October 2026

Bloubergstrand: Where Table Mountain steals the show

Our blog will never be complete if we don’t take you along to Bloubergstrand. It’s probably the most popular spot where you can get that classic view of Table Mountain across the bay. So, let’s go for a short stroll on the beach. This is not a long post, because how many photos can you take of Table Mountain from here without each one looking exactly the same?

Iconic view of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand

Bloubergstrand literally means ‘blue mountain beach’ in Afrikaans, and got its name from the nearby hill, Blaauwberg (231m/758ft high). It’s a residential area and attracts large numbers of visitors – especially kitesurfing enthusiasts (Bloubergstrand is one of the world’s top kitesurf destinations). Robben Island is located 6.9km/4.3 miles west of the coast of Bloubergstrand. This is where prominent political figures, like Nelson Mandela (former President of South Africa), were in prison.

Robben Island in the distance

We didn’t see any kite surfers, probably because it was a windless morning. But there were quite a few surfers, bodyboarders and SUP (Standup paddleboarders) in the water taking advantage of the good weather. And even though the water is cold because of the Benguela current, Bloubergstrand is one of the most popular beaches around Cape Town.

Surfers and bodyboarders

Standup paddleboarder

It was a long winter – people enjoying the water

We took a walk along the beach and headed in the direction of Table Mountain. It’s a view we’ve seen countless times, but I will never get tired of it.

With such a stunning view, I could easily sit on this bench for hours

Table Mountain – again

Rocky part of the beach

When we drove to Bloubergstrand, I told Berto that the weather was in our favour for that first ice cream of the season. So, we decided to turn around and head to one of the many little ice cream cafés at the main beach.

On our way back to the main beach

On the way back we walked past Blue Peter. This restaurant is probably one of the most popular spots around Cape Town. We’ve eaten here a few times, and their pizzas (and cocktails) were always good – with a view like that, there’s not much to complain about.

A very busy Blue Peter on a sunny weekend morning

Back at the main beach

For me, there was no doubt about which ice cream to choose from the wide variety on offer – for many years, my first ice cream of the season was always a vanilla soft serve in a sugar cone with a flake – that still hasn’t changed (yes, I’m that predictable).

The best ice cream is the very first ice cream of summer

We considered for a moment walking back to Blue Peter for lunch, but after seeing how many people were there, we decided to make lunch at home. It was ultimately the better option, I think – with music in the background, busy preparing food in the kitchen and a bottle of wine, these meals are always the best!

Home cooked meals are the best

Bloubergstrand gave us a morning of pure delight. Nothing compares to the breathtaking sight of Table Mountain rising across the bay. If you find yourself in Cape Town, make sure Bloubergstrand is on your list; it’s the kind of place that turns a simple beach walk into a memory you’ll treasure forever.

Nothing beats the view of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand