For those who don’t know, Cape Town is a coastal city on the South African coast. It has a rich blend of cultures and stunning natural features that make for a vibrant atmosphere. The locals are kind and helpful, and the city itself provides anything you may want from good food to endless activities (and more). If you’re someone who enjoys the outdoors, Cape Town is a top-level destination for surfing, hiking, mountain biking and several other sports that range into the more extreme, like paragliding. Table Mountain National Park features Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and several other hikes that offer breathtaking panoramas of Cape Town and the surrounding areas.

(Paraglider over Camps Bay - taken from Lion's Head with the "12 Apostles" in back)

If you are in search of some more laidback activities, Cape Town has several different markets offering a fusion of international cuisines, traditional crafts and clothing, as well as live musical performances. Two of the more popular markets are Old Biscuit Mill, which is located a short way from the City Center in a neighborhood called Woodstock, and Bay Harbour Market located in Hout Bay. Hout Bay is approximately a 30-minute drive from the City Center, but the drive down the coastal highway (the M6) is enough to make the trip worth it, never mind the market itself.

Co-founders Anthony Stroebel and Paul Rutzen discovered the old fish factory and envisioned a venue that would serve to “…uplift the area, uplift the community...and in the process celebrate the vibrancy and creativity that is so unique to SA, Cape Town and, indeed, Hout Bay." In 2011, the two friends opened up the Bay Harbour Market, which proved to be a wise decision as it is now thriving center of commerce that draws herds of locals and tourists alike.

(Harbour Bay Market)

The locales offer stylish clothing, African crafts and unique clothing & jewelry, though I found the food and live music to be the most thrilling aspect. The featured entertainers during my visit were an African and Reggae trio called “Jambo Africa.” Their musical infusion provided an effusively cheerful atmosphere in which to enjoy the diverse cuisines. Food options range from sushi, to German brats, to local dishes based around Springbok and Gemsbok. Something I’d recommend doing is splitting dishes from multiple spots with a friend or two.

My friend and I first ventured to “The Lamb Man,” where we enjoyed a succulent lamb sandwich on a ciabatta roll with hints of mint and cilantro. Our second stop was “Bon-Amie,” which has a wide variety of dishes that can be ordered as a sandwich, omelet, or wrap. We opted for a roll with choice steak, feta cheese, avocado, tomato, lettuce, caramelized onions, and who knows what other delicious garnishes. The medium-rare steak was juicy and tender, making every little bite a slice of heaven. With the satisfaction of a full stomach we moved on to “Brampton Wines,” and purchased ourselves a bottle of their rich, fruity Cabernet Sauvignon.

So, if you happen to find yourself in Cape Town, whether you’re in the city for a few days or a few months, make sure you don’t leave without visiting the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay. You’ll be glad you did!