Clifton is an exquisite small seaside suburb in Cape Town, overlooking beautiful beaches and the azure Atlantic, built into the steep slopes of Lion’s Head. Clifton is famous for its amazing beauty, with the pure white sandy beaches overlooking the glittering purple blue sea, and the stunning mountain backdrop.
Victoria Road cuts through the middle of Clifton. On one side are beach cottages, with winding steps down to the pearly white beaches. On the upper side are architectural masterpiece houses built into the mountain side, with glorious views over the shimmering ocean. It is no wonder that it is one of the most expensive suburbs in South Africa.
Clifton has a set of 4 different beaches, separated by walls of huge rounded boulders. 4th beach is the most popular, frequented by glamorous people relaxing in the sun. International visitors come back again year after year and it is a favourite destination for movie and rock stars, and the rich and famous.
8 Amazing Reasons to Stay in Clifton
1. The Clifton beaches are famous for their glorious beauty, and are a fabulous place to relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery in the open air beside the sea. You can swim and surf there, both body and board. The beaches attract many visitors, especially in summer.
2. The Mountain Nature Reserve behind Clifton has incredible views where you can go hiking. There is a launch pad at the top where you can paraglide over Clifton down to Maiden’s Cove. Once a month there is a spectacular full moon night walk spiralling round the mountain to the peak.
3. Clifton is between Bantry Bay and Camps Bay. A Boulevard along Victoria Road through Clifton connects them, and you can go running and walking enjoying the views of the ocean and the beautiful mountain landscape.
4. Clifton is purely residential but a short walk away is Camps Bay, a sophisticated tourist destination, where you have the highest quality restaurants, shops, bars, cafes and hotels looking onto the beach. The Camps Bay strip is a great place to have a drink or lunch and enjoy the view. The sunsets in Clifton are magnificent.
5. Boats and yachts are often moored at Clifton, and you can charter Champagne Sunset Cruises or book various yacht parties.
6. The Table Mountain Cable Car is minutes away up the Roundhouse Road from Clifton. You can take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for thrilling views.
7. Beyond Clifton is a 15 kilometer scenic drive along the coastline past the magnificent 12 Apostles Mountain Range towards Hout Bay, with the astonishing beauty of the landscape and the scintillating ocean.
8. The Twelve Apostles Hotel is a beautiful venue along this road a few kilometers beyond Clifton. Set alone, in the Twelve Apostles Nature Reserve of indigenous fynbos, with panoramic views of the ocean, it is a five star Hotel with a superb spa, and another place to enjoy the magnificent scenery. There are many hiking trails there. There is a helipad here and flights can be booked.
Where to Eat
Although Clifton is residential without shops and restaurants there are great restaurants nearby in Camps Bay.
Bungalow restaurant next to 4th beach overlooks the sea. Along the strip is Paranga, another excellent restaurant with international food and sushi.The Grand Cafe is a bistro also overlooking the sea.
Zenzero does Italian food, as well as Col’Cacchio, which is suitable for families.The Mynt Cafe and Caprice are casual restaurants with excellent food, and there is Vida e Caffe, for coffee and breakfast.
Umi has japanese food and sushi and a particularly good view, and recently opened a health section with fresh smoothies and salads.The Raj does indian curries and Mezepoli have mediterranean food and tapas.
The Codfather in the village has seafood and sushi.The Roundhouse restaurant is further up the mountain, with Cape provencale food, in a lovely outdoor setting amongst the trees, and a view overlooking the ocean.
Transport
Car
To explore the glorious landscape around the Cape, the easiest solution is to hire a car at the airport.
Many taxis are always waiting on the main Victoria Road nearby in Camps Bay.
Clifton is about half an hour from the main Cape Town Airport and the Twelve Apostles Hotel has a helipad to collect people by helicopter.
Interesting Facts
The narrow Victoria Road along the sea past Clifton round the mountain from Sea Point, was built by prisoners in 1888 and provided access to Camps Bay.