30 AMAZING Things To Do in Cape Town 

Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson

Heading to Cape Town?

I remember landing here and being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to do in and around the city! But now, after living here since 2021, I think it’s safe to say I’ve had time to explore.

So now, I’ve put together this list of my favourite things to do in Cape Town. I have done everything on this list myself at least once – and more often than not, multiple times! These are all experiences that I genuinely think are worth your time, because every moment in Cape Town is valuable. Let’s get into it!

My Personal Favourites
These are the activities I always recommend to friends and family who come to visit!

1. Heading up Table Mountain
2. Winery hopping on the infamous Franschhoek wine tram
3. Visiting the beautiful Clifton Beaches
4. Going to see the penguins at Boulders Beach
5. Exploring the iconic Bo Kaap area with a local who grew up there!

1) Table Mountain Cableway 

I must admit, starting off with Table Mountain does feel a bit cliché, but it has to be done.

Table Mountain is a huge, flat-topped mountain that overlooks the city of Cape Town. It’s visible from all over the city, so heading to the top is a must!

The famous Table Mountain Cableway takes you right to the top of the mountain in about 90 seconds. I still think they missed out by not calling it the “Table Car”, though.

I always go up in the cable car later on in the afternoon, because it gets so busy in the morning! I also buy my tickets online because it’s slightly cheaper that way. The prices are as follows:

Then, at the top, I usually take about an hour or so to walk around and explore. You can even hike to Maclear’s Beacon if the weather’s good, or take one of the free tours that leave on the hour between 9 am – 3 pm. Then, I usually grab a beer from the bar and enjoy the views!

If you prefer, you can also book a guided tour of Table Mountain which includes hotel pickup and pre-booked cable car tickets! You’ll be with a friendly local guide who will teach you all about the mountain’s history and wildlife to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

2. Hike Table Mountain 

The cable car is a great, but as someone who lives a pretty active lifestyle, I also really enjoy hiking up Table Mountain. Make no mistake, I’m not a pro-hiker, but you don’t need to be!

There are four main routes up Table Mountain:

• Platteklip Gorge
• Kasteelspoort
• Skeleton Gorge
• India Venster

Personally, I loved India Venster the most, but it’s a pretty challenging route due to the scrambling involved, so I went on this guided hike. My guide, Patrick, was a really great guy and I don’t think I would have made it to the top without him. The route ends near the cable car, so you don’t have to hike back down.

Kasteelspoort is definitely easier, and it’s absolutely stunning. However, it doesn’t end near the cableway, so I climbed back down rather than hiking for another two hours across the mountaintop. There’s no shade, so as a redhead it was just too risky.

Skeleton Gorge starts in Kirstenbosch Gardens, so it’s not the most convenient hike if you’re staying centrally, but it is very beautiful.

Platteklip Gorge is the most popular route up, as it’s the most straightforward one and it ends near the cable car!

If, like me, you’re directionally challenged, then the best thing to do is book a guided hike! I like this one because you can choose your own adventure and pick either an easy or an adventurous route. It’s also safer to go with a guide, so that’s another win.

3. Do the Franschhoek Wine Tram 

My all-time favourite experience in Cape Town is the Franschhoek wine tram!

Franschhoek is a gorgeous wine region about an hour from the city, and hopping between the wineries on the tram is SO. MUCH. FUN.

You can stay overnight in Franschhoek, but I’ve also done the wine tram several times on a day trip from Cape Town – once, I even did it twice in the same week!

If you want to stay in Franschhoek, be sure to check out my 3-day itinerary here, which of course includes the wine tram.

There are a bunch of different wine tram routes available, but my personal favourite is the Navy Line. This is largely because it stops at Bartinney, which is the most beautiful winery I have ever been to. The views are just insane, and last time I did the wine tram my friends and I ended up spending a full 3 hours here.

To do the wine tram on a day trip from Cape Town, I usually book the wine tram explorer tour, as it includes tram tickets and return transport from the V&A Waterfront. I’ve got a full review of the experience here with more details on timings and logistics, but the fact I’ve done it three times probably tells you just how much I love it!

You can grab your spot on the wine tram here, with free cancellation!

4. Relax on the Beach

On any given Sunday during the summer time, you can usually find me on one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches.

I usually head to the Clifton Beaches because they’re in the city and they’re stunningly beautiful, but less busy than Camps Bay. Clifton 4th beach is the best one for swimming, but it does get busy, whereas it’s usually quieter down on 1st or 2nd beach. I’m not saying quiet, but quieter for sure!

I also like Glen Beach, which is nestled between Clifton and Camps Bay but tends to get far fewer visitors.

And if you don’t mind a longer drive or Uber ride, I also love Llandudno Beach, which is about 15-20 minutes south of Camps Bay. It’s super pretty and definitely quieter, but you can still rent umbrellas and sunbeds. It can take a while to find parking, though, and we usually have to leave the car a 5-10 minute walk from the beach.

5. Check out the V&A Waterfront 

The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s major entertainment district, based around the harbour. It’s generally a pretty upscale area with a huge mall and lots of restaurants, and most of the city’s boat tours leave from here as well.

In fact, many of the best things to do in Cape Town are located around the Waterfront. You’ll probably see this area cropping up quite a lot throughout this blog post! 

I would say that I most often come to the Waterfront to visit the Oranjezicht Market, which I’ll talk more about later on in this post. I also highly recommend taking a sunset champagne cruise from here, which again, I’ll discuss in more depth later.

Now, I’ll be honest, this is probably the most polished and touristy part of Cape Town. However, that’s not to say that locals never go here! Sometimes, my friends and I just pitch up here on a sunny afternoon and see what takes our fancy – usually beer tasting at Den Anker or wine and pasta at Life Grand.

6. Hike Lion’s Head 

Lion’s Head is an iconic part of Cape Town’s skyline, and it’s so much fun to hike. The route to the summit takes you around the mountain (twice!), which means you get 360° views of the entire city.

You’ll need 2-3 hours to get up and down Lion’s Head, and during summer I always try to go before 8 am to beat the heat. Your smartwatch won’t say you’ve done that many steps but I promise, you’ll get a decent workout!

To find the trail, head to the parking lot. Then, when you turn to face the mountain, you’ll see that there are two trailheads. Take the one on the left, and then it’s a straightforward uphill path for about half of the hike.

The second half of the climb is rockier, and there are a couple of ladders to climb up along the way. Don’t worry, they’re securely in place!

Once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the entire city! I’ve done this hike multiple times and I’m still always wowed every time I reach the summit.

As for what to wear, I usually opt for my running trainers – you don’t need serious hiking gear or anything. And I always wear activewear, because I end up pretty sweaty every time.

Lion’s Head is really safe to climb during the day but you do need to be careful if you want to do it at sunrise or sunset. So if this is something you’re interested in, I recommend that you join this top-rated guided hike so you don’t miss out!

7. Explore Stellenbosch 

Stellenbosch is another iconic Cape Winelands region, and the town itself is home to one of the most famous universities in South Africa!

Stellenbosch is 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Cape Town, so it takes just under an hour to drive here. I’ve visited both on day trips from the city and stayed overnight.

If you’ve only got time for a day trip, I totally recommend doing the Stellenbosch wine tractor. It was a unique way to go wine tasting, and we got to visit four beautiful wineries! The pace was really relaxed too, so we didn’t have to rush.

Day trips are a lot of fun, but nothing beats staying at a winery. I recently stayed at Eikendal Vineyards and it was so dreamy. We didn’t have to rush around, and we just had a lovely few days of wine tasting, gorgeous scenery, and amazing food – read my full review here!

As for which wineries to visit, well, you’re spoiled for choice here! If you’re doing the tractor, I highly recommend Peter Falke, as it has such a lovely tasting garden replete with beanbags to lounge on.

However, I would be remiss not to mention Quoin Rock, which totally blew me away. It’s a gorgeous, modern winery with incredible views, and we did an amazing MCC tasting here. Our server, SK, was so lovely and even gave us another complimentary glass of white at the end!

8. See the Penguins at Boulders Beach 

Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is home to a colony of adorable African penguins – how cool is that?

The beach is about 45 minutes from Cape Town, and it’s covered in boardwalks that you can stroll along to get up close to these cute little birds. You can’t actually touch them, but that wouldn’t be advisable even if it were allowed!

This is a year-round activity. I’ve been in both the summer and the winter… and I actually got better weather in the winter!

Entry prices are as follows:

Boulders Beach is outside of the city, further down the Cape Peninsula. I like to make a day of it, so when friends and family come to visit I usually drive them there via Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive. It takes a bit longer to get there, but this is one of the most beautiful roads I’ve ever seen, so it’s definitely worth it.

But if you’re not planning on hiring a car, no worries! When my friend, Liam, came to visit, we decided not to hire a car and went to Boulders Beach on this tour, which also took us to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. You can check out my in-depth review here!

9. Explore Bo Kaap with a Local

Bo Kaap is a historically working class, Cape Malay neighbourhood that’s now famed for its brightly coloured houses.

Bo Kaap is one of the oldest residential areas in Cape Town, although it was once much bigger than it is today. It was founded by Jan de Waal, who built homes for enslaved people on the slopes of Signal Hill. It was a real melting pot of cultures, so the residents were collectively termed “Cape Malay.”

Most of the people who moved settled were Muslim, and several Mosques were built in the area as a result. This is also the reason why it wasn’t bulldozed like District 6 was during Apartheid!

In my opinion, the best way to explore Bo Kaap is with someone who grew up here on this local-led walking tour! The whole operation is organised and led by Bo Kaap residents, so it’s an awesome way to support the locals. I mean, they have to put up with a lot of tourists visiting their neighbourhood every day, so I strongly believe that they should be the ones who profit from it!

I did this tour with my mum and sister when they came to visit me, and we learned so much about Bo Kaap’s heritage and character. Our guide, Sedick, was born and raised here, and he was able to share so many personal stories. His pride in his community really shone through, and exploring with him was so much more meaningful than just wandering around by ourselves. You can read my in-depth review of this tour here.

Plus, at just an hour long, this tour was really easy to slot into our schedule. For more on that, check out my Cape Town itineraries!

10. Go kayaking

Kayaking is not only a great workout, it’s one of the best ways to see dolphins in Cape Town!

There are a couple of different choices available, but I think that the easiest thing to do is join this tour that leaves from the V&A Waterfront. It’s a top-rated experiences and the guys who run the tour are really fun and laid back, so you’ll be in good hands with them.

When I went kayaking, I saw dolphins, a sunfish, seals, and even a penguin. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale! Plus, you get unparalleled views of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head from out on the water.

The kayaks also have rudders which makes them easy to steer – much easier than I was expecting, actually! And at just R600 per person, it’s a pretty affordable way thing to do. Views, marine life, and a workout – what more could you want?

11. Watch the sunset at Saunders Rockpool 

Saunders Rock Beach is a fantastic spot for both swimming and sunsets. It’s a rocky beach with a man-made pool to swim in. The water is super cold, as is the norm in Cape Town, so I don’t often take the plunge myself. Still, Saunders is a lovely picnic spot, and I often come here on a Friday night with friends to watch the sunset.

It’s usually busy when I arrive around Golden Hour, but the cold plungers often start to head home as the sun sets. Dogs aren’t technically allowed here, but I don’t think I’ve ever been to Saunders without meeting at least one furry friend, so take that with a pinch of salt.

The beach located at the end of the promenade where Sea Point meets Bantry Bay. You can usually find parking nearby, although you might struggle during late December and early January, because this is peak tourist season.

12. The Constantia Wine Bus

Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are super famous, but don’t miss the chance to go wine tasting in Constantia while you’re in Cape Town!

Constantia is one of Cape Town’s southern suburbs, and it’s only about 25 minutes from the city centre. You can drive or Uber there, but my favourite way to explore this wine region is to hop aboard the Constantia wine bus!

I’ve got a full guide to the Constantia wine bus right here but I’ll give you the abridged version now:

The wine bus is basically a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour. The sightseeing city bus has three different routes, all of which start outside the Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront. Hop on the Blue route, which will take you to Constantia, and then when you arrive there you’ll change over to a smaller bus (aka the Purple route) which takes you between wine farms.

I love the wine bus because it’s a bit more relaxed and flexible than the wine trams. Buses run roughly every 20 minutes, and there are only three wineries on the route, which means you can take your time and just move on whenever you’re ready. It’s so much fun!

I always head to Silvermist first, then continue onto Groot Constantia, which is the oldest winery in Cape Town! My favourite thing about wine tasting at Groot Constantia is that you actually get a free wine glass to keep – how cool is that?

Then, I save the best for last – and by that, I mean Beau Constantia. This is a stunning modern winery with views for days! I suggest booking your tasting here as they do get pretty busy. Saying that, I’ve also turned up without a booking before and just ordered a glass of wine to enjoy out on the grass or the terrace.

13. Enjoy a Sundowner at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa 

If you ask me, there are few things better in life than watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand. Fortunately, the Leopard Bar at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa is perfect for this! It’s just north of Camps Bay, and it’s a super quiet spot where I’ve never needed a reservation.

Cocktails cost between R100-R180 rand, which is quite pricey for Cape Town, but you’ve got to remember you’re paying for the view. I recommend the Bloody Mary or Piña Colada.

14. Reverie Social Table

Reverie Social Table is THE best dining experience I’ve ever had in Cape Town.

It’s a chef-led dinner party where you enjoy a 5-course dinner with a bunch of people you’ve never met before! The food is prepared by a super talented chef, who actually lives upstairs from the restaurant. Everything is seasonal and sourced from the Western Cape, so the menu changes often. I’ve been twice, and the food was totally different each time!

And this is South Africa we’re talking about, so of course each dish is paired with local wine. The staff come round and top you up regularly, so I must admit I’ve always left feeling very tipsy at the end of the night.

But beyond the excellent food and drink, what makes this experience stand out to me is the chance to meet and make merry with people from all over the world. In fact, I’m still in touch with a couple of people I’ve met through Reverie Social Table!

Both times I’ve been to Reverie, I’ve also met travelers who say they come back to the Social Table every time they’re in Cape Town. In fact, I met one couple who were on their fifth consecutive year here. That should give you an idea of just how wonderful this dining eperience is!

15. Stroll around Dewaterkant 

De Waterkant is such a lovely area. Admittedly, I might be a bit biased because this is where I live, but come on – look a how pretty those pastel-coloured cottages are! It’s such a privilege to live in one of them.

De Waterkant is a small enclave on the slopes of Signal Hill, between Green Point and the CBD. It’s also probably the safest neighbourhood in Cape Town, because there’s 24/7 security patrolling the streets. I’ve always felt so safe here, even at night.

I also love the abundance of cute cafes and boutiques in this area. I definitely recommend grabbing a Vietnamese coffee at Yen’s, as that stuff is the real deal – and I should know, I lived in Vietnam!

Meanwhile, Yoga Life draws a lot of visitors to De Waterkant, and then just opposite the studio you’ve got Manhattan’s, which is probably Cape Town’s best-loved gay bar. There’s always such a fun and friendly atmosphere here, and I really like their food as well!

16. Go Ziplining in Constantia

Ziplining in Cape Town is one of the best ways to combine an adrenaline fix with beautiful views!  This course takes you across the Constantia Valley on a series of 7 ziplines, with views of the mountains and Table Mountain from angles you don’t usually get to see.

I had had this on my Cape Town bucket list for ages before I finally booked it with friends, but when we got up on the first platform, I think we were all wondering why on Earth we had signed up for it! However, there’s no freefall involved, so by the time we had done the first two ziplines, our fear was a thing of that past. For the full story, you can read my in-depth zipline review here!

The experience lasts around 2 hours in total, including a 4×4 ride up the mountain. I won’t lie, it’s very bumpy, but it’s all part of the fun! Then the ziplines themselves are fairly long, reaching over 2.3 km in total. The last one is the longest, at around 500 metres! 

It’s also really well run. Our guides, Pam and Mesuli, were great and made us feel really comfortable and secure. This is a great experience for beginners and kids over 6 are welcome to join, so it’s a fun thing for families to do. You don’t just have to take my word for it, either, because you can read 4,400+ 5-star reviews here!

17. Go On a Marine Safari

Cape Town is home to an array of marine life, and so on a friend’s birthday I booked this marine safari in an attempt to see as much of it as possible.

We went during the summer so I didn’t think we would see whales… and I have never been happier to be wrong!

We saw FOUR whales! One of them was so close to our boat I think I could have reached out and touched it.

As well as whales, we saw a pod of dolphins, lots of seals, and some cute African penguins. It was a truly incredible experience, and so much better than I was expecting.

And what sets this marine safari apart from others you can book is that it departs from the V&A Waterfront, right here in the city. We saw all of these amazing creatures in just 90 minutes, whereas other experiences I’ve looked at take you way out of Cape Town and involve a lot of sitting in a van. Seriously, I can’t recommend this one enough – you can read my full review here.

18. Tour Robben Island

Cape Town may feel like the happiest place on Earth, but as I’m sure you know, its history isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Just off of the Atlantic Coast sits Robben Island, which was used as a political prison – and, at points, a leper colony – during colonial and Apartheid rule. Its most famous political prisoner was none other than Nelson Mandela himself, who served 18 of his 27-year sentence here.

I’ll be honest, a tour of Robben Island is a pretty bleak experience, but it’s also important to recognise and learn about South African history. For the first part of the tour, we were taken around the island on a bus, and then during the second half we visited the cell blocks and saw where the prisoners ate, slept, washed, and were punished. At the end of the tour, we even saw Nelson Mandela’s cell.

Showing us around was a former political prisoner, who was sent to the island at just 16 years old. It was fascinating to hear first-hand accounts of what life in the prison was like, and it was inspiring to learn how inmates fought so hard to continue their education while imprisoned here.

Tours to Robben Island leave from the V&A Waterfront. Now, I could try to recommend an affiliate tour but to be honest, I strongly recommend booking direct with Robben Island Museum. It’s a lot cheaper – in fact, sometimes third party sites charge twice as much!

I’d also suggest booking one for earlier on during your Cape Town trip, because ferry crossings sometimes get cancelled due to bad weather. You’ll be able to reschedule for free, so just make sure you have enough days left.

If not, you can always opt for a refund. When my friend, Liam, came to visit, we planned to go to Robben Island on his last day and the trip got cancelled. It was a big disappointment, but we did get our money back within a couple of days.

One final thing to note is that you need your passport in order to go to Robben Island! I stupidly forgot mine when I went with my mum and sister, but thankfully the staff accepted a photo of it on my phone.

19. Visit Elgin Valley

The Elgin Valley is an underrated place to go wine-tasting in Cape Town. It’s quiet, scenic, and the cool climate wines here are even better than those in Constantia, Stellenbosch, or Franschhoek.

Elgin is about an hour outside of Cape Town, and it’s super quiet and peaceful. We stayed for two nights at the Paul Wallace wine farm, which was a really nice place to stay. They had some very friendly dogs on site, especially Benji the cocker spaniel! 

As for the wineries we went to, our favourite was Almenkirk, which has stunning views and some of the best red wine that I’ve ever had. We also went to Oak Valley twice because we were obsessed with their riesling. 

But Elgin has more to offer than just wine! You can actually book a historic steam train ride from Cape Town and visit the beloved Railway Market. On the way there and back, you’ll have lovely views of Table Mountain, False Bay, and Sir Lowry’s Pass, plus a great selection of wine and snacks on board to enjoy. Don’t eat too much though, as you’ll definitely want to grab some food at the market itself.

20. Go SUPping at the Waterfront

If you’re looking to combine a great core workout with a little bit of sightseeing, then SUPping at the Waterfront is a great way to go about it. We booked this paddle boarding session in Battery Park and then headed out on a 3-kilometre loop around the canals, which took about an hour.

It was so much fun! I had only been paddle boarding once before I did this, but the water in the canals is very calm so it was quite easy. I loved seeing the Waterfront from a different angle, although I definitely felt a bit jealous gliding past all of the nice hotels and fancy apartments!

We also saw the resident otter, who is a bit of a menace just FYI.

It costs around R300 to rent a board for an hour, and you’ll need to book in advance. The staff will give you a quick tutorial before you head out. The tour operates all year round but it is weather dependent, so you won’t be able to go when the Cape Doctor is acting up. 

21. Paragliding 

Oh my gosh. Paragliding in Cape Town was an insane experience!

It had been on my bucket list for a while, and then my friend got me a voucher for my birthday, so there was no way I could chicken out.

This top-rated flight is the same one that my friend booked for me. We launched from Signal Hill, and I won’t lie to you, I was super nervous. I was quite scared that there was going to be some free fall involved, but there wasn’t. My instructor and I just ran down the side of Signal Hill together until the wind caught us, and suddenly we were up, up, and away!

In fact, I would say that the experience felt a bit like being on a zipline, as you’re kind of sitting in the harness.

The views are really pretty, too. You fly over Sea Point and land on the prom, with views of the mountains behind you and the ocean in front.

The flight only lasted for about five minutes but boy oh boy, what a five minutes it was! I was on such a high when I landed.

For more details, you can read my full review of paragliding in Cape Town here, but I definitely recommend giving it a go while you’re in town.

22. Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Kirstenbosch Gardens are world-famous botanical gardens at the base of Table Mountain, close to the Constantia wine valley. There are lots of scenic walking trails through the gardens, including a treetop canopy walk which offers stunning views of the gardens and Table Mountain. 

The gardens are open from 8 am – 7pm. It costs:

• R250 for an adult admission ticket
• R100 for South African and SADC residents
• R40 for kids aged 6+
• Free for kids aged 0-5

If you’re in Cape Town during the summer, it’s definitely worth trying to catch one of the Kirstenbosch concerts. I saw the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra here and it was wonderful! We packed a picnic and spent most of the afternoon just soaking up the sun as we enjoyed the music.

Meanwhile, the Galileo Open Air Cinema also often plays movies in Kirstenbosch Gardens, which is a really cute idea for a date night. You can catch lots of classic rom coms, like Pretty Woman or Notting Hill, or action movies and musicals. 

Tickets cost R180, including a backrest and blanket. I saw Almost Famous here and had so much fun with my friends. It was the perfect thing to do on a summer evening. We brought a picnic, although we also ended up grabbing some pizza while we were there, and the whole event was so well run. For more info, you can read my full review here!

23. Visit Cape Point + Cape of Good Hope

Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope are dramatic headlands at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. They’re both very famous, and visiting them makes for a fun day trip!

I actually visited both of these sites on this take this Cape Peninsula tour, which also included a visit to Boulders Beach. You can read my full review here, but basically, I think it’s a good option if you don’t want to rent a car and drive yourself.

Cape Point is a rocky promontory with a lighthouse that offers great views of the area. We took the furnicular up to the top because it was raining, but you can always walk up instead! Even on a grizzly day, I could appreciate how beautiful it was, but I would like to go and see it again in better weather.

Then, the Cape of Good Hope is often mistaken as the southern tip of Africa, or the place where the two oceans meet. It’s neither of these things, but it is a very famous Cape. Its name is somewhat ironic, though, as there are believed to be between 1,000 – 3,000 shipwrecks in these waters, due to the stormy weather.

Whether you drive or take a tour, you’ll need to pay entry to the Cape Point Nature Reserve in order to access these sites. The fees are currently:

• R515 for internationals
• R225 for SADC residents
• R110 for South African residents

24. Hang out at the Oranjezicht Market 

Pretty much all Capetonians love the Oranjezicht Market. It’s an upscale farmer’s market at the Waterfront with dozens stalls from local businesses. And it has just moved to a brand new, purpose-built location as of December 2025 because it was just getting too popular for its own good.

The market is open on weekend mornings, and on Wednesday nights during the summer. I like to come early because it gets so busy, although there is a lot more seating in the new location. Finding a table in the old spot was like an Olympic sport during the summer months!

One of the the biggest draws of the market is the food. In fact, I often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices on offer when I visit, but I always make sure to grab a pastel de nata from the Vadas Bakery. They are INSANELY good – literally everyone in Cape Town knows about them. 

There are also some SUPER cute clothes stalls here. My favourite is Pretty Casual. In fact, I love their linen co-ords so much that I have the same one in two different colours, plus a golfing jumper and a dungaree dress.

25. Party!

I love the nightlife in Cape Town. So whether you want to drink at a dive bar or go for upscale cocktails, this city has you covered.

I recommend heading out on buzzing Kloof Street. It’s a fun and mostly safe place to party! Van Hunks is my all-time favourite and the drinks here are really cheap, but if you feel like something more upscale, head to Asoka. Or if you’re a cool kid, you’ll find kindred spirits at Blondie.

I also really like going out in Sea Point. The nightlife scene has definitely expanded here over the past few years. We usually start at Arthur’s Mini Super for a late afternoon bev, then go to Maggy Lou’s for a pickletini before ending up with mezcal cocktail sat Una Mas. It’s such a fun little bar crawl, and it’s safe to do it all on foot!

I could go on and on but this would be a terribly long post, so if you’d like some more suggestions, be sure to check out this post on Cape Town’s most unique watering holes.

26. Hike Kloof Corner at Sunset

Watching the sunset at Kloof Corner is insanely beautiful. Not only that, it’s got a great effort-to-reward ratio!

It only takes 20 minutes to walk up to the viewpoint, although it’s quite a steep walk so I won’t judge you if you need to stop and rest every now and then. And once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded by insane panoramic views of Cape Town that really drive home just how dramatic and varied the landscape here is.

Sunsets here are just incredible. Last time I was here, I even saw a tahr, which is a type of mountain goat that lives on Table Mountain. It’s not a native species – they’re actually here after escaping a zoo back in the day! They’re quite rare, but do keep an eye out just in case because you never know when one might pop its head over the side of the rock.

Kloof Corner hike starts on Tafelberg Road, and it’s well signposted. There’s plenty of parking along the road, or you can easily Uber here. If you’re coming at sunset, just make sure you have a torch with you for coming down again, just in case. A phone torch is fine but I like to bring my head torch as well to keep my hands free.

27. Aquila Safari

For the best safari experience in South Africa, you should head to the Kruger National Park. However, if you don’t have the time or the cash to do that then there’s a much quicker and cheaper option closer to Cape Town.

Introducing: Aquila Safari!

I’ve done this day safari twice, and each time I got to see four out of the Big Five. You can find my full review of Aquila Safari here, but basically, it’s pretty dang good.

The price includes pickup and drop-off in Cape Town, transport to the reserve, a welcome drink, a buffet meal, and a 2-hour game drive. My friend and I actually went to the tour office to book in person but found a much better deal online!

We learned a ton about the animals we saw from our driver, Charlie, and the resort facilities were really nice. During summer, I even brought my swimming costume and enjoyed a dip in the pool.

28. Enjoy a Champagne Sunset Cruise  

Cape Town’s sunsets are absolutely beautiful, so make the most of them by doing a champagne sunset cruise.

I loved this experience so much! I booked it for my friends to celebrate a little reunion, and we had a blast. We got a bottle of sparkling wine to share between two, and there was lots of music and a great atmosphere on the boat.

It was very windy though, so make sure you bring an extra layer!

The cruise costs R650 and lasts for 1.5 hours. Watching the sunset over Table Mountain truly is an epic experience, and nothing gives you that holiday feeling like drinking bubbly on a catamaran, am I right?

Click here to grab your spot, with free cancellation!

29. Drive Chapman’s Peak 

Chapman’s Peak Drive is probably one of the most beautiful roads in the world. It winds along the red cliffside of Chapman’s Peak mountain, overlooking the dark blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are also lots of places where I like to pull over and snap photos.

The drive starts in Hout Bay Harbour and ends in Noordhooek on the other side of the mountain. I love heading to the Aegir Project after completing the drive for a beer tasting! It’s only 9 kilometers (5 miles) long, but it takes about half an hour to drive as there are well over 100 bends in the road.

There’s a toll fee of R61 which you’ll pay in Hout Bay. Keep your receipt as you’ll need it on the way back! And be sure to check the status of the road before you head out because it closes during strong winds.

30. Visit West Coast National Park

West Coast National Park is 1.5 hours from Cape Town, but it’s well worth the drive. It’s home to the Langebaan Lagoon, which has calm, warm water that’s perfect for swimming in. Despite taking me three summers to discover, it’s now my go-to for a quiet beach day!

It costs R128 to enter the park (or R78 for locals) and there’s plenty of free parking near Kraalbaai Beach. The facilities here are only basic – just toilets and taps – so make sure to bring plenty of food and beach supplies with you. But if you get desperate, the town of Langebaan is only 15 minutes away and there’s a big Spar supermarket there.

You can even stay overnight in Langebaan, or for a super unique stay, check out the Kraalbaai Houseboats. I mean, imagine staying out on the water! How cool would that be?

Thanks so much for reading this blog! I hope it has given you a better idea of just how much there is to do in Cape Town, but honestly, I’ve only scratched the surface here. I have tons of content on my blog, so be sure to check out the following:

• Ultimate Cape Town Travel Guide: Everything First-Timers Need to Know!
• The 25 BEST Things to Do in Cape Town at Night 
• Where to Stay in Cape Town – a Local’s Guide
• Best Ways to Go Wine Tasting in Cape Town
• 1 Day Road Trip in Cape Town: Ultimate Cape Peninsula Itinerary