Cape Town is known for its spectacular views and sunsets, and there’s nothing like sitting back to watch the African sun dip below the Atlantic while relaxing with a glass of wine or a cocktail in hand. With Spring finally here, the sun is setting later and later into the evening, and the air is warm and inviting, which is the perfect time to start enjoying drinks on the terrace. We set out to find the best sundowner spots to enjoy after a long day or to spend some time with friends.
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Enjoy a sunset picnic on Signal Hill with City Sightseeing
The first stop on our sundowners list is Signal Hill. Hop on the open-topped Red Bus at STOP 1 to take the scenic route around the Atlantic Seaboard through Seapoint, Clifton and Camps Bay before heading up to Signal Hill to watch the sunset. Signal Hill is the perfect place to watch a breathtaking sunset and enjoy a picnic with the family or your friends, so remember to pack a picnic basket with all your favourite foods and drinks.
Once the sun has set, it’s time to pack up and climb back on the bus for the return trip through the city centre, watching the cityscape lit up like the starry skies above. The bus will drop you off back at the V&A Waterfront to make the most of the evening scene and restaurants there.
The bus leaves the V&A Waterfront from 17h30 (check timetable for details), and you can book your ticket online for the best rates. The tour lasts up to 3 hours depending on sunset.
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Try cocktails with a difference at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
There are few cocktail lounges set in the same opulent luxury as the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel , one of the most famous 5-star hotels in Cape Town. It dates back as far as the 1700s and has been visited by Winston Churchill and other famous figures from history. The Planet bar is a chic, comfortable lounge with a veranda that’s perfect for the sunset views.
When the sun has set you can head back inside to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and try out their light meals. The ceiling twinkles with stars and planets over your head to set a romantic, cosy ambience.
You can hop off the City Sightseeing bus at STOP 15 to get to the Mount Nelson hotel with ease.
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Drink up the ocean views at The President Hotel
Take in stunning, uninterrupted views of the Western horizon as you sip on a colourful cocktail at The President Hotel . The Deck Bar and Terrace gives you the perfect spot to relax and unwind to the sound of the nearby ocean, with a menu of delicious tapas meals to sample and a massive collection of vibrant gins and cocktails. The ambience is laid back, breezy and sunny, like a beach bar or poolside lounge.
You can hop off the City Sightseeing bus at STOP 9 to reach the President Hotel. The hotel is well within walking distance of the Seapoint Promenade, bustling with shops, restaurants, and bars, making it the perfect spot to visit during a night on the town.
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Watch the sunset in comfort at the Winchester Mansions
Kick back and relax in Harvey’s Bar and Lounge at the Winchester Mansions , right on Seapoint’s seaside strip. Luxuriously appointed, you can sip on your favourite cocktail in style on the front terrace overlooking the Atlantic seaboard, or inside on one of the comfortable, chic couches you can find in the bar and lounge.
The Winchester Mansions Hotel is one of the best spots to while away a Spring or Summer evening, wrapped up in the beautiful, sophisticated Cape Dutch architecture and stylish interior design. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, the lounge offers light meals, while Harvey’s restaurant has an extensive al la carte menu.
You can find the Winchester Mansions by hopping off at City Sightseeing’s STOP 11 .
Image source: Winchester Mansions
Take in the most spectacular view at The 12 Apostles
There are few views that can compare to the view of the setting sun from the patio of The Leopard Bar at The 12 Apostles Hotel . This opulent hotel is backed by the famous 12 Apostles mountain range, and from the deck, you can see them rise overhead in opposition to the vast, uninterrupted horizon of the Atlantic. Soak up the views while you lounge back in comfortable armchairs or take up a seat on the deck, sampling their range of amazing cocktails, whiskeys, and gins.
They also have a few restaurants on-site, and a high tea selection if you arrive early enough. It’s the best way to end a warm day of sightseeing.
Image Source: Cape Town City Pass
Ride into the Sunset onboard the City Sightseeing Red Bus
Reach all of Cape Town’s best sundowner spots with City Sightseeing. The CBD also boasts a popular range of cocktail bars with breathtaking views of the setting sun from high above the city streets. Book your Sunset Bus ticket online to enjoy your picnic atop Signal Hill, or book one of our bus ticket packages to get around Cape Town for the day as you please.
