Congratulations! You are officially living in one of the most gorgeous cities on the globe. In fact, Cape Town has been ranked the sixth most beautiful in the world! Make yourself at home by learning one of our eleven official languages (Xhosa and Afrikaans are widely spoken in Cape Town), try the local food and most importantly – mingle. Here are a few of the easiest ways to get into the Cape Town vibe.

Forest fairy

Don’t be deceived by the subtitle. The forest is definitely a place to frolic and enjoy rich greenery, but it is also the perfect setting to sweat it out on a trail run or two. This natural gem is only a hop, skip and jump away from Rondebosch, and easily accessible by foot or public transport. Pay Newlands Forest a visit to clear your head and get away from city bustle.

Remember, the trails are safe but try not to go alone. Aim for times of day when many people will be present. Locals tend to enjoy the paths over the weekend and in the afternoons. Ideally, you want to get an early run in before 5pm in winter, to allow time to finish your exercise before dark.

Follow your green feet to this website for more information.

The world’s a stage

Thespians and theatre lovers, this one’s for you. The Baxter Theatre Centre is located in Rosebank, which is right on Rondebosch’s doorstep heading towards the city. Look out for a stately building on your left just before the turn off to UCT Upper Campus on the main road.

Inside you will find a busy programme of plays, dance and music performances, stand-up comedy and the occasional poetry recital. Look out for student discounts – you can soak up the culture for a fraction of the price.

For a comprehensive list of what is playing, visit their homepage.

Let’s eat!

Although Rondebosch Main Road has many spots for a meal out, every now and then you’ll have an appetite for something different. One of our favourite haunts is Dean Street in Newlands. This small area has a wide variety of cafes and offers a refreshing change of scene.

You can sample everything from the Mexican flavours of El burro to a good old burger and chips at Bank’s Burger. Meanwhile, Dean Street Arcade houses Knead bakery and the Copper Club. But wait, there’s more! The Newlands Quarter just across the way is home to a sushi and Thai restaurant, a health food bar and one of the best ice cream shops in Cape Town that stays open until 11pm every night!

Workin’ on my fitness

Rondebosch Common is hedged by Campground, Park and Milner Roads in Rondebosch. Soldiers camped on this National Monument during the Battle of Blaauwberg, and it also accommodated troops up until World War II.

Now it is just a lovely place to take a stroll or go for a jog. If running is your kind of thing, Parkrun takes place on Rondebosch Common every Saturday morning at 08h00. This free community event encourages runners of all ages and experiences to start their weekend with two laps of this green space.

Trust us, it’s worth getting out of bed for!