25 Things To Do In Cape Town | Beaches, Mountains, Wine, & Adventure

Nestled between stunning mountains and the Atlantic Ocean near the southwestern end of Africa, Cape Town is a fascinating, cosmopolitan city. It offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and rich history. From glistening beaches framed by beautiful mountains, incredible hiking trails, world-class vineyards, and a complex history, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a wine lover, an adventure seeker, or a history buff, this post covers the highlights of the top 25 things to do in Cape Town.

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Top 25 Things To Do In Cape Town

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Visiting the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Cape Town. I’ve visited Cape Town three times and always end up stopping here multiple times on each visit. It’s packed with a variety of food, shops, museums, and entertainment, with amazing views of Table Mountain.

There are many top-notch, sea-side restaurants here, like Pier, Den Anker, and Nobu. You’ll want to try a few. There are also several museums, including Zeits Museum of Contemporary Art and the Cape Town Diamond Museum. This is also the gateway to the Robben Island Prison Museum, where ferries leave for tours, Two Oceans Aquarium, the Cape Wheel, and plenty of shopping.

There’s also almost always live music playing somewhere here, at least in the summer, there are also great people watching opportunities with a mix of locals and tourists enjoying this space and the scenery.

Curious how this harbor gets its name? It was named after Queen Victoria, who reigned over the British empire when the British ruled Cape Town, and her son Alfred, who was responsible for the development of this harbor.

Table Mountain

Iconic, flat-topped, Table Mountain is visible from just about everywhere in Cape Town and the views of the city and the bay from its peak are unparalleled. Especially at sunset. Just make sure it’s not blanketed with clouds before you go.

You can ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway up, or, if you want something more adventurous, hike up to its peak and ride the cable car down. If you hike, it’s best to hike in a group for safety (see my note on safety below).

It’s even safer if you book the hike as a tour. Hike Table Mountain with a Guide – Choose Route lets you choose between 2 routes up, either the Platteklip Gorge route or the more adventurous India Venster. Both are challenging.

Clifton Beach

Clifton Beach is a lovely little beach on the Atlantic coast, framed by the mountains along the coast, the shimmering sea, and soft white sand. It’s a little more exclusive than Camps Bay, a very popular beach just south of it, as there are more luxury villas and fewer restaurants and bars.

Like all the beaches on the west coast of Cape Town, the water here is extremely cold as the currents originate from the Antarctic region.

Camps Bay

Just south of Clifton Beach, is Camps Bay, which is much more popular as there are more restaurants, cafes, and bars…and more parking. It is also has wonderful, soft sand and is framed by the mountains. It’s also another spot you will probably find yourself visiting more than once. This one for its scenic beauty, the beach, and its lively energy.

The Camps Bay area gets more lively just before sunset when the restaurants overlooking the Atlantic start to fill up. Arrive early to get a prime spot for the sunset. This is also when you’ll hear the “traditional dancers” arriving. You can’t miss them with their loudly-jangling anklets.

Llandudno Beach

Llandudno, further south of Camps Bay, is another stunning beach in Cape Town. It is my favorite beach here. It’s more secluded than Clifton beach as it’s located down a small winding road along the coast with very limited parking.

In addition to a natural beach, with minimal amenities (which is part of what makes it so beautiful), there are giant boulders off to the sides of the beach. It’s fun to explore these massive rocks. You need to be able to do a little boulder hopping, but it offers great views of the beach.

See my post Discovering Llandudno Beach | A Hidden Gem In Cape Town for more details.

Sea Point Promenade

Sea Point Promenade is a very popular place to walk near sunset. It follows the coast for almost 7 miles (11 km) from Bantry Bay (which is above Camps Bay and Clifton) up past the Green Point Lighthouse to Mouille Point.

You’ll see people walking, jogging, and biking along the path. It’s also wheelchair friendly. There are several places to walk down to the sea from the promenade. Be careful though, as the water can be rocky and rough in places.

Near its northern end, there are several, green playground areas for children. Near its southern end, there’s Saunders’ Rocks Beach, which is another top spot.

There are also several places to eat in the area, or to stop and have a drink. I had a drink at Amare and watched the sunset. Their patio has a good view as it’s on the on the second level and the service is freindly.

Saunders’ Rocks

As noted above, Saunders’ Rocks Beach is another popular place to watch the sunset. This beach offers a tide pool, with large round, sun-warmed boulders surrounding it. You can lay a beach towel on the sand, but most people lay their towel on one of the giant rocks. Note that it can get very crowded here before sunset, so arrive early for a space.

Wine Estates in South Africa

Visiting the Wine Estates of South Africa is another highlight of Cape Town. Taste world-class wines, see the breathtaking scenery (as most are nestled near mountain ranges), and learn the wine-making history here, which dates back to Dutch rule.

You can visit Constantia, which is closest wine region to Cape Town. Or visit Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or Paarl, which are agricultural towns about a hour north of Cape Town. Constantia has the oldest wine estate in the area, Groot Constantia, but there’s a very long list of amazing wine estates.

I spent a few days in Stellenbosch. Not only can you taste great wines here, but the town is also lovely, with its old Dutch architecture. I also visited wineries in Constantia and Franschhoek. There’s even a train line in Franschhoek that has multiple lines stopping at multiple wineries. A very popular and easy way to visit a variety of estates.

For more details, see South Africa Wine Country | Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl, & Franschhoek.

Hiking Lion’s Head

Lion’s Head, which sits between Table Mountain and Signal Hill is one of the most popular hikes in Cape Town. It’s a relatively short trail that spirals gently around the mountain, before a steep ascent to its summit. The last section is admittedly a little adventurous, as it requires climbing several steep ladders, but it’s well worth the effort for the incredible, panoramic views.

While it’s always best to hike with others in Cape Town for safety, on a sunny day there are generally enough people on this trail to make it safe. If you do hike solo, it’s still recommended to join other hikers on the trail. I met some great guys from Johannesburg on the trail. They were so fun. They had me laughing most of the hike. Plus I learned more about the area from them.

To learn more about this hike, see my post Hiking Lions Head | A Scenic Ascent To A Breathtaking Summit.

Secret Sunset Rock

When you’re in Cape Town, watching a sunset or two over the sea is a must-do. My favorite sunset spot is called Secret Sunset Rock. It’s located in the brush beyond the multi-million dollar homes in a ritzy neighborhood overlooking the Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Ocean.

Arrive before sunset to stake your spot on the hilltop. This is 100% natural, which is a big part of its beauty. This means it’s not only free, but there are no restaurants, cafes, or marketing of any sort. See my post Secret Sunset Rock | Cape Town’s Hidden Gem For Spectacular Sunsets for all the details.

Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is a neighborhood near central Cape Town with a colorful history and colorful homes. Historically, it was known as the Malay Quarter. It started as former rental homes for the slaves, many of which were imported from Malaysia and Indonesia. Today, these colorful old slave rental houses list for 2 to 5 million ZAR!

It’s best to take a tour to learn the history and see its best viewpoints. I recommend this tour; Bo-Kaap: Walk with a Local. It also stops at the famous Atlas Spice shop.

On your way back to town after the tour, stop at the Honest Chocolate Cafe on Wale Street. They serve amazing chocolate and decadent desserts. There’s also a secret gin bar in the back! Note that the Gin Bar is closed on Sundays.

Another great thing to do in the Bo-Kaap area is to take a Malay Cooking Class. I took the class in the link and really enjoyed learning to make a Malay curry, samosas, and dessert with other tourists from around the world.

Take A City Walking Tour

Take one of the free historical city walking tours of downtown Cape Town. I took the walking tour in the link above which covers 17 stops, including City Hall, where Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech after being released from Robben Island, the Grand Parade, where the original fortress was built (before the Castle of Good Hope), the Houses of Parliament and Company Gardens, the Arch of the Arch that commemorates Archbishop Desmund Tutu, and a section of the Berlin Wall gifted to the city. We also walked by the Eastern Food Bazaar that is famous with tourists (try it!).

Visit The Slave Lodge Museum

The Slave Lodge was built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company to hold slaves that were brought here to work. They were coerced here from different regions, including east Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.

Their former lodge is now a two-story museum that tells the sobering story of the extremely overcrowded and poor conditions, as well as the horrors of those that lived here. If you only visit one museum in Cape Town, this is the one I recommend.

The Old Biscuit Mill

A visit to the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning in Cape Town. This former biscuit mill was once part of a poor, working-class community. Today, it’s becoming gentrified: a hip, creative space.

The old buildings have been renovated into shops with goods made by local artisans, many restaurants and cafes, and what they call a Neighbourgoods Market, which offers a variety of gourmet street food from around the world. There is also often DJ music playing to soothe your Saturday morning.

To learn more about the Old Biscuit Mill and how to get here, see my post Cool Creative Places | The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.

Woodstock Street Art

While you’re in Woodstock, make sure to also explore its street art. It’s some of the most amazing street art in South Africa. You’ll see vibrant murals, from both local and international artists beautifying what used to be a high-risk area due to crime and drugs.

See my post Exploring The Woodstock Street Art Scene In Cape Town to learn how to find this on you own. Or, take a tour, like this one: Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Visiting the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is another one of the top things to do in Cape Town. An afternoon here is the perfect way to discover the scenic beauty and biodiversity of Cape Town.

Set at the base of Table Mountain, the views, the lush landscapes, and the plant life of this 1,300 acre UNESCO World Heritage Site are stunning. Some must-see highlights include the Protea Garden (which is the national flower of South Africa), a Tree Canopy Walkway (right photo above), a Braille Garden (yes, braille), and a Fragrance Garden.

Concerts, movies, and other events are also held here. Check the SANBI website for events during your visit.

Cape of Good Hope

Visiting the Cape of Good Hope and surrounding areas is another must-visit in Cape Town. You’ll get to see this rugged coastline and the fascinating wildlife on the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. This includes the poplar African penguins, cape fur seals, baboons, and maybe even ostrich, whales, and dolphins, depending on when you visit.

Highlights include a poplar viewpoint of Hout Bay, driving along Chapman’s Peak Drive, noted as one of the msot beautiful drives in the world, a stop in Simonstown, a popular resort town, the Cape of Good Hope itself, where you can walk up to the lighthouse, Boulders Beach, to see the African Penguins, and a stop at Muizenberg Beach to see the beach and its colorful changing rooms.

I recommend visiting the Cape of Good Hope as a tour, as not only is the drive beautiful, and you don’t want to miss the view, it’s winding cliffside road is also a little scary. For tours, Viator offers a variety of tours, from half day, to full day tours.

To learn more about my visit, see my post Penguins, Cliffs, & Coastal Views | Tour To The Cape Of Good Hope.

Castle Of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope is the star-shaped fortress that once protected the Cape Colony. This was the center of military, political, judicial, and economic life in Cape Town in the 17th to 19th centuries. It was built by the Dutch East India Company and is now a museum, and a testament to the rich cultural heritage and complex history of Cape Town.

Inside there are several areas to explore, including The William Fehr collection, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the time, a Military Museum, for an overview of military history and the key battles, as well as the Slave Heritage Museum, where you can learn the complex history of slavery here.

I recommend this tour, which also includes a stop at Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, the Company Gardens, and Iziko Slave Lodge, but you can also walk it on your own. See my post in the Castle of Good Hope Museum | Unveiling Cape Town’s Rich Heritage for more details.

Robben Island Prison Museum

Robben Island is an integral part of the history of Cape Town. This is where political prisoners were held during apartheid. Many of them were key leaders in the anti-apartheid movement. Three former prisoners later became president of South Africa, including Nelson Mandela, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Jacob Zuma.

Over 1,500 prisoners were held here before it closed in 1996. Tours are given by former prisoners, which makes this extra eye-opening. See the cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison, where he buried his manuscript, “The Long Walk To Freedom”, and the quarry where top political prisoners did hard labor.

For more details, see my post Inside Robben Island Museum | Walk in Nelson Mandela’s Footsteps.

Have A Braai

You cannot visit Cape Town without enjoying a braai, which is an important cultural event here. The hotel where I stayed hosted a traditional braai every Friday night. They built the fire for us, and we went to the market to buy our meat. Traditional sides include potato salad, pasta salads, vegetables, and bread.

Ride The Hop On Hop Off Bus

There are Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in so many cities. While I normally do not buy tickets for them, I think the Cape Town Hop On Hop Off tour is a great choice. They have multiple lines, a red line, a blue line, and a purple line that go from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront all the way down to the the Botanical Gardens, the Constantia wine region, and Hout Bay. It then comes up the coast, making stops at key locations. There’s also a boat ride option.

In Constantia, you can switch over to the purple line which loops around to three wineries there, making it super easy to go wine tasting. You also get highlights of downtown Cape Town as you drive through its central area.

In some cases, the ride, especially out to Constantia and Hout Bay, costs less than a taxi would. It just takes a little longer.

Skydiving

If you want something more adventurous, try tandem skydiving. There are several places offering jumps from various heights. Each is located about a hour north of Cape Town and each offer similar experiences.

I chose Skydive Cape Town for my jump and loved every minute of it! To learn more, see my post Skydiving In Cape Town | Soaring Over The Cape for all the details.

Paragliding

Paragliding is another top thing to do in Cape Town. I wanted to do this, but the wind was not right the days I wanted to go, so I switched to skydiving instead. Surprisingly, you are more likely to be able to skydive here than paraglide as it’s often very windy.

The paragliders take off from Signal Hill, which is right bedside Lion’s Head. On an ideal day, you’ll see multiple paragliders drifting in the sky.

Safari

Most people visit Cape Town when they’re on their way to a safari in South Africa, which is what I did on my two previous visits. While there are safari opportunities close to Cape Town, I recommend going to a private safari camp like Sabi Sands or Londolozi for the best experience. I stayed at Londolozi for a few days and it was absolutely amazing. I got to see the Big Five, UP CLOSE, as well as babies (i visited in Spring) and some rare wild animals. The food and lodging was also top notch.

Township Tour

A township tour offer insight into the township communities surrounding Cape Town. I visited Nathi Langa Township, which has over 100,000 residents that live in homes made of corrugated metal and wood scraps. Nathi Langa is one of the oldest townships in Cape Town, dating back to the 1920s when it was designated for Black Africans during the apartheid era. Most of the population here are descendants of the Xhosa.

I didn’t plan it, but visited on Freedom Day, a holiday in South Africa commemorating the first democratic elections, marking the end of apartheid. It seemed like the entire township was outside enjoying a traditional braai and some beer, with lots of music playing.

I took this tour: Nathi Langa Township Walking Tour, which was led by a local. I appreciated his personal perspective and liked the fact that some of my dollars went into the pockets of a local.

Safety In Cape Town

While Cape Town is generally safe during the day, especially in areas like the Victoira & Alfred Waterfront, the top beaches, and the summit of Table Mountain, you always need to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Most people here are very friendly, but there are a few people down on their luck that can make things difficult and ruin your day.

Avoid wearing expense clothes, purses, or watches, or anything that will draw attention to yourself. Don’t carry a lot of cash (most places only accept credit card here) and always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking the streets after dark. Uber is inexpensive here and I found it to be safe.

Also be cautious when hiking. Especially if you’re hiking a trail known to tourists that are not crowded. Some nefarious elements are known to stake out spots near the trail and mug people. If they do, do not fight, as they could have a weapon. This is why it’s important to hike in groups, or hike trails on days/times when they will be more crowded, like weekend afternoons.

I felt mostly safe. There was one night when I was walking back from the market a little after sunset when someone started making a beeline towards me. Luckily, I had just reached my hotel and someone opened the gate from the inside at the exact moment I needed it opened.

If you’ve visited Cape Town and have any comments on the 25 best things to do here, drop a note below.

Want More Of South Africa?

• South Africa Travel Guide
  Discovering Llandudno Beach | A Hidden Gem In Cape Town
• Hiking Lions Head | A Scenic Ascent To A Breathtaking Summit
• Secret Sunset Rock | Cape Town’s Hidden Gem For Spectacular Sunsets
• Exploring The Woodstock Street Art Scene In Cape Town
• Cool Creative Places | The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock
• South Africa Wine Country | Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek
• Hiking The Majestic Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
• Inside Robben Island Museum | Walk In Nelson Mandela’s Footsteps
• Penguins, Cliffs, & Coastal Views | Tour To The Cape Of Good Hope
• Castle of Good Hope Museum | Unveiling Cape Town’s Rich Heritage
• Skydiving In Cape Town | Soaring Over The Cape

Safe Travels!

Julie