Bakoven possibly a name of Dutch origin, after the pizza-oven shaped hole in a large rock in the bay. It is a small haven of calm at the edge of Camps Bay. While not sacrificing any of the views, proximity to the sea or luxury of lifestyle, you are not in the midst of the cosmopolitan center of Camps Bay, thus affording you a quieter, more laid back holiday experience.
Bakoven has its own pebbly beach and several amazing and secluded spots suited for sundowners, which afford you the opportunity to get out of the wind too.
The Camps Bay Strip is only 15 minutes’ walk (5 minutes’ drive) away, which means you're close to the action, but not in the thick of it.
Nestled against the slopes of the iconic Lions Head peak, Bantry Bay boasts magnificent views, complete exclusivity and the benefit of being largely wind still throughout most of the year. The accommodation here is as close to the ocean as you’re likely to get, with proximity to the City Centre, Clifton’s beaches, Table Mountain, Sea Point and Camps Bay making this area central, yet private.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is the trendy heart of the Atlantic seaboard, the palm-line, white-sand beach with an abundance of vibey restaurants and classy eateries complete the picture postcard setting. Against the backdrop of the twelve apostles along the length of Table Mountain and its pristine beaches, this gem has been cherished by locals and travellers alike from as far back as 1786, when The Roundhouse was first established as a guard post by the Dutch East India Company.
Between the ocean and the majestic Table Mountain (often with its cloudy “table cloth”) you will find the centre of Cape Town. The “Mother City” CBD is a vibrant and energetic city centre that has not succumbed to urban decay. There are countless points of interest, such as the South African Museum, Company Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope, Government Avenue and many museums and galleries lining the centre of town. Enjoy the bohemian and exciting experience of Long Street, with everything from curios to clothing stores to night clubs and bars. Green Market Square is nice and central, and a good point from which to spread out and explore the city on foot, via guided walks such as Cape Spirit City Walk or the Footsteps to Freedom walk. Always a-buzz with international cuisine, all manner of music and clubs, theatre and art, Cape Town has a lot to offer to even the most discerning visitor.
Clifton is fondly known as Cape Town’s St Tropez, and with four stunning beaches ranked within the top ten beaches in the world and awarded with Blue Flag status, it has to be on your bucket list of beaches to visit whilst you stay around Cape Town.
First Beach - popular with the surfers and volley ball players
Second and Third Beaches are very family oriented and popular with those who want to enjoy their holidays on the beach.
Fourth Beach is The Family Beach, it has the necessary showers, public toilets, umbrellas and deck chairs available for rent and the essential places to buy cold drinks and snacks. Fourth Beach proudly has Blue Flag status, so you are assured the beach is environmentally friendly.
Life guards are on duty throughout the peak season, so only the chilly waters are your excuse not to enjoy a quick swim.
At the confluence of Bo Kaap, the CBD and Green Point you will find De Waterkant. A modern bohemian suburb with many wonders to share hidden amongst its tree-lined and cobbled streets. This fashionably trendy area has been the focus of urban gentrification by the city of Cape Town and the results are amazing, blending old and new world feel along with some of the city’s best restaurants, wine bars and delis. The cottages, that are such a signature visual item for these streets, date back to the 18th century and miraculously remained unscathed during the rigorous relocation programmes under the Apartheid Government (unlike District Six). Being so central, most things of interest are a walk, bus or a quick Uber ride away.
Adjacent to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Foreshore lies on land reclaimed from the sea between 1930 and 1940, extending Cape Town a further 2 km’s into the bay. Centrally located, the area has excellent proximity and connectivity to the city centre and various sites of cultural and historical importance. For the business traveller, the foreshore is particularly well suited due to the fact that it’s “rubbing shoulders” with the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town International Convention Center - The CTICC
Minutes away from the V&A Waterfront, sheltered from the South Easter and with quick access to some of the most prime real estate in the city, Fresnaye commands views of the Atlantic, Table Bay and the historically iconic Robben Island. The highly fashionable area hosts the peninsulas legendary sunsets from the slopes of a mountain over the sea.
Gardens is a tranquil quarter, even though it’s close to the Cape Town CBD, and is known for its authentic colonial mansions (with high ceilings and wooden floors) and its many little galleries, shops and restaurants. It sits at the foot of Table Mountain, and is tucked between Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof (on the lower slopes of Table Mountain and Lions Head, respectively). Being so centrally located allows you to quickly access the popular Atlantic beaches across Kloof Nek, and also the Table Mountain cableway as well as other highlights like the Castle of Good Hope and the V&A Waterfront.
Gardens is full items of historical significance, such as South African Museum, the oldest in the country, which was established in 1825, or the first statue erected in South Africa, that of Sir George Grey, which can be found in front of the public library. These are the sort of things that give Gardens its feel, steeped in history but vibrant and modern, close to the action yet still remaining calm and quiet.
Fondly known as “The Republic of Hout Bay” by its’ residents on account of the fact that there are only three access roads, is a beautiful coastal town with a long history. Within the Hout Bay valley you will find country living, a fishing village and an informal settlement. All three of these locations within a location add their own measure of local flavour. For the best fish and chips in the cape, you must pop by Fish on the Rocks, a very casual chip shop that’s been around for decades. Another Hout Bay icon is Dunes restaurant, with it’s amazing play area for kids, spectacular views and brilliant seafood & cocktail specials. Various markets adorn the wharfs and quays of the working harbour on weekends, with the full bouquet of sea-related activities available to you, from sea-kayaking to shark-cage diving to tours to Seal Island. Hout Bay has long been seen as a kind of retreat from the hectic nature of city life, and the locals make sure that it stays that way.
Fronted by a series of tall and well-appointed apartment buildings, the view encompasses Table Bay, Lions Head and Robben Island, the eye-catching candy cane lighthouse is the oldest one in operation in the country. Right beside the Cape Town Stadium and the V&A Waterfront, the area also hosts various sporting and sailing clubs.
On the steep slopes above the trendy Kloof Street, with its vibey café culture, Oranjezicht contains large homes with gracious views over the city. A short walk down the hills will take you to Long and Loop Street, with its bohemian charm, or up the hill, takes you to the Base Station of the Table Mountain Cable Way.
Sea Point
Cosmopolitan Sea Point lies between Mouille Point, Green Point and Bantry Bay. Its vibrancy is created by the multitude of shops, restaurants, cafes and its splendid beach front promenade (featuring many children’s playgrounds and jogging tracks). The iconic Ritz Hotel with its 360° rotating restaurant is still in operation on the dividing line of the main road, above which are the large private villas on the slopes of Signal Hill, below which are the luxurious beachfront apartments lining the promenade.
This is the oldest residential area in Cape Town, and is a beautiful mix of art deco and old Victorian buildings is a great place to set up base centrally and explore the city. Despite its proximity to the city, the area is quiet and the tree lined streets echo a bygone time. Due to its situation on the slopes of Lions Head, one enjoys the most spectacular sunrises, with views across the city, the bay, and in the distance, the Hottentots Holland’s Mountains.
The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most well-known tourist attractions, a fully operational harbour set amidst a world class shopping mall. Spectacular apartments line the sailing marina and surround The One and Only Hotel. The Clock Tower, the Time Ball Tower and the various boat tours and activities are all popular year round attractions.