Clifton

While the water off the Atlantic Seaboard is generally too cold for swimming, if you are looking for a place to lounge in a rented beach chair while being served cocktails, Clifton is the place to go. The suburb’s four beaches attract distinctly different crowds, so if you book a private tour your guide can recommend the cove that suits you best.xa0

Other ways to see Clifton range from stopping by on a hop-on hop-off bus tour to visiting on a tour to Cape Point. Or, see the beaches from above on a scenic helicopter flight.

• Clifton’s beaches are known for attracting beautiful and wealthy sunbathers.
• A steep trail from the road to the beach restricts access to the beaches.
• You can rent a lounge chair and receive seaside service from surrounding restaurants.
• The beaches are separated from each other so choose which one you want to visit before descending from the road.

Located along Victoria Road, Clifton is easily accessible by bus, taxi, or personal car. However, limited, cliff-side parking makes driving yourself a less-than-desirable option. You can skip the hassle of worrying about transportation by booking a tour that takes you to Clifton along with other Atlantic Seaboard attractions.

Since Clifton’s main attraction is sunbathing, it is best to visit in South Africa’s summer months (November through March). If you want to avoid the crowds, skip visiting on weekends or holidays.

If you are visiting Clifton, you should also make time to visit the surrounding Atlantic Seaboard attractions. Cape Town’s Atlantic coastline is lined with beach towns, white-sand beaches, and a scenic coastal road that stretches from the V&A Waterfront to the Cape of Good Hope. Along the way, you can find everything from scenic hikes and secluded coves to party-centric beach towns and upscale resorts.

Clifton is a luxurious suburb of Cape Town, near the beach community of Camps Bay. Aside from its fancy coastal mansions overlooking the Atlantic, the area is renowned for its four beaches, each separated by boulders. Unlike Cape Town, Clifton is sheltered from the wind, so expect gently lapping waves.

That depends. The first beach (simply called 1st Beach) is dog-friendly and suitable for families. The second draws a livelier, influencer-heavy crowd. The third beach is famous with Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ community. The fourth beach is the most popular. It has a parking lot and can be easily accessed.

Yes. Whether you should drive yourself is another question. The small lots (one at 4th Beach, another across from 3rd Beach) fill up quickly, especially on weekends and in summer. Many people, even locals with transportation, prefer to arrive from Cape Town in a rideshare rather than hunt for parking.

Not really. While nearby Camps Bay is famous for its upscale shopping and dining options, Clifton is more of a residential enclave. The beaches are free to access and open to the public year-round, so that’s the draw. They're only a 15-minute drive from Cape Town’s city center.

Summer is the best for lounging on the beach—and the most popular. (Unlike in the northern hemisphere, a Cape Town summer lasts from October to March.) The calm water is great for swimming, unlike surf-crazy Cape Town, but the temperature can be shockingly frigid, even in summer.

Public showers and toilets are available between the 1st and 2nd beaches, but they’re only open on weekends. You’ll also find snack and drink vendors. It’s best to pack a picnic lunch as there aren't more substantial dining options. Umbrellas and sunbeds can be rented on-site in summer.