07/06/2026
Why I Hate Cape Town (But Love It Even More)
Cape Town frustrates me.
And somehow, that's exactly why I keep wanting to go back.
Before anyone from South Africa gets angry, let me explain.
The problem with Cape Town is that it ruins your expectations.
Not before you arrive.
After you leave.
Once you've experienced it, other destinations start feeling slightly disappointing.
You begin comparing everything.
The mountains aren't as dramatic.
The beaches aren't as beautiful.
The scenery isn't as varied.
The sunsets don't quite hit the same.
And suddenly you're looking at photos from Cape Town again, wondering when you can return.
I Hate That One Day Never Feels Like Enough
Most cities have a clear itinerary.
You see the main sights, visit a few neighborhoods, eat at a couple of restaurants, and feel reasonably satisfied.
Cape Town doesn't work like that.
Every morning starts with impossible decisions.
Should you drive Chapman's Peak?
Visit the Cape Peninsula?
Spend the day around Camps Bay?
Take the cable car up Table Mountain?
Visit the Winelands?
Go to Boulders Beach?
Explore Kalk Bay?
Watch sunset from Signal Hill?
There are days when you genuinely feel like you need three versions of yourself.
I Hate How Spoiled You Become
The views are ridiculous.
After a few days, you'll find yourself doing things that would be major attractions almost anywhere else and barely reacting.
A beach backed by mountains.
A scenic coastal drive.
Penguins on the beach.
World-class vineyards.
A sunset overlooking the Atlantic.
By the end of the trip, your standards have been completely destroyed.
I Hate The Constant Need To Check The Weather
If you've been to Cape Town, you know.
Table Mountain can disappear into clouds.
Strong winds can suddenly change your plans.
A perfect morning can become completely different by afternoon.
You quickly learn an important lesson:
When the weather is good, don't wait.
Go.
That hike, viewpoint, beach, or cable car ride may not look the same tomorrow.
I Hate That It Makes Other Cities Feel Small
One of the most surprising things about Cape Town is how much variety exists within a relatively short distance.
In a single trip you can experience:
• mountains
• beaches
• wildlife
• vineyards
• coastal villages
• hiking trails
• city life
• incredible food
Most destinations are known for one or two of those things.
Cape Town somehow combines all of them.
I Hate How Difficult It Is To Explain
Photos help.
Videos help.
But neither fully captures what makes the city special.
People often think Cape Town is simply beautiful.
It is.
But that's not the whole story.
It's the way the city sits between mountains and ocean.
The way every drive seems to lead somewhere scenic.
The way ordinary errands happen against a backdrop that looks unreal.
You don't really understand it until you're there.
I Hate That It Rewards Slow Travel
Many destinations work well with packed itineraries.
Cape Town is different.
Some of my favorite memories weren't attractions at all.
Watching waves roll into Camps Bay.
Taking a long lunch in the Winelands.
Stopping at random viewpoints along the coast.
Walking through neighborhoods with no particular destination.
The city constantly encourages you to slow down.
I Hate Leaving
Every time.
Because Cape Town is one of those rare destinations where it feels like you've barely scratched the surface.
No matter how long you stay, there's always another beach, another hike, another viewpoint, another restaurant, another wine estate, another coastal road waiting for next time.
And maybe that's the real reason I "hate" Cape Town.
It never feels finished.
The trip ends before the destination does.
Which is exactly why I love it more than almost anywhere else.
Written & posted by Michael Kirtley
