20 Best Tours in Cape Town 

Last Updated on October 5, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson

Wondering what to get up to in Cape Town?

Good news! There is SO MUCH to do here. And since I moved to the city three years ago, a lot of the most memorable activities I’ve done have been tours.

From paragliding to the notorious wine tram, I have made memories here that will last a lifetime. Trust me, you’re really spoilt for choice!

Some activities require a tour, but tours can also just be really handy if you don’t want to hire a car in Cape Town.

 So, with that in mind, I’ve rounded up my top picks for tours in Cape Town. There is so much on offer here that by the end of your stay you’ll probably want to do what I did, and cancel your flight home! 

1. Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour from Cape Town

Price: R750
Duration: 10 hours including travel time
What’s included: transport, tram tickets
Free cancellation? Yes

For me, the best tour that I’ve ever done in Cape Town is the Franschhoek wine tram tour!

This tour provides return transport to and from the notorious Franschhoek wine tram, as well as your tram tickets. This means that you don’t need to worry about overnight accommodation or a designated driver.

Basically, it’s really affordable and it makes doing the wine tram SO easy! You can read my full review here.

It’s a hop-on hop-off experience and you can visit up to five wineries over the course of eight hours. Personally, I prefer to stick to four, though, so that I can enjoy a leisurely lunch.

The staff at on the trams and at the wineries help you out with your timings, so there’s nothing to worry about there. It’s all really easy!

Normally, this tour includes tickets to the Navy Route, although a few others are available during festive season when things are busy. The Navy Route is my favourite, but honestly, it doesn’t matter which one you choose.

Really, the only hard part of this tour is deciding which wine farms to visit, but you can just decide on the day.

I stopped at Plaisir, Vrede en Lust, Bartinney, and Le Pommier, and loved all of them. Bartinney was my favourite!

You really can’t miss the chance to do the wine tram while in Cape Town, and this tour is definitely the cheapest and easiest way to go. It’s a no-brainer in my book, and it’s got great reviews to boot.

You can grab spot on the wine tram here!

2. Cape Point Explorer Tour

Price: R600
Duration: 8 hours
What’s included? Transport, guide
Free cancellation? Yes

Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach are three Cape Town must-dos, and this tour allows you to tick off all three!

My friend, Liam, and I opted to do this tour because I didn’t have a car when he came to visit. We ended up having a great day. You can read my full review here, but I’ll summarise below.

We kicked off the day at Boulders Beach, where we loved seeing the penguins and went to a local restaurant for lunch. This wasn’t included, just FYI!

Then, it was onto the Cape Point. We took the funicular to the top of the lighthouse and took in the views of the beautiful views of the rocky headland.

From there, we could have joined the guided hike to the Cape of Good Hope, but the weather was bad so we opted to stay warm on the bus.

This tour is basically just transport and a guide, as we had to pay for lunch and entry fees on the day. We paid:

• R190 at Boulders Beach
• R400 to enter Cape Point Nature Reserve
• R95 for a return ticket on the funicular (a bit of a waste of money – I wish we had walked up!)
• R210 for lunch

For me, it was totally worth it! It was a fun and cost-effective way to visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope without a car.

You can book your spot on the tour here, with free cancellation!

3. Boulders Beach Half-Day Tour

Price: R640
Duration: 5 hours
What’s included? Transport, Chapman’s Peak toll fee
Free cancellation? Yes

If you’re not fussed about seeing Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, you can just focus on Boulders Beach with this half-day tour! 

I love this particular option because it includes a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive. This is a beautiful road winds along the red rocky cliffs that overlook the Atlantic ocean. It never fails to take my breath away – cue the Top Gun music.

Once you arrive at Boulders Beach, you’ll need to pay the R190 entrance fee. Then, there’s about two hours of free time to walk along the boardwalks and explore.

The beach is just beautiful, and I love watching the penguins waddle around, although they are a bit smelly! There are also plenty of cafes and gift shops to check out.

This is a morning tour, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Then, you’ll have the afternoon free! It’s a small-group tour and it’s very well-organised; hence all the glowing reviews.

Click here to book your Boulders Beach tour! 

4. Full day Cape Winelands Tour 

Price: R750
Duration: 5 hours
What’s included? Transport, guide, 3 wine tastings, cheese and charcuterie board, chocolate pairing, guided walk through Stellenbosch
Free cancellation? Yes

The Western Cape is famous for its amazing (and affordable) wine, so it would almost be rude not to explore the Cape Winelands while you’re in the Mother City!

If you can, I do think it’s better to spend multiple days exploring Stellenbosch and Franschhoek separately. However, time and budget don’t always allow for this.

This was the case when Liam came to visit. We decided to do this Cape Winelands tour so we could explore the winelands to the fullest.

We booked this one because it was affordable and had well over 2,200 5-star reviews. And of course, we wanted transport so that neither of us had to drive and we could drink aaaaall the wine!

You can read my full review here, but it was such a fun day out and we ended up making friends with some awesome people! 

We did a cellar tour and had an incredible cheeseboard for breakfast in Stellenbosch (replete with a wine tasting, of course), enjoyed a boozy lunch in Franschhoek, and finished with an incredible wine and chocolate pairing in Paarl.

All in all, this was a really fun day out, and I’m glad Liam got to see the Cape Winelands properly! The only thing we had to pay for on the day was our lunch, which came to around R150. I would totally do this tour again the next time someone comes to visit!

Click here to grab your spot on this winelands tour, with free cancellation!

4. 20 min Helicopter Tour

Price: R3,680
Duration: 20 minutes
What’s included? Hotel pickup, helicopter flight, live commentary
Free cancellation? Yes

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so I think it’s an amazing place to do a helicopter tour. 

Now, we all know that helicopter tours aren’t exactly cheap, but in Cape Town, doing one doesn’t have to be incredibly expensive, either. This 20-minute flight promises to be INCREDIBLE, and has fantastic reviews.

The route travels down Cape Town’s breathtaking Atlantic coast. This city is famous for its dramatic, varied landscape, so getting to see it from a bird’s eye experience will really make your jaw drop. 

Sadly, I haven’t done this myself (yet) but it’s on my Cape Town bucket list for sure!

You can book your epic helicopter flight here! 

5. Tandem Paragliding Flight

Price: R1,800
Duration: 20 minutes
What’s included? Tandem flight with all safety equipment, transport back to starting point
Free cancellation? Yes

Paragliding is a really popular thing to do in Cape Town, and I had the best time ever!

My friend got me a voucher to go for my birthday and flying over the city was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had, anywhere in the world. You can read my full review here.

I met my instructor at the top of Signal Hill and we geared up, then ran off the side into the sky! I thought it would be scary but there’s no freefall involves and the wind just takes you, so really, it couldn’t have been easier.

My tip would be to book this experience earlier on during your stay in Cape Town, because it is very weather dependent. If the wind is too strong, you’ll have time to reschedule for free.

And trust me, the wind here can be very fierce – it once took my balcony window out!

If you want the GoPro footage of your flight, you can pay another R300 on the day. They uploaded them straight to my phone after we landed, which was so convenient.

You can book your spot here, with free cancellation!

7. Constantia Wine Bus 

Price: R325
Duration: 3 – 8 hours (flexible)
What’s included? Transport from the city to Constantia
Free cancellation? Yes

The Franschhoek wine tram is a great experience and it’s certainly got the novelty factor. However, the Constantia wine bus is a cheaper way to tour wine farms without the need for a designated driver.

It’s also just another fantastic day out. I always do this with friends who come to visit me in Cape Town! 

The wine bus goes to the Constantia Valley and stops at three different wine farms: Silvermist, Groot Constantia, and Beau Constantia. 

You can read my full guide here but basically, you need to buy a City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus ticket and take the Blue Route from the Aquarium to Constantia. 

I like to catch the bus at 9 am, spend the day drinking wine, and then catch the last bus back from Beau Constantia at 5:22 pm. But of course, it’s a super flexible experience so you can time it to suit you!

If you love wine as much as I do, then spending a day tasting in the lush Constantia Valley is an absolute dream. I also think it’s really well priced, as bus tickets are R295, and so a full day of wine tasting and food usually costs me just under R1,000.

Grab your ticket for the wine bus here!

8. Quad biking at the Atlantis Sand Dunes

Price: R499
Duration: 1 hour
What’s included? Quad bike, safety equipment, guide
Free cancellation? No

Quad biking on the Atlantis dunes is so much fun! On a clear day, you also get a great head-on view of Table Mountain in the distance, although it was too hazy when I went.

The dunes are a 40-minute drive north of the city centre and this tour doesn’t include pickup, so it’s best to drive yourself or take an Uber there. We also had to pay R118 for an entry permit to the sand dunes on the day.

Honestly, I wouldn’t say that this is a must-do while in Cape Town. However, if you’ve got time and a rental car, it is a lot of fun. Our instructor also did a mini photoshoot with us from the top of one of the dunes, and I love how the pictures came out!

It was super hot on the day we went, so my advice would be to either book the 9 am slot for this tour if you’re going during summer. Driving out of the city should also be easy at this time, as everyone will be going the other way!

Click here to find out more and book

9. Sand boarding at the Atlantis Dunes

Price: R1,200
Duration: 4 hours
What’s included? Hotel pickup and drop-off, soft drinks, snacks
Free cancellation? Yes

Look, I’ll be the first to admit that the prospect of riding an ATV can be a little scary. In fact, I was incredibly nervous when I did it!

So if you’re hesitant to hop on a quad bike, you can experience the sand dunes in a different way with this sandboarding tour. 

This one includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and thne once you arrive, you’ll learn how to slide down the slopes with grace and dignity. Or, at the very least, how to stay upright as you go!

You’ll get just over 2 hours on the dunes, and then you’ll be dropped off back in the city at the end of the tour. 

This activity is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. It’s suitable for travellers aged 8 and up, so it’s ideal for families. It’s also just less intimidating than quad biking, but the photos you get are just as cool!

Click here to book this sandboarding tour!

10. Marine Safari 

Price: R2,950
Duration: 10 hours
What’s included? Hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast, lunch, African Penguin and Seaboard Sanctuary, tea and coffee, bottled water, boat ride
Free cancellation? Yes

The term ‘the big five’ usually refers to South Africa’s most impressive land mammals: the lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant, and African buffalo. But did you know there’s a marine counterpart? 

That’s right, the Marine Big Five consists of whales, seals, penguins, sharks, and dolphins, and you can try to spot them all on this marine safari tour!

The adventure starts with a pickup from central Cape Town. You’ll be whisked off to Gansbaai – aka shark central – and get tea, coffee, and muffins for breakfast on arrival.

As you cruise around the waters of Gansbaai, you can expect thrilling sightings of dolphins, seals, and even Great White Sharks in the famed Shark Alley! It’s so cool. 

If you go between June and December, it’s likely you’ll see tons of whales, too.

African penguins are also on the cards, but even if you don’t see them in the wild, you the Penguin sancutary visit guarantees you will see some of these cute, braying birds.

You can book your trip here!

11. Shark Cage Diving 

Price: R4,050
Duration: 10 hours
What’s included? Hotel pickup and drop-off, breakfast, lunch, African Penguin and Seaboard Sanctuary, tea and coffee, bottled water, boat ride
Free cancellation? Yes

Cape Town is famous for shark cage diving, because of the Great White shark population in Gansbaai. You can also see Bronze Cow and Seven Gill sharks here, so it’s really a fantastic place to try out this adventurous activity! 

I went shark cage diving recently but I didn’t have a very good time. Don’t get me wrong, the sharks were cool, but I went for a cheap tour, and I paid for what I got.

We had transport issues and the boat ride was short and cramped. The travel time just wasn’t worth it.

If you can, I would recommend staying in Hermanus for a few nights booking a self-drive tour from there, as it’s much closer. But if you really want to go shark cage diving from Cape Town, I would recommend this tour.

It has much better reviews than the tour I did, a longer boat ride, and better food and facilities. It’s still a lot of travel time, though. If shark cage diving is on your bucket list, you may think it’s worth it.

Personally, I wouldn’t go from Cape Town again. However, sometimes this is the kind of thing you have to decide for yourself!

Click here to find out more and book! 

12. Waterfront Sunset Cruise 

Price: R650
Duration: 1.5 hours
What’s included? Boat ride, one bottle of sparkling wine between two
Free cancellation? No

Sipping bubbly as you watch one of those magnificent Cape Town sunsets is definitely my idea of a good time. So, it was no surprise when I ended up having a blast on and this catamaran sunset cruise!

You can read my full review here, but in a nutshell, I loved the views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head from out on the water, and the bubbles were flowing. We got a really beautiful sunset, too, and there was fun, upbeat music playing on board the boat.

Okay, so to be honest, it’s cheap sparkling wine and not the world’s finest champagne that you get, but I certainly wasn’t complaining. This tour was a blast, and delivered great value for the price!

There are tons of fantastic boat trips available in Cape Town, but if you’re looking for an affordable experience where the drinks flow, I think that this cruise is the perfect choice. It was so much fun!

You can book your spot on the boat here!

13. Aquila Safari 

Price: R4,600
Duration: 8 hours
What’s included? Pickup and drop-off in Cape Town, 1-2 buffet meals, welcome drink, game reserve admission, 2-hour game drive, use of resort pool during summer
Free cancellation? Yes

If you don’t have the time or budget for a safari in the Kruger National Park, this game drive at Aquila is the next best thing.

This tour package includes all the trimmings, and is a fantastic chance to see South Africa’s most fearsome animals on a day trip from the city. I’ve been here twice, and I loved it both times!

I would recommend this tour at any time of year. When I did it during winter, we got breakfast AND lunch. However, during summer we only got one meal, but we did get to use the resort’s beautiful infinity pool, which was the perfect way to cool off after the game drive.

Both times I did this, I saw four out of the Big Five: lions, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. Sadly, I didn’t see a leopard on either occasion, but the are famously the hardest species to spot.

This isn’t the same as doing a full-on safari, but it’s definitely worth doing if you’re only visiting Cape Town.

You can grab your spot on the Aquila Safari here, with free cancellation!

14. Lion’s Head Sunrise or Sunset Hike 

Price: R1,540
Duration: 3 hours
What’s included? Guide, headlamps, fruit
Free cancellation? Yes

Lion’s Head isn’t a super difficult hike, but if you want to go at sunrise or sunset, I would highly recommend booking this tour!

The climb to the summit of Lion’s Head involves ladders and scrambling, so it can be dangerous to do in the dark! But with this tour, you’ll be with a trained guide who knows the route like the back of their hand, so it’s much safer.

And honestly, this tour is worth the early (or late) start. Cape Town is famed for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and the views from the summit are just amazing. Couple those things together, and you’re in for a real treat!

Don’t just take my word for it, either. This tour has hundreds of glowing reviews!

There’s also the option to add transport for an additional R300. If you’re not renting a car in Cape Town, I would recommend booking the sunrise tour with transport, as it can take a while to get an Uber early in the morning.

Click here to book your spot on this guided hike!

15. Stellenbosch Wine Tour 

Price: R1,650 – 3,050 per person
Duration: 8 hours
What’s included? Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport between wine farms, private guide, 3 wine tastings, cheese board, chocolate pairing
Free cancellation? Yes

I absolutely love Stellenbosch – or Stellies, as the student population affectionately calls it.

But unlike with Franschhoek and Constantia, there’s not really a convenient way of getting to and between wine farms in Stellenbosch without a designated driver. And that’s precisely why I love this private wine tour!

This tour has over 350 5-star reviews and visits four incredible wine farms. It includes a wine and chocolate pairing at Waterford, which I absolutely loved!

There’s also wine and cheese at the stunning L’Avenir Estate, and another tasting at Hartenberg. I loved the cheeseboard at L’Avenir.

Lunch isn’t actually included, but you can expect to pay around R380 for a main course at Tokara. If you eat meat, I recommend trying the raw springbok starter.

All in all, I think that this tour is the best way to do a deep-dive into the Stellenbosch wine region. It’s such a treat!

Grab your spot here!

16. Bo Kaap Free Walking Tour 

Price: Free!
Duration: 1.5 hours
What’s included? Guide
Free cancellation? No sign up required

Bo Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most vibrant and interesting areas. Originally built for freed slaves, this area has long been home to a tight-knit, working class community of predominantly Cape Malay people. 

It’s perhaps best known for its brightly coloured houses, which are a must-see while in Cape Town! You can explore Bo Kaap by yourself, but to get a real sense of the history, I think it’s best to take a free walking tour.

And yes, free does mean “tip-based”, but that’s pretty standard. I can’t remember exactly, but I think we tipped around R100 each. 

There’s no sign up required for these tours, either. They run every day at 2 pm and 4:20 pm. All you need to do is turn up at Motherland Coffee in the Mandela Rhodes building downtown, and look for the guides in the bright green shirts.

I really enjoyed this tour. It was well-paced and informative. I had already lived in Cape Town for over a year when I did this tour, but it still taught me a lot of new things about the area!

We also got a great restaurant recommendation from our guide and enjoyed some amazing Cape Malay food after our tour. 

17. Cape Town Food Tour 

Price: R1,985
Duration: 4 hours
What’s included? Local guide, food tastings, alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea
Free cancellation? Yes

One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its stomach, and this small group food tour definitely checks that box!

Cape Town is a real melting pot of cultures, so as you would expect, the food here is delicious and varied. This tour takes you on a culinary journey through the city’s history.

You’ll get to try a ton of delicious local favourites, like koeksisters and malva pudding, and visit some awesome foodie hotspots in Bo Kaap and De Waterkant – aka the city’s two most quaint and colourful neighbourhoods!

Cape Town also has a really rich, interesting, and often dark history, so it’s really fascinating to learn about it as you explore. And I may be biased, but my friend and former housemate, Marianne, is one of the guides, and she is just the best, so having her to show you around the city will be a real treat.

Food, culture, and sightseeing – what’s not to love? I think that this is an amazing way to get to know Cape Town. And I’m not the only one who thinks so; this tour has almost 300 5-star reviews.

You can book this tour here, with free cancellation!

If you enjoyed this blog post, you may also like…

• The 8 Best Boat Trips in Cape Town
• How to Visit the Langebaan Lagoon in West Coast National Park 
• The 25 BEST Things to Do in Cape Town at Night 
• How to Visit Seal Island in Cape Town – 3 Best Ways!