Top 15 Unmissable and Unique Things to Do in Cape Town
Ranked among the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is an essential stop on any trip to South Africa. Known as the "Mother City" by South Africans, it boasts many charms to captivate you: a majestic setting between ocean and mountain, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, diverse architecture, a temperate climate, and numerous cultural, historical, and gastronomic sites. In short, this vibrant city is the very embodiment of the rainbow nation! But what to do in Cape Town among all the things to see? Follow the guide with our 15 favorite activities!
Cape Town: 15 experiences not to miss
1. Climb Table Mountain
Recognizable from afar with its flat summit at 1086 m altitude, Table Mountain is the icon of Cape Town. Since 2011, this ancient massif has been part of the "Seven New Wonders of Nature".
If the weather allows, you can access it by cable car in only five minutes. For the more athletic, the ascent can also be done on foot, thanks to hiking trails ranging from easy (1h30, ideal with children) to steep (up to 4h). At the summit, marked paths let you explore Table Mountain and search for the Cape Rock Hyrax, the local "marmot"!
-> For another viewpoint, this time on Table Mountain, nothing beats a sunset on Signal Hill, the neighboring hill, to end your day.
2. Walk around Bo-Kaap
In Cape Town, several architectural styles coexist harmoniously, from Victorian times to modern buildings. One of the most picturesque neighborhoods in downtown, Bo-Kaap, stands out with its small brightly colored houses. Come stroll in the morning to discover the colorful streets of this Malay neighborhood, formerly reserved for slaves, whose community is a pillar of Cape Town's cultural heritage.
3. Shop and stroll at the Waterfront
Former docks of Cape Town, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is now one of the busiest areas in the city. A tourist, commercial, and cultural center, here you will find:
- many shops (notably at the Watershed market, dedicated to local artisans and designers);
- bars and restaurants;
- a marina;
- street entertainment;
- museums, including the Zeitz MOCAA, the largest African contemporary art museum on the continent.
4. Visit Robben Island, in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela
Robben Island is a must-do excursion to understand Nelson Mandela's detention conditions. After a boat trip, you land on this arid island where Madiba was imprisoned for 18 years. Your guide is a former prisoner – the visit is conducted in English.
For a broader vision of the country's history, also visit the South African Museum, Slave Lodge Museum, Iziko South African Museum, or, if you must choose one, the District Six Museum, dedicated to the incredible story of this neighborhood during apartheid.
5. Drive along Chapman's Peak Drive
Leave the city a bit and feast your eyes on spectacular landscapes south of Cape Town. To reach the Cape Point, you first take the "Chapman's Peak Drive", a stunning coastal road carved into the cliff. On the way, stop at the picturesque port of Hout Bay. In season (June to November), it is not uncommon to spot whales from the road.
6. Explore the peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope
Continuing south along this scenic route, you reach the Cape of Good Hope National Park. This natural reserve offers several hiking trails and refreshing viewpoints of the ocean and its wild beaches. At the southern tip of the peninsula, the famous Cape Point is a rocky promontory accessible on foot or by funicular.
It is also a chance to observe the typical flora of the Western Cape (fynbos) and the animals inhabiting the reserve: ostriches, zebras, elands, and baboons.
7. Admire the penguins at Boulders Beach
On the way back to Cape Town, stop at Simon's Town to observe these seabirds. Several hundred reside year-round at Boulders Beach, a beautiful white sand beach dotted with large granite rocks. You can even swim in the calm waters of this protected bay. A fun way to end your trip on the Cape Peninsula!
-> Before returning to Cape Town, make a stop at Muizenberg, famous for its colorful beach huts. A real postcard landscape!
8. Visit Cape Town by bike with a guide
To discover the Mother City in an unusual way, hop on an electric bike for a guided tour. In half a day of coastal ride, you discover Cape Town from another angle: the marina, Granger Bay harbor, the oldest active lighthouse in the country, the chic Sea Point neighborhood, and finally the beautiful Green Point Park garden.
9. Be amazed at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
On the foothills of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world with about 4,000 plant species, including 2,600 native to the Cape Peninsula. Take advantage of this excursion to picnic among protea flowers or learn more during free guided tours.
10. Taste the wines of Constantia
Just steps from Kirstenbosch, Constantia is the oldest wine valley in South Africa. This region houses the country’s first winery, founded in 1685, Groot Constantia. Like this magnificent estate, several nearby wineries welcome visitors for lunch and/or wine tasting. Some of the city’s, if not the country’s, most reputed restaurants are here!
11. Take a cruise to discover the marine ecosystem
Departing from the V&A Waterfront, we recommend the "Marine Eco Tour", which takes you to explore the ecosystem of Table Bay aboard a comfortable zodiac. Dolphins, seals, seabirds (gannets, albatrosses…), and occasionally whales in the distance await you. With a naturalist guide on board, this excursion is educational and fun for all ages.
12. Get close to the penguins by sea kayak
Another way to see the Cape penguins up close is to embark on a sea kayak in Simon's Town. Accompanied by a guide, you paddle along Boulders Beach. It’s an ideal way to get some exercise while approaching the swimming birds, as well as fur seals and other marine animals.
13. Take a tour of the Cape Town aquarium
Wondering what to do in Cape Town when it rains? One option is to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, located on the Waterfront. As its name suggests, it lets you discover marine species from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans that wash South Africa’s coasts. Sharks, rays, turtles, and penguins: there’s something to delight young and old alike!
14. Visit an ostrich farm
Feathers, meat, leather, or carved eggs: ostrich farming is an institution in South Africa. Visiting an ostrich farm is a great opportunity to learn about this activity and its products, and to benefit from attractive prices directly from the producer.
15. Explore Cape Town’s townships
Visiting a township in Cape Town gives meaning to your stay and allows you to discover the daily life of a large part of the South African population. With a local guide, you go beyond prejudices to see poor but dynamic neighborhoods with rich cultural life. Admire the street art before visiting a traditional healer or a shebeen, a bar that was once clandestine.
What to do in Cape Town? Our practical tips for planning your trip
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
The best season to travel to Cape Town is spring, summer, and early autumn, from November to April. If you prefer to avoid the high season (December), February is ideal: fewer visitors and peak summer with very pleasant weather.
What to do in Cape Town with children?
Cape Town is very family-friendly for family trips. There’s something for every taste: take the cable car up Table Mountain, admire the penguins in the wild, marvel at the sharks at the Two Oceans Aquarium, play on the beach, stroll in the gardens, or, for the more active, hike, kayak, or surf.
What to do in Cape Town in the evening?
To extend your day and party, head to one of the many bars and restaurants on Long Street downtown or at the Waterfront.
How long to stay in Cape Town?
Cape Town and its region are well worth at least five days, but if you’re short on time, two (very full) days can be enough to see some highlights. Add an extra day to tour the peninsula up to the Cape of Good Hope, a must-see!
How to get around Cape Town?
Several options are available to explore Cape Town and its surroundings:
- Renting your own car: ideal for reaching the peninsula;
- Uber for city trips;
- With a driver-guide for a seamless travel experience;
- On the Red Bus: the Red Bus Tour is very popular and flexible, with stops at main attractions and an open roof to enjoy panoramic views.
-> Choose from our many guided tours in Cape Town.
What to do around Cape Town?
If you have time, combine your visit to Cape Town with some of the Western Cape region’s highlights:
- The Wine Route toward Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, to discover South Africa’s emblematic wines, in estates designed to welcome tourists in the best conditions (minimum 1 day);
- The charming Garden Route, one of Africa’s most beautiful coasts, between beaches and mountains (minimum 3 additional nights);
- The picturesque Hermanus, a prime whale-watching spot from June to November, to complement with the Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley (minimum 2 days);
- The West Coast National Park for the beauty of its landscapes and lagoon, perfect for water sports like paddleboarding or kitesurfing (minimum 2 nights);
- The Cederberg Mountains for hiking amid spectacular scenery and admiring rock paintings (minimum 2 days).
From Cape Town, it is also easy to fly to Johannesburg, Durban, or the Kruger National Park, three other must-see destinations in the Rainbow Nation.
Between spectacular nature, vibrant culture, marine wildlife, gastronomy, and history, Cape Town offers a multitude of activities for all types of travelers. Wondering what to do in Cape Town will no longer be a question without an answer: you now have all the keys to design a trip that suits you.
Want a tailor-made trip to Cape Town, combining must-see discoveries and off-the-beaten-path experiences?
✉️ Contact our local team: we will help you organize a personalized itinerary and book your activities in Cape Town according to your wishes, budget, and trip length.