As one of the world’s favoured destinations for solo adventurers, Cape Town stands poised to capitalise on this ever-growing trend by showing up and showing off the City’s vibrant and cosmopolitan Central Business District (CBD).
Also read: Cape Town ranked 2nd best African destination for solo travellers
The city’s prominence as a top spot for solo travellers has recently been validated by Explore!, a UK-based adventure tour operator. By scrutinising two years’ worth of Google data to discern emerging travel preferences, Explore! identified Cape Town as the second most sought-after location for solo travel on the continent, closely trailing behind Mauritius.
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This accomplishment builds upon Cape Town’s previous recognition in 2021, when it secured the 42nd spot on Big 7 Travel’s prestigious Best Cities for Remote Working list. This acknowledgement was fuelled by the rising wave of digital nomads, a significant segment of the solo travel movement.
Murray Clark, the co-founder and CEO of Neighbourgood, a property development firm, and a board member of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) celebrates Cape Town as a captivating fusion of history, culture and natural splendour – an embodiment of an ideal solo traveller’s haven.
Clark’s enthusiasm radiates as he lauds Cape Town’s recognition as a premier destination for independent adventurers who seek both discovery and connection.
Collaborating closely with Cape Town’s local government, the CCID, a not-for-profit private-public entity, has diligently worked towards enhancing the cleanliness and safety of the city centre, ultimately shaping it into an attractive hub for living, working, visiting and conducting business.
Also read: 10 things to do in Cape Town’s city centre, even if you’re on a budget
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Taking advantage of the surge in digital marketing and the solo travel phenomenon, Clark’s company has masterfully harnessed these trends by offering meticulously designed, all-inclusive living and working spaces that provide top-notch amenities in a closely knit community.
‘At Neighbourgood, we do our utmost to ensure that the services we provide are world-class and suit the needs of digital nomads and solo travellers,’ says Clark.
Charlene van Zyl, the general manager of ITC Hospitality, overseeing the management of One Thibault aparthotel in the CBD, affirms that the majority of their bookings hail from solo travellers from Europe.
Tips to maximise your solo adventure in Cape Town:
Vantage points for lodging
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to lodging options in Cape Town. The city affords a range of accommodation options catering to various budgets and travel preferences.
Abundance of activities
Adventure, cultural immersion or tranquil retreats; the Mother City is a coastal paradise with an abundance of attractions and activities.
You can also explore Bree Street, the CBD’s destination hub, home to renowned restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, speciality stores, bars and nightclubs.
Embrace your wanderlust
Embarking on foot to explore Cape Town’s inner city proves incredibly rewarding. Leading the city’s walking tour scene is Kate Crane Briggs from Culture Connect, who curates captivating journeys through the city and its downtown. From discovering the historic trees of the Company’s Garden to architectural excursions showcasing stunning art deco designs, Culture Connect offers an unparalleled experience.
The walking tours provide a deeply engaging approach to exploring the culture and history of the CBD – for free. Rain or shine, 365 days a year, these tours include options such as the Historic City Tour, Apartheid to Freedom Tour and The Bo-Kaap Tour.
Also read: Discover the City’s hidden gems with these walking tours
Seasoned guides share captivating insights into Cape Town’s rich past and present, offering valuable recommendations for attractions, activities, dining, shopping and exploration.
Lesley Cox of Cape Town Walking Tours reaffirms the value of guided walks in capturing the true essence of the city. Her tailor-made tours focus on Cape Town’s storied history, bringing to life the city’s heritage, architecture, public buildings and art through stories of people and events that have shaped its trajectory.
Wine and dine
Cape Town is not called the food capital of Africa for nothing! With over 86 coffee shops scattered throughout the CDB, the city stands as a coffee connoisseur’s haven. The culinary scene boasts 147 restaurants and casual eateries, many of which have garnered accolades and global acclaim.
A curated selection can be explored using the handy digital Eateries Map of the Cape Town CBD, provided by the CCID.
Explore the city by bus
To experience the best of Cape Town and explore the CBD, consider the hop-on, hop-off Red Bus by City Sightseeing Tours, which has numerous tours, over 30 stops and visits to more than 50 top attractions, including Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point.
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Tour your city: Things to do in and around the V&A Waterfront
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