Green Point

Green Point is the oldest suburb in Cape Town beneath Signal Hill Nature Reserve, looking over Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. It is adjacent to the town centre and steeped in South African early history. The residential area has many charming historical buildings, lovely little Georgian townhouses and cottages in tree lined cobbled streets.

Somerset Avenue is the main thoroughfare, lined with sidewalk cafes, trendy restaurants, elegant boutiques, stylish shops, clubs and hotels. The residents tend to be sophisticated and intellectual, designers, writers, artists, eccentrics, bohemians and young professionals.It is a hub of the Gay community.The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, with a view of the sea next to the buzz of the city.

High rise waterfront apartments around Dock Road towards the V&A Waterfront, have magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning granite Mountain backdrop of the the city. Green Point Stadium is situated off Somerset Avenue on the way to the V&A Waterfront Shopping Centre, Green Point’s nearest big mall.

What To Do

Green Point is between the town centre and Sea Point, and a short distance to the Waterfront. The residential area of Green Point at the foothills of Signal Hill Nature Reserve, is tranquil yet close to the best restaurants, shops and beaches.

Nightlife is busy, with numerous restaurants, clubs, bars and cabarets.

It is also close to the Sea Point Beachfront Promenade, a huge popular park curving alongside the seafront, with lawns and paved paths for walking, running, rollerblading, enjoying the views and sea air. The Sea Point Pavilion has swimming pools, and the small Rocklands beach is for surfing, but the main swimming beaches are Clifton and Camps Bay, a few kilometers away along Victoria Road on the coastline.

The Green Point Stadium, a stunning piece of architecture built in 2010, has huge concerts and major sports events and can host 65,000 people. The Green Point Urban Park, landscaped and planted around the Stadium, has thousands of plants indigenous to the Cape. The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest in the world but has by far the greatest number of varieties of plants, around 9000. It is fun to walk about the large park and there are water features with lakes and bridges, children’s playgrounds and jungle gyms. Entrance is free and it is open every day.

The Cable car up Table Mountain is easily accessible from Green Point,  to experience the breath taking views over Cape Town and Table Bay. One can go hiking up Signal Hill, paraglide off there, or walk circling around Lion’s Head to the top.

The Cape Quarter Shopping Centre, built around an open square with an elegant historical facade, is an upmarket centre with beautiful jewelry, design and decorating shops, restaurants, even an excellent  yoga studio. De Waterkant, one of the oldest parts of Green Point, has quaint semi detached cottages, sidewalk cafes, decorating shops and art galleries.

The V&A Waterfront Shopping Centre is a massive mall, with everything from supermarkets to designer clothes, restaurants and cinemas. Along the main Somerset Road are a huge variety of shops from stylish cafes to boutiques, design studios, sidewalk cafes and restaurants.

One can book Scenic Drives to tour the beautiful Mountains, forests, waterfalls and glorious beaches around Cape Town.

Where To Eat

Mano’s is a popular casual restaurant on Green Point Main road. Beluga’s in Prestwich Street specialise in super sushi and dim sum, luxury dining. La Petite Tarte is a sidewalk French patisserie cafe in de Waterkant, a charming historical area within Green Point. Giovanni’s, also on the main road, is a great place for breakfasts, coffee or lunch. Miss K’s is for irresistible coffee and cakes. The Waterfront has dozens of restaurants to suit every taste, like Indian, Italian, sushi, Chinese, French, or Greek. Baia, with views over the working docks, do excellent Portuguese seafood grills.Grand Beach Cafe in Granger bay is for Italian food while sitting on the beach.Radisson Blu Hotel has a veranda with gorgeous views overlooking the ocean waves.La Vie Cafe right on the sidewalk of Sea Point promenade is great for breakfasts and lunches.

Where To Stay

Accommodation ranges from infinitely luxurious lovely designer guest houses with gorgeous gardens, to quaint cottages.There are studios, apartments, small holiday houses and elegant boutique hotels. An unusual range of different accommodation is available. There is also the ”Gay Village” of de Waterkant, a small area distinct but within Green Point, an elegant area with exquisite renovated townhouses.

So there is a delightful choice of guest houses including some very beautiful old Victorian homes. High rise apartments are available nearer the docks with sea and mountain views.Green Point also has private villas higher up on Signal Hill with views of the Stadium and Atlantic Ocean and Waterfront.

Transport

Transport is easy. As it is so central, many taxis including Uber are always nearby. There are MyCiti buses that are frequent and efficient running through Green Point, and the open Red Hop-On Hop-Off buses take scenic routes over the mountains and around the coastline. Green Point is 15 minutes from the airport, and a central point from which to visit the surrounding beautiful landscapes of the Cape Peninsula.

Do You Know

Green Point is sometimes written incorrectly as Greenpoint.