Just after Sunset

When we first got to the base cable car station at 17h45 the queue was so ridiculously long that we nearly abandoned the idea altogether. People were there in droves for the half price special rates, standing in line that snaked for metres back into the jam-packed car park. There was no way I was going to join them.

Raphael and Kaira

Then my clever man suggested we come back an hour later and see if things were any better. Not in the mood for the Waterfront's Christmas shopping mayhem we headed instead down to Kloof Street and had drinks at one of the trendy sidewalk cafes,  enjoying the warm summer air and the relaxed vibey crowds.

Robben Island and the Lights

By 19h15 we were back at the station and had only to queue for 10 minutes before getting our tickets. There was a bit of a wait to board the cable car but once on board there was not the crazy crush of bodies I expected.

Cape Town City Lights

The view from the revolving cable car was, of course, spectacular and we made it to the top just in time to enjoy the last 10 minutes of the sun sinking into the Atlantic. On the other side of the mountain the Cape Town city lights spread like a twinkling fairy land. The air was still and despite the many people sipping sundowners and wandering around the atmosphere was almost hushed.

I can highly recommend you make use of the special - more details on dates and rates here - even if you live in the Mother City and feel it's too much of a touristy thing to do.

Visiting Cape Town? Contact our online reservations team for Portfolio's 122 benchmarked Cape Town accommodation establishments.

My boy and I at the top