One of the most populated cities in South Africa, Cape Town is known for its coastal views, city life, and breathtaking natural sceneries. Also known as the Mother City, this legislative capital of South Africa promotes diverse cultures and lifestyles, providing something for everyone to enjoy. To help plan your trip, here are the best things to do in Cape Town.
Boasting a mild climate and enjoyable water temperatures, Cape Town is a great place to travel all year round. This beautiful city is mostly prized for its harbor and floristic region. However, there are countless activities to enjoy from surfing, hiking, sports, and more.
If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Cape Town, this list has everything you need to know.
Top Cape Town Attractions
This city offers many beautiful locations to visit, from mountain views to beaches and a bustling city. If you’re wondering what to do in Cape Town, here are some of the best and most enjoyed attractions in this area. From valued landmarks to beautiful landscapes, there are a vast array of attractions to visit.
Table Mountain & Lion’s Head
Table Mountain National Park is a must-see location for anyone visiting Cape Town. If you’re up for a physical challenge, this area offers multiple hiking trails to the top of the mountain.
If you’re hoping to skip most of the physical activity while still enjoying the beautiful views, you can also drive up to Lion’s Head, a popular peak in this national park. There are many tours available for this location as well.
Beautiful Robben Island
This infamous location was once the prison that held South Africa’s first black president, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and human rights activist, Nelson Mandela. On this island, you can visit the former prison, Robben Island Museum, limestone quarry, and other notable locations. Tours are available and a ferry ride is needed to visit this island.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront was originally a jetty built in the 17th century but is now a bustling location with two harbors, shops, museums, amazing food and drink opportunities, and much more. Visiting this waterfront is one of the best things to do in Cape Town and also one of the most popular.
Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap)
This historic neighborhood is lined with colorful houses and lively streets. Full of culture, traditional restaurants, the Bo-Kaap Museum, and many other attractions to discover, this bright and diverse location is appreciated by many history lovers and those who want a local experience.
Cape Town Stadium
Home to the 2010 World Cup and many famous concert appearances, the Cape Town Stadium is a place for any sport or music lover to visit. This stadium continues to offer rugby matches and live performances, however, even when it’s not, it is still an amazing piece of architecture to visit.
Cape Point
For those who love nature, hiking, and wildlife views unlike any other, Cape Point offers a few options for a beautiful outdoor adventure. With two historic lighthouses, close interactions with baboons, and lush floral valleys, this location is a must-see experience. For those who aren’t into physical activities as much as others, there are also wine tasting opportunities in the area as well.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
One of the greatest botanical gardens in the world can be found in Cape Town. With an abundance of indigenous plants and beautiful sceneries to indulge yourself in, this is a place that can easily take hours out of your day to fully enjoy. There are guided tours available or you can choose to explore the areas at your own leisure.
Activities in Cape Town
This highly populated city is full of adventure and activities waiting for you to partake in. However, if you’re looking for the top things to do in Cape Town, here are some of the best activities worth taking a look at.
Whether your time in Cape Town is limited or extended, these are all activities that you won’t want to miss out on.
Penguins At Boulder’s Beach & Cape of Good Hope
Visit penguins in their natural habitat at Boulder’s Beach and the Cape of Good Hope Natural Reserve. Enjoy beautiful beach views while connecting with this endangered species on a personal level. While you’re there you may also discover ostrich, antelope, and whales.
There are easy-access tours available for both these locations and local guides to give you a full experience without the stress as well.
Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari
Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari is one of the closest game reserves to Cape Town. This safari adventure gives you access to view the ‘Big Five’ game animals and other endangered species. Located on a private reserve with comfortable tour options, it’s easy to end up spending an entire day here taking in all that nature has to offer.
Shark Cage Diving
Travel into the ocean off the coast of Cape Town to immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure with Great White Sharks. These cage diving experiences give you multiple hours of personal underwater observation and education about marine life and local fishing villages. If you find yourself wondering what to do in Cape Town that is unlike any other activity, this is the experience for you.
Ziplining
Glide through overhead views of Cape Town with an exciting zipline experience. There are multiple locations available for ziplining including opportunities at Table Mountain Reserve. This experience is great for all ages looking for an exciting experience in South Africa’s beautiful natural landscapes.
Paragliding
For exciting aerial views of Cape Town, paraglide from takeoff sites in Lion’s Head or Signal Hill and glide through the air until you reach the beach landing destination. This unique experience provides an opportunity unlike any other. Get the feel of flying while soaring through the skies and witnessing the best views of the city.
Cool Runnings in Cape Town
Africa’s only toboggan racing track is located near Cape Town, providing opportunities for all ages to enjoy. This thrilling downhill race track takes you up to 25 miles per hour in an amazing outdoor toboggan experience. With multiple opportunities to ride the track, it’s easy to spend hours of enjoyment here with your family or friends.
Guided Tours
If you’re unsure about exploring locations on your own, one of the best things to do in Cape Town is to take some tours. This is the easiest and most enjoyable way to explore the best areas in this location without having to plan things out yourself.
While there are many tours available for you to choose from, these are the best of the bunch.
City Bus Tour
Explore the heart of the city without having to navigate locations on your own with a Cape Town city bus tour. These bus tours provide hop-on and hop-off opportunities, giving you the ability to sight-see at any of the amazing locations on the way. Many buses stop off at popular landmarks like the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, wineries, and many more.
Cape Peninsula Tour
Enjoy South Africa’s Cape Peninsula with a full-day tour immersing yourself in beautiful scenic landscapes and native wildlife. While you can explore this area on your own, these guided tours provide an easy-going experience through coastal roads and prized landmarks like the Cape Point Nature Reserve and UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Kingdom.
Cape Town Canal Cruise
Explore the waterfront regions of Cape Town in a canal cruise from the busy business district to the V & A Waterfront. This guided cruise provides hop-on and hop-off opportunities to further experience any locations that catch your eye along the way. For those looking for a relaxing way to experience a variety of Cape Town locations while avoiding busy streets and traffic, this is a wonderful opportunity.
Helicopter Tour
For one of a kind overhead experience of Cape Town, treat yourself to a helicopter tour. These helicopter tours give you access to sights unlike any other as you watch the diverse landscapes change between the two oceans on each side of the city. Through tour guide commentary, explore landmark locations and beautiful mountain ranges from an amazing ariel view.
South African Wildlife Safari Tour
There are many options for wildlife safari tours. This region is full of exotic wildlife and nature that is unlike any other area in the world. Explore floral valleys, desert locations, and coastal beaches while connecting with native and endangered wildlife species. From elephants, penguins, lions, and great white sharks, there are countless animals to discover here.
Cape Winelands Tour
Explore the expanse landscape of South African vineyards and historic wineries with a Cape Winelands tour. There are many wineries to visit in the nearby areas and with a tour like this, you can indulge yourself in the best of them. With plenty of options to choose from, like half-day or multi-day tours, there is a wine tour out there for every wine enthusiast to enjoy.