Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

27 September 2025

4-minute read

Cape Town is a vibrant destination that captures the hearts of visitors with its unique blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse attractions. From the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain to the bustling waterfronts, pristine beaches, and historic neighbourhoods, Cape Town offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveller.

Hafidh Muhammed Tayob is a Chartered Accountant and co-founder of Halaal Travels, an award-winning community platform that helps travellers and adventure seekers traverse the world. With a strong foundation in finance and faith, he says that the amazing mother-city of Cape Town should undoubtedly be on every traveller’s bucket list.

The first on the list to must-see sightseeing spots for first-time visitors to Cape Town includes Table Mountain, where the breathtaking views from the cable car on the ride up to the mountain as well as those from the top leave one in awe. Muhammed’s tip when booking the cable car is to look out for specials that run, especially during December when the sunset ride is usually cheaper. Next on the list is seeing the penguins up close and personal on Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Muhammed suggests going early because there are a lot of queues and only a certain number of people are allowed in daily. Thirdly, Signal Hill for its spectacular views. People generally like to go and watch the sunset, but once it gets dark, most people are rushing back down and there’s a lot of congestion on the road. Muhammed recommends driving right to the top, making a U-turn and parking on the side of the road instead of right at the top, to save time.

Having recently celebrated Heritage Day as well as SA National Parks Week, a place to visit in the Cape that has a truly South African flavour is the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Just under two hours from Cape Town, the drive is lovely, there is wildlife within the reserve, and scenic hiking trails with awesome views of the ocean.

The best time of year to visit Cape Town is in December when the days are long, hot and sunny, with fajr being around 4am and maghrib salaah setting in at about 8pm. Muhammed advises always carrying a jacket as despite it being summer, Cape Town can get windy at any time. While “there isn’t such a thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing,” June and July are extremely cold and not suitable for outdoor activities.

Cape Town is famous for its stunning albeit cold-water beaches. The less cold water is along the coastline of the Muizenburg beach, while Camps Bay boasts gorgeous cold-water beaches for those prepared to risk it! If it is a windy day, like it usually is in Cape Town, the Clifton beach is ideal as it is surrounded by boulders that protect it from the wind. Strand and Gordon’s Bay are a bit further out but very popular with both locals and tourists alike.

When it comes to accommodation, travellers on a budget should avoid the “touristy hubs” like Sea Point, Greenpoint and the Waterfront as they are much pricier in peak periods like December. Staying in the suburbs is affordable and comfortable and self-catering apartments or lodges for larger groups out of the main areas are suitable accommodation options, that are also close to highways, eating places and masaajid.

Used mostly by international tourist, the My City Bus runs regularly and is ideal for getting around the city. Uber is also a good option, although it can be quite expensive, but locals should hire a car as many places are at a distance from the next, and a car just “lightens the load” and is “much more convenient.”

Listen to the full interview with Ml Muhammad Kara, Ml Ibrahim Daya and Hf Muhammed Tayob here.