CityBuddy
Clifton Beaches (Clifton 1st-4th Beaches, Cape Town)
Best time to visit
Late afternoon in summer (Nov–Feb) for warm sun and dramatic sunsets; mornings are calmest for swimming before the wind picks up.
Budget tips
Beach access is free, but parking along Clifton Drive is paid; use the MyCiTi Park app or public transport and bring coins for meters to save on fines.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, Couples, Sunbathers, Small groups of friends
Plan your visit
2-4 hours
About
Korte feiten: Powdery quartz sand and sheltered granite boulders form four postcard-perfect coves where sunbathers and photographers jockey for prime spots. Brisk southeasterly winds can flip calm seas into surf in minutes, producing dramatic sunset colors and excellent people-watching from the clifftop paths.
Hoogtepunten: Four sheltered coves sit side by side between rounded granite boulders, their paper-white sand so fine that when the wind lifts it you can watch glittering grains float like confetti in the late-afternoon light. Local beachgoers follow a quirky, unspoken rule: the 'First' and 'Second' coves are for sunbathing and white wine chats while the quieter 'Third' and 'Fourth' attract swimmers who brave 14 to 16°C water and search tide pools that often reveal a dozen tiny anemones and limpets at low tide.
Insider tips
- Wear a windproof layer and high-SPF sunscreen, shade is limited between the granite boulders.
- Climb the granite outcrops on 2nd or 4th Beach for wide-angle sunset photos over the Atlantic.
- Arrive early on weekends to secure a parking spot near Sea Point Promenade, or use the MyCiTi bus to avoid the parking scramble.
- Skip the busiest stretch at 1st Beach and walk to 3rd or 4th for more space and clearer swimming water.
Practical info
Klik om een GRATIS wandeltocht te boeken in Cape Town, South Africa
De beste manier om een stad te ervaren met een lokale gids.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
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