'Topping' the Cape Town bucket list: the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

We aren't all hikers ready to take on the intrepid hike up Table Mountain to the gorgeous views that await at the summit. The iconic way to get to this viewpoint is to take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Delighting locals and visitors to Cape Town City Centre for more than 90 years, the cableway is a must-do for every Cape Town resident and visitor. Let's take a look at a few reasons why this experience is so unique.

Reasons why locals and visitors love the Cableway

Riding the cableway is a quick and convenient way to reach the majestic views found at the top of Table Mountain. The trip only takes around five minutes, rather than the hours it would take you to hike to the top. Over and above this, it makes the mountain accessible to children, the elderly and other people who would struggle with the intrepid climb up the mountain.

It's also a unique experience. The cable car is specially designed to rotate 360 degrees as it ascends, giving you a complete view of your stunning surroundings. Watch out for dazzling views of Cape Town, Table Bay and the surrounding mountains.

Your trip up Table Mountain's aerial cableway is certainly an adventure. It's one of the steepest cableways in the world and the fact that you ascend or descend in just a few minutes makes your trip exhilarating.

Once you get to the top

Those who've been to the top of Table Mountain before will tell you that the temperature on top can be significantly colder than the weather down below. Always bring a jersey or jacket just in case so that you're able to really enjoy the experience. Once you reach the top, you can explore the various walking trails that wind around the summit, taking in the unique flora and fauna that can be found there. There are also several viewing platforms where you can take in the dazzling scenery and take Instagram-worthy pictures.

Make sure you leave time to relax and enjoy a meal, snack or coffee at the Table Mountain Café. There are also four retail outlets at the top, giving you plenty of opportunities to buy a souvenir of your cableway experience. Also, if you're looking for the ideal spot for a wedding, cocktail party or end-of-year party, the cableway provides outdoor venues atop the mountain for occasions your guests will never forget.

It's possible to buy a one-way ticket on the cable car, so if you want to, you could hike back down. The most popular option is to return the way you came, taking another memorable ride on Cape Town's much-loved aerial cableway.

Four quick tips for visiting Table Mountain's cableway

1. Parking spaces can be difficult to come by at the bottom of the mountain. One of the easiest ways to get there is to use Uber, Bolt or a City Sightseeing tour, which will drop you off at the Upper Tafelberg Road stop.
2. Book your tickets for the cableway online before you go to save some time. You may still need to queue to access the cableway on busy days.
3. If you're in a hurry, you can buy an Up and Down Fast Track ticket.
4. If it's your birthday month, you can collect and redeem a free ticket up and down the Table Mountain Cableway. Don't miss out on this great way to celebrate!

Table Mountain's aerial cableway, and the assortment of spectacular views from the top of the mountain, are not things to be enjoyed only by tourists. If you're a resident of Cape Town's city centre, then the mountain and all its delights are part of the natural heritage of your area. Take the time over a weekend to truly appreciate Table Mountain in all its splendour. If you'd like more information about buying a home in Cape Town's City Centre, Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty would love to be part of your journey.