Getting engaged is one of the most memorable experiences in your life, and it pays to make sure you get hitched without a hitch. Follow this guide to proposing in Cape Town and you can make this the most romantic day of your life.
Get the ring
One thing almost all proposals have in common is the ring. Cape Town is one of the most affordable places in the world to get top quality diamond jewellery, so you’ve come to the right place! Find out all you need to know about buying a diamond in our guide, and then take the plunge and choose your dealer.
Shimansky
Situated just near the V&A Waterfront, Shimansky is a private and personal diamond buying experience in Cape Town. You can browse the highest quality loose stones and jewellery under the guidance of experts. All stones are high quality, conflict-free, and available at competitive prices.
The showroom is a beautiful space, and bubbly is available. If you wanted to, you could get down on your knee right there, once you and your partner had chosen the perfect ring together. Contact them ahead of time for any special arrangements.
Get free entry and including free gin, whisky or wine tasting at Shimansky with a City Pass
Pop the question
There are many ways to ask the fateful question, depending on your tastes and interests. Below are some romantic restaurants, beautiful scenic places, and a few off-the-wall ideas to inspire you.
Restaurants
Bombay Brasserie at the Taj
The Bombay Brasserie treats its guests to only the finest in Indian dining, with beautifully prepared meals made from fresh, traditional ingredients. The restaurant is located in Cape Town city centre on the buzzing Wale Street, but it’s actually been modelled on its namesake, the original Bombay Brasserie in London.
Harbour House, Kalk Bay
has some unrivalled views of the Indian Ocean, overlooking the harbour at Kalk Bay. When the swell is high, sometimes the waves crash right up against the glass, while on calm days seals can be seen frolicking in the water below. The food and drinks are really good, with delicately flavoured seafood dishes and beautiful cocktails.
Greenhouse
For some award-winning fine dining, head to the Greenhouse at Cellars Hohenhort. The chefs recreate traditional favourites in delicious, modern interpretations. All dishes are inspired by local produce and reflect the multi-cultural flavours of South Africa. The kitchen’s unique creations change seasonally and rely on the availability of only the freshest produce, very often from the Greenhouse garden.
Vineyards
Stellenbosch Vineyards
‘ fresh new restaurant, Swirl, is the place to go for authentic South African food in a casual but beautiful setting. Try the Cape Malay style bobotie spring rolls with chutney, ostrich steak with a berry coulis, or herb crusted lamb rack with sweet potato puree. Drink a toast to your love with their flagship Petit Verdot, while the gorgeous Helderberg Mountains rise up from the expansive vineyards nearby. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, so start with a lunch and wine here and go explore the vineyards until you find the perfect place to get down on one knee.
La Colombe at Silvermist
has consistently been among the top 10 restaurants in the country and has recently been voted the 7th best restaurant in the world. This is where fine-dining is a multi-sensory experience. The flawless food pairs with excellent wines, in an absolutely enchanting setting overlooking the Silvermist Wine Estate. This is for those couples who want something truly unique and extravagant. There’s even accommodation on the estate, and delicious wine sold right there, so you wouldn’t have to leave your romantic haven for anything.
Camphors at Vergelegen
Camphors is another unforgettable fine-dining experience, located on the beautiful Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West. The restaurant overlooks rolling lawns and the towering trees from which the restaurant takes its name. The menu is constantly changing to make full use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. The view is stunning, the staff are happy to accommodate your special requests, and the food and wine are a highlight of anyone’s Cape Town experience.
Nature
Signal Hill
Signal Hill is like something out of the movies. You can watch the sun sink over the Atlantic Ocean while the city glitters below, with panoramic views of the sea, city, and mountains. Sunset gets a little busy, so choose your spot carefully if you want some privacy.
Table Mountain
has unrivalled views of the entire peninsula and is one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The iconic centrepiece of the city offers cable car rides up, and no matter how busy it gets there’s always a private spot with a brilliant view where you can take a knee. There are few better places in the world to say “I do”.
Kirstenbosch
The Kirstenbosch Gardens are one of Cape Town’s top attractions, for good reason. There are meandering pathways lined with expansive beds of indigenous fynbos vegetation. The rolling lawns make for excellent picnicking, and the sheer amount of space means you’ll always be able to find a private nook to lay down your picnic blanket and pop some bubbly. The Boomslang is an amazing canopy walkway which winds through the canopies of the trees, overlooking brilliant vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Cape Point and Diaz Beach
has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Dramatic cliffs rise out of the swirling waters below; secret beaches are tucked beneath the crags. The lighthouses overlook the endless ocean, where the blue sea meets the blue sky in a neat line in the distance. Everywhere you look, the view is awe-inspiring. Try Diaz Beach for maximum privacy or one of the lookout points for views that’ll knock your breath away.
Something different
The Perfect Proposal
Contact The Perfect Proposal to arrange a personalised proposal experience for you and your love. You will be asked questions to get a sense of your personalities, and then supplied with some amazing ideas. Talk about taking the pressure off you!
Boulders Beach
are a perfect metaphor for the life you are starting. They will choose a partner and stick together for life. Both partners are involved in preparing the nest and raising their chicks, and they’ll dance and sing their love for one another almost daily. Also, they’re just really, really cute. Take your love out on the wooden walkway overlooking the penguin colony, or head to Boulders beach for a dip, and pop the question amidst nature’s most inspiring romantics.
Take a trip up the West Coast
Get out of the city for some privacy with your partner, and take a drive up the scenic West Coast. West Coast Way can help you plan your trip, with a unique collection of themed routes, such as the Foodie Route, Scenic Route, Berg Route and Wild Route. You can visit wine estates, the iconic West Coast National Park, and several stunning beaches.
Celestial Gift Experience
This is your chance to promise your love the moon and stars, and then put your money where your mouth is. The Celestial Gift Experience team takes care of the thinking and ideas, and they’re locals with a keen sense of romance. Whether you’re after dinner in the sky, sunset champagne cruises, helicopter rides complete with a picnic on a mountain, or spa dates complete with luxury overnight stays – you will make unforgettable memories that will be etched in your heart forever.
The Aquarium
This one will take a little prior planning, but hear us out because it’s totally worth it. The I&J Predator exhibit at the Aquarium floods the viewing area with a cool blue light, and it makes a great place to get down on one knee. But some couples have taken the idea further, and arranged to have a diver hold up a “will you marry me?” sign amongst the sharks and turtles. How could anyone say no to that?
City Helicopters
Let your love take flight—literally! With City Helicopters, you can fly over some of the greatest and most beautiful sites the city has to offer. The “Two Oceans” flight will take you along the famous beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, along the majestic Table Mountain and across Hout Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, returning along the Constantia Winelands. You could also fly to the Winelands and combine it with a lunch at any of our top wine farms.
V&A Waterfront
There are plenty of options at the Waterfront, from a sunset cruise, to a gourmet dinner, to a ride on the Cape Wheel with panoramic views of the harbour and Table Mountian.
Hotels
Taj Hotel
The Taj is located in a pedestrian district in the heart of the Mother City. It offers an elegant and luxurious experience with views of Table Mountain and the Company’s Garden. This is where to stay if you want to be soaked in lavish grandeur and opulence.
Village n Life
offers accommodation for all budgets in some of Cape Town’s prettiest locations, including the V&A Waterfront, Mouille Point, De Waterkant, and the ever popular Camps Bay in Cape Town, as well as the towns of Hermanus and Langebaan.
Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence
The Radisson Blue Hotel and Residence is located right in the heart of the city, and services offered include a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby V&A Waterfront. Rooms have stunning views of either the mountain, harbour, city or ocean. You can enjoy a drink or light snack and a dip in the pool to cool off in the summertime at the Ghibli Bar and Pool Terrace. The Sea Street Bar and Lounge serves great cocktails and food.
