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Everyone told me that I would fall in love with Cape Town and boy did I. The sun, the beaches, the wine, the food. It was love at first sight.
Cape Town is the perfect destination for any age, any gender and any group of people. It offers city, beach, culture and nature, making it one of the most popular destinations in Africa. I urge you to visit so you can fall in love too.
There are a few good things to know before you go to maximise your trip and make sure you make the best of the city – plus a few activities you simply can’t miss.
Here’s the top 10 things to do and see in Cape Town.
1. Grab yourself a 2 day pass for the City Sightseeing Bus Tour
I’ve never been a fan of the touristy open top bus approach, but arriving in Cape Town it was recommended that the City Sightseeing double decker was a cheap and easy way to get around the city.
A 2 day pass cost R415 (just over £17.50) and not only got us around for free but also included a complimentary canal cruise by the waterfront and discounts on various attractions and restaurants, whilst enjoying spectacular views we might not otherwise have seen.
2. Ride the Purple Wine Tour
If you are limited on time for exploring Cape Town’s wine region, the three vineyards on the City Sightseeing Purple Wine Tour are an excellent alternative. Groot Constantia Wine Estate is a fabulous winery that offers cheap cellar tours and tastings in stunning grounds. I fell in love with their Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2012, a rich bold bottle which I uncorked at Christmas.
A more secluded site is Eagle’s Nest Wine Farm which offers a more casual approach to wine tasting. with a gorgeous outdoor area to enjoy samples of their wines with a picnic or platter.
We opted for the Eagle’s Nest Antipasto Platter, a delicious selection of cheeses, meats, fruits and nuts. After much contemplation I decided to purchase a bottle of their crisp Sauvignon Blanc 2013 for my parents and the Merlot 2010 for my collection, a vibrant red that will benefit from maturation up to 2022.
3. Plan a trip to Boulders Beach
Everyone wants to see the famous beach of Cape Town, home to a group of uncanny creatures. When money is no object, a private car or tour will take you to the destination, however if you’re backpacking like I was, a cheap train ride is preferable.
Its no Orient Express, but if you’re up for an adventure with some picturesque views, its perfectly safe. The train to Simon’s Town leaves Cape Town’s main rail station almost every hour. It costs about R28 for a return (under £2) for the 1hr 10m journey.
Once you get to Simon’s Town (which is worth exploring in itself), its a 30-40 minute stroll to the home of the famous penguins. You could probably get a taxi but if you like a sunny walk than I encourage it.
Entry to the penguin colony is managed by SANParks and costs around R190 (£8) for international visitors. The beach is open year-round from 8am to 5pm (later in summer).
4. Watch the sunset at Signal Hill
One of my favourite memories from my trip was watching the sunset over the ocean at the peak of Signal Hill. Looking out across the waves, we even saw two whales flip their tails in the air, a truly magical moment. Unfortunately I’m not the only one who loved this experience and the place gets pretty packed very quickly.
If you want to make the most of this incredible sunset, get yourself up there early and secure your spot. We took a selection of cheeses, bread and snacks for an evening picnic, making it an even more special occasion.
Also, if you drive/take a tour bus up, don’t expect to get back down anytime soon. The narrow winding road up to the hill can get chockablock with cars trying to squeeze their way past each other. If you don’t mind a walk, its recommended to park further down.
The skies over Table Mountain with its foggy sheet are phenomenal. This particularly view was one of my favourite to date.
Check out this bus tour that includes a picnic and sunset at Signal Hill.
5. PLAN your visit to Table Mountain
I’m guessing you want to ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain? Yeah so did I *insert crying emoji*. First important thing to note – Cape Town can get real windy, meaning that the cable will randomly close. Check if its running here before you make your way up.
Secondly, the queues can be insane. On our last day we thought we’d give the mountain another shot. However on arrival we found that the queue was 4 hours long, and with a plane to catch in 6, we weren’t taking the risk. Instead I made the best of the situation and took some happy selfies with the view!
Return tickets on the cable car currently cost around R420 (£19) for adults. It’s free if you hike up via Platteklip Gorge, but allow 2–3 hours. Best time is early morning or evening for lighter crowds.
Don’t miss your chance and book your cable car tickets for Table Mountain here.
6. Eat all the fillet steak you can (unless you’re a vegetarian… then skip ahead)
Cape Town is stupidly cheap. Which means you can order all the posh food to your hearts content. I ate a huge amount of fillet steak and fresh seafood.
One of my favourites was The Bungalow, a beautiful seafront exclusive lounge where I had calamari, beef fillet with a side, and a Johnnie Walker cocktail for less than £30 – I know right (although take directions/the telephone number because our taxi driver just could not bloody find the place). I also had some great surf and turf at the V&A Waterfront.
7. See Robben Island
Similarly to Table Mountain, the ferries that take you to the famous Robben Island can also be cancelled due to a patch of wind. I again highly recommend booking in advance, you’ll be able to reuse your ticket if it closes for the day and it can be booked up for weeks at a time. We luckily got a one off slot before we had to head home!
If you’re thinking of going but aren’t sure, I would say it depends on how bothered you are about crossing it off your list. I’ve heard mixed reviews of people having amazing experiences and some thinking it was a bit of a waste of their trip, and from my own experience, I think it depends on the individual ex-prisoner who shows you around.
I’m not saying it wasn’t interesting, but our guide really droned on between talking on his phone and many of the rooms we saw genuinely looked like conference facilities! If you get a good guide, it could be an incredibly interesting experience, and seeing Nelson Mandela’s cell is equally haunting and monumental.
Tickets cost R600 (£26) for adults and include both the ferry and guided tour. Ferries usually run 9am, 11am, and 1pm, but check ahead as cancellations are common due to wind. Book weeks in advance in peak season.
If you want to book, get your ticket for the ferry and entrance here.
The views however of Cape Town from afar are most definitely worth it. We saw seals, penguins and what we were sure was a dolphin and were overwhelmed by the panoramic scenery.
8. Explore the less glamorous side of the city
Along the blue route of the City Sightseeing tour is the Imizamo Yethu Township. This shantytown is being constantly developed and funded to provide good quality homes for the residents, the majority of whom live in small corrugated iron shacks.
For a small R70 (£4) you are invited to walk around the town with a local guide who kindly showed us their schools, homes and local businesses. It was lovely to meet some of the friendly residents and lovely children, including a local church who held our hands and invited us in to sing with them to celebrate Easter Sunday.
I really recommend this tour to those who want to get a grasp of Cape Town’s culture outside of the tourist filled attractions.
9. Get a taste for local produce at the V&A Waterfront Food Market
Along the pier of the V&A Waterfront is an incredible Food Market filled with every kind of cuisine made from local produce. I was addicted to the little stands within the two storey structure, eating everything from individually flavoured samosas to homemade Indian curry.
It’s also worth popping into the Watershed next door, an amazing space filled with a vast selection of crafts, fashion, jewellery and more.
10. Don’t forget to relax and take it all in!
There’s so much to do in Cape Town that sometimes you can forget to have a relaxed afternoon on the beach and take in the beautiful surroundings. Camps Bay is perfect for a day of soaking up the sun, with top seafood restaurants, a stunning rock pool and large shopping promenade to entertain. I wish I’d had more time to chill on this lovely part of the city.
Lifeguards are on duty in summer, and the water can be chilly even on hot days. Parking fills up quickly, so go early.
Other things to do in Cape Town
If you have more time, here are some extra activities worth adding to your list:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – one of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens, with walking trails and summer concerts.
Chapman’s Peak Drive – a scenic coastal road perfect for a hire car or bike ride.
Bo-Kaap – the colourful Cape Malay district, with cooking classes and heritage tours.
Two Oceans Aquarium – great for families, showcasing marine life from both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Cape Point – dramatic scenery at the very tip of the Cape Peninsula, part of Table Mountain National Park.
District Six Museum – powerful history lesson on apartheid-era forced removals.
Suggested 3-day Cape Town itinerary
Day 1:
Morning: Take the City Sightseeing bus to get your bearings and visit some wineries
Afternoon: Visit the V&A Waterfront, food market, and Watershed.
Evening: Watch the sunset from Signal Hill with a picnic.
Day 2:
Morning: Ride the Table Mountain cable car or hike up.
Afternoon: Head to Camps Bay for beach time.
Evening: Treat yourself to a seafood dinner at The Bungalow or V&A Waterfront.
Day 3:
Full-day trip: Take the train or a tour to Boulders Beach and Cape Point.
Evening: Return to Cape Town and relax with cocktails at Empire Riverside or Clockers.
FAQs about visiting Cape Town
Where is Cape Town and what is it famous for?
Cape Town is located at the southwestern tip of South Africa, beneath the iconic Table Mountain. It’s famous for its beaches, wine, history, and vibrant culture.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
October to March is the warm, dry season with long sunny days. For whale watching, visit July–September.
Is Cape Town safe?
Yes, but like any major city, stay alert. Stick to tourist-friendly areas, use Uber or taxis at night, and avoid carrying valuables in plain sight.
Does Cape Town have Christmas markets?
Yes! The V&A Waterfront hosts festive markets from late November through December, with food stalls, live music, and local crafts.
Have you been to Cape Town? If so what made you fall in love with it?
7 Responses
It was love at first sight for me too! One of my favourite places ever!
It really is one of the most beautiful places!
Ooooh this is making me want to go back so badly!! Nothing beats the food there! xx
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You should lovely! It’s so damn delicious x
I’m South African (living in London) and Cape Town is one of my favourite cities! We went twice last year alone. The people, food, wine and landscape is just amazing… not to mention value for money with the exchange rate! My top tip would be to explore just an hour out of Cape Town and visit the winelands – Franschhoek being my top choice.
So lovely to hear! I would definitely want to go back and explore the winelands!
I can’t wait to go to Cape Town.. have started my trip preparations already!)
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