to quaint bistros and quirky shops, Higgovale is also practically on the doorstep of Table Mountain National Park (http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/).
Bo-Kaap: With its brightly coloured houses at the foot of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is the spiritual home of the Cape’s large Muslim community. Learn about Cape Town’s history at the Bo-Kaap Museum (+27 21 481 3939; www.iziko.org.za/bokaap) and stop off at one of the traditional restaurants for an authentic Cape Malay curry (www.bokaap.co.za).
De Waterkant: Next to Bo-Kaap, you’ll find De Waterkant. This trendy area has become one of the most sought-after addresses in Cape Town. Many of the old 19th-century homes have been transformed to create a villagey feel reminiscent of New York’s Greenwich Village. There are lots of restaurants and art galleries in the area and it’s a favourite haunt of the local gay community.
Oranjezicht: Many of Cape Town’s stylish creative types live here. It’s quite a climb up the slopes of Table Mountain to get to the gorgeous restored homes of Oranjezicht. The suburb developed on the site of the old Oranjezicht farm and these days it’s home to a few excellent coffee shops, delis and galleries. There are some superb guest houses in the area too.
Gardens: Located between Tamboerskloof and Oranjezicht, and just a quick walk to the city centre of Cape Town, Gardens is one of the most established suburbs of Cape Town. Company Gardens, the oldest garden in South Africa, is just down Government Walk and gave the suburb its name. Gardens has easy access to trendy Kloof Street and the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton.
Foreshore: If you’re looking for excitement and entertainment, Cape Town’s Foreshore is the place to be. The suburb can be found along the waterways of Table Bay – adjacent to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with all its shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
Other City Bowl suburbs worth visiting include: Devil’s Peak Estate (on the slopes just above the city centre); Highlands Estate (on the lower slopes of Table Mountain); University Estate (off De Waal Drive); Vredehoek (on the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak); Woodstock (a colourful suburb on the slopes of Devil’s Peak) and Kloof Nek (the gateway to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean).
|
|
