A captivating blend of cultures and cuisines makes for an exciting foodie scene, and access to both mountains and the ocean creates a perfect environment for adventure-seekers with endless hikes and sunset spots. This is the ultimate list of things to do in Cape Town for every type of traveler, from adventures on Table Mountain to sipping local wines in the Cape Winelands that should not be missed.
Photo credit: South Africa Tourism
Hike Lion's Head
As far as hikes go, Cape Town is filled with endless trails. While first time visitors to Cape Town will immediately think Table Mountain is the must do hike, nowhere is more liked that the hike to Lion Head's summit. Nearby Lion’s Head is a much shorter hike, with unparalleled sunset views. The view from the top gives you sweeping 360 degrees views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay and the breathtaking Table Mountain behind you. Be warned climbing Lions Head is quite challenging.
Photo credit: Rovos Rail
Board the Rovos Rail or Blue Train
For a truly romantic and lavish way to experience Cape Town, travel onboard the world-class Rovos Rail or Blue Train. A voyage of discovery across South Africa, travel back in time and relive the bygone era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration. Read more on our itineraries combining train and exclusive safari experiences: Ultimate South Africa Explorer by Blue Train and Cape to Victoria Falls By Rovos Rail.
Photo credit: Silo Hotel
Dine at The Silo Hotel
There is a bountiful of exquisite hotels in Cape Town but one of the more iconic is the Silo Hotel. A former old grain silo, this design hotel speaks for its views. For guests, there is exclusive access to the sky terrace which makes for a perfect spot for sunset with a glass of wine boasting a panorama of Devil's Peak, Table Mountain, Lion's Hea , Table Bay and Signal Hill; all icons of the beautiful city. Even if you aren’t a guest, you can still visit the cafe, restaurant, and rooftop bar. Read more: Best Accommodations In Cape Town.
Photo credit: South Africa Tourism
Day Trip to Cape Winelands
South Africa is home to some of the best wine in the world and there is definitely no shortage of vineyards to explore. It makes for a great day trip from Cape Town and is only an hour’s drive away. Visit Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, both of which have endless vineyards and restaurants to discover. For a unique experience, embark on the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a hop on and off experience allowing you to choose your route on the tram and experience the various activities offered at each of the vineyard stops. If you do decide to stay, we recommend Boschendal Wine Farm to savour the best of farm living at one of South Africa's oldest wine estate.
Photo credit: South Africa Tourism
Swim with Penguins
One of the iconic things to do in Cape Town is a day trip to Boulders Beach to see the penguins. It is home to a large colony of endangered African penguins making it a must do while in Cape Town. There are two entrances to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach. One of those is an entrance whereby you can actually swim with the penguins. The best times of day to visit are just after sunrise and just before sunset when the penguins are the most active. Boulders Beach lies about 40km (25 miles) south of Cape Town which makes it a great stop on the way to or from Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Drive Chapman's Peak
Not only one of the most scenic drives in South Africa, but the entire world. And if you have rented a car, then this road trip is a must! The best route would be to visit on your way to Boulders beach, taking the longer but more scenic journey. The road hugs the coastline along the cliffside where the pinnacle of the drive is Chapman’s Point. You’ll find a viewing platform perched on a cliff overlooking Hout Bay to the right and breathtaking views of the ocean to your left.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Visit Table Mountain
Looming high above Cape Town is its most recognisable backdrop, Table Mountain. Visiting Table Mountain is a must when in Cape Town, after all it is one of the seven wonders of the world! It can be achieved by cable car or hiking to the top. There are a number of trails that will take you to the top. The Kloof Corner is just a 20-minute hike to one of the best sundowner spots in Cape Town. A more popular route is the Platteklip Gorge taking about 3 hours to zigzag up to the cable car station at the summit. One of the most iconic activities in Cape Town is to take the cable car up or down Table Mountain. It is even popular among the locals, who mostly hike up to the top and opt for the cable car coming back down. The price is R200 one way.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Visit Camps Beach
With so many beautiful beaches in Cape Town, it can often be difficult to choose just one. Camps Bay beach is another great choice and the largest of the beaches in Cape Town. It is located in the affluent suburb of Camps Bay. This is also a great sundowner spot and one where you will find many great restaurants, bars and a boardwalk along the shore for a lovely beach stroll.
Photo credit: Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Afternoon Tea at Belmond Mount Nelson
There really is nowhere that compares to the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel when it comes to the utlimate afternoon tea in Cape Town. A daily afternoon tea here is a signature decadent affair not to be missed with a new tea sommelier to assist in choosing from more than 100 on offer. A property paralleling a lot of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Firstly, it is pink and secondly, it caters to a lot of affluent guests from across the world. Welcoming many famous guests over the years including Queen Elizabeth II, John Lennon and Nelson Mandela, submerge into glamour and elegance of a bygone era.
Photo credit: Babylonstoren
Stay A Night at Babylonstoren
Another getaway is a drive to Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands. This is by far the most stylish and beautiful farm property in South Africa and its Fynbos cottages are the ultimate luxury. If a stay is out of your budget, at least a road trip to the property's popular fine dining restaurant is worth considering. The eight-acre kitchen garden and restaurant are destinations in their own right, but waking up here is the ultimate privilege. The wines are award-winning and the restaurant has a waiting list, but it is the eight-acre kitchen garden that is the icon, with more than 300 varieties of edible plant watered by gurgling streams in the gravity-aided irrigation system. Almost everything on your plate will be grown in the garden; it’s a classic fork-to-table story but the variety produced by this eight-acre 'pantry garden' is quite astonishing. You can also walk around the gardens or join a daily guided garden tour. The Greenhouse is an excellent alternate luncheon spot.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Ferry To Robbben Island
Discover the prison turned museum where Nelson Mandela spent many years of his life. Embark on a guided tour and enter cells and read stories from each of the individual inmates that once slept there as you make your way through the prison.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope
If you’ve got the time and spirit for adventure, visiting the tip of the Cape Peninsula is a must! Hike the trails and take advantage of the trail hut network for a unique and breathtakingly beautiful experience. Stand on the edge of the African continent with your face in the wind as you gaze the vast oceans and craggy cliffs at Cape Point. Venture a bit further to the Cape of Good Hope which marks the point where a ship begins to travel more eastward than south when following the African coast down the equator.
Find out where to stay with our guide to the Best Accommodations in Cape Town.
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