Destinations & Attractions in Northern Suburbs, in Cape Town

Northern Suburbs Destinations & Attractions

The Northern Suburbs are made up of a number of suburbs that have such character that they are considered entirely separate entities, rather than mere residential areas. The border between the Northern and Southern suburbs is formed by the N1 highway. To Capetonians, this is an important distinction, as there continues to be a kind of friendly rivalry between the two areas. In very general terms, the Northern Suburbs are more inclined to be Afrikaans, while the Southern Suburbs tend to be more English.

The municipalities of Goodwood, Parow, Bellville, and Durbanville combined to form the City of Tygerberg.

The Northern Suburbs are only a few minutes’ drive from the city centre of the Mother City. The views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak are incredible. From this area, some of the mountains of Stellenbosch can also be seen, making these vistas truly spectacular.

Major tourist attractions within the Northern Suburbs include Ratanga Junction and Canal Walk Shopping Centre (both part of the enormous Century City). These promise hours (if not days) of retail adventures and fun for the entire family. Ratanga Junction has 23 rides, which range from small kiddies’ fun rides to adrenalin-inducing tests of your resilience. Canal Walk boasts more than 400 shops, as well as a seemingly endless variety of restaurants and coffee shops.

GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World is the largest of its kind in the country and includes restaurants, bars, a club, cinema and theatre. This is all set within a place of fun for the entire family. The casino itself comprises over 2 500 slot machines and 78 gaming tables. All of these casino facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Durbanville Wine Valley has been producing excellent wines, nestled within the heart of the Tygerberg Hills. It comprises twelve wine farms that boast spectacular settings and delicious wines. Popular labels from this area include Durbanville Hills, Diemersdal, Meerendal and Bloemendal. The local soils and weather conditions yield fruity wines that have intense, earthy flavours.

Bellville is a residential suburb that continues to grow and grow, and is now the address of thousands of businesses too. It is home to the popular Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, a shopaholic’s perfect fix.

This area is expansive, and includes too many beautiful attractions, fun activities and must-see natural wonders to mention. These include Kuils River, Plattekloof, Durbanville and Welgemoed.

Bellville

En-route towards Stellenbosch and along the N1 is the residential area of Belville (mainly Afrikaans speaking). Situated in the Tygerberg hills, Belville is only 25 kilometres from Cape Town. Similar to many areas of Cape Town, ...

Bothasig

In the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, surrounded by family homes and business blocks, is the residential hub of Bothasig, also known as The Sig. This area is multi-faceted in terms of the homes and business found within its ...

Brackenfell

Brackenfell is situated at the start of the Cape Winelands and is a residential suburb that is better known for being behind (or a part of) the 'boerewors curtain', a local term used to separate English and Afrikaans speaking ...

Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport is the base from which millions of international travellers begin their exploration of this uniquely beautiful country. It is the second largest airport in South Africa, second only to the OR Tambo ...

Durbanville

Originally called Pampenkraal (pumpkin fold), a place for local farmers to meet around fresh water springs, just further up from the Durbanville Hills, Durbanville is one of the oldest municipalities of the Western Cape and ...

Edgemead

Considered a suburb of Belville, Edgemead is situated very close to the Durbanville Wine Route (one of South Africa’s top wine districts), and as a result has become a very popular place to visit or live in. Beautifully covered ...

Goodwood

Goodwood lies between the northern and southern suburbs of Cape Town, 10 kilometers from Cape Town’s city centre. Named after the famous British racetrack, as the area was initially used for horse racing, Goodwood includes ...

Joostenberg Vlakte

On the border of Cape Town’s city centre and Paarl, Joostenberg Vlakte is situated outside of Durbanville along the green belt and is most appreciated by its residents as they consider their dwellings to be private farms, and ...

Kuils River

The tranquil area of Kuils River that lies at the foot of the gentle slopes of the Bottelary Mountains is just being ‘discovered’ by visitors to Cape Town who want to escape the confines of a city for a more rural experience, yet ...

Loevenstein

Close to the Tygerberg Nature Reserve and only 20 kilometres from Cape Town’s city centre, Loevenstein is a traditional suburb that lies within the greater Belville area. Popular for its bird sightings and magnificent views of ...

Matroosfontein

Matroosfontein is a residential area that, while outside the city centre, is part of the Mother City and home to many of its locals. It is extremely close to the Cape Town International Airport (less than about four kilometres, ...

Panorama

Praised for having one of the top hospitals in Cape Town, Panorama med-clinic, Panorama is a great area that is close to all amenities, and only a short drive away from Cape Town’s most popular beaches. The lifestyle within the ...

Parow

Parow presents major benefits in that it has quick and easy access to the N7 and the N1, allowing for fast travel into the city centre. Residents here don’t consider Parow to be a part of the northern suburbs because of how close ...

Plattekloof

Plattekloof is home to some of the most glorious views over the city of Cape Town and Table Mountain. Most homes are situated within security estates and are considered the most elite in the Western Cape. Situated in the north of ...

Tygervalley

Tygervalley is most well known for its massive shopping centre called Tygervalley Shopping Centre (which is what most would refer to when talking about Tygervalley). The shopping centre is the suburb's main attraction and has ...

Welgemoed

Only 30 minutes drive from Stellenbosch and Paarl, and a short 20 minutes from Cape Town, Welgemoed sits snugly in the Tygerberg Hills. With amazing views of the not too far away Stellenbosch mountains and a magnificent valley, ...
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