guides

  • THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN

  • With a beautiful coastline washed clean by the wild waters of the Atlantic, a string of fabulous mountains in their backyard, and a temperate climate, locals are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in Cape Town.

    Your ideal play date may be one spent lazing on a soft sand, watching the sun glisten off the sea - if so, Cape Town's coastline offers amongst the most sensational urban and semi-urban beaches on earth: white sandy shores interlaced with gigantic sculptural boulders, lapped by brilliant azure waters, and set against a backdrop of cliffs and craggy mountains. While swimming itself can take a bit of courage - waves can be mean and temperatures freezing - there are relaxed tidal pools where even non-swimmers can comfortably enjoy the refreshing, biting, depression-curing waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

    If, however, you like more energetic activities then Cape Town also provides with plenty of walking, cycling, watersports and sailing adventures to be had.


  • design element
    • The Armoury Boxing Club

    • THE ARMOURY BOXING CLUB

    • A shapelier gym you won't find anywhere in the city-it's carved out of an old gun armoury, and the look and feel is industrial vintage, with exposed bricks, wooden beams, and real leather. Victorian branding and classic fight posters set a tone that's more gentlemanly than underground, and the two boxing rings let you know what makes this place tick. With its black and white floor tiles and leather banquet, the little lounge-bar at the back contains a boxing library and cabinet of trophies-even the music sends out the message that this is a place for individuals with a sense of identity (hence, no treadmills nor other machines for mindnumbing repetition). With an atmosphere that's intimate and personal, there's a strong sense of camaraderie-and it's good to train with people who mean business: You'll use the mirrors here to check your form-no-one cares what you look like or how much you sweat. And you'll train without the tedium and routine you find at ordinary gyms, working with clued-up personal trainers and boxing instructors, who'll use serious equipment-medicine balls, skipping ropes, kettlebells, punching bags-to help whip you into shape. Choose from various group classes, sign up for powerhouse one-on-one sessions, and join the paratrooper-style squad runs (good for speed and stamina, and likely to bring on a deep Rocky nostalgia). Finally, even if you don't sign up to train here, there's "Fight Night"-a hugely popular Friday evening white collar boxing event, held three times per year, often pitting local boxers against fighters from Johannesburg. There are ring girls, bars, and a DJ spinning tunes to keep spirits soaring. Expect gripping ringside action and a furious vibe that's so typical of Cape Town on a night out-or, if you're brave enough, sign up to take part.
  • design element
  • Book Hotel Coming Soon