The 40 Best Things to Do in Cape Town

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The sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, taken from Camps Bay drive in Cape Town.

Cape Town is the kind of place that spoils you for other holidays. White sand beaches, penguins, mountains, incredible views, and wine farms for days. Add to that a fascinating and inspiring history, a mix of cultures, genuinely friendly locals, and food that’ll make you rethink your return flight, and you’ve got the perfect holiday destination. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable.

This guide covers 40 of the best things to do in Cape Town – some classics, and some local favourites. I grew up in Cape Town, and I still think it’s the best city in the world.

Classic Cape Town Things to Do

A view of Lion's Head, Signal Hill and Robben Island, taken from the Table Mountain cable car. These are some of the best things to do in Cape Town. — Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Robben Island, from Table Mountain

The top five things which any first-time visitor to Cape Town must do.

1. Table Mountain

First on the list, Cape Town’s iconic flat-topped mountain is a must-visit. You can hike one of the many trails to the top, or take the cable car.

Equally loved by tourists and locals, Capetonians are endlessly irritating when giving directions around the city in relation to “the mountain” (honestly, Table Mountain is the only thing, apart from my dog, that I’ve ever seriously considered getting a tattoo of). Try to get a photo of the cloud cover settling onto Table Mountain, known as the “table cloth.”

2. Robben Island

If you do only one historical or cultural thing on your trip to Cape Town, book the tour and ferry trip to Robben Island. The former prison, where many political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, were incarcerated, is now a museum. Something I find striking about Robben Island is that when you stand on the shore looking back at Cape Town, it seems deceptively close.

3. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s most beautiful botanical garden and a contender for the best in the world. It is perfect for walks, picnics, and the very beloved Summer Sunset Concerts. It is also the endpoint for several Cape Town hiking routes. Kirstenbosch is also one of the hosts of the Galileo Open Air Cinema shows, one of my favourite Cape Town activities during the summertime.

4. Boulders Penguin Colony

Every Cape Town child has fond memories of coming to see the colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach. Everyone except me.

Don’t get me wrong, the penguins are very cute, and this is one of the only places in the world where you can see them in their natural habitat. These days, there is a boardwalk on Foxy Beach, so that you can observe the penguins without actually getting too close to them.

But when I was growing up, a trip to Boulders meant actually sharing the beach and the waves with them. I know every tourist wants a classic Boulders photo with a penguin (and you actually can still get one if you walk to the Boulders Beach side), but I remember being pretty terrified of them. Don’t get too close to them, as they can bite.

Also, fair warning, and something you won’t realise from all the delightful photos you’ve seen of them, but penguins don’t smell good.

5. Cape Point

Cape Point is in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and the southwesternmost tip of Africa. There are dramatic views, walking trails, a lighthouse, a funicular, and dassies galore (cute rock hyraxes which look a bit like large, fat guinea pigs). Watch out for baboons.

Beaches and Tidal Pools

Camps Bay beach in Cape Town, with turquoise waters and blue skies. — Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town

6. Clifton Beaches

A series of four utterly delicious white sand beaches, with equally delicious turquoise (although very cold!) water. Clifton 4th is the biggest and prettiest (and the only Blue Flag beach of the four), and my favourite. Don’t bother driving to Clifton, as parking is impossible in summer – get an Uber.

7. Camps Bay Beach

A slightly more touristy option, a short drive away from Clifton, but there are no steps up and down to the beach, and there are restaurants across the road. You can call Col’Cacchio and order pizza, and they will deliver it to you on the beach. Note that drinking alcohol on the beach in South Africa is illegal.

8. Muizenberg Beach

The water is slightly warmer here than at Clifton and Camps Bay, and Muizenberg has a lovely set of colourfully painted changing rooms. It is a surfer’s paradise, with casual sandy cafes all around. Given the warmer water, there are sharks, and there is a flag system in operation, which indicates whether sharks have been spotted – don’t get into the water if it is unsafe.

9. Tidal pools

Cape Town has taken the Wim Hoff thing on board in a big way. The tidal pools around Cape Town, which used to be considered no-go areas, are now used in full force by locals on weekend mornings, and even on weekdays. Go to Dalebrook in Kalk Bay for slightly warmer water, or have a bracing dip in the Atlantic at Saunders Rock.

The Best Cape Town Wine Farms

Groot Constantia in Cape Town, featuring Cape Dutch architecture and a tree lined avenue. Wine farms are one of the top things to do in Cape Town. — Groot Constantia

The Constantia wine route is 20 minutes from the Cape Town city centre, making it the perfect introduction to South African wine. If you have more time, spend a couple of days in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch.

10. Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia (“Big Constantia”) is South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm, dating back to 1685. In addition to the tasting room, there are two restaurants, walking tours, a gift shop and a wine museum. Jonkershuis is an excellent breakfast spot.

11. Beau Constantia

It certainly is beautiful. Beau Constantia is set high up in the Constantia Valley and has stunning vineyard views. It is one of the newer estates in Constantia, with a modern, glass-encased tasting room. It also has a fabulous tapas restaurant, Chef’s Warehouse.

12. Spier

Probably the most famous wine farm on the Stellenbosch wine route, Spier is another estate with a lot to do. There is a hotel, a spa, several restaurants, segway vineyard tours, a farm shop, picnics and art exhibitions. Oh, and they make delicious wine.

13. Warwick

I love the Warwick First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Warwick’s wine and chocolate tastings in winter. Hot tip: if you’re doing a wine tasting here with your significant other, ask your waiter to bring the Wedding Cup for you to drink out of together – if you can make it work without spilling any of the wine, you’re a good forever match.

14. Babylonstoren

Seemingly having exploded out of nowhere, Babylonstoren arrived on the Franschhoek wine route only very recently and quickly became everyone’s favourite. It epitomises farm-to-table fabulousness in every way – there are several restaurants, farm gift shops, lovely wine and a stunning spa, as well as a hotel. You could easily spend a whole day here.

15. Creation

Creation is less well-known because it is on the smaller Hemel en Aarde (“Heaven and Earth”) wine route. The wine is great, but it is worth having lunch here – this is my favourite winelands restaurant, and the wine and food pairing menu is excellent. Even if you don’t make it here, make sure you buy a bottle of the Creation Syrah Grenache.

Fine Dining in Cape Town

The iconic tuna dish at La Colombe in Cape Town, which is served in a mock tuna tin. — The iconic tuna dish at La Colombe, Cape Town

16. La Colombe

Long established as one of SA’s best restaurants, and often making global best restaurant lists, La Colombe is the best example of fine dining that I have experienced, and dinner here is entertainment in itself.

If you can’t get a reservation, La Colombe now also has several slightly more casual, but no less incredibly creative, sister restaurants in Cape Town and Franschhoek.

17. Chef’s Warehouse

Liam Tomlin is a very well-loved South African chef, and his Chef’s Warehouse now has many locations. Try the one at Maison in Franschhoek on a weekend away, the one at Tintswalo for unmatched views across Hout Bay, and the one at Beau Constantia for a perfect Winelands lunch.

18. The Pot Luck Club

The brainchild of another well-loved South African chef, Luke Dale Roberts, the Pot Luck Club serves tapas which are made for sharing. The location in Woodstock has stunning panoramic views of Cape Town and an open kitchen, giving it a very buzzing vibe. Order the steak in café au lait sauce, and thank me later.

Cape Town’s Food Markets

19. OZCF Market

The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is easily the nicest market in Cape Town. It is open only on weekends – pop in for brunch after a Saturday stroll along the Seapoint promenade, like a local.

20. Eastern Food Bazaar

For some reason, the Eastern Food Bazaar never makes “must-do” lists in Cape Town. Sure, it is slightly out of the way and by no means fancy, but it is a local gem – go for samoosas, Cape Malay curries and even a Durban curry speciality, a bunny chow (bunnies not involved!).

21. Neighbourgoods Market

Neighbourgoods is a weekend market in Woodstock, and the original Cape Town hipster hangout.

22. Mojo Market

A fully enclosed market which is open 7 days a week, I love Mojo Market in Seapoint for a quick dinner.

23. Bay Harbour Market

The Bay Harbour Market is another weekend gem for when you feel like a drive to Hout Bay – oysters, champagne, live music and local shopping. It is also great in winter.

The Best Hikes in Cape Town

Clifton Beach in Cape Town, taken from Lion's Head at sunrise, with orange and pink skies over the ocean. — Sunrise views from Lion’s Head

24. Lion’s Head

The most popular hiking trail in Cape Town, Lion’s Head is moderately challenging, but can be done in just over two hours, and has stunning views of Cape Town. Go at sunrise for lovely pink morning sky photos.

25. Table Mountain

There are several routes to the top of Table Mountain. Although none of them are easy hikes, the fastest and most direct route is via Platteklip Gorge (which is very steep). You do need to start very early in summer, because the route is sunny, and it gets very hot.

As an alternative, you could take Kasteelspoort. It takes longer and is more difficult in parts, but it is also more gradual, and you start in the shade.

26. Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch

This is not a particularly challenging hike (I remember doing it a lot as a kid), and is fairly shady. It also, delightfully, ends at the botanical gardens, so you can have a relaxing picnic lunch.

Outdoor Adventures in Cape Town

I am more likely to be found safely sipping my Chenin than participating in any of these activities, but for the adrenaline junkies in your life, Cape Town has more than its fair share. Look into paragliding off Lion’s Head, abseiling down Table Mountain, helicopter flips over Cape Town, and sea kayaking.

Museums, Art and Culture

27. Zeitz MOCAA

A relatively new gallery in one of the refurbished grain silos in the Waterfront, the Zeitz MOCAA is the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world (I must confess that I often struggle to interpret contemporary art).

As an alternative, the small South African National Gallery is also well worth a visit, although it doesn’t make most “must-visit” lists for Cape Town. It has a bit of everything, but the contemporary South African art, reflecting South Africa’s history, is worth seeing. Look out for a sculpture called “The Butcher Boys”.

28. District Six Museum

The District Six Museum is dedicated to the lively, multiracial community which existed in District Six in Cape Town before it was destroyed by the forced removals during apartheid.

One of my favourite South African plays is Sophiatown by Malcolm Purkey, and if you have a chance to see it, I recommend it. Although set in Sophiatown in Johannesburg, rather than in District Six, the play really brings to life what multiracial communities were like before apartheid group areas, and the impact of the forced removals on their residents.

29. The Artscape Theatre

Cape Town’s biggest theatre, the Artscape offers ballet, musicals and plays, as well as international shows from time to time.

The Best Spas in Cape Town

The outdoor spa pool at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, South Africa. — The pool at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek

30. The One and Only

My favourite Cape Town Spa, the One and Only is fabulously luxurious and perfect for a girls’ spa trip.

31. Babylonstoren

Set within a bamboo forest on a working farm in Franschhoek, and with the feel of an Alpine health retreat, the Babylonstoren Garden Spa is my favourite in South Africa. Use of the spa facilities are included in the cost of your treatment, and the swimming pool, which includes a built-in fireplace, is very unique.

32. Leeu Estates

Another Franschhoek spa, Leeu Estates has a tucked-away, very exclusive vibe to it. Lounge around in the pool after your treatment, or wander the manicured lawns, before indulging in afternoon tea.

Cape Town’s Local Neighbourhoods

A road in Sea Point, Cape Town, with blue skies on a summer day. — Sea Point

33. City Bowl

Long Street, Bree Street, First Thursdays, and the noon gun as your daily reminder to start thinking about lunch, Cape Town’s inner city is effortlessly cool. It is called the City Bowl because the surrounding mountains create a natural amphitheatre, or bowl shape.

34. Sea Point

My favourite Cape Town neighbourhood, Sea Point is bustling and cosmopolitan, with a bit of everything. A seaside promenade for walking or jogging, coffee shops for days and stunning views.

35. Bo-Kaap

Colourful houses, cobblestone streets for strolling, a museum worth visiting and delicious local Cape Malay food.

36. Constantia

The gateway to the Constantia wine route, 20 minutes outside of Cape Town’s city centre, Constantia is Cape Town’s loveliest leafy suburb.

37. Kalk Bay

A seaside town about half an hour outside of the city, with a slightly boho charm to it, and lots of shops and art galleries lining the main road. Go for croissants at Olympia Cafe, lunch at the Brass Bell, or fish and chips at Lucky (or get a Gatsby).

Look out for seals sunning themselves at the harbour (don’t attempt to pet them or feed them – despite their cute looks, they are wild animals and can be very dangerous).

Western Cape Winelands

38. Franschhoek

My favourite Western Cape Winelands town, Franschhoek is endlessly chic and luxurious, with a wine route, art galleries and fine dining restaurants galore. Go for the weekend, and book a trip on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.

39. Stellenbosch

A close second for South Africa’s most delightful winelands town (and very close to my heart as I went to university here), Stellenbosch has lovely oak-lined avenues and Cape Dutch architecture. There are art galleries, cafes and restaurants, and South Africa’s largest wine route.

40. Hermanus

Hermanus is a charming town about 90 minutes from Cape Town, with a lovely cliff path walk along the coast, and is known as one of the best places in the world to see whales. Southern Right Whales are visible in the bay between June and December, and Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival every year in September.

Also, Hermanus is the gateway to the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) wine route. Although smaller than most of the others, this is one of my favourite wine routes, with some seriously underrated estates.

Ready to plan your trip?

See all my Cape Town recommendations here – food, wine, girls’ trips and local tips.