Visiting a new city or country is always a fun adventure, but often we spend most of our time in buses, trains or cars seeing the sights. If you love the outdoors, getting some fresh air and learning about the city you are visiting then this is the perfect opportunity. Enjoy one of the many walking tours that SA City Pass has to offer its’ visitors – whether it’s running up the mountain or taking to the streets, there is an option for everyone!
1. Historic City Center Running Tour
This running tour is perfect if you want to see the historic sights of Cape Town with the option of choosing between the 5km, 8km or 12km run. A local guide will take you through the city and give you the chance to experience the real Cape Town city vibe while learning about the landmarks. Trace the footsteps of the Dutch founder Jan Van Riebeck and stop at the Castle of Good Hope and City Hall. On your route, you’ll pass through the beautiful Company Gardens where you’ll meet friendly squirrels and run under beautiful leafy trees. From the gardens, you’ll make your way through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap and make your way up the mountain.
2. Explore the colourful streets of the Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap has become a famous area because of its colourful streets and rich culture, which you need to experience if you visit Cape Town. Your run will begin on the slopes of Signal Hill where the brightly coloured houses will unfold in front of you in colours ranging from blue, yellow to pink. While in the Bo-Kaap you can get a taste of true Cape Malay food, which is on offer and made by the friendly people who live in the neighbourhood. Along the way, you will have the chance to visit South Africa’s first mosque, Aluwal Masjid and the Bo-Kaap Museum.
3. District Six Walking Tour
District Six has a rich history and was once a lively, multi-cultural hub of the city. On your walk, you will learn all about the founding, development, and eventual destruction of the area that resulted in the forced removal and demolition of the area during the apartheid period. You will be given the chance to visit the District Six Museum where there is an interactive display of photographs, recordings, and testimonials that depict the community the area once represented.
4. Guided Historic City Walk
Cape Town is full of beautiful sights and an amazing history and on this walk, you will get the chance to learn more about the city’s maritime history, the apartheid struggle and the city as it stands today. This walking tour will take you through the heart of the city, including Greenmarket Square where artists and traders connect from all corners of Africa. From there you will visit City Hall, which is a large Edwardian building where Nelson Mandela made his very first speech as a free man, from there make your way through the Company Garden’s, which was the home of Cape Town’s first farm. The Gardens are now used by the residents of Bo-Kaap to grow their own vegetables. The Company Gardens are now home to many historical and architectural buildings and museums.
5. The Table Mountain Running Tour
Enjoy one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World – Table Mountain. This run is challenging but absolutely beautiful. Your run will start with a gentle incline up the contour path that runs along the mountainside and continues up the face of the mountain, edging close to the cable car. The pace picks up a bit across Platteklip Gorge and gains speed as you head towards Devil’s Peak. While you’re having, a breather takes in the beautiful views that surround you, as well as the city bowl all the way to Lion’s Head. On your way, down you can either take the tarred road, which will end your hike off on about 8km – be adventurous and take the undulating path through Deer Park, which ends your run on about 11km.
6. Lion’s Head is for everyone
This trail run takes place around the base of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill – the run isn’t technical, but it is enjoyable! This run is about 8.5km and you will be blown away by the stunning views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Seaboard, Table Bay and of course, the city of Cape Town. While on your run you will have the chance to learn about Robben Island, which can be seen from a distance, as well as the Kramat, which forms part of Cape Town’s rich Islamic history. You will have the chance to run in the tranquil Table Mountain National Park.
Take in the beauty that Cape Town has to offer with one of these interesting and fun walking or running tours. You will have the chance to learn so much about the city’s diverse culture and history while taking home beautiful memories and photographs. Make sure to also read the descriptions of Cape Town City Pass walking and running tours.