Is it the Promenade that throngs with sun-loving locals and savvy tourists at sunset?
Or perhaps it’s the strip of superb restaurants that dish up everything from ramen to wood-fired pizza?
Public art? You’ll be inspired by the outdoor exhibitions that pop up here. Pastries? Who doesn’t love a croissant from Coco Safar, or a patisserie at Paris Cape Town?
Oh, and don’t forget the public pool, where you can swim with a sea view for just R34,50 (£1,50/$2).
The truth is, there are plenty of reasons why Time Out voted Sea Point one of the 40 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World. It’s up to you to choose your favourite. And while Time Out this week made it official, it was the votes of more than 12,000 urban aficionados and local experts that sealed the deal for Sea Point, helping it to beat out a string of other strong contenders across Cape Town.
Once voters had cast the ballots for their favourite corners of the city, local experts narrowed down the shortlist to choose a winner that took into account everything from the availability of public open spaces to the culinary adventures on offer. A vibrant nightlife was crucial too, contributing to the city’s vital nighttime economy.
And Sea Point is a worthy winner, coming in at number 21 on the list to narrowly beat Haut-Marais in Paris and London’s King’s Cross. It’s a cosmopolitan corner of South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, with an authentic multiculturalism that sets it apart. It’s long been home to a vibrant Jewish community – and the only eruv in the city – and increasingly shows a more diverse face, from a vibrant immigrant community to hipster-friendly boutiques, without losing its soul.
And that’s a trend being played out in cities worldwide. ‘What stands out with this year’s Time Out Coolest Neighbourhoods is that, while most of them have seen a transformation over recent years, they remain resolutely local-at-heart,’ says Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out. ‘Exciting new openings across culture, food and drink are bringing in new crowds, but neighbourhood stalwarts—from old pubs to family greengrocers—keep it real. And they’re fun! These are places where the city comes to play.’
Sea Point was also one of only two neighbourhoods in Africa that attracted the attention of voters, placing it alongside the upscale Cantonments 40 in Accra, Ghana, which came in at number 40. Let’s hope that more colourful and creative corners of Africa make the cut in 2024.
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Check out our essential guide to Cape Town.