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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 adrenaline-fuelled paragliding adventure in Cape Town and marvel at the incredible views of the Atlantic Coastline, Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Camp's Bay, Clifton Beaches, and more. Fly high into the sky with your experienced instructor and create unforgettable memories of a lifetime. Meet your pilot and other daredevils at Signal Hill to begin your adventure. First, get a short induction from your pilot 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. Ride side-by-side with your instructor and feel the exhilaration, head rush, and incredible sensation of free-fall flying. End your day on a high as you experience a once-in-a-lifetime paragliding ride that you won't forget. Get hooked on the adrenaline high and see views of Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Camp's Bay, Clifton Beaches, Waterfront, and Robben Island, that you won't forget.

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

4. 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: South African Wildlife Safari 2-Day Tour

5. From Cape Town: South African Wildlife Safari 2-Day Tour

Day 1: Botlierskop, Oudtshoorn (Travel about 450km excluding safari drives) Leave Cape Town or Stellenbosch early in the morning and trade the silhouette of Table Mountain for the lush green scenery of the start of the Garden Route region. The first game reserve visited is about 6 hours driving away (subject to weather or traffic), but the route is scenic with a few photos and rest stops along the way. The 3500ha Botlierskop private game reserve is located in a malaria-free area and home to an abundance of wildlife including four of the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, well over 26 different species of animals, and more than 200 bird species. Spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open-top 4x4 vehicle and particularly keep your eyes open for lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino sightings. Leopards are nocturnal hunters, evasive and not contained by fences so it's unlikely to see them during these game drives.  After this approx. 2-hour game drive it's time for an up-close and personal encounter with nature on a short tranquil bush walking safari. Hop off the safari vehicle, following your game ranger as you look for wildlife through the coastal Renosterveldt and Cape Fynbos.  A short 1-hour drive to the next stop to end your day in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. Either head to town to enjoy a restaurant meal or taste local delights, such as an ostrich kebab during an optional 'braai' (similar to BBQ) dinner under the Klein Karoo's twinkling starry skies. Overnight in Oudtshoorn as per your stay package selected: Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Saver package) or Yamkela / 88 Baron van Reede guesthouse (3* Comfort) or Buffelsdrift lodge (4* Deluxe package) . Day 2: Oudtshoorn, Route 62 (Travel about 420km excluding safari drives) After breakfast, jump straight into the thick of the Klein Karoo bush this morning as you set out on an open-topped 2-hour 4x4 bush drive to seek out more of Africa’s smaller wildlife at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Your expert guide and ranger will help spot wildlife and share some of nature’s secrets while teaching you about the region’s fauna and flora. This bush drive focuses more on looking closer to see details of nature as the reserve is not home to many big game. Join elephant guides on an optional Elephant Observation Nature Walk to follow three rescued elephants in their natural habitat near the waterhole (at extra expense). Learn about these gentle giants, under the watchful eye of the elephant guides. As you observe these lovable creatures you can take photos and ask elephant-related questions. End-off the day with a drive along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world! Capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, and rugged Karoo plains during this about 5 to 6 hour journey ( subject to including extra rest stops) before arriving in Cape Town or Stellenbosch by later evening (about 8 to 9pm).

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.

Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

7. Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Discover Cape Town at your own pace with a combined hop-on hop-off ticket for 4 bus routes, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket, and a city walking tour. Enjoy audio commentary during the bus tour, and take the cableway to the top of the iconic Seventh Natural Wonder of the World, Table Mountain. You will have full access to all 3 of the hop-on hop-off bus tours which are valid for the entire day, this will allow you to explore Cape Town and its many top attractions and experiences. Listen to commentary in 15 languages aboard the bus to learn more about Cape Town and the must-see attractions to decide where to jump off. You will also benefit from a stop at the Cableway Station to ascend to the top of the mountain for spectacular views of the city and the Atlantic Seaboard. Spend some time wandering around the top of the mountain while taking in the fresh air and soaking up the unforgettable views, or simply enjoy a drink and a meal at the restaurant before descending. For extra value, the ticket is valid for 14 days from first use so that you don't have to ride the bus and cableway on the same day.

From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

8. From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

Uncover the lush beauty of the Franschhoek Valley on a hop-on hop-off tram and bus tour. Travel by air-conditioned bus from Cape Town and hop aboard the tram which stops at wine estates. Savor a range of wines while you take in the views from the tram. 8:30 AM - Navy and Burgundy Line: After the guides stop at the last pickup point, you will depart Cape Town at 8:30 AM and head to the Franschhoek Valley. Arrive at the Groot Drakenstein station in the Franschhoek Valley by motor coach and board your choice of tram line (clockwise and counterclockwise) stopping at Zorgvliet, Vrede and Lust, Sols Delta, Plaisir de Merle, Camberley, Le Pommier, Boschendal, or Allee Bleue. 9 AM - Pink and Grey Line (from December 26th - January 2nd): After the guides stop at the last pickup point at 9 AM, depart Cape Town for Franschhoek Valley. Arrive at the Franschhoek Terminal by motor coach and board your choice of tram line (clockwise and counterclockwise) stopping at Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Franschhoek Cellar, Grande Provence, Haute Cabriere, Klein Goederust, Leopard's Leap, and Rickety Bridge. The circular routes stop at any of the 8 wine estates with the tram or tram bus passing every 60 minutes. Hop-on-hop-off at your preferred wine estates. Wine-tasting fees are excluded and payable on the day. Each of the lines has a wide selection of wine estates to visit, from boutique to marquee estates, and offers a unique perspective on the Franschhoek wine experience. At 4:45 PM, head back to the bus for your return to Cape Town.

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

9. 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.

Cape Town: Half-Day Guided Township Tour

10. Cape Town: Half-Day Guided Township Tour

Traveling is only as deep as the people you interact with, and on this half-day tour, you will get to discover Cape Town in an up-close and personal way through the eyes of the locals. During your time together, you will have a chance to dig deeper into the multicultural side of Cape Town, and hear their personal stories of forceful removals from District Six to the rich cultural landscape of township life. The day either begins at 08.00 or at 13.00, returning approximately four-and-a-half hours later. You will begin in District Six with the Museum (closed Sundays). Here you can educate yourself on the forceful removal of over 60,000 inhabitants in the 1970s by the apartheid regime. This once lively community of former slaves, artisans and merchants was once home to almost 1/10 of the city of Cape Town's population before the brutality that came. After your education, you will move to Langa, the oldest formal township in South Africa. This suburb was established in 1927, and was established specifically for Black Africans before the apartheid era. There is a history of violent uprisings here, and your visit will be benefited with the local's stories and perspectives. From here we move onto Shebeen (township pub) with the option to taste some traditional beer! How can you turn down a beer with the locals? Finally we move to Khayelitsha - the largest and fastest growing township in South Africa today. Its local name is Xhosa, which means New Home. Here you will get to meet with some of the township entrepreneurs who are breathing new life in to these historic towns. If you're fortunate enough to be with us on a Sunday, we'll even have the chance to visit a charismatic church service in the townships! It's truly an experience not to be missed!

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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

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!