Top Things to Do in Cape Town
Before my trip to Cape Town, I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect. I’d read about the natural beauty and many things to do, but I was overwhelmed by how much I enjoyed my time there. There is truly something for everyone in Cape Town and the scenery is gorgeous! I often even pictured myself living there, and didn’t want to leave. So in this post I’ll share all the top things to do in Cape Town, so you can have an epic time too!
We spent 3 days exploring the area and felt it was a perfect amount of time for the highlights. If you want more details on our itinerary, where we stayed, how to get around, and more, check out my 3 Days in Cape Town Itinerary + Travel Guide!
Cape of Good Hope
- Southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula
- Legendary landmark where Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet
- Iconic symbol of exploration and maritime history
- Spectacular cliffs and rugged coastline
- Stunning panoramic views and hiking trails
We did a full-day tour around Cape Town, which included a visit to the Cape of Good Hope. It’s a stunning area and is well worth the visit! The can easily be combined with Chapman’s Peak Drive, Bo-Kaap, Seal Island, and Boulder’s Beach. While you can self-drive to all these areas, I HIGHLY recommend booking the day tour. Cape Town does have some safety concerns, and being with a guide ensures you’re safe in unfamiliar areas. We also loved our guide and hearing lots of information. Plus, we were in a small group, so we didn’t feel crowded. This day tour I listed below, is the exact one we took and enjoyed. I thought it was a great way to see the Cape Town highlights in a short time.
Visit Bo-Kaap
- Colorful neighborhood in Cape Town
- Known for its vibrant houses painted in bright hues
- Rich cultural heritage, primarily Cape Malay
- Quaint cobblestone streets and historic mosques
- Famous for its delicious Cape Malay cuisine
We visited this area of Cape Town as part of our day tour. Our guide specifically mentioned that there is currently some unrest in this area, so it’s recommended to visit with a guide. If you don’t visit with a guide, this is a quick stop. There isn’t much to do in this area, but it’s worth a stop to see the fun colored buildings! Our guide mentioned there are several stories as to why the houses are colored, and no one is quite sure which story is true. 😊
Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Scenic coastal road in Cape Town carved into rugged cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean
- Offers breathtaking views of the coastline and ocean
- Features dramatic twists and turns with panoramic vistas
- Popular route for leisurely drives and photography opportunities
This is the drive you’ll take to reach the Cape of Good Hope, so I recommend combining these areas! This drive is part of the day tour I recommend, and they do make stops along the road to take photos and enjoy the views!
See the Boulder Beach Penguins
- Famous for African penguin colony
- Large granite boulders
- Clear waters and pristine sandy shores
We also stopped here during our day tour and we LOVED this part of the tour! We got to spend a few hours watching this adorable penguin colony, and I couldn’t believe how many penguins there were! Make sure to walk along the boardwalk and search for baby penguins during your stop. The moms like to nest with their little ones in the darker areas. We saw several mommas and their babies during our trip!
Boat Ride to Seal Island
- Close-up views of large seal colony
- Scenic ocean views
- Opportunities for spotting marine wildlife including seabirds, dolphins, and sharks
This was also part of our day tour and we really enjoyed it! The ocean views are really pretty and watching the seal colony was so cool. We also saw a family of dolphins in the water right beside our boat. There were also people around the marina that had seals as pets. The guides told us not to support them and take pictures with them, as they are actually endangering the seals and shouldn’t be encouraged.
Busy Bee Tip: If you are prone to motion sickness, take medicine before getting on this boat or consider skipping this activity! The boat rocks ALOT.
Visit Table Mountain
- Hiking trails & Aerial Mountain Tram
- Flat topped mountain with panoramic Views
- Very popular tourist area
We didn’t visit this area during our trip, but it’s an extremely popular tourist stop. You can hike various trails to the top or take the aerial tramway. Visit the Table Mountain website for tickets and info.
Shopping
- Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: Shopping, dining, and entertainment hub
- There is a large shopping mall that feels like it goes on forever! We loved wandering the mall, as a lot of stores are different from those in the US. The V&A Waterfront area is also a super nice (& safe) area to wander. There’s lots of waterfront restaurants, shops, and sights to see! More about this area later in the post.
- Canal Walk: Large mall with diverse retail stores
- Greenmarket Square: Open-air market with local crafts and souvenirs
- Old Biscuit Mill: Boutique shops and weekend markets
- Long Street: Eclectic mix of shops, bookstores, and vintage stores
- Kloof Street: Trendy boutiques and specialty stores
- Cape Quarter: Chic shopping and dining complex
Visit the Cape Town Winelands
Cape Town has several different towns within a 1-2 hour drive, that are FULL of wineries. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the closest & most popular to visit. You can visit the areas in several different ways depending on budget and how much time you have. We opted to uber to Franschhoek and visit three wineries (we ubered between them very easily) as a day trip. We loved our day spent in Franschhoek and I felt a full day was great to experience a few wineries and see the area. I do think spending a night or two there, to have more time, would be even better, if you have the time for that in your trip.
Visit by Uber
Uber is extremely popular, easy to use, and affordable all over Cape Town. We ubered to Franschhoek from our hotel in downtown Cape Town. It took a little over an hr hour to get there and cost $40USD. Once in Franschhoek, it was very easy to get ubers between wineries as well, and each trip was around $4-6USD. Stellenbosch is slightly closer to Cape Town. You could also choose wineries in both areas to stop at, as they’re relatively close together.
Visit With Private Guide
Private guides are a great option if you don’t want to do the research and planning, to decide which wineries to visit. Lots of tourists hire private guides while in South Africa, so there are a lot of options for companies to book with. While we didn’t end up booking with them, I’ve heard great reviews about Ulungele Tours. I messaged back and forth with the main guide, Hank, and he was incredibly responsive and helpful. The best way to get ahold of him is via Facebook Messenger or email and I’ll list both options below!
- Hank (Ulungele Tours) email: bookings@ulungeletours.co.za
- Ulungele Tours Facebook
Book a Small Group Tour
This is another great option if you only have a day to spend in the winelands and don’t mind going with a small group of other tourists. These tours usually handle the winery reservations and include a driver, so basically all you have to do is show up & enjoy! I’ll link a few highly rated small group options below!
Self Drive
This is a great option if you plan to spend a few nights in the winelands. The biggest thing to keep in mind with this option, though, is that South Africa has a zero tolerance policy for drinking & driving. Meaning, legally, you can’t drive after drinking any alcohol. So you’ll still want to uber between wineries and back to your accomodation, or have a designated driver who won’t be drinking. All the wineries we went to had parking lots, making it easy if you do self drive!
Click here to read all about our day trip to Franschhoek!
Visit the V&A Waterfront
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Attractions: Shops, restaurants, entertainment, and cultural experiences
- Shopping: Diverse range of stores from local boutiques to international brands
- Dining: Wide selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars with waterfront views
- Activities: Boat cruises, helicopter tours, and live entertainment
- Attractions: Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island
- Scenery: Picturesque harbor with views of Table Mountain and the city skyline
- Events: Regular markets, festivals, and outdoor concerts
We really enjoyed seeing this area. It was also recommended to us by multiple people as a safe area to wander even at night. We also enjoyed shopping at the V&A shopping mall and seeing stores we don’t have in the US. I highly recommend spending a few hours wandering this area, and even making a recommendation for a waterfront restaurant!
Tour Robben Island
- Location: Off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa
- Historical significance: Former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for its cultural importance
- Museum: Guided tours of the prison and island. Tours run Monday-Sunday and last approx 3.5 hours (including the ferry ride).
- Access: Reached by ferry from the Nelson Mendela gateway at the V&A Waterfront
- Educational: Offers insights into South Africa’s apartheid history
Visit the Robben Island website for booking and pricing information.
District 6 Museum
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Historical significance: Commemorates the forced removal of residents during apartheid
- Exhibits: Personal stories, photographs, and artifacts from former residents
- Tours: Self guided tours are available without a reservation. You can also book a tour with an ex-resident of district 6 as your guide. They prefer you prebook to ensure availability, but are able to take walk-ins on occassion. Tours run Monday-Saturday at various times.
- Educational: Provides insights into apartheid-era policies and their impacts
Visit the District 6 Museum website for booking information.
Surfing & Beaches
- Muizenberg Beach: Beginner-friendly surf spot, colorful beach huts
- Long Beach, Kommetjie: Consistent waves, suitable for all levels
- Big Bay, Bloubergstrand: Great for surfing and kiteboarding, view of Table Mountain
- Llandudno Beach: Secluded beach with powerful waves, experienced surfers
- Dungeons, Hout Bay: Famous for big wave surfing, expert level
- Clifton Beaches: Four beaches with pristine sands, popular for sunbathing and swimming
- Camps Bay Beach: Trendy spot with white sand, nearby restaurants and bars
Camps Bay Beach & Muizenberg Beach were also brief stops during our day tour. Muizenberg Beach is pictured below and is totally worth a stop. There are lots of little beach shops and coffee shops right off the beach as well. Tons of people were here playing in the water and even surfing.
Hiking
- Table Mountain: Iconic flat-topped mountain with various trails and an aerial tramway
- Lion’s Head: Popular for sunrise and sunset hikes, panoramic views
- Devil’s Peak: Challenging trail with stunning vistas
- Constantia Nek: Scenic routes through forests and vineyards
- Chapman’s Peak: Coastal trails with breathtaking ocean views
- Silvermine Nature Reserve: Family-friendly hikes and picnic spots
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: Trails through lush gardens and up to Table Mountain
Paragliding
- Signal Hill: Popular launch site with stunning views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean
- Lion’s Head: Scenic flights with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the city
- Tandem Paragliding: Available for beginners with professional instructors
- Season: Best conditions typically from November to March
- Experience: Offers breathtaking aerial views and an adrenaline rush
- Landing Sites: Often on the beaches or open fields near the coast