There are many ways to experience Cape Town, but none compare to seeing it up close and personal on a ride through its streets; meeting its people and getting to know its hidden corners. AWOL’s city cycling tours are a trip through Cape Town’s past, present and future – a journey that stays with you long after you have left the city.

From the V&A Waterfront’s information desk, where we meet our guide, we ride to the Bo-kaap area, a multicultural community situated between the city centre and the shadow of Signal Hill. The ride exposes us to the kaleidoscopic colours of the houses in the street and the cultural diversity of the area formerly known as Malay Quarter. Our route leads us down towards Adderley Street. Not from here is St. George’s Mall, always bustling and charged with the energy of shoppers and passers-by.

Adderley is arguably the most important street in Cape Town’s CBD. But Adderley Street is possibly best-known for its colourful Flower Market and the friendly flower sellers. Between Strand Street and Darling Street is where freshly cut flowers have been sold for over a hundred years. A little farther up the street is the Castle of Good Hope. On request the tour can make a stop at the Castle. This is a local landmark embedded with a worldly history dating back to the 17th century. This one-time maritime replenishment station for the Dutch East India Company is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa and is not to be missed.

For sports enthusiasts and those for an appreciation of architectural feats we visit the Green Point Stadium, the newly built sports venue that was one of the host stadiums for 2010 FIFA World Cup. A stone’s throw from the stadium we arrive at the Green Point Biodiversity Eco-Park, which has also recently had a face-lift and is of course a natural must see for green enthusiasts. Green Point also boasts the oldest working lighthouse in South Africa.

If you’re after an easy-going day on the town then you can’t hop on a bike soon enough to experience AWOL’s refreshing take on Cape Town’s culture. The city cycle is a small, guided group tour of the city and a fun way to discover Cape Town like you’ve never seen it before. Whether you’re a local, or a visitor from abroad this is the perfect way to let your hair down and to feel the sun on your skin. We can’t think of a more relaxing way to take in all of the Mother City’s celebrated sights and a more ideal place to stop and smell the flowers than at Cape Town’s historic open air market.