Cape Town is located on the south-western tip of the Republic of South Africa, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. It’s a fabulous cosmopolitan city with an absolutely stunning, buzzing harbour, fantastic hiking trails and world-class beaches with penguins. Landscape diversity makes this place highly attractive and adventurous for visitors and below is my selection of the most adventurous: 11 things to do in Cape Town.
Inspiring things to do in Cape Town.
Within hours, I understood why people say Cape Town ruins other cities for you. A flat-topped mountain rises straight out of the city centre. Two oceans meet at the tip of the peninsula. Penguins waddle across a beach half an hour from wine farms, and the light at sunset turns everything gold. Landscapes and sunsets are unreal!
Cape Town – Afrikaans: Kaapstad, city established in 1652 with the arrival of Dutch (stad – city). Here is some practical information for Cape Town.
- LANGUAGE: English
- COUNTRY CODE: +27
- PLUG POINTS:230V AC
- LOCAL TRANSPORT: Exists but not recommended for tourists.
- CURRENCY: ZAR (South African Rand)
- WEATHER: Annual temperatures in the table below: red-summer, orange-spring, blue-winter, green-autumn.
December to February are the hottest months in Cape Town, with June–August being winter.
Weather in Cape Town.
Getting around Cape Town - transport.
UBER and BOLT are available in Cape Town, along with a metered taxi.
Car Hire: The best option for car hire is at the international airport.
The official Cape Town bus service is MyCiti Bus Service, which has routes across the city. The card can be purchased at the airport and recharged.
Local transport – not advised for any travellers due to safety reasons (2022).
1. V & A Waterfront harbour.
V & A Waterfront is a stunning harbour and the most popular area in town, with the original Food Hall, hundreds of shops, craftwork, artistic landmarks and museums.
The harbour hosts the most expensive catamarans in the world and if you are looking for indulgent adventures, you’ll be able to book cruises or sailing tours with one of the local operators. One of the best choices is a sunset cruise along the Atlantic coast with golden-quality hospitality served on board.
Waterfront attractions.
Coffee shops – you definitely need to visit them. It’s a great chance to enjoy real coffee flavour, where the best coffee beans are sourced from local farms.
Walk through the water bridge and take a walk along the promenade to explore the artistic landmarks of the area during the day and at night. The majority of things to do in Cape Town are located in the Waterfront harbour. Don’t miss Rhino sculptures and several funny and interactive spots in the Waterfront harbour.
Visit V&A Food Market to experience goodness and South African cuisine. There are a number of local flavours, including Beer and Whisky Jam, untypical citrus, olive or tomato salt, but also a good choice of international street food.
2. Hike Table Mountain for sunrise.
Table Mountain is conveniently situated in the city and easily accessible by car up to the beginning of the trail. Even in the crazy early hours, you will see many people, cars and tours hiking Table and neighbourhood mountains.
Table Mountain is a pleasant 45–60-minute hike along a maintained path leading to the top of the mountain with views spreading all over the magnificent Table Bay. It was totally dark and quiet when we reached the top. The sun rays were slowly revealing the beauty of the sparkling bay until the orange sunset illuminated the whole coastline. The beauty of this town is overwhelming. You see the harbour, the Atlantic suburbs, the Twelve Apostles running south along the coast, and Robben Island floating in Table Bay.
CABLEWAY: If you don’t feel like hiking, there is a more convenient option to get to the top by a cableway. You can take the cable car both ways, and there’s no shame in that. But if your legs are up for it, I’d strongly recommend hiking up and riding the cable car down. You earn the view, and the ride down gives you a second, slower look at everything you just climbed.
Tickets and the cable car: Buy your cable car ticket online before you go. Official tickets are sold only through Webtickets, and the Cableway says tickets bought on any other website are not valid. If bad weather closes the cable car, you can use an online ticket on another open day within the same week or claim a refund. Prices change every July, so check tablemountain.net for current adult rates. If you hate queues, there’s a Fast Track option, but it’s expensive.
Did you know that Cape Town has won third place as the greatest city in the world!
Platteklip Gorge is the most direct and most popular route: a steep, relentless staircase straight up the front face. It takes most reasonably fit hikers two to three hours. It isn’t technical, but it’s hard work, and on a hot day it’s brutal because there’s very little shade.
India Venster is more adventurous, with scrambling sections and exposure. I’d only do it with a guide or someone who knows the route, because people do get lost and injured on it.
My tips:
- Start early. Mornings are cooler and the mountain is often clearest before the afternoon clouds roll in.
- Watch the “tablecloth.” When a white blanket of cloud pours over the top, visibility can drop to a few metres within minutes and the cable car may stop running. Check the Cableway’s website or app for live status before you set off.
- Carry at least two litres of water, a windproof layer and sunscreen, even if it’s warm in the city. The summit is often 10 degrees colder and windy.
- Don’t hike alone. Go with a friend, a group or a guide, and stick to popular trails at popular times.
3. Catch sunrise (or a full moon) from Lion's Head.
Lion’s Head is the most photogenic viewpoint; thus, hiking the mountain is one of the most inspiring things to do in Cape Town. Lion’s Head is a top choice due to its accessibility and unforgettable views of Cape Town and the Bay itself. Sunrise over Cape Town from the Lion’s Head spot was one of the most spectacular views I’ve seen.
It’s the pointed peak between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and from the top you get a 360-degree panorama: Camps Bay and the Atlantic on one side, the city bowl and Table Mountain on the other.
The hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours return for most people. The trail spirals around the peak, getting steeper as you go. Near the top there’s a section with chains and metal staples bolted into the rock. There’s also a bypass route if you’d rather not climb.
You climb in the blue half-light and reach the top just as the sun lifts over the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Locals also love the full moon hike, when crowds climb for sunset and walk down under moonlight. If you do that, bring a proper head torch, not your phone light.
My tips:
- Parking fills up fast on weekends and full moon nights. Take an Uber or Bolt to the trailhead on Signal Hill Road.
- Wear shoes with grip. The rock gets polished and slippery near the top.
- As a photographer: bring a wide-angle lens for the summit panorama, and turn around on the way up, because the views towards the Twelve Apostles are often better than the ones from the top.
4. Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach.
A penguin tour is a must when visiting Cape Town. It is a great opportunity to watch magnificent local wildlife by traveling to Boulders Beach to observe the penguin colony.
There are two areas, both included in one ticket. Foxy Beach is where the main colony lives, viewed from wooden boardwalks. It’s the best spot for photos. Boulders Beach itself is a sheltered cove where you can swim among the rocks, sometimes with a penguin or two paddling nearby. The water is cold, but calmer than most Cape beaches, because the boulders block the swell.
African penguins are endangered, and their numbers have fallen by more than 60% since the 1980s, largely because of overfishing of the sardines and anchovies they eat, shifting prey patterns and oil spills. Your entrance fee goes towards SANParks’ conservation work.
Getting in: Boulders is a SANParks site, and the gates are cashless, so bring a card; cash isn’t accepted. Fees change every November, so check sanparks.org for the current international rate.
5. Table Mountains National Park.
TABLE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK is a fabulous place for hikers, climbers and runners. What’s more the Boulders Beach with African Pinguins is located within the Table Mountain Protected Area.
One-day tours are highly safe and best option to travel around and explore best places. Pinguins watching and safari tours are best to visit within an organized one-day tours. This way of exploring is preferred for this country for safety reasons and limited transportation options (traveling around by a local transport is not advised – June 2022).
6. Take a boat Cruise or Sailing tour.
Cape Town is the right place for a boat cruise or sailing tour. The coastline is magnificent and views are spectacular from the sea perspective.
Here are few Top Cape Town Cruises & Sailing tours, starting from only $18:
7. Robben Island.
Some places are beautiful. Robben Island is important. This small, windswept island in Table Bay held political prisoners during apartheid, including Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 years in prison here. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum, and visiting it changed how I saw everything else in Cape Town.
The guided tour usually lasts about 4 hours but it’s possible to go on your own and explore the island. Book ferry tickets in advance if not going with a tour.
My tips:
- Book early, directly through the official site. Tickets often sell out, especially from December to March, and walk-up tickets are very limited.
- Take the earliest ferry you can. The sea tends to be calmer in the morning, and the crossing can be rough, especially in winter.
- Ferries are cancelled in bad weather, so don’t leave this for your last day in Cape Town.
- Bring a warm layer. The island is windier than the mainland, even in summer.
8. Scenic Ocean Drives.
You won’t be able to explore this attraction in most places, so don’t miss this unique opportunity in Cape Town. Ocean drives are one of the best things to do in Cape Town.
The town is situated on a peninsula surrounded by two oceans – Indian and Atlantic, and a long, magnificent mountain range. This untypical location hosts one of the most scenic curving roads of the whole continent. While number of people would be hiking the city for sunrise views, sunset is definitely preferred for any ocean drive.
Most scenic Ocean Drives: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Drive to the top of Signal Hill or Drive along Victoria Road.
My tips:
- Rent a car for this day if you can. Tours are fine, but they don’t stop where you want them to.
- Give it a full day. Rushing the peninsula is a waste of the most beautiful drive in South Africa.
- Chapman’s Peak sometimes closes after heavy rain because of rockfalls. Check the status online the morning of your drive.
9. Kalk Bay.
Kalk Bay, a few minutes along the coast, is a small fishing village with antique shops, bookshops, galleries and cafés packed into a single main road. Walk out along the harbour wall when the fishing boats come in, and you’ll see seals waiting for scraps. Eat fish and chips from the harbour, or grab a table overlooking the waves.
My tips:
- The train line along this coast is scenic, but check the current service and safety status before relying on it. Uber or a rental car is the easier option.
- Combine this with Boulders Beach and Simon’s Town for a relaxed False Bay day, or slot it into your peninsula road trip.
Kalk Bay is a perfect drive for whales watching (only June to November) and having dinner in one of the restaurants. There are also number of lovely and cosy cafes highly recommended to visit.
10. Wine plantations & dining experience.
Cape Town is surrounded by vineyards. Which you absolutely must visit for wine tasting and world-class dining experience. For the majority of these places the mouth-watering meals are served by a Masterchief in one of the old Dutch home architecture. If you are not a wine fan visit for the winelands and countryside views.
Even if you know nothing about wine, the scenery alone makes this day worth it.
The two most popular towns are Stellenbosch, a lively university town with historic streets and dozens of wine estates on its doorstep, and Franschhoek, smaller and more polished, set in a spectacular valley and known as one of South Africa’s food capitals. In Franschhoek, the hop-on hop-off Wine Tram is a relaxed way to visit several estates without anyone having to drive. Closer to the city, Constantia has the country’s oldest wine farms, including Groot Constantia, just 20 minutes from the centre.
South Africa’s own grape, Pinotage, is worth tasting, along with excellent Chenin Blanc and Méthode Cap Classique, the local sparkling wine. Many estates offer food pairings: wine with chocolate, biltong or cheese.
Safety and nighlife in Cape Town.
You would love the nightlife in Cape Town city centre! However, there’s probably one question on your mind – is Cape Town a safe place to wander around?
The authorities made safety and security a priority in the western part of the city. The best option to travel around is still hiring a car, but the MyCiTi buses and stations are a pretty safe way of traveling.
Spectacular rooftop bars and cocktail places will make your night unforgettable. The atmosphere in local restaurants is steaming, so don’t forget to book a table in advance.
The best place to stay is obviously the Western part of the Town in the Waterfront area. Marina Residential Estate is the most luxurious part of the city, with top-class houses guarded 24/7. Dock Road is a lovely scenic road along the coastline.
11. Best rooftop bars in Cape Town.
While visiting Cape Town, you have to include a few escapes to rooftop bars. The western part of the city offers amazing restaurants, buzzing rooftop bars and strip clubs!! 😉 Here is the list of top rooftop bars you should visit:
- 14Stories Rooftop Bar (in the photo)
- Baptiste Rooftop
- Sky Bar at the Grey Hotel
- Utopia Cape Town
- Up Yours & Yours Truly
- Red Roof
- Skye Rooftop Bar (with a little more acceptable prices and breathtaking views over the Lion’s Head peak)
Don’t forget to order South African patriotic drink for RUGBY – SPRINGBOKKIE. It’s green and gold colours are a reflection of national rugby team colors!
Some additional travel information:
Is Cape Town worth visiting?
Absolutely. Few cities combine mountains, oceans, wildlife, wine and history like Cape Town, and most of the best experiences are only an hour or less from the city centre.
Can you hike Table Mountain without a guide?
Yes. Platteklip Gorge is well marked and hiked by thousands of people. Go with company, start early, carry water and a warm layer, and check the weather before you go. For harder routes like India Venster, a guide is a good idea.
How far in advance should I book Robben Island?
As early as you can, especially from December to March. Tickets often sell out, and ferries can be cancelled in bad weather, so plan it early in your trip.
Can you swim with the penguins at Boulders Beach?
You can swim at Boulders Beach, and penguins sometimes swim nearby, but you must never touch, chase or feed them.
What is the best month to visit Cape Town?
For great weather and fewer crowds, March to May. For whales and spring flowers, September to November. For guaranteed beach weather, December to February.
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