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Things to do in Cape Town

Discover a melting pot of culture in this coastal city, along with daring adventure and fusion cuisine.

Our most recommended things to do in Cape Town

From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive

1. From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive

Discover animals like the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape Buffalos on this day trip from Cape Town to the Aquila Private Game Reserve. Take a game tour in an open top, all-terrain vehicle. Stop for a delicious lunch at the reserve's lodge.  After a morning departure, you will head up the N1 Highway, through the spectacular Hex River Valley, and arrive at the Aquila Private Game Reserve. The bio-diverse habitat of the reserve ensures plenty of interest for the avid game viewer and bird watcher. Spot giraffes, blesbok, black and blue wildebeest, zebras, springbok, gemsbok, klipspringers, duikers, greybuck, steenbok, ostriches, baboons, caracals, foxes, jackals, and more. Spot up to 172 species of birds, including the majestic black eagle. Enjoy a game drive with a well-informed ranger followed by a delicious lunch at the lodge.

Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Tour with 1-Way Hotel Pickup

2. Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Tour with 1-Way Hotel Pickup

Take the ferry to Robben Island and tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was confined. Learn about South Africa's history of Apartheid and life in the prison from a former prisoner. Depart from Cape Town on a shared bus to the V&A Waterfront. Collect your ticket and make your way to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. Sail out to the island on a 45-minute journey. On arrival, embark on a bus tour of the island before visiting the prison and the cell where Nelson Mandela was kept for 18 of his 27 prison years. Gain an insight into the history and conditions of the prison from a former prisoner. After the tour, return to Cape Town and be dropped off at the V&A Waterfront. Here you will be free to return to your accommodation independently or continue touring the beautiful city.

Cape Town: Tandem Paragliding Adventure

3. Cape Town: Tandem Paragliding Adventure

Enjoy an spectacular paragliding adventure in Cape Town and marvel at the incredible views of the Atlantic Coastline, Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Clifton Beaches and more. Fly up into the sky with your experienced instructor and create unforgettable memories of a lifetime. Meet your pilot and other fun seekers at Signal Hill to begin your adventure. First, get an induction brief from your Instructor before you take off from a mountain slope under a canopy that resembles a parachute.  Get ready for liftoff; take a few steps or a short run to take off from the gentle slope, the wind will catch the canopy, and you will be airborne. Seated comfortably in front of your instructor you will feel the exhilaration and incredible sensation of free flying. A natural high as you experience a paragliding flight that you won't forget. Get hooked on the freedom and breathtaking views of Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Clifton Beaches, Waterfront, and Robben Island, that you won't forget.

From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

4. From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge

Get the chance to see lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and more on a 2-day safari tour from Cape Town. Enjoy 2 game drives and an overnight stay with included dinner and breakfast. On the first day, depart Cape Town and drive along the scenic coastal road to Cape Agulhas via Hermanus, the whale watching capital of the world. Make a stop at the southernmost tip of Africa to admire the beautiful lighthouse. Continue on to Garden Route Game Lodge. Here, embark on a sunset safari in an open-air vehicle. Observe a variety of native animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and more. After the safari, settle in for a three-course dinner. Spend the night in one of the beautiful 4-star wooden chalets and admire the clear skies over the lodge. In the morning, head out for another game drive to see some of the animals you might have missed the evening before. After your drive, tuck into breakfast. Make your way back to Cape Town in the evening.

Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Shared Tour

5. Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Shared Tour

Start your full-day tour at the Bo Kaap (Cape Malay Quarters) with its colorful houses, before heading to the Table Mountain cable car station. Take the cable car to the top for unforgettable views. Drive along the Atlantic coast, stopping at Maiden's Cove for photos with the backdrop of the 12 Apostles mountain range. Enjoy the views from Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's most scenic routes. Visit Boulders Penguins Colony in Simon Town before reaching the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Enjoy a guided tour at this very popular landmark. Travel to Cape Point, where you can hike to the top of the lighthouse or take the Flying Dutchman funicular to the top.

From Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Tour

6. From Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins Tour

You’ll be picked up at your Cape Town accommodation in the morning by a qualified tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus, and taken on an all-inclusive, full-day Cape Peninsula tour. Drive along the scenic coastal route with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, and see what makes this coastline so special. Pass through Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, and Llandudno beaches along Chapman's Peak drive and enjoy a photo stop at Maiden's Cove. In Hout Bay, you’ll have the option of taking a boat to Seal Island to get a closer look at the seal population (not included in the tour price). After exploring the harbor in Hout Bay, your tour continues on to Noordhoek village for an optional stop to try the best coffee roasted this side of the Cape (cost not included). The next stop is at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, where you'll explore the reserve, see the Dias Beacon, and also where the two currents meet. You can hike up to the top to see the Cape Point Lighthouse or take the Funicular (cost not included). From Cape Point, you’ll continue on toward Boulders Beach and stop to see the penguin colony. Enjoy the scenic Boyes Drive and see Kalk Bay and Muizenburg. The return route to Cape Town will be via the Old Cape Road, ending the day with a drop-off at your accommodation.

From Cape Town: Cape Point and Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour

7. From Cape Town: Cape Point and Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour

Discover Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope on this guided day trip from Cape Town. Marvel at the beauty of nature as you stop at Boulders Beach to spot whales, ostrich, and other animals it shelters. The full-day tour leaves Cape Town in the morning for the spectacular landscapes of the Cape Peninsula. Enjoy a scenic drive to Boulders Beach through Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. Stop to see the penguins at Boulders Beach before heading to Cape Point, in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Be on the lookout for antelope, ostrich and other game. Scan the ocean for whales during the Cape's whale season (July-November). Enjoy lunch (at your own expense) before joining the optional hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope headland (medium fitness required). Sit back and enjoy the coastal drive back to Cape Town, taking in spectacular views from the Ou Kaapse Weg mountain pass.

From Cape Town: 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines

8. From Cape Town: 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines

Join this guided tour to explore the 3 wine regions of Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch. Be treated to chocolate, a wine tasting, and a cellar tour at Rheboksloof wine farm near Paarl. Drive through Paarl and then enjoy a photo stop at the Drakenstein Prison. Arrive at Franschhoek and spend some time exploring the town on your own. Enjoy lunch and indulge in an extra wine tasting. Afterward, take a scenic drive over the impressive Helshoogte Pass to the picturesque town of Stellenbosch. Have a walk around Stellenbosch before heading off to Simonsig. Take part in an afternoon wine tasting with cheese at Simonsig in the Stellenbosch region before heading back to Cape Town. Your wine guide will highlight points of interest along the way and will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the route or wine farms.

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

9. Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

One of South Africa’s most popular destinations, Cape Town is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See landmarks such as Table Mountain, Camps Bay, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. Choose from 3 exciting tour routes. There are 2 ticket options available. If you opt for a 1-day ticket it allows you to experience all routes - Red, Blue and Purple Routes. The 2-day ticket allows you to take advantage of all routes - Red, Blue and Purple Routes for 2 consecutive days.  The 2-day ticket also includes a walking tour, a harbour cruise, and a sunset bus tour. Discover Cape Town on a narrated tour with daily departures. You may join the tour from any of the stops on the route: - V&A Waterfront (Tour office outside the 2 Oceans Aquarium) - Zeitz Mocaa Museum at the Clock Tower (Also Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island) - Cape Town Convention Centre - Downtown Tour office at 81 Long Street - Lower Cableway Station - Camps Bay Beachfront - Queens Road Stop (Cnr Alexander Road) - Beach Road, cnr St John's Road (Walk from here to Winchester stop along Promenade) - Beach Road opposite Winchester Mansions Hotel - Green Point Lighthouse - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - Constantia Nek (Wine Bus Tour CHANGE POINT) - World of Birds Park in Hout Bay - Imizamo Yethu Township (walking tour) - Mariner’s Wharf at Hout Bay Harbor Visit Constantia Valley – the oldest wine making region in South Africa. - Groot Constantia Estate (oldest commercial wine estate) - Eagles’ Nest (boutique winery)  - Beau Constantia (great wine and amazing views)

Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

10. Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Townships Tour

Discover some of Cape Town's most famous townships on a guided tour in an air-conditioned minivan. Visit District Six, take a walking tour in Langa, and learn about Bonteheuwel as you drive through it. After, explore Robben Island on your own with an included ferry ticket. Explore District Six, where 60,000 inhabitants were forcibly removed during the 1970s by the apartheid regime. Drive to Langa and learn the history of the oldest township at sites like the Old Pass Office and the monument to Robert Sobukwe. Learn about life during apartheid on a walking tour of the hostels and shacks. Visit a shebeen (pub), try some homemade beer, and see a traditional healer in action Then, drive through the Bonteheuwel township, reserved for the "colored" community during the days of apartheid. Hear about the division of people and its impact on the communities today. See the Gugulethu 7 Memorial to the members of an anti-apartheid group killed by the South African Police in 1986, and the memorial to the American student Amy Biehl, murdered by PAC supporters in 1993. Afterward, get dropped off at the V&A Waterfront to take your ferry to Robben Island.

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Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

What top attractions are a must-see in Cape Town?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Cape Town?

The best day trips and excursions from Cape Town are:

Stellenbosch

What are the best inexpensive tours in Cape Town?

Insider tips: Planning a trip to Cape Town

After travelling through South Africa for quite some time, blogger Check Out Sam stayed in Cape Town for a few months longer and explored the Mother City in depth. Curious about the best things to do, see and experience? Keep reading!

What should I do on my first trip to Cape Town?

Get to know the diversity of this city by exploring several of the lively neighborhoods (Bo-Kaap and V&A Waterfront are my favorites!), hiking some of the best hikes of the country (Lion's Head!), soaking up some sun at the stunning beaches (Boulders Beach & Clifton Beach can't be missed) and organizing (day) trips to other areas around Cape Town. There is SO much to do in and around this city!!

What are some hidden gems to see in Cape Town?

I booked an excursion through GetYourGuide to go swimming with seals in Cape Town. To this day, it is one of the tours that I enjoyed most! There are only a few other places in the world where you can do this, so this truly is a unique and wonderful experience that you shouldn't miss out on.

How much time should I spend in Cape Town?

Cape Town is huge and is surrounded by other lovely regions that deserve some of your time too. Therefore you should be here for at least one full week. And even then, your itinerary will probably be jam packed! Keep in mind that some tours (e.g. cage diving with sharks, swimming with seals, visiting Robben Island) take up half or even a full day too.

What food is Cape Town known for?

The food you find in Cape Town is as diverse as its citizens, history and culture. If you're a meat lover, you will love game meat. My favorite was kudu. Ostrich is also worth trying out! There are quite some restaurants at V&A Waterfront who serve these delicacies. Another typical South African dish I would recommend, is bobotie. This oven dish still makes my mouth water when I think about it!

What is the best way to get around Cape Town? 

Public transportation for tourists is a no-go in South Africa. If you do use it, there is a chance you will get mugged. Therefore I would recommend to make use of Uber. It is cheap, safe and easy to use all around the city. Since it is so big, you just have to make use of it. Walking around Cape Town is fine, as long as you don't do it after dark, don't show off your wealth too much and stay away from dangerous areas. You shouldn't be there anyway, because most highlights are quite centrally located in the city. Are you doing a day trip or road trip from Cape Town away? Rental cars are cheap and found across the city.

What are the best months to visit Cape Town?

Since Cape Town is located in the southern hemisphere, you have to know that seasons are reverse to the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Therefore, January and February are great months to visit since the temperatures are at it's best and the days are longest. During these months, there also are a lot of activities and festivals going on around the city. The only disadvantage is that there often are bigger crowds. If you don't like that, March and April are a bit chillier but way less crowded.

What is neighborhood V&A Waterfront known for?

V&A Waterfront is considered the safest area of Cape Town and perhaps also the liveliest if you're a tourist. There are lots of things to do and here you'll also find the best restaurants. The nearby Waterkant also has great food and bars, but once it gets dark you shouldn't walk here anymore. Bo-Kaap is a very popular neighborhood with tourists because of its colorful houses. It's safe to walk here during the day (like most areas in the city center), but again I wouldnt come visit this area once it gets dark.

What are the best neighborhoods for food?

You have to be in the city center if you're a food lover. V&A Waterfront and Waterkant had some of the best restaurants I've encountered in all of South Africa. There are a lot of places who offer local cuisine, but also burgers, Italian food, etc. Make sure to try out some other African restaurants as well!

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Cape Town?

If you want to be in the city center, I recommend to find accommodation in V&A Waterfront, Waterkant or Greenpoint. You'll be staying very centrally, but also in quite safe areas. As I said earlier: walking around after dark is not a great idea, but during the day you should never worry about a thing. The area around Simon's Town, Camp's Bay and Hout Bay are wonderful if you want to be closer to the beaches and don't like the busy city.

What is the best family-friendly thing to do in Cape Town?

Go out and meet some of the cute locals! I already mentioned Boulders Beach with its quirky penguins or Hout Bay with it resident seals, but of course you can also organize a safari (day) trip to one of the parks just outside Cape Town. There you might get the chance to spot the Big Five!

What is the best thing to do in Cape Town for couples?

Head out the city for some days and venture to the South African wine country: Stellenbosch! This chique area is located very close to Cape Town and has several fantastic wineries to try out. Sit down, relax, take a sip of your wine and enjoy a romantic sunset at one of these domains. Afterwards, go have dinner in one of the many fantastic restaurants you'll find in this area.

What are the best areas for outdoor activities around Cape Town?

There are several hikes you can do in the city itself (don't mis Lion's Head!), but if you really want to explore the diversity of South Africa I suggest you drive along the Garden Route or discover the quite unknown Cederberg region (about three hours from Cape Town). Along the Garden Route you'll see lots of rough coastline, but also stunning national parks and some wildlife. Cederberg is a rocky desert wilderness great for hiking, road trips or exploring the history of this region.

What are the best beaches around Cape Town?

My personal favourite is by far Boulders Beach. On this tropical white beach, you don't only find (impressive!) boulders, but also one of the penguin colonies of South Africa. Swimming ánd tanning together with these quirky birds is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Since you have to buy an entrance ticket to get in, it is also considered a very safe beach and thus you don't have to worry too much of leaving your bag when you're going for a swim.

Other Sightseeing Options in Cape Town

Want to discover all there is to do in Cape Town? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Cape Town

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 16,571 reviews

Cape Mountain Guides were the BEST!! Table Mountain was shrouded in clouds and Dohann first offered me the option of changing days. I had no other time, so he was happy to go for it anyway! He met me right on time at the starting point and was an absolute joy. Very energetic and positive. We made our way up tracks trails and climbs eventually getting to the top. I know we usually want to have clear skies but climbing in the clouds was something very special as well. Dorann had a picnic for us along the way and we had lots of great stories and conversation. He’s a kind and dedicated professional who is certainly in the right business. If you want to tour, he’s your man! One of the funnest days of hiking I can remember, especially because of the clouds. His guiding skills are excellent and he even collected up a few people at the top of the mountain, who had come up on the tram but had gotten a bit lost and couldn’t find their way back. A perfect day of hiking, and meeting a new friend!

This is the best thing happened to me so far here, the tour was full of activities and information. And a special thanks to the best tour guide ever “Ruben”. Thanks Ruben for the very informative tour, u have a looooot of information, always smiling and very helpful. Guys this is really worth every penny! Cheers

We had a fantastic trip with our guide Armand. He was a fantastic tour guide - very knowledgeable and we learnt so many interesting facts about everywhere we visited. The tour was great, seeing the penguins, cape point and the stunning Chapman’s Peak view. Thanks Armand!

We learned a lot more about how and why the townships were built - we became aware of that there is hope among the inhabitants but that there is a very long way to go…..

Absolutely amazing trip, seen so many different things that South Africa is famous for and James our tour guide was the best!