It's incredibly important for all travellers in Cape Town to visit the best places for a holiday — from the adventures of Table Mountain to soaking in Cape Winelands. It includes suggestions for a trip and where the tourist should be staying in Capetown. Cape Town is located along South Africa's Southwest Coast and has fewer tourists.
A stunning mixture of cultural and culinary styles creates a lively food scene and easy access to mountains and oceans make for perfect surroundings for adventurous adventurers. Cape Town is near vineyards, hiking paths and scenic drives and has a wide range of attractions for tourists. If you are visiting Cape Town during the summertime (November – March), be sure to catch a show as part of Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series.
Top Tips for Visiting Cape Town Attractions So there we have it, 25 of the best places to visit and things to do in Cape Town. Are you excited? You should be. Now that you know where to go, here are a few handy tips for planning your trip.
01. Take a Walking Tour Through the City Centre
A traditional street of colorful Bo-Kappe. Cape Town is surrounded by Table Mountains, its two peaks and the Atlantic Ocean. The city center is compact and easy to navigate even without a guide. Historic structures sit cheek-and-cheek alongside sleek and modern tall towers. Sculptures, mosaics and street art encircling cities are found here.
02. Shop and Dine at the V&A Waterfront
Cape Town waterfront. This is an African attraction. Travellers and locals flock here to enjoy upscale shopping and an extensive menu of restaurants as well as activities ranging from sunset cruises and boat rides to visiting museums and galleries.
The area is part of a working harbour and offers one of the best views of Table Mountain, particularly from its numerous restaurant, bar and pubs. Visit Watershed Market for exceptional gifts and souvenirs, from ceramics jewellery to toys and hand bags all handmade by South African craftspeople.
03. Walk Around the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens has become one of the worlds finest botanical gardens. Kirstenbosch is a sensory paradise. I really enjoyed walking around the gardens and taking a picnic to take in the magnificent view. You'll have to totally visit Kirstenbosch, but maybe don't try to make the same mistake as I did. Nevertheless, your feet are hated.
04. Understand History on Robben Island
View on Robben Island. Robben Island can be seen from city or Table Mountain. Historically, the area has been a thriving colony, a prosperous town, and most prominently a prison which held famous figures including former president Nelson Mandela.
Today you have the opportunity to explore the prison grounds, view Mandela's small and unassuming prison room. It also contains considerable birds and marine animals — including a variety of endangered elk, swan and sandhills.
05. Hike or Take the Cable Car up Table Mountain
Table Mountain Flight Cable Stations. Table Mountain Often mistakenly dubbed Table Mountain is considered a very ancient site about five times older than Rockies and about six times older than Himalaya.
Over the centuries a portion of sandstone has gradually been destroyed, leaving a huge and impressive outcrop but small enough to be hiked in a single day. You may even use the rotating cable car for a trip to a higher peak with stunning panoramas, lovely fynbos and comical ‘dassies. The view is surrounded with Camps Bay, where spectacular sunsets can be witnessed.
06. Clifton Beaches
Clifton Beach is separated only by rocks from the 1st to 4th – the best place to watch sunset. Join other beach gomers to enjoy everything from swimming in waves and paddle ball while you watch the golden hours. Bring your jacket for cold weather.
07. Watch the sunset/sunrise from Lion's Head
Lions Head Tour & Activity One of Cape Towns most beautiful mountain destinations. It's not as steep as Table Mountains but it's an excellent spot in the city to see sunset. The views from Lion Head are spectacular, including City Bowl, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Robben Island and other tourist attractions.
If you cannot make a sunset visit to the hotel and have breathtaking views. Lions Head is a good hiking route around Cape Town. This can be difficult. It also includes the climbing ladders and rope, ensuring good shoes and suitable outfit are needed. Also local tourists go to sunset.
08. Hiking Table Mountain
You can always go hiking to Table Mountain to tackle this task. Before you begin trekking, be mindful the Table Mountains hike requires a moderate to advanced hike and takes 4+hrs to reach the summit and return. The most common route is Platteklip Gorge. It takes approximately 1.5-3.5 hours to zigzap up the table to the cable car terminal on the summit.
You either need to walk up and hike back or take the cable car down for a quick trip. Skeleton Gorge or Nurseries Ravine are another popular route. The two routes start at the Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden parallel one another running through.
09. Take a Walking Tour of Bo Kaap
Bo Kaap is a former village and popular destination in Cape Town. The colorful building at the former Malay City attracts photographers to capture its streets lined by cobblestones and its vibrant neighborhood. You'll learn how Mayal cuisine combines with South African cuisine.
The Cultural Quarter is populated by Malaysian and Indonesian slaves who arrived in the 17th century by the Dutch. Book Cook classes at lunch time at bod Kaapa. Learn cooking and sampling traditional Malasian meals, the walk takes you around famous colourful houses. Make your Instagram page get some views!
10. Check out the surf (or just the surfers) at Muizenberg Beach
You might go surfing on the Cape Peninsula peninsula or maybe you're headed for Muizenberg Beach. Just a little drive from Cape Town this is where everyone enjoys surfing. Do not be surprised if you have no experience surfing though. Here you can even find the colorful beach houses seen on Instagram, take a photo and enjoy!
11. BONUS: Drive the South African Garden Route
I strongly recommend taking a Garden Trail along Southern Africa to explore more of South Africa. It will take a little time to spend on this journey. Get yourself a camper truck and follow these guides when planning the South African Garden Route trip!
12. Get Behind the Wheel and Tackle the Chapman's Peak Drive
When I asked my South Africa friends where they were going to Cape - some said I needed the Chapman Peak Drive. With the massive build-out, I have no excuse for expressing any disappointment.
Even though the trip is relatively short, the 9km-long trail that runs through a bluff on the shoreline was spectacularly beautiful. The Cape Peninsula is also an optimal starting point for your trip with visits to Cape Point Beach, Boulder Beach, Muizinenberg (all shown above).
13. See the penguins up close at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town
Simons town provides a wonderful base for many amazing sights on this coastline and the surrounding area, but is also better known for its distinctly foreign inhabitants. The African penguins at Simon's Town have a great chance of being found by avoiding the over-crowded boardwalk area, the park is located at Boulder Beach.
You may purchase your tickets in front of the Park entrance adjacent to the park so you can just swim with the penguins. Responsible Travel Notes: Keep your distance from animals.
14. Do a whale-watching tour
Cape Town offers great opportunities to watch the wildlife. Cape Town offers a unique diversity unlike most other major city. Within just two days of driving around the town the Elephants, rhinoceros, elephant, leopard & dolphins are among them. From June to November, South Right whale breed in South Africa.
July - August - September is the peak season and whale viewing in the waters is high. Hermanus is the best location for whale watching close to Capetown. This gentle beast is amazing.
15. Camps Bay Beach
As Cape Towns biggest beach it should be no difficulty to find an appropriate spot for the sunset at Camps Bay. The easiest way would be to walk up to the water then climb to one of these hillsides to find a place a little higher up.
Please check the weather before you start. If the wind hits, these beaches become a sandstorm. Take an exit to the rooftop bar and find some seats at the edge. Mantra Cafes, Surfshacks and Chinchillo rooftops are all surrounded by spectacular sunsets.
16. Paragliding from Lion's Head or Signal Hill
When searching for an incredible adventure in Cape Town, tandem paragliding on renowned city mountains can be very good activity. During your flight enjoy the fresh air from the sea and a spectacular panoramic view over the town.
The landing takes place in the waters off Sea Point. There's no excuse for paragliding during sunrise or evening, and paragliding during sunset offers a majestic experience. The trip takes around 20 minutes and you can view Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, Camp Bay, the shoreline and Atlantic Coast Line. Almost all the major sights of the city.
17. Table Mountain National Park: Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope
During the summer months Cape Town will definitely need to explore Table Mountain National Park on the Cape Peninsula – the best place in town to explore Cape. The national park, previously called Cape Peninsula National Park, is no better than the mountain with similar names.
Is it safe for people who have never ridden the trail in an open-air vehicle? We had only enough money to brave our daily adventure. Please follow our South African packing checklist to be well equipped to go out and explore.
18. Take flight in a helicopter
There are various companies offering enchanting trips to the Cape Peninsula for tourists. Imagine what photos one would be taking when flying above the city. The average helicopter flight option includes three flight types:
19. District Six Museum
To understand apartheid history in Cape Town, visit the District 6 museums that are an eye opener. District six was an area that the South African government wiped out to commemorate sixty thousand of its residents.
The segregate group area laws removed the majority of non-white residents from this desirable area. The museum opened in 1994 and the collection contains hand-written letters and photographs by previous visitors. This reminds me a lot of the brutalness during apartheid times. Restitution continues.
20. Cape of Good Hope
Take a longer journey along the coast from Simon's town to Cape Good Hope on the south coast. Cape to Good Hope has been a worldwide landmark destination for many decades. The region is often referred to as the southern edge of Africa, but this is actually Cape Agulhas.
But the Cape of Good Hope is famous for the treacherous waters of which many ships have been taken out before the 1869 opening of the Suez Canal.
21. Go surfing
Part of what draws people to the coast of the country is its proximity to ocean waves. Cape Town offers several beaches that are suitable for beginners and experienced surfers. While Muizenberg is most popular, other beaches like Lluandundno, Big Bay and Dungeons offer a great place to surf.
There are many places where you can learn to surf in Muizenberg. If you find the wave intimidating, perhaps a paddleboard ride around the Vanda waterfront might suit your speed best.
22. Spend Time On and Around Cape Town's Supercool Bree Street
Those who want to explore Cape Town can visit The Breen St. This is an interesting street. If the street has become known for being cool, then something will come out. Bree Street and nearby areas make Cape Town a fascinating place for people to visit.
The most important sights are fairly spread across Cape Town. The most wonderful thing about Bree Street is that it has so many wonderful places to visit. These include boutiques, brunches and restaurants within close proximity.
23. Visit a township
Open the eye and discover an unusual South African experience while touring Cape Town's townships. You can also meet local community by walking streets, learning about local history or visiting a local school.
A very sustainable way to explore townships is to ride bicycles. Some innovative companies have offered bicycle trips through town districts surrounding Cape Town. Although I was unable to experience these trips personally, two companies which have positive reviews appear to provide a fun tour are Awol Tours and Ubuntu. They are.
24. Tour Robben Island
During the moving Robben Island experience, former prisoners from the notorious prison help visitors understand apartheid struggles. Take a ferry from the V&A waterfront towards the island for a transfer to the tour bus.
The driver of this conditioned bus will give you a detailed history of the island and point out important sites throughout the tour. After that, you can get out of your home and go through the shack and prison museum where Mandela stayed during the course of several months of his lifetime.
25. Cape Dutch manor house
You can relax in an old Cape Dutch manor house, savour superb vintages and nibble on snacks from top chefs. Plus, there is no reason to drive yourself – we can arrange a private driver-guide who will create a bespoke tour that takes in the varietals you prefer. There's a vineyard, two restaurants plus beautiful scenery and Cape Dutch Manor House to explore.
Stop at Boulders Beach to see the penguins, and then move on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cape Point for a guided walk from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope. If you really prefer warmer water, then drive out to Muizenberg (perfect sets for surfers), St James, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek for old-fashioned tidal pools and brightly coloured beach huts.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway station. Often mistakenly called ‘Tabletop Mountain', Table Mountain is thought to be one of the oldest on Earth, about five times older than the Rockies and six times older than the Himalayas. Recent travelers strongly recommend using the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway instead.
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