Best Things To Do in Cape Town

Cape Town, one of South Africa's most captivating capitals, is the gateway to a host of wonders. From the colourful history of this African gem to its art scene, the city and its surroundings offer a rich and varied experience.

Immerse yourself in the art scene, explore history on city tours and take in the majesty of the iconic Table Mountain. Dare to go on safari, wine tasting in Franschhoek and follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela on his island museum. This is just a glimpse of the countless wonders that await in this unique city - get ready for a journey that exceeds all expectations in Cape Town!

The first recommendation when visiting a new destination is to take a tour of the capital city, especially in a country that has not one but three capital cities. Yes, Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Cape Town are the capitals of South Africa, the latter being home to a collection of historic buildings including the South African Parliament, the National Library, the City Hall, and the National Gallery of Art. And they are all located in one place: Company's Garden.

This historic park, flanked by elegant white buildings, was the heart of the first European settlement in the city. Walk among Indian fig and tropical trees as you discover the history of the country.

There are many points of interest around the park, so it's best to take a guided tour of Cape Town so you don't miss any of them and the surrounding urban planning.

Get into the heart of South African wine culture as you explore the lands of the world's eighth largest wine producer with Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch as the focal points of this wine tour.

Sign up for some of the best day trips from Cape Town that focus on this prized grape distillate. The options are varied. The Franschhoek Wine Tram with transfers from Cape Town is my top recommendation for the variety of wineries and wineries along the way. It works in the best hop on hop off style, but instead of hopping off the bus, it's between wineries where some wine tasting awaits you.

Level up, you say? Follow the wine route to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town. Explore the Boland Basin in depth by tasting some 80 types of local wine with varietals such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. To complete your tour of Cape Town's best vineyards, don't forget to also stop by Paarl, the most relaxed area of this Cape Town wine trail.

Signing up for a safari is a tempting alternative for travellers visiting Cape Town in 5 days or more. The reason? Rhinos, antelope, wildebeest, giraffe, leopard, lion, buffalo, zebra, elephant, fox and more African wildlife - including nearly 200 birds - and the Big Five in the reserve receive millions of visitors each year in their natural habitat.

Follow the Garden Route, visit the Humanus Coast, sign up for a city music safari; experience the Aquila Game Reserve, the latter with a luxury pool and spa. Cape Town safaris are a must-do experience for tourists who want to get the most out of their trip.

With the purchase of your ticket to the Zeitz Mocaa Museum in Cape Town you are preparing to enter the fabulous world of contemporary African art. From the ground up, this museum tells a story of re-imagining the environment.

The MOCAA is housed in former grain silos built around the 1920s. The building was refurbished and transformed by the studio of renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick, who transformed the site into an imposing 57-metre-high structure that perches in front of Table Mountain, while the bustling Waterfront sits at its feet.

Opened in 2017, the Museum of Contemporary African Art is a pioneer in its exclusive dedication to African artists. Its rooms are grouped around a cylindrical space that you can admire from a glass lift or from open balconies on each floor. If you fancy a closer look at this modern, industrial gem, you can stay at the elegant Hotel Silo, with whom it shares space in the same building.

Board a cruise ship at the V&A Waterfront 's iconic Nelson Mandela Gateway and begin your adventure of exploration to the stunning Robben Island Museum, about eight kilometres off the coast of Cape Town.

This is one of the recommended activities on longer itineraries when visiting Cape Town in 7 days or more, as one day is dedicated to this activity, but it is well worth a historical tour, taking in Robben Island, which was a famous penal colony during the Dutch and British colonial eras.

Tour the grounds by bus before exploring the prison where South African freedom fighters were incarcerated, including Nelson Mandela, who spent much of his sentence there. One of the interesting facts about the visit, apart from the photographs, the leper cemetery, the walk through the cells, the hundreds of life-size bronze sculptures, and other tangible memorabilia, is that the island's story is told by former political prisoners.

Explore the cobblestone streets where descendants of Indonesians and Malaysians, who arrived in the 17th and 19th centuries, have left their mark on Cape Town in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, one of the 7 must-see Cape Town neighbourhoods according to National Geographic and Instagram. The heritage-listed houses with their pastel-coloured facades tell the story of slavery and resistance during apartheid. Indeed, their colourfulness represents freedom.

Delve into everyday life as you watch people leaving the mosque and children playing on the pavements. Learn about Cape Town's rich cuisine, enter the small Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street, which provides essential context for exploring the neighbourhood with respect. The tour of Bo-Kaap, with Signal Hill in the background, can be done on your own, and if you have your Cape Town City Pass, the tour is included in the pass.

Embark on an exciting hiking adventure on Lion's Head Mountain, the city's cone-shaped spire. Its distinctive shape gives it its name, and on your way to the top it offers a spectacular backdrop, ideal for enjoying sunsets over the ocean on a mountain less crowded in the city, and with a moderate trail.

The climb to Lion's Head is quick and relatively easy. Its trail winds its way to the top moderately and the views are changeable, so it should be enjoyed by active and recreational hikers, however, if vertigo is your thing, a helicopter flight in Cape Town may be a better option for you.

Ascend Table Mountain in the most comfortable way possible - aboard Cape Town's iconic Cable Car, more commonly known as the Table Mountain Cable Car. Since its inauguration in 1929, this ingenious mode of transport has been the preferred choice for those seeking to reach the top of this majestic 1,500-metre-high plateau included in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Within a few steps, you'll find yourself immersed in a sprawling garden that dazzles with more than a hundred multi-coloured flowers, most notably the iconic king protea, South Africa's national flower, which, incidentally, has a variety in honour of Nelson Mandela. On one side, vibrant colours and the captivating shapes of the flora; on the other, the aerial view of Cape Town and the peninsula stretching to the legendary Cape of Good Hope.

From every angle, Table Mountain stands as the undisputed emblem of Cape Town. And you can conquer it in just five minutes where a breathtaking panorama of the city and its surroundings awaits you. Take the opportunity to combine your ticket to the Table Mountain Cable Car and the Cape Town Sightseeing Bus, a convenient way to explore the city.

Topping the list of things to do in Cape Town with kids, Boulders Beach, better known as Penguin Beach, is located in Simon's Town amidst granite boulders.

BouldersBeach is a protected beach that has provided a perfect habitat for birds on its fine sandy shore since 1983. Humans and penguins live in harmony here, which is why it attracts so many tourists every year. To get to this idyllic spot, just hop off at one of Cape Town's tourist bus stops, or take a shuttle that will take you about 40 kilometres from the centre and voila, you've arrived.

Cape Town is a city of contrasts and this is felt not only in its architecture or its flora and fauna, but also in its geography, and among the best Cape Town tours, you can surf the sand dunes.

Experience an adrenaline rush as you hurtle through the dunes of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. Hop on an ATV and brave the slopes and descents of these 32km² dunes. Capture unforgettable moments as you ride along the ridges, exploring the rich indigenous flora and fauna. For something different, try sandboarding and make the most of your South African dune experience!

Hermanus is one of the top ten places in the world for whale watching, according to National Geographic, and is about 90 minutes from Cape Town.

The charming coastal town of Hermanus awaits you with an unforgettable experience along the Cliff Path. Watch the whales jump as you stroll along the coastline. And if you choose a marine animal cruise from Cape Town, you can also see dolphins, sea lions, sharks and other cetaceans. One tip if I may leave you: the best sighting season is from June to December, remember that these animals are free, so your chances of encountering them increase if you consider this season.

The most popular beach is Llandudno Beach, located just over 15km from the centre of Cape Town, this destination is flanked by Twelve Apostles Mountain and Lion's Head Mountain, both part of the 9 reasons to visit Cape Town according to Vanitatis. While taking to the water for a swim can be a challenge at Llandudno because of the cold water flowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, surfers will find it a paradise.

Another sought-after destination is Muizenberg Beach, a beautiful beach that you can spot from a distance with its multi-coloured cottages on the white sand. This beach has a family atmosphere, is quite crowded and its Blue Flag certification makes it a privileged spot.

However, don't be misled. Yes, the water is warm and lying in the sun is tempting, but much of the surfing community come here for the huge waves. The surfing community reserves a special place for it among its destinations, and National Geographic even lists it as one of the top surfing destinations in the world.

Finally, we mustn't forget Camps Bay Beach, also known as the Miami Beach of South Africa, is a very complete place. Flanked by the Twelve Apostles mountain range, this beach has fine white sand, turquoise sea, huge waves, warm temperatures, beach bars, bars and restaurants everywhere.

If you fancy a beach where regular surfers and sunbathers make peace and want to join in the local beach party, make this one of your Cape Town nightlife destinations - the fun never stops here.