Last Updated on October 21, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
With its diverse and dramatic scenery, Cape Town is nothing short of a photographer’s dream. From jaw-dropping viewpoints to gorgeous wine estates, the Mother City truly has it all.
So if you want to up your ‘gram game while you’re here, I’ve rounded up the best Instagram spots around. These postcard-perfect places will have you in awe at the sheer beauty of this city. Three years after I first arrived, it still blows my mind on a daily basis!
- 1. Kloof Corner
- 2. Bo Kaap
- 3. Table Mountain
- 4. Atlantis Sand Dunes
- 5. Kasteelspoort Diving Board
- 6. Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive
- 7. Boulders Beach
- 8. Lion’s Head
- 9. Langebaan Lagoon
- 10. De Grendel Wine Estate
- 11. Bossa Goodtimes Restaurant Woodbridge Island
- 12. Beau Constantia
- 13. Victoria Road, Bantry Bay
- 14. Grand Africa Cafe & Beach
- 15. The Clifton Beaches
- 16. De Waterkant
1. Kloof Corner
Kloof Corner is hands down my favourite viewpoint in Cape Town. And honestly, I think my photos show why I’ve chosen it as the best Instagram spot in Cape Town!
The viewpoint is at the start of a rocky ridge along the edge of Table Mountain. It gives you an insane panoramic view of the city below, from the skyscrapers in the CBD to Lion’s Head, the beaches, and the Twelve Apostles.
I love to hike up to Kloof Corner at sunset, which is easy to do. It’s only a 20-minute hike up from the trailhead, but remember to bring a torch for the way back down!
I’ve got a full guide to hiking Kloof Corner here, but it’s a pretty straightforward hike so you can’t really go wrong. Just be prepared for quite a few steps on the way up!
2. Bo Kaap
Let me be clear: Bo Kaap is more than just an Instagram spot. In addition to colourful houses, this neighbourhood has a fascinating history and is an awesome place to encounter Cape Malay culture.
However, there’s no denying that it’s also an amazing place to take a pic for the ‘Gram.
In fact, if you really want to nail those Bo Kaap photos, you can even book this photoshoot with a local photographer!
It’s a fun way to explore the area and get professional quality photos that will make everyone back home oh-so-jealous. It has lots of 5 star reviews and it’s the ideal way to capture memories of your trip.
You can grab your spot here, with free cancellation!
3. Table Mountain
I’m sure you knew that this was coming sooner or later, didn’t you?
Yep, Table Mountain has to be one of the greatest Instagram spots in Cape Town. It offers panoramic views of the city for miles in every direction, so it’s pretty hard to beat.
I’ve got a full guide to visiting Table Mountain here, but basically you can hike up, take the cable car, or do a combination of both!
For the ultimate Instagram shot, I recommend going at sunset, although you can only do this at certain times of year, as the last download times change along with daylight hours. Hiking down in the dark is a no-go!
You can enjoy sunset on Table Mountain between:
- 2 September – 10 October
- 15 December – 31 January
- 1 March – 30 April
But if not, you can still snap some pretty amazing photos during the daytime, so don’t stress too much.
4. Atlantis Sand Dunes
Did you know that Cape Town has sand dunes?
It took me a while to realise this, as they’re about an hour from the city centre. And once I did, of course I had to book this ATV tour and go check them out for myself!
You can read my full review of the tour here, but basically, it actually included a mini photoshoot. I wouldn’t say that quad biking on the sand dunes is a total must-do, but if you want to get some great pictures for your Instagram profile, then it’s definitely worth it.
The tour that I did costs R499 per person when you book, and then you have to pay another R118 permit fee on the day. The tour doesn’t include transport, so you’ll need a rental car to get to the dunes – I wouldn’t recommend trying to take an Uber here.
You can book your spot on the ATV tour here!
5. Kasteelspoort Diving Board
The Kasteelspoort route is hands down my favorite hike. I first did it on a date, and although there wasn’t much of a spark with the guy, I fell in love with the trails.
I would describe this hike as moderately challenging. It’s 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the trailhead to the diving board, so it’s not super long, but there’s a 576-meter (21,575 ft) elevation gain to worry about. It starts off gently, but that incline soon kicks in!
The views on the way up are incredible, though, and the trial is generally quite quiet. Plus, seeing remnants of the old cableway was pretty cool.
The “diving board” itself is a big granite rock that sticks out of the mountainside, making for a very cool Instagram photo! Just be careful, and don’t get too close to the edge.
Afterwards, you can climb back down the mountain, which is what I did, or you can continue to the cable car and ride down.
There’s no direct route, so the trail is in a horseshoe shape. It takes roughly another 90 minutes to walk the 6.3 kilometers (4 miles) to the cable car, and it’s pretty exposed. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen!
Guided Hike to the Diving Board
The diving board can be tricky to find, but booking this guided tour will eliminate that issue! It’s also safer to hike in a group, and as someone who is – ahem – directionally challenged, I always appreciate having a guide who knows the route well.
I like that you get the full Table Mountain hiking experience with this tour, too. You begin in Camps Bay, hike up the Kasteelspoort route, snap photos at the diving board, and continue towards the cable car station, where you can buy a one-way ticket to ride down.
Basically, this is the easiest way to get those all-important Instagram photos. And let’s be honest, it’s way more fun to hike in a group!
Prices start from R1,400, but it depends on your group size.
Click here to check reviews and grab your spot!
6. Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive
Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive is known for its natural beauty. There are plenty of places to pull over and snap photos along this 9-kilometre (5.6-mile) long road, which winds along the rocky red cliffs of Chapman’s Peak.
There are 114 curves along this road, so even though it’s not that long, it takes at least 25 minutes to drive (unless you’re a speed demon). But I would definitely allow longer if you’re a keen photographer, because there are ample opportunities to capture lots of dramatic coastal shots.
The toll fee for this road is R61 but I promise you, it’s worth every cent! I would recommend bringing cash because the card machine can take a while.
7. Boulders Beach
A pristine beach covered in adorable African penguins? Sounds like the ultimate Instagram hotspot to me!
Boulders Beach really is a must-visit while you’re in Cape Town. I mean, there really aren’t that many places in the world where you can see penguins on the beach, so take advantage.
The entry fees for Boulders Beach are as follows:
- R190 for international adults
- R95 for international kids
- R90 for SADC adults
- R50 for SADC kids
- R45 for South African adults
- R25 for South African kids
I have visited Boulders Beach both by driving there in a rental car, and on this tour that also took me to Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope.
8. Lion’s Head
As well as being a fun and iconic thing to do, hiking up Lion’s Head will take you to one of the best Instagram spots in Cape Town!
I mean, at the summit, you get 360° views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. If that won’t elevate your Gram game, then what will?
The hike takes about three hours in total, including plenty of time to snap photos at the top. There are a few ladders and some scrambling sections closer to the top, but as long as you’re reasonably agile, then it’s very doable.
Of course, sunrise or sunset at the summit would be the ultimate photo opportunity! However, since this requires hiking one way in the dark, I would highly recommend booking this guided hike rather than going it alone. It’s much safer to go with a local, and your guide will also help you capture amazing photos at the top!
You can check out the details and book your spot here, with free cancellation!
9. Langebaan Lagoon
The Langebaan Lagoon in West Coast National Park is a STUNNING and severely underrated Instagram spot. It’s also absolutely perfect for swimming – hello, beach day!
It takes 1.5 hours to drive from Cape Town to Kraalbaai, the pristine beach area. I promise you, it’s 100% worth it! The pristine white sand, blue water, and lack of crowds make for amazing Instagram shots.
And if you’re in Cape Town during August and September, the park’s wildflowers also make for even more incredible content!
The closest shops are 15 minutes away in Langebaan, so I recommend bringing a coolbox and all of your supplies with you. However, there is a big Spar supermarket in town if you’re in a pinch!
There are entry fees for West Coast National Park, which are as follows:
Regular entry:
- R116 for international visitors
- R116 for SADC citizens
- R74 for South Africans
Wildflower season:
- R274 for internationals
- R169 for SADC citizens
- R110 for South Africans
10. De Grendel Wine Estate
De Grendel is a beautiful wine estate in Durbanville. It gives off European chateau vibes and has an amazing view of Table Mountain. What more could you ask for?
The tasting room oozes class, with chequered black-and-white floors and huge windows so that you can admire the view without being exposed to the elements. It’s the perfect place to take your Instagram grid to the next level!
Tasting fees here range from R130 to R260, depending on the option you go for. I personally love the merlot here.
11. Bossa Goodtimes Restaurant Woodbridge Island
Bossa Goodtimes is a family-friendly restaurant. In itself it’s nothing special, but the Woodbridge Island one is located right on the beach, right across the water from Table Mountain.
So if you want an Instagram shot of yourself drinking a cocktail, with a white sand beach and a majestic mountain in the background, this is the place to get it.
I recommend coming here at sunset, because this view plus a bright orange sky? Forget about it!
12. Beau Constantia
As the name suggests, Beau Constantia is Constantia’s most beautiful wine farm. With a modern glass tasting room, a spacious terrace, a “loo with a view”, and epic vistas of the surrounding vineyards and rolling scenery, it’s very hard not to fall in love with this place – so why fight it?
I always feel as though my camera can’t quite capture the full beauty of Beau Constantia – not that I don’t try. In fact, there’s even a bench here that’s designed specifically for getting photos against Beau’s beautiful backdrop!
13. Victoria Road, Bantry Bay
Now, Victoria Road is a pretty long road that winds along the coastline from Sea Point to Hout Bay. But the section that goes through Bantry Bay is specifically a favourite photo hotspot of mine, because of the incredible views of the Twelve Apostles.
However, if you keep on going, you’ll be reaching for your camera nonstop, because walking along Victoria Road for long enough will also provide you amazing views of the Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Lion’s Head, and Llandudno Beach.
14. Grand Africa Cafe & Beach
What sets the Grand Africa Cafe apart is that it’s actually a restaurant slash beach club, and it’s right at the V&A Waterfront!
Sure, the beach may be man made, but it sure is beautiful. And with sofas right on the sand and a giant disco ball perched on the water’s edge, this is the ideal place to kick back, relax, and snap a few photos on a sunny day in Cape Town.
You can’t drink alcohol on the public beaches in Cape Town, so if you want to get that perfect shot of yourself relaxing on the sand with a glass of wine in tow, this is the place to do it.
This place is pretty bougie, so it’s expensive by local standards. You’re looking at R160 minimum for a main course, although you can snag a glass of house wine for R58, which I don’t think is too bad!
15. The Clifton Beaches
The Clifton Beaches are insanely beautiful! With white sand and deep blue water, I find myself snapping photos of the beaches every time I visit… which is every weekend during the summer.
Not only are the beaches stunning, you’ve also got views of the Twelve Apostles in the background, and the sunsets here are amazing. But if you want that perfect Instagram shot, I’d recommend visiting early in the morning when it’s quiet!
16. De Waterkant
De Waterkant is not as well known as Bo Kaap, but it’s just as pretty!
With cobbled streets, pastel-coloured houses, and lots of flowers everywhere, this hilly enclave was basically made for Instagram. It’s also super safe with lots of security around, so you can conduct your photoshoot here without any worries.
I actually live in De Waterkant and sometimes I see influencers around snapping pictures. I really can’t blame them. This area is beautiful!