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Some of Africa's most expensive real estate clings to the craggy cliffs overlooking four picturesque coves collectively known as Clifton's beaches and a stay at one of the Clifton Hotels is perfect for beach loving luxury travellers.
Located a few kilometres south of the city on the western Atlantic coast, the best way to get to Clifton – if you don't have a car - is by taxi or local mini bus – there's always plenty of traffic heading that way.
If you have your own transport, head out of town through Sea Point and wind your way along villa-flanked Victoria Road until the lines of parked cars – and beach signs – announce your arrival at Clifton.
Parking is at a premium but there is a battalion of car guards who will find a spot for you and watch over your car – give them a few rand at the end of the day.
The first thing to establish is what kind of beach experience you want out of Clifton: each of its four beaches – handily divided by huge granite boulders - offers a different take on life.
Clifton's four beaches will treat you to hot and trendy afternoons, while Clifton Hotels are a cool and luxurious affair. For a mellow surfing vibe with a family or two thrown in, head for Clifton 1st beach; students and arty types will want to check out Clifton 2nd beach.
There's no mistaking the attraction of Clifton 3rd beach: it's a famous gay venue but totally cool for straight folk as well. Finally, the biggest and most multi-cultural beach is Clifton 4th beach – home to families, models, students and grannies.
Now the bad news: you're up here and the beach is down there – you'll have to negotiate a series of steep winding steps – and climb them later - no matter which beach you go to.
Also, you're better off bringing all you need for the day: food, drinks and umbrella. There is a pricey café at 4th beach and the endless waves of beach vendors sell cold drinks and snacks but there's not much else (although you can hire umbrellas on 4th beach).
Frosty freshwater showers and half-decent public toilets are at 4th beach (there is another toilet block at 1st beach) and lifesavers maintain a strong presence at Clifton despite the calm waters and lazy surf.
A final word of advice: don't be fooled by the sparkling sapphire waters – this is not the tropics. The ocean here is the Atlantic and temperatures hover between an incredibly chilly 11º and a cold-cold 15º C.
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