Eat
ice cream from Ice Cafe Buy
an old book Browse
the antiques Splash
out on local jewelry Dinner
at Harbour House Swim
at St. James pool Coffee
at Olympic Cafe Buy
fresh snoek at the harbour
The small village of Kalk Bay is on Cape Town's False
Bay coast about 30 minutes drive from the city center. It has an interesting
and colourful history and was named by the Dutch settlers after
the lime (kalk) that was extracted from seashell deposits and
transported to Cape Town by ox wagon.
The port served as a whaling station and marine research center
for many years and was also home to settlers from Britain,
Malaysia and
the Philippines. It still supports an active fishing
harbour and fresh fish can be bought on the quayside on most
days.
In recent years Kalk Bay has become a charming and
trendy location full of cultural surprises and interesting characters.
Residents have a strong sense of community and have made the
village attractive to both local and international
visitors.
You will find a fascinating collection of shops in the main
street and up the cobbled alleyways that sell art, fine china,
jewelry, old books, antiques, clothing, bric-a-brac and objets
d'art to suit every taste.
As the smell of fresh coffee mixes with the fresh sea air,
you'll soon find yourself wanting to try some of Kalk Bay's
20 restaurants which offer everything from tapas, through
Italian, to the finest fresh seafood served with a view to die for.
Best options for good lunch or dinner include Harbour House,
Polana, Cape to Cuba and the Olympic Cafe, however if you explore
a little more you won't be disappointed by the sheer variety
of small
meals delicacies on offer.
Wandering around on foot is the best way to explore the area.
If you plan to spend the day or evening you may come across
St. James pool, the mosque and the Kalk Bay Theatre. The
more adventurous could try a day's fishing from a traditional
wooden snoek boat. Upon arrival back at Kalk Bay, your fish
will be prepared in the traditional Cape Malay style. Enquire
at the harbour.
Hiking trails accessible from Boyes
drive will lead you up to vantage points for spectacular views
of False Bay and the Hottentot Hollands mountains. There are
also several caves to explore for those smart enough to find
the entrances.
Plenty of guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments
offer both economy and luxury accommodation to
visitors. Browse around, chat to the locals and take your time
- you're
sure to come back for more.
Eat
ice cream from Ice Cafe
Freestate 
