Fresnaye, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay are 5 of the most prestigious suburbs in the country…and with good reason.
As the Atlantic Seaboard curves around Signal Hill to face the sunset, the mood shifts away from the city and becomes all about glamorous beach living and prime ocean views. As a bonus, these steep slopes are sheltered from Cape Town’s fierce summer southeaster, making the properties even more desirable. This is where some of South Africa’s most expensive real estate can be found – stunning villas high on the slopes, chic apartments on the beach – all within easy reach of the CBD.
Fresnaye rubs shoulders with Sea Point, making the most of the vibrant Regent Road restaurant scene and the Pavilion end of Sea Point promenade, but retreating above to quiet residential streets and good-sized family homes. “I love the sunsets and the light at dusk that lingers on,” says Denise Levy, Ginger and Lime. “The wide palmtree- lined avenues in Fresnaye add a California vibe to the area, which is quite unique in Cape Town.”
Just into Bantry Bay is local sundowner spot Saunders Rock Beach, favoured for its rock pools. Apart from the four-star President Hotel, the rest of the suburb is purely residential, with villas and apartments climbing the slope from the ocean.
Once a summer resort, with small bungalows on the four secluded white-sand beaches, Clifton has since become home to jet-setters and celebrities, with glitzy villas and apartment buildings added to the original bungalows. The steep stairs down to the beaches and the lack of parking don’t impact the chic appeal of the beaches, which are the place to see and be seen on long summer days before heading o¬ for the nightlife of Camps Bay’s cosmopolitan strip of bars and restaurants.
Camps Bay has a seaside village feel and is home to many families who appreciate its schools and sports clubs, and the fact that the city centre is an easy hop over Kloof Nek Road. The beach and the mountain encourage an outdoor lifestyle. Residents and visitors enjoy surfing before work, mountain hikes along the Pipe Track on weekends and the stunning views from Lion’s Head to the Twelve Apostles peaks.
There’s a wild stretch of fynbos-clad mountain side, passing the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and hidden gem Oudekraal Beach, before the next enclave of the Atlantic Seaboard at Llandudno. A small village with no shops or restaurants and one primary school, it’s all about the beach life, unspoilt nature and private living, and is a favourite surf spot for many. It’s close enough to Hout Bay and Camps Bay for schools, shops and amenities, but feels a million miles away from the city.
The a¬ffectionately nicknamed “Republic of” Hout Bay is separated from the rest of the city by the mountains and has its own identity defined by the fishing harbour and long beach on the one side and the rural appeal of smallholdings and paddocks further up the valley. With several good schools, horse riding on the beach, community markets and easy access to mountain hikes, it’s the family end of the Atlantic Seaboard, with less jet-setting glitz and more laid-back small-town charm, but still with the beach living vibe that characterises Cape Town’s Atlantic coastline.
I love the buzz that happens in our area and how it’s constantly changing and evolving. It’s great to be so close to the city, the beaches and the Waterfront. I enjoy the mix of the people, as it’s truly a cosmopolitan and international crowd.
-Denise Levy, Ginger and Lime.
Dine out:
- Sundoo: for vibrant Indian cuisine
- Jarryds: for delicious breakfasts
- The Bungalow: for stylish seafood
- La Parada Camps Bay: for cocktails and tapas
- The Codfather: for unpretentious seafood
- Cheyne’s: for Asian-inspired cuisine
- Mariners Wharf: for delicious fish and chips
Things to do:
- Visit Ginger and Lime for inspiring cooking evenings.
- Hire a bike from Up Cycles and explore the city from Sea Point to Camps Bay.
- Enjoy sun-bathing and surfing at the beach.
- Watch musicals, plays and comedies at Theatre on the Bay.
- Visit Bay Harbour Market for vibey weekend browsing and live music.
- Take the family to World of Birds.
Beaches:
- Clifton’s four beaches: for family-friendly beach fun
- Glen Beach: for surfing and picnics
- Camp’s Bay Beach: for photoshoots, sunbathing and la dolce vita
- Oudekraal Beach: for natural surroundings, boulders and picnics
- Llandudno: for surfing
- Hout Bay Beach: for leisurely walks and harbour life
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
