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Final modified: September 20, 2026 -
Written by Sanne
Greatest time
Greatest time: November to March
Fly to
Fly to: Cape City Worldwide (CPT)
Journey size
Journey size:
4 to five full days
Foreign money
Foreign money: South African Rand (ZAR)
Cape City has mountains, seashores and wineries all inside a brief drive of one another, and the meals scene is wonderful. Determining what to do in Cape City is fairly troublesome initially, as a result of there may be a lot to do. That is our record of the very best issues to do in Cape City, constructed from what we really did and a more in-depth take a look at what else town has to supply, together with the issues we skipped and would nonetheless suggest. It contains issues in Cape City, in addition to some day journeys on the Peninsula. I’ll let you already know when a day journey or automotive is required or applicable.
That is the “what to do” half of our Cape Town travel guide, which covers the complete journey: the place to remain, what number of days to plan and normal orientation: every thing you want to know earlier than you go. If you need eating places and bars, we cover those in a separate guide too. Subsequent to that, you may take a look at where to stay in Cape Town. With this journey information, we’re going deep on the 15 issues to do in Cape City, metropolis and peninsula.
In brief
- Route: most highlights sit within the metropolis, with the Cape Peninsula, Boulders Seaside and Robben Island as half or full-day journeys out.
- Greatest time: November to March for seashore days and clear hikes, however ebook Robben Island and Desk Mountain forward in December and January.
- Getting round: Uber for town, a rental automotive in the event you’re doing the Peninsula and Chapman’s Peak your self.
- Cash: most points of interest cost in South African Rand, money nonetheless helps for the Chapman’s Peak toll and small markets.
- What no person tells you: Cape City isn’t one metropolis you stroll round, it’s 5 or 6 separate pockets related by a 20 to 40 minute Uber trip every. Price range the time and the fare for that, or the day feels shorter than it ought to. Additionally, strolling is just not at all times secure, which additionally means it’s a must to take extra Ubers than you would possibly count on.
The place to remain in Cape City
The very best issues to do in Cape City
01
Hike the favored Lion’s Head for excellent views over town
Lion’s Head is certainly one of Cape City’s most rewarding hikes, providing 360° views over town. It’s an incredible exercise to do in your first day within the metropolis, because it helps you get acquainted with town. The path begins gently, however turns into steeper with ladders and chains close to the highest. There are two routes, the extra superior one with ladders and the advisable route. We adopted the advisable route, which was surprisingly intense. The final half as much as the highest is sort of a little bit of scrambling. Regardless that Lion’s Head is visited and climbed by many, the hike was surprisingly tough. The views from the summit are breathtaking, particularly at dawn or sundown. Put on good footwear, deliver sufficient water and put together for the climb.
Dawn hike: Involved about security? With a guided tour you can start safely in the dark and enjoy the sunrise up Lion’s Head.
02
Hike up Desk Mountain (and take the cable automotive down)
Desk Mountain is among the iconic sights in Cape City, which you’ll see from throughout city. It’s additionally the very best view within the metropolis. Don’t skip it. There are a number of paths main up, of which Platteklip Gorge is the best. Nonetheless, don’t be fooled, the hike is hard. This 2-hour hike is consistently uphill, with a 650-meter elevation acquire. On high, we walked the size of the mountain to the cable automotive high station, and alongside the best way have been rewarded with unbelievable views over the city.
03
Watch town from Sign Hill, or paraglide off it
Sign Hill is the straightforward model of a Cape City viewpoint. There’s a paved highway proper to a parking space close to the highest, so that you get panoramic views over town bowl, the Atlantic and Robben Island and not using a hike. It’s the go-to spot for sundown, with locals turning up with a picnic and a bottle of wine most evenings.
If you need the view from the air as a substitute, Sign Hill and the neighboring Lion’s Head are Cape City’s principal tandem paragliding launch websites. Flights solely go when the wind cooperates, so attempt to not ebook it in your final day, to keep away from it not occurring. You possibly can book the paragliding experience for round €90.
Helicopter tour Cape City
One other different, good if you wish to discover town from the air, is to do a helicopter flight. Get pleasure from a distinct perspective and see the desk mountain from above.
From €155
Get an eSIM for Cape City earlier than you land
04
Discover the colourful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is among the most iconic neighborhoods of Cape City, with its brightly painted homes. The colourful facades are charming and the principle road presents the very best, and most secure, picture alternatives. Traditionally, Bo-Kaap was dwelling to freed slaves and Cape Malay communities. If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the neighborhood, you may go to the small Bo-Kaap Museum. That mentioned, general our go to felt a bit of underwhelming. The primary road was good, however the ambiance didn’t invite us to linger, and wandering into the facet streets didn’t really feel completely snug. The realm is value a fast cease for pictures, however we wouldn’t plan to spend an excessive amount of time right here.
We didn’t do it ourselves, however a guided township or Bo-Kaap walking tour is a way more informative method in, and a number of other guides are from the neighborhood itself.
05
Be taught Cape City’s apartheid historical past on the District Six Museum
We haven’t visited this one ourselves, but it surely comes up continually in what others suggest about Cape City. District Six was a blended, close-knit neighborhood proper within the metropolis middle till the apartheid authorities declared it a whites-only space in 1966 and forcibly eliminated greater than 60,000 residents, bulldozing many of the district afterwards. The museum paperwork that historical past by way of pictures, private objects and a flooring map that former residents have annotated by hand with the place their houses used to face.
Open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays. Entry is R50 for adults, R15 for youngsters. It may be properly mixed with Bo-Kaap since each sit a brief stroll from town middle.
06
Go to the totally different areas of Cape City: V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and Gardens
There are a number of areas in Cape City which are in style with vacationers, and each has its personal character. You’ll see a lot of them mirrored in our overview of the very best eating places and bars too, however when visiting, it’s best to positively see a few of these areas.
V&A Waterfront is a hub for procuring, eating and boat excursions. The energetic Time Out Market is an effective place to calm down and revel in some wine and bites after a morning of sightseeing. Camps Bay is the place you discover the golden seashores and a strip of fashionable cafés and bars, we had brunch right here at La Belle. Kloof Avenue and the close by Gardens neighborhood are full of fashionable brunch spots, bars and boutiques. We cherished Our Native for the beneficiant avocado toast and quirky, plant-filled inside.
07
See the penguins up shut at Two Oceans Aquarium
If the climate turns, otherwise you need a simple afternoon with children, Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront is a stable backup plan. It covers marine life from each the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sides of South Africa, with a penguin exhibit that’s a good substitute if Boulders Seaside doesn’t suit your schedule.
08
Discover the Previous Biscuit Mill
The Previous Biscuit Mill is a energetic space in Cape City, the place you will discover a very good mixture of design outlets, meals stalls and inventive idea shops. It’s an industrial-chic weekend market that’s additionally stuffed with bars and eating places. When you really feel like a meals market, some boutique procuring or an occasional get together, that is the place for you. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the favored restaurant Potluck Membership.
09
Chill at Clifton 2nd Seaside
10
Picnic and wine tasting at Constantia Glen
Excited about Stellenbosch or Franschhoek too? I like to recommend giving it sufficient time on it is personal. Learn my full guides: the Stellenbosch wineries guide and the Franschhoek wine tram expertise.
11
Watch a sundown live performance at Kirstenbosch Gardens
12
Drive Chapman’s Peak
Chapman’s Peak is usually referred to as one of the crucial scenic drives on this planet, winding alongside the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. When driving it, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. The highway follows the mountainside, repeatedly overlooking the ocean, and each bend is prettier than the subsequent. Be certain that to take sufficient time to cease at among the picture spots, since you want to take note of the route whereas driving, which might imply not having sufficient time to admire the views. It’s a toll highway, so preserve some money or a card prepared. Attempt to go on a transparent day too, the views disappear quick when it’s cloudy.
Positively add it to a Garden Route road trip, if that’s subsequent in your record. Additionally, the Clarence Drive is a gorgeous stretch.
13
Day journey to the Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope
A preferred day journey from Cape City is to drive across the Cape Peninsula and go to the Cape of Good Hope. Begin your day driving south in direction of Muizenberg Seaside, and from right here, pay a fast go to to Boulders Seaside (extra on that beneath, although we’d really suggest Stony Level as a substitute to skip the crowds, extra on that in our Garden Route travel guide). From right here, head to Cape of Good Hope. Keep in mind that it’s a must to purchase a ticket for R455 (round €22). Plan a full day for the Peninsula and depart sufficient time for Cape of Good Hope itself, it’s not simply the cape, it’s also possible to do a number of shorter hikes to discover the park from there. We didn’t have sufficient time left to take action ourselves.
Afterwards, drive again to Cape City on the well-known Chapman’s Peak. If there’s nonetheless time, go to among the lovely seashores on the best way again, akin to Scarborough, Noordhoek Seaside, Hout Bay and Llandudno Seaside.
Well-liked possibility: E-book a day tour to Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach, the best option to go to if you do not have a automotive obtainable.
14
See the penguin colony at Boulders Seaside
Boulders Seaside, close to Simon’s City on the best way to Cape Level, is dwelling to a colony of African penguins that waddle round proper subsequent to sunbathers. It’s one of many few locations on this planet the place you may see wild penguins this shut, and it’s a simple add-on to the Cape Peninsula day journey above moderately than a separate outing. As talked about earlier than, I personally suggest Stoney Level in Betty’s Bay.
15
Go to Robben Island
We haven’t completed this one ourselves, but it surely’s certainly one of Cape City’s most vital sights and it exhibits up in practically each different information to town for good cause. Robben Island is the place Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail, and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Former political prisoners typically lead the excursions themselves, and that’s what makes the half day value it.
The ferry leaves from the Nelson Mandela Gateway on the V&A Waterfront, a very good half-hour every method, plus a guided tour of the jail and the island when you’re there. Rely on the journey taking three to 4 hours in whole.
The official ferry and museum ticket costs R600 (€30-35) for non-South Africans (R400 for South Africans). Tour packages are barely costlier, however simpler to ebook. Nonetheless, the official tickets right here make fairly a distinction in value.
16
Go on a Township Tour
If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the historical past of Cape City and the totally different existence within the metropolis, I like to recommend doing a township tour. Sadly, I solely realized this was an possibility on our closing day in Cape City. The excursions are hosted by an area, who can clarify every thing you wish to know.
BONUS
Go on a 2-day safari
Fast recap: Excursions I might ebook
Earlier than you go
Good to know earlier than you go
Getting round
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Connectivity
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Questions
FAQ
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