Affectionately known as South Africa’s “Mother City”, Cape Town is a must-visit destination. Cape Town is loved by travellers from all over the world for its natural beauty, friendly locals and laidback lifestyle. Most Expat Explore tours through South Africa spend some time in glorious Cape Town. For this reason, we’ve put together a handy travel guide with our top picks for things to see and do in the Mother City!
Here are the best things to do in Cape Town:
Admire the views from the top of Table Mountain
Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most iconic landmark. Named one of the world’s 7 New Natural Wonders, Table Mountain gets its name from its unusually flat top. The imposing mountain often dons a “table cloth” when the clouds roll in. Locals will tell you to “follow the mountain” when driving into the city. The mountain peaks out from all angles and provides pleasant views on most drives.
Adventurous travellers can enjoy a hike to the top with literally hundreds of routes to choose from! Then, abseil down the side of the mountain! For a more leisurely trip, take a cable car ride and admire the vistas all the way up. At the top, marvel at the spectacular city and ocean views as well as an exceptional variety of plant species. There’s even a café and souvenir shop on the flat mountain top which is about 3km long in total!
Related: You may be surprised to learn these 10 interesting facts about South Africa!
Go wine tasting
South Africa is one of the world’s most exciting and respected new world wine regions. The Cape Winelands are simply breathtaking and home to over 500 registered wineries! These range from large, renowned estates to small, boutique vineyards. While exploring these wineries, you simply have to try Pinotage – South Africa’s signature variety. Pinotage is a unique red wine grape that blends Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.
The close proximity of the Winelands to the city centre is a huge draw for wine-loving travellers. Just a 40-minute to an hour drive will take you into the stunning wine regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and beyond! You can even hop aboard the vintage Franschhoek wine tram to tick off multiple estates in the area. Constantia and Durbanville are also home to many celebrated wineries, including Groot Constantia – South Africa’s oldest wine farm. These suburbs are even closer to the city and will only take you 20-30 minutes to get to!
Related: These are the world’s most incredible wine regions.
Swim in two different oceans and explore diverse coastlines
Cape Town is home to many spectacular beaches. It is also a very popular destination for surfing and other water sports. Blouberg beach is actually the kitesurfing capital of the world! However, for the casual beach goer, the water at beaches like Blouberg may be way too chilly to swim in. This is because the Cape peninsula is home to two oceans: the Indian and the Atlantic. Muizenberg beach is home to the Indian ocean making a dip far more pleasant.
Some of the most striking coastal beauty in South Africa can be seen around Cape Point. This gorgeous area is home to sandstone cliffs, fascinating bird and plant life, an old (and new) lighthouse and spectacular ocean views. From atop these cliffs you’ll be able to see both oceans! If you’re joining one of our South Africa tours, such as our South Africa Escape, join our optional Cape Peninsula Day Trip. This excursion features a scenic coastal drive from Cape Town to Cape Point and a walk or ride on the Flying Dutchman funicular up to the upper lighthouse.
Did you know: The Cape Peninsula is also the backdrop for the Two Oceans Marathon, known as the world’s most beautiful marathon! Find out more about the ultra-marathon or half-marathon on their website.
Discover the world’s largest collection of contemporary African art
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is housed in a former grain silo within the always vibrant V&A Waterfront. This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary African art. It is also the largest museum to showcase African art in the world. These fascinating artworks can be seen in the museum’s rotating, temporary exhibits as well as in its permanent collection. While visiting Zeitz MOCAA, aside from admiring its impressive selection of artworks, you can also enjoy the gift shop, restaurant and rooftop sculpture garden.
The building itself is a sight to behold with its towering concrete pillars and industrial facade. The interior is just as spellbinding with its cylindrical silo structures emanating light. The luxurious Silo Hotel, which occupies six floors above the museum, is also worth a visit. Take in the views with a drink in hand from the rooftop or indulge in an elegant high tea!
Experience incredible marine life
Tourists from all over the world flock to South Africa to witness wildlife in its natural habitat! While lions don’t roam the Cape Town streets as some travellers may think, there are still plenty of glorious natural sights everywhere you look. Especially when it comes to Cape Town’s oceans which are home to the Marine Big 5 – whale, shark, seal, penguin and dolphin. It’s not uncommon to witness whales, sharks, seals and dolphins from the beachfront and many seals frolic in the waters of the V&A Waterfront. For penguin sightings, look no further than the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, visited on the Cape Peninsula day tour. You can actually swim with the penguins at a few of the adjacent beaches in this area!
One of the best places on earth to go whale watching is in Hermanus. This small coastal town is situated around 2 hours outside of Cape Town. Our South Africa Escape and Cape Town and the Garden Route tours travel through Hermanus and offer travellers the opportunity to join a Marine Eco Big 5 optional excursion. Take a boat trip with a knowledgeable biologist and learn all about the incredible Southern Right whales that breed in this area, as well as the rest of the Marine Big 5 which are likely to be spotted!
Related: Can’t wait to see African wildlife? Here’s what to pack for a South African safari!
Explore the city centre and the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood
In the heart of Cape Town lies the city centre. It’s a bustling mix of historic buildings, boutique stores, trendy bars, restaurants and museums. While the city centre is small, there is so much to see and do in the area that you could easily spend a few days just wandering around. Greenmarket square is the perfect place to shop for local crafts and souvenirs. While Bree, Long and Kloof street are full of local stores, eateries and galleries. For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle, visit the Company’s Garden, the city’s green lung and South Africa’s oldest garden. Here, walk among the lush lawns and rose garden. See trees that have stood for hundreds of years, feed the squirrels, or enjoy tea and cake at the Company’s Garden restaurant. Visiting the CBD is the best way to experience local life in Cape Town!
Just next to the CBD is the colourful Bo-Kaap. Known for its rainbow-coloured houses, the Bo-Kaap is historically the centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. You can learn more about the Cape Malay community at the Bo-Kaap Museum. With its charming mosques, murals and local shops and cafés filled with irresistible Malay spices, a visit to the Bo-Kaap will surely brighten your day!
Related: Watch our co-founders Carl and Jakes recommend 5 things to do in and around Cape Town!
Learn about South Africa’s history at a museum
While South Africa’s history is often dark and tragic, it is vital to learn about it in order to understand how the country has evolved into the Rainbow Nation it is today. Possibly the most important museum is the Robben Island Museum, formerly the Robben Island Prison. This is where former South African president and celebrated freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Visits need to be booked well ahead of time and usually include a tour of the island with a knowledgeable tour guide as well as a tour of the prison with a former political prisoner. Just be aware that the wind also needs to be favourable for the boat ride to the island.
Other fantastic museums include the District Six Museum, which documents the forced removals of a close, vibrant community from the area during Apartheid, and the 18 Gangster Museum which features installations curated by ex-gangsters. To delve into some ancient history, visit the Iziko South African Museum to see fossils, meteorite samples, whale skeletons and more!
Related: Discover more historic and heritage sites around South Africa.
Rent a bicycle
Cyclists will feel right at home in Cape Town with a wide variety of gorgeous cycling routes around the city. These routes range from easy to challenging and are suitable for all types of cyclists. The Sea Point Promenade is perfect for a leisurely, flat ride of around 7km along the stunning coastline. At the iconic Green Point lighthouse, cyclists can either turn around or continue onwards to the tranquil Green Point Urban Park. You can extend this route even further by starting in the seaside suburb of Hout Bay and cycling through the picturesque Bakoven, Clifton, Camps Bay and Bantry Bay areas, with plenty of options to stop for a cuppa along the way. Then, cycle the Sea Point route and continue onwards to the CBD.
In a city full of marvellous mountains, mountain bikers will be in their element. Take to the trails of Table Mountain to explore the city’s most famous mountain in a truly epic way. Cycle through fairytale forests in Tokai and Newlands or the majestic Jonkershoek mountains in Stellenbosch. Or, head to the Winelands and cycle through the vineyards, many of which rent out bikes and frequently host cycling events.
Did you know: The annual Cape Town Cycle Tour is the world’s largest timed cycle race! Find out how to sign up on their website.
Taste local cuisine and eat at award-winning restaurants
There is truly something for every palette within Cape Town’s celebrated culinary scene. Many Cape Town restaurants have been listed on the World’s Best Restaurants lists such as La Colombe and Fyn. While on the pricier side, Cape Town’s fine dining spots can still be affordable for tourists, considering currency conversion rates. However, you don’t have to visit a fine dining establishment to taste award-winning food. Truth Café has often been named the world’s best coffee shop and is loved for its strong roasts and captivating steampunk decor. Another popular café is Honest Chocolate Café, famously visited on an episode of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. This chocolatier makes ethical, bean to bar chocolate and offers a small but decadent menu of chocolate treats and drinks.
As South Africa is such a diverse country, you can find delicious food from all over the world in its capital. However, there are certain local dishes that you cannot leave Cape Town without trying! If you’re a meat eater, you simply have to try biltong (cured dried meat) and an authentic South African braai (barbeque). South Africa’s national dish is bobotie, a Cape Malay curry of mince, dried fruit like raisins or sultanas and a deliciously creamy egg topping. Then, there’s the legendary Cape Town Gatsby – a supersized sandwich consisting of a footlong loaf of bread and loaded with fries, meat, eggs and salad! You’ll never go hungry in Cape Town!
Can’t wait to get acquainted with South Africa’s extraordinary Mother City? Our South Africa Escape, Taste of South Africa and Cape Town and the Garden Route tours all include time in beautiful Cape Town! Should you wish to extend your stay in Cape Town before or after the tour, have a look at booking.com for affordable accommodation options.