Observatory

observatory is hype, walking distance from backpackers to pnp and the store is open until late the restaurants are all nice and affordable, also walking distance to the biscuit mill in salt river and all other amenities. its very hard to describe the benefits of opting for observatory, if you dont want to go to the beach in summer, the pool next to hartlievale stadium will also do, the river club etc

observatory is hype, walking distance from backpackers to pnp and the store is open until late the restaurants are all nice and affordable, also walking distance to the biscuit mill in salt river and all other amenities. its very hard to describe the benefits of opting for observatory, if you dont want to go to the beach in summer, the pool next to hartlievale stadium will also do, the river club etc

Come and visit the wizardry of Obs, Dorothy. You will definitely not be in Kansas anymore. For most tourist destinations their selling points are clear: It is obvious why one should visit there. But, Observatory (or “Obs”) is different. It is clear that this is a place that should definitely be on your itinerary. It is just a little bit harder to explain why that is so. We think that Obs is great, precisely because it is so hard to define. So, yes, Obs is a student town: It is close to Universities, Colleges, film schools and other places of learning, yet it has none of the usual 'preppy', 'jock' and 'nerd' attributes that are associated with most student towns. The main drag, Lower Main Rd has restaurants and meeting places galore, but you won't find anything generic or designed by a 'suit'. Hell, it is difficult to describe each and every one of them: A simple phrase such as "burger joint" or "health food option" could never provide sufficient information. Rather, each option is the gestalt of the owner's personality, vision, and creativity. And even then it is never a case of “See how creative I am”. The first heart-transplant (ever) was performed in Obs. Obs is a bohemian environment and creativity abounds in a non-clichéd manner: Nobody walks around with a "I'm a bohemian" banner, and that is exactly why it is authentic and truly 'Bo'. Obs defied apartheid (to the extent that it was possible: It was the last ‘grey’ outpost during the dark years) and Obs still welcomes everyone today. Obs is named after its scientifically oriented history (the observatory that is still here), and it is a perfect spot from where many volunteers launch outreach programs into the largely impoverished Cape Flats. Obs welcomes many visitors and tourists daily, but Obs is no tourist trap. It is not even 0.001% that. Obs has book shops without names, clothing shops where African roots merge with contemporary sensibilities into a whole that is simultaneously neither/both. Obs has shops of which you have to say "now what the heck are these guys doing here". Obs is serendipity, Obs is edgy, Obs is cool, Obs is frustrating and difficult, Obs is different and Obs has its own "I love Obs" stickers. (And in this case people really mean that: They do love Obs). Obs is fascinating. Obs is Jazz, Obs is dope, Obs is electro, Obs rocks. Obs is wealthy and Obs is down-and-out. Obs is intellectual and Obs is silly. Obs is frustrating and Obs is inspiring. Obs is trade-union think-tank domain and Obs is forward-looking. And so, one could continue trying to describe Obs for another hour or two/three: A melting pot of people where, somehow, nobody seems to have the need to say "Hey, look how much of a melting pot of people we are"; except, of course, the fools that try to write something about the place. (Oh, yes, and there are no Eiffel Towers or Statues of Liberty in Obs).

Observatory, the student area of Cape Town is a hidden gem. Located near the University of Cape Town is where students from all over the world stay and play. The vibe in trendy lower Main Road is terrific with lots of pubs, good restaurants (some with all day breakfasts), a book store, health food shop and great coffee shops.