Kiki & Ollie
I lived in Cape Town for four years before returning to California. We now return every year as a family! We’ve experienced Cape Town while Oliver was a baby and again as a toddler, and I am even more in love with the city and surrounds.
Nationality: Mama—USA, Ollie—USA/SA
Ages Visited: 8-9 months and 22 months
Hi, I’m Kiki! I lived in Cape Town for 4 years before becoming a mama and I explored so much of South Africa during that time. I don’t hesitate to tell everyone I meet that it’s my favorite place I’ve ever traveled to (with 75 countries under my belt—that’s saying something!).
There is SO much to discover here — whether it’s beautiful beaches, scenic hiking, beautiful winelands, or the bustling foodie scene.
We now live in California but have returned twice (with Oliver as a baby and as a toddler) to experience the more kid-friendly side of the city and its surroundings.
Cape Town is the ultimate family-friendly destination—I’m convinced there’s no place like it on Earth!
Emergency Info for Cape Town
emergency line
Save +27 21 480 7700 on your cellphone, or dial 107 from a local landline. This local emergency service line will connect you with relevant safety and medical providers. Most locals will tell you not to wait for an ambulance unless it’s an extreme situation and you can’t transport your child. It’s not like dialing 911 in the US.
hospitals
In an emergency, go straight to the ER or the nearest hospital. The best two are Christiaan Barnard and Mediclinic in Gardens. Both of these hospitals are known to prioritize children and push them to the front of the queue.
local pediatrician
Head to Atlantic Children’s Practice by the Waterfront if you need to see a pediatrician (non-emergency).
Emergency preparedness is extremely important when traveling with a child as emergency services might not be as accessible or reliable in every part of the world. I highly recommend taking a Baby & Child CPR online course and brushing up before every trip.
You can access an affordable online option through the Red Cross. I personally also love the TinyHearts Baby & Child First Aid course as it covers essential first aid topics, including CPR, choking, burns, and poisoning AND includes downloads you can save to your phone for quick reference.
Essential Childcare Info
Baby Gear Rental Company
We have always used Anew Leasing, and I highly recommend them! They carry high-end baby gear, and you can rent everything from full-sized cribs to Artipoppe baby carriers to high chairs. You can also pay to have everything delivered and picked up when you’re ready to return your items.
Local Nanny/Sitter Info
Paid childcare is extremely common in South Africa as most local families have a nanny or sitter for small children. The service is very accessible in Cape Town. Nannies will typically be South African, Zimbabwean, or Malawian and will speak English as well as other local languages (typically Afrikaans, Xhosa, or Zulu).
If you want a full-time or “most of the time” nanny during your trip, I recommend the AuPairs SA website. Rates can range from R45-R100+ ($2.50-$4+) per hour though some nannies might charge more hourly for a short-term job than a long-term job.
As an American, I often struggle to think outside of “an 8-hour work day,” but many nannies and housekeepers (domestic workers) often WANT to work as many hours as possible while they have short-term employment. So, if you want overnight stays or have a long day you need help with, it’s okay to ask.
I’ve also been recommended Winelands Nannies by lots of friends if you plan to stay in the Cape Winelands. This reputable company offers hourly packages starting at 330R ($18)/hr. If you have a wedding or event in Cape Town, they also offer luxury creche service pop-ups with soft play, toys, etc., at the venue with fully staffed nannies for all ages.
How amazing is that?
Destination Information
Getting Around
with Kids
Rating: (7/10)
You will need to rent a car or take an Uber to most places around Cape Town—Uber is very inexpensive. Some neighborhoods, like Sea Point, are very walkable, but most of the city is not as walkable. As a tourist, I wouldn’t rely on public transportation.
Cultural
Kid-Friendliness
Rating: (10/10)
Cape Town is a melting pot of cultures where kids are loved and celebrated! You might find the occasional hotel or restaurant that’s adults-only, but overall, kids are seen as part of society and highly accommodated.
Activity
Kid-Friendliness
Rating (10/10)
There are lots of things to do as a family! Cape Town is a very outdoorsy city, so there is SO much to do, whether it’s going hiking, spending a day in the Winelands, or visiting one of the many beaches.
Best Neighborhoods for Family Travelers
I always recommend staying in Sea Point for families. It’s walkable, coastal, and central, without the tourism of Camps Bay. The promenade has playgrounds, and it’s always packed with kids, people, and pets from sunrise to sunset.
Other areas great for families are the Waterfront and Camps Bay.
When visiting the Winelands, consider Constantia, Stellenbosch, or Franschoek. Constantia is only 30 minutes from the city and has some beautiful wine farms—making it a great day trip. Whereas Stellebosch and Franschoek are 1+ hrs from the city and are a destination in themselves.
My advice is to book well in advance if you intend to stay in the Winelands when coming to Cape Town! There are lots of amazing properties, but they can book out months in advance for the summer season, which is usually between November and March.
Top Things to Do with Kids
Cape Town is SO kid-friendly, and there are so many things to do and places to explore with little ones of all ages!
Sea Point Pool
(Good for All Ages)
I’ve always loved going to the Sea Point pool! It’s about $1.75 for an adult admission and there’s an Olympic-sized pool, diving pool, and baby pool!
Before becoming a mama, I used to come midweek and tan at the baby pool because it’s the perfect depth, and most people don’t head to this side of the pool.
It’s such a great place to cool off with or without kiddos in the summer.
Be Warned
Absolutely avoid weekends, though, because it gets completely packed!
Farmers Markets
(Good for All Ages)
Old Biscuit Mill: The Neighbourgoods Market is an amazing market for high energy and lots of shopping. It’s open from 9 am on Saturday and Sunday (rain or shine). You can bring a stroller to this market, but be ready to navigate through crowds of people.
Oranjezicht Farmers Market: Don’t miss this Farmers market. You can shop for everything from local produce to baked goods, and there’s a huge section of prepared foods–come hungry! PS: Don’t bring a stroller! The ground is covered in wood chips, and it’s nearly impossible to roll over.
Helpful Tip
Oranjezicht Farmers Market is open on Wednesday evenings and weekend mornings. With both markets, as close to opening time as possible. It gets SUPER busy! Also, both markets feature community-style seating, so you’ll have to find space at shared tables if you’re sitting down to eat.
Take a Trip to Table Mountain
(Good for All Ages)
Officially known as a New 7 Natural Wonder of the World, Table Mountain is an incredible activity to enjoy with a baby.
You will want to buy tickets online in advance, but I usually wait to buy them until just before we want to go. That way you know the weather is ok and you can skip the ticket line. Sunset is my favorite. But, check the cable car up and down times. It might be earlier than you expect.
Most people tend to stay past sunset and get stuck in a massive queue waiting to get back down. I always leave just before the sun sets to avoid waiting in line for 30+ minutes.
Always check the cable car website for weather conditions before buying tickets. It’s an entirely different climate at the top. I’ve been caught in freezing rain and wind before when it was completely sunny at the base.
Best Kid-Friendly Beaches
(Good for All Ages)
Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world–and that’s coming from someone born and raised in Southern California!
And while you can fill your entire itinerary with beach days, these are my favorites when traveling with the family:
Boulder’s Beach
SIMON’S TOWN
This beach is famous for it’s African Penguin colony! This beach requires some planning if you want to see the penguins up (not TOO) close. Visit at low tide and be sure you’re going to “Boulder’s Beach” not the lookout. Keep a safe distance from the penguins and make those core memories.
Saunders’ Rocks Beach
SEAPOINT
This is definitely more of a “locals” beach, and it’s very scenic. While it might not scream “family beach,” I love it. It has a lovely tidal pool for kids. The beach is a bit more rocky/shelly than sandy, but if you have a little explorer, this is a fun beach!
Clifton 4th Beach
CAMPS BAY
There are four Clifton beaches, all known for being the best for something. Clifton 1st is dog-friendly, Clifton 2nd is a bit more “see and be seen,” and Clifton 4th is more family-friendly. You can rent umbrellas and chairs here!
Glen Beach
CAMPS BAY
There are a LOT of amazing beaches, but I’ll end with Glen Beach. Camps Bay gets a lot of hype but you get the same beautiful views of the 12 Apostles from Glen Beach without the crowds.
Pickpockets are also a real issue in Camps Bay, so I tend to avoid it and hit Glen instead.
Camps Bay and Clifton beaches will have vendors selling “cool drinks” (soft drinks) and ice cream. Bring cash (just in case) but many sellers now carry a wireless tap to pay credit card reader. You’ll usually hear them shouting a famous phrase, “Lolly to make you jolly,” and you can always count on a good laugh. The granadilla (passion fruit) pops are a local favorite!
Visit the Winelands
(Good for All Ages)
Visiting a wine farm is a great way to explore the vineyards with a little one.
One of my favorite wine farms is Babylonstoren, regardless of going with littles or not. But it’s especially fun with a toddler. They have chickens, donkeys, and a massive garden to explore. They also have a gorgeous greenhouse to have lunch.
I also love Boschendal. This farm is uniquely family-friendly. You can book picnics, ride horse trails, play on their playground, etc. They even have a pump park with bicycles of all sizes to rent. This particular spot has one of my favorite picnic setups! Their wine and chocolate pairing is R240 ($13) and served outdoors.
So if you have a toddler, it’s much less stressful to enjoy experiences like this. Kiddos can run around while you enjoy!
One of our favorite experiences in the Winelands is the Wine Tram.
Admittedly, the timetable can be very confusing, so this will eventually warrant its own blog post. But it’s a lovely way to do a hop-on hop-off adventure around the region and visit some of the top wineries in Franschhoek.
Helpful Tram Info
I highly recommend the Orange Line (with or without kiddos) but keep in mind that this route fills up, so book well in advance. Both wine farms I mentioned above (Boschendal and Babylonstoren) are on this route, and there are others that are great and family-friendly!
Visit the Aquarium
(Good For All Ages)
I was super impressed with Two Oceans Aquarium. We have some pretty amazing aquariums in California, but I honestly think this one has better exhibits! They even have an indoor playground and tons of kids’ activities.
They also have daily puppet shows in the Play Center at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.!
Explore the Waterfront
(Good For All Ages)
There are truly an endless amount of things to do at the Waterfront and something I always recommend for families visiting Cape Town.
Some of my favorite things to do include:
- Watch the various street performers
- Shop for local goods at the Watershed
- PlayDate Superpark for indoor play
- Ride the giant Ferris wheel
- Endless shopping! (H&M Kids, Zara Kids, and Cotton on Kids are just some of the shops you can find here)
Go on a Baby-Friendly Safari
(Good For All Ages)
If you are hoping to go on safari with kids, note that children under 2 aren’t permitted on game drives, and children under 6 aren’t permitted on game drives with other guests. However, you can stay at Gondwana’s private Ulubisi House and have the unique opportunity to “bend” the rules.
Gondwana Game Reserve is a breathtaking wildlife conservation area located in the Western Cape of South Africa. The drive from Cape Town to Gondwana takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours, depending on traffic and the exact location of your starting point in Cape Town. If you’re hoping to bring your little one on safari, here’s how we did it!
One of My Favorites
Because we stayed at Ulubisi House, we had our own private vehicle, and were allowed to do “bokkie drives” for our infant at our leisure in the protected area of the reserve where there are no predators (aka lions).
Game drives are typically early morning (6 am-ish) and late afternoon (4 or 5 pm-ish), and can last 3+ hours, so they’re just not the same life-changing experience for young children as they are for us.
Good to Know:
They also offer babysitting is R150 per hour which we opted for. We got to give our little one a “baby” experience and still got to enjoy all game drives (4 in total) during our 2-night-stay with the adults. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Where to Stay as a Family
When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay in Cape Town with kids, there are several options to consider depending on your preference and budget. As I mentioned earlier in the post, I’m biased and think Sea Point is the best neighborhood for families! But, you might consider moving locations during your stay based on the activities you plan to do.
Here are some of my favorite accommodations around Cape Town!
Tintswalo Boulders
SIMON’S TOWN
Tintswalo Boulders is the perfect family-friendly accommodation if you want to visit the African penguins! This boutique hotel has all the charm of a cozy home and is conveniently located within walking distance of Boulders Beach.
Why We Love It
A boutique hotel with a homelike feel that’s footsteps from Boulders Beach, where you can swim with African penguins!
One&Only Cape Town
WATERFRONT
Family-friendly hotel One&Only may entice families with its fab location at the V&A Waterfront—it’s right next to the Aquarium! The property has panoramic views of Table Mountain and impressive KidsOnly and Teen programs.
President Hotel
BANTRY BAY
This is a family-friendly “won’t break the budget” hotel if you’re looking for a great location with apartment-style rooms. The hotel has standard guest rooms, a range of spacious one-bedroom apartments, and family suites with lounge areas and kitchenettes.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
CAPE TOWN
Old-Hollywood glamour and colonial grandeur come together to create the magnetic atmosphere at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. Nestled at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain, this hotel is a luxury escape in the heart of Cape Town.
Why We Love It
Belmond Mount Nelson is famous for its afternoon tea, and it’s one of my best memories of staying there. The lounge is every little girl’s fanciest tea party dream come true.
Le Vine Constantina
CONSTANTINA
One of my favorite parts of a homestay is the privacy and comfort. La Vine Constantina is a large, well-decorated 3-bedroom guest house with an outdoor swimming pool, BBQ, and incredible views.
Serenity Villa 18
CAMPS BAY
This Villa is truly one of the most decadent homestays I’ve ever seen! Complete with 6 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious deck with an outdoor dining area and sun loungers, this Serenity Villa has it all—but most importantly, the view!
Where to Eat with Kids
Cape Town has a massive foodie scene—so many amazing restaurants to try! There are only a handful of restaurants that I wouldn’t suggest for kiddos—specifically, La Colombe. (Though if you can sneak away for an adult-only experience, I cannot recommend it enough!)
The full tasting menu with wine pairing lasted around 4 hours, which is why it’s not great for kids.
Here are some of my favorite family-friendly restaurants in Cape Town that are exceptionally fun with kids!
The Lawns Court
The Lawns is a GREAT sunset spot for the whole family with a fully outdoor setting and incredible views of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles. During the summer, they are open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is one of the most happening spots in Cape Town and I love that you can still feel welcome in these environments with kids.
Great for
Dinner
Type of food
Everything! Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Seafood, etc.
Kid’s menu?
Yes
Why We Love It
They have a designated lawn for kiddos! When booking, select Lawn 3 for the designated child-friendly area with a jumping castle and play area for kids.
Mojo Market
The Mojo Market is a food and lifestyle market, with EVERYTHING you could possibly think of! Daily live music daily sets the vibe as you try every type of culinary fare available from delicious Middle Eastern food to zesty Mexican. Entrance to the market is free and it’s also an incredible place for people watching.
Great for
Everything!
Type of food
All Types of Cuisine
Kid’s menu?
No
The Base at The President Hotel
The Base is the hotel’s poolside wood fired pizzeria, which serves artisanal eats to guests and visitors enjoying the terrace’s ocean views. It’s also the PERFECT spot for little ones. Along with a kid’s menu and a child minder (or babysitter) for parent’s to use, there’s also a play area with jungle gym, ball pit, tepees and more. Also, kids and their parents are able to take a dip in the pool, next to restaurant.
Great for
Dinner
Type of food
Everything! Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Seafood, etc.
Kid’s menu?
Yes
The Company’s Garden
Right in the heart of the city lies the most beautiful garden area that doubles as a family-friendly restaurant! Full of vast gardens to peruse, urban play areas, and even ducks for the little ones to play with! And the scenery compliments the menu with so many healthy, plant-based options.
Great for
Breakfast and Lunch
Type of food
Salads, Burgers and Sandwiches
Kid’s menu?
Yes
Montebello Design Centre
This spot gives a whole new meaning to “green-thumb!” Montebello Design Centre is a community project with twenty-five arts and craft studios and workshops, a historic greenhouse and nursery and restaurant. The Gardener’s Cottage is a special spot nestled in a garden where kids can roam around.
Great for
Breakfast and Lunch
Type of food
Sandwiches, Omelettes and Plant-Based Dishes
Kid’s menu?
No
