Cape Town — where do we even begin?

As first-time visitors to South Africa, we were completely blown away (physically and metaphorically). Not just by the beauty (though Table Mountain looming over every corner is hard to ignore), but by how cosmopolitan, open, and welcoming the city is — especially for gay travellers.

Our mission? To find sunshine, culture, and romance in Africa's most progressive city. What we discovered was beyond our wildest dreams: adorable penguins waddling on the beach, world-class wines that converted us into instant connoisseurs, club nights that ended with the sunrise, and so many unforgettable stories we are still blushing over.

Whether you're planning your first queer getaway or looking to rediscover the magic of the Mother City, this is your ultimate LGBTQ+ travel guide to Cape Town. Packed with insider tips, fabulous anecdotes, and candid advice — let's dive in!

🏳️‍🌈 Is Cape Town Gay Friendly? Absolutely! YES. A Resounding, Unequivocal YES.

Cape Town isn't just gay-friendly — it's a dazzling gem on the global LGBTQ+ travel map. We genuinely felt safe holding hands in public, were greeted with warmth and curiosity, and found countless venues proudly flying the rainbow flag.

South Africa was the first country in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage (all the way back in 2006!) and remains a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ rights globally. The constitution itself prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Cape Town? The epicentre of all that progress.

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The heart of queer life in Cape Town is De Waterkant (you'll know you're there when you spot the fabulous rainbow crossing). Picture a pastel-hued village packed with boutique hotels, hip cafés, vibey bars, and a warm, inclusive community.

From every Uber driver who greeted us like old friends, to every guide who gave us a knowing wink, we never once felt judged or uncomfortable.

📍 Is Cape Town Safe for LGBTQ+ Travellers? Our Essential Safety Tips

Let's address the elephant in the room (🐘 see what we did there?). Yes, South Africa has a general reputation for crime. But like any big city, it's all about being smart, informed, and sticking to well-trafficked areas.

Truthfully? We felt safer in Cape Town than we did in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

Our Top LGBTQ+ Safety Tips for Cape Town

• Always Use Uber: We used it constantly. It's reliable, safe, and shockingly cheap (most rides cost £1–£3).
• Avoid Walking Alone at Night: Especially in quieter areas. Even for short distances, we grabbed an Uber.
• Book LGBTQ-Friendly Stays: We adored the TreeHouse Boutique Hotel for its relaxed, inclusive vibe. Want luxe? Try Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. Other fab picks: The Grey Hotel (De Waterkant) and Pink Rose Guesthouse.
• Protect Your Valuables: Don't flash phones or cash. After a stolen phone in São Paulo, we now use phone straps everywhere.
• Trust Your Gut: Always.

By sticking to well-lit zones and leaning heavily on Uber, we never felt unsafe.

🌬️ Pro Tip: Cape Town's Wind is No Joke

You've been warned — Cape Town is WINDY. Hair-thrashing, sand-blasting, photo-ruining windy. Especially in summer (Nov–Mar).

We had:

• A shark dive cancelled (wind).
• A Robben Island ferry cancelled (wind again).
• A Clifton 4th picnic turned sandstorm.

Always have a Plan B: museums, wine tastings, or a café with great coffee. Oh, and pack extra hairspray.

🏖️ Best Gay-Friendly Beaches in Cape Town

💅 Clifton 4th Beach: The Unofficial Gay Beach

This is the one. Cape Town's unofficial gay beach — and our absolute favourite.

We went on day one, pale, excited, and... forgot suncream. Yes, we got lobster-red burnt. Rookie mistake. Do NOT forget SPF 50, especially under those deceptively cool skies.

Expect soft white sand, turquoise water, sculpted abs, and chilled rosé being passed around like communion. It's bliss.

Local Tip: There are no shops on the beach — bring water, snacks, and drinks with you!

✨ Camps Bay: Glamour + Cocktails

Just a quick drive away, Camps Bay is where you go to be seen. Trendy beachfront bars, sweeping views, and golden hour that hits different.

🤫 Sandy Secrets: Cape Town's Nude Beach

For the bold and beachy, there's a gay nude beach. It's about a 20-minute hike, but 100% worth it. Sun, sea, and... everything else.

But PLEASE: wear suncream. Everywhere. Especially there.

🐧 Penguin Paradise: Betty's Bay > Boulders Beach

Yes, you read that right: penguins on a beach in Africa! Like many others, we had Boulders Beach on our "must-do" list. It's just a short, cheap taxi ride from central Cape Town and famously home to a protected, thriving colony of adorable African penguins. However, we made an even better stop at Betty's Bay on our way to our safari. No crowds there, just lots and lots of super friendly and even cuter penguins!

The moment we saw them waddling along the shore, looking like tiny, tuxedoed creatures on their way to a fabulous brunch, we were utterly obsessed. Yes, they're slightly smelly and definitely noisy (they are wild animals, after all!), but we guarantee you'll adore them! Don't miss it!

🍷 Cape Winelands: Wine Tour of Dreams

We absolutely love wine – red, white, rosé, dessert… you name it. We've definitely been known to enjoy a bottle or two (or maybe more!). While we'd certainly had South African wine before, we weren't quite prepared for just how incredible it would be. We genuinely never had a bad bottle during our trip!

As they say, "while in Rome South Africa," we booked a private wine tour in the sprawling Stellenbosch and Franschhoek regions. Over a luxurious six hours, we visited four different vineyards, enjoying a wine tasting at each, expertly paired with either cheese or chocolate. We also stopped at [insert lunch spot here] and had lunch overlooking the lake, in the glorious sunshine, with wine in hand – it was pure heaven! The vineyards we visited were [insert vineyard 1], [insert vineyard 2], [insert vineyard 3], and [insert vineyard 4].

Despite not even being able to fit an extra pair of socks in our suitcase on the way out, we somehow managed to squeeze an entire case of wine in on the way back (incredible, the motivation good wine brings!). We picked up a few bottles at each stop and even gave our fantastic driver a bottle as a thank you.

Fun Fact: Despite arriving with no suitcase space, we still managed to bring back an entire case of wine. Motivation is a powerful thing.

Pro Tip: Get a driver. Trust us — you'll be tipsy by noon.

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🍽️ Cape Town Foodie Moments: Unexpected Delights

Cape Town's food scene? An unexpected (and delightful) surprise.

Our Fave Bites

• Belmond Mount Nelson: Bougie AF (we had a gift voucher) but genuinely one of the best meals we've ever had. Amazing service, cocktails, and steaks. Do the post-dinner stroll through the garden. With a cocktail.
  📸 Note: Add a photo of Alex + cocktail

• Karibu Restaurant: Authentic South African food + live music/dancing = unforgettable vibes.

• One&Only: Stunning food, obviously, but Belmond edged it for us in overall experience.

🌃 Gay Nightlife in Cape Town: Small But Mighty

Cape Town's queer nightlife is compact but full of heart.

Where We Went

• Café Manhattan (De Waterkant): Our favourite. Amazing cocktails, friendly staff, great crowd. Relaxed, unpretentious, and full of good vibes.

Dress Code? Casual. T-shirt + jeans is fine. But if you want to sparkle, SPARKLE. We saw everything and loved it.

Pro Tip: Check @capetownpride or TravelGay.com for events — Cape Town's gay calendar is seasonal with fab rooftop parties, pop-ups, and Pride bashes.

🛻 Safari from Cape Town: Garden Route Adventure

While Cape Town itself isn't a safari spot, it's the perfect launchpad. We booked a two-day Garden Route safari (insert Viator link) and it was amazing.

Picked up early by the loveliest guide (Benji, you were incredible and really made the best trip!), it's a long drive (10 hours-ish), but with stops, snacks, and views.

The lodge was lush, with fab food, a dreamy bar, and views of elephants from your cocktail seat. We did two game drives (evening + morning), saw lions very up close, zebras, antelope, and more. No giraffes sadly, but still a 10/10 experience.

✈️ LGBTQ+ Travel Tips for Cape Town

🚗 Getting Around

• Uber = Essential: Cheap, fast, safe.
• Rental Car? Only if you're doing serious road tripping. Otherwise, unnecessary.

📅 When to Go

• Summer (Nov–Mar): Hot, beachy, Pride vibes, nightlife.
• Shoulder (Apr–May, Sep–Oct): Fewer tourists, mild weather — our fave!

☀️ Sun Safety

• SPF 50 or bust.
• Reapply constantly.
• Don't trust clouds. Learned that the hard way.

💳 Currency & Costs

• Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
• Costs: For Western travellers, Cape Town is a dream. Cocktails for £3, gourmet meals for £15. Guilt-free indulgence!

💭 Final Thoughts: Cape Town, You Have Our Hearts

We left Cape Town sun-kissed (ok, burnt), tipsy, and totally in love.

It's one of the rare places we've travelled where we felt completely ourselves — walking hand-in-hand, laughing loudly, drinking incredible wine, and exploring without fear.

Cape Town is bold, queer, beautiful, and waiting for you.

We'll be back. Without question.