Last Updated on July 17, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson
Booked a stay in Sea Point and wondering what to do here?
Sea Point is a goldilocks neighbourhood. It’s not as expensive as the beachy areas but it’s close to town, runs along the seafront, and has a really fun vibe. And with that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Sea Point, as well as recommendations on where to eat, drink, and stay.
Let’s get into it!
Jump to…
• Best things to do in Sea Point
• Top restaurants
• Where to stay in Sea Point
• Sea Point FAQs
Sea Point at a Glance
Sea Point is one of Cape Town’s most beloved neighbourhoods. It’s walkable and packed with cute cafes and bars. Plus, it runs right along the ocean, so it’s very scenic.
I lived in Sea Point during my first year in Cape Town, and I’d move back in a heartbeat. It’s such an easy place to live and you really don’t need a car to explore.
The best things to do here include taking a dip at Saunders Rock Beach and taking a walk on the prom. I also highly recommend grabbing drinks at Arthur’s, as it’s my favourite spot and they do amazing spicy margaritas. (Just be warned, they’re very more-ish!)
Why I Love Living in Sea Point
Sea Point has to be the best place that I’ve ever lived!
Living right next to the ocean is hard to beat. In fact, I walk or run on the promenade pretty much every single day. I also love how much sunshine the neighbourhood gets and how many cool hangout spots there are.
Sea Point also feels really safe to me – I’ve never really felt threatened or worried about safety here. It has such a great energy, and it’s just a short drive from the Clifton Beaches, or you could even walk there!
How to Spend a Day in Sea Point
If I only had one day in Sea Point, here’s how I’d spend it.
I’d wake up and go to pilates at The Movement Lab, as this is the studio that made me fall in love with it in the first place!
Then, I’d grab breakfast at JARRYDS (their famous pancakes, to be precise) and walk along the prom to SaunaHaus for a sauna and cold plunge session. After that, I’d go drink coffee and read a book in a cute cafe like WildSprout and have lunch at Arlechino.
I’d grab a late afternoon drink at Arthur’s and then go to Hugo Social Club for rooftop drinks at sunset. Then, last but not least, I’d cap it all off with a chicken sando and a pickletini at Maggy Lou’s.
Best Things to Do in Sea Point
1) Walk on the prom
A walk on the prom is a must while in Sea Point. It runs from the V&A Waterfront to Saunders Rocks Beach, so it’s THE place to run, walk, or cycle in the city.
Along the way, you’ll find food and drink stalls, an outdoor gym, and little patches of beach all along the prom. If you want to walk with an ice cream in hand, head to The Creamery and then go from there. And if you go at sunset, I promise you that you’re in for a treat.
2) Swim at Saunders Rockpool
At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than heading to Saunders Rocks Beach for a picnic… or a swim in that freezing cold water as you watch the sunset. This is one of my go-to spots because the atmosphere is always a winner.
Admittedly, Saunders is nice at any time of day but its super convenient location makes it the ideal spot for a perfect after-work swim. There’s plenty of parking nearby, and you’ll need to bring your own umbrella because there are no hawkers here.
3) Work out at BUC Fitness
There are plenty of swanky gyms around Cape Town, but none of them beat BUC Fitness.
With insane views of Lion’s Head, first-rate facilities, and more machines than you could ever fit into a single workout, BUC is a fantastic gym.
Even though it’s the kind of place where influencers, sports stars, and actors work out (yes, I’ve seen them myself), it’s very friendly and welcoming. Day passes are available, or if you prefer fitness classes, head to BUC’s Sweat 1000. They have tons of fun classes and sometimes they even crack out tequila at the end!
4) Or do pilates at The Movement Lab
The Movement Lab is the first place I ever tried reformer pilates! It’s a very aesthetically pleasing, pilates-girlie type studio, and for this reason, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t really fit in there. However, I needn’t have worried.
Yes, most of the clientele wear matching pastel sets and have that “clean girl” look going on, but I also find this studio to be really welcoming. If it’s your first time, you’ll need to book in for one of their fundamentals classes – which still deliver a serious workout, just FYI.
Every teacher I’ve had here has been fantastic, but I particular love Suzanne’s classes!
5) Go for drinks
Sea Point is home to quite a few vibey bars, especially around Regent Road.
My friends and I often go to Arthur’s Mini Super for after work drinks. It’s styled like a mini mart with a funky, retro vibe, and you can sit out on the pavement and people watch. The staff are lovely and I highly recommend their Beach Blonde beer.
Meanwhile, for bougie drinks with a serious view, head to The Nines! This luxurious bar has huge floor-to-ceiling windows, so I recommend trying to catch a sunset here. Book ahead to ensure you get a great table. We walked in, but had to sit pretty close to the bar.
I’m also a big fan of Only Fools, a trendy bar-slash-pub along Regent Road. This place really encapsulates that effortless Cape Town cool vibe, the cocktails are great, and the burgers are absolutely delicious. Plus, I love the Britney Spears collage in the ladies’ bathroom.
6) Party at the Duchess of Wisbeach
Although Sea Point’s nightlife is growing ever more bustling, it’s still not exactly Cape Town’s main after-dark hub of Cape Town. You might not expect to find one of Cape Town’s most rowdiest party spots here, but the Duchess reigns supreme.
The Duchess of Wisbeach is a pub-slash-restaurant-slash-party-paradise. Things really kick off on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Thursdays are particularly notorious.
It goes like this: you head to The Duchess at around 7:30 pm for a meal. About two hours later, the unreasonably attractive waitstaff will around and hand out sparklers. The next thing you know, you’re standing on the table singing “Sweet Caroline.”
If you want to come and party at The Duchess (and I highly recommend that you do) then make a booking well in advance.
7) Rent a Bike with Upcycles
Personally, I like to explore Sea Point on foot but if you’re into cycling then you can rent a city bike with Upcycles. It’s located along the prom, next to the Sea Point Pool. You can’t miss the bright orange booth!
Here, you can rent a city bike, go for a cycle, and drop then it off at either the Waterfront or Camps Bay. The ride from Sea Point to Camps Bay is especially beautiful, so I highly recommend doing that. Although personally I don’t cycle, I ran that route all the time when marathon training and its beauty definitely helped a lot with movitation!
8) Swim at the Sea Point Pool
The Sea Point Pool is a huge saltwater pool right over the ocean. It’s super cheap to swim here at just R37.50 per adult. The water can be chilly, but it’s warmer than the ocean.
As well as the Olympic-sized pool, there are two kids pools here and a diving pool.
I’ll be honest with you, though, it might not be as quiet when you go as it is in these photos! During the summer months the pools get really busy, although if you go early on a weekday you might be lucky. Open hours change seasonally and you can check them here.
9) Play Putt Putt on the Prom
There’s a putt putt (aka mini golf) course along the prom!
The course is bright and fun, and it’s all open air so you have sea views while you play. Plus, you’ve got Lion’s Head in the background, so it’s great for photos. It’s super popular and a really fun way to spend an afternoon.
The Sea Point putt putt course is open from 9 am until 9 pm daily, and you don’t usually need to book.
10) Relax and unwind at Sauna Haus
If you want to do something positive for your body and mind, I highly recommend checking out Sauna Haus. Technically, it’s in Mouille Point but it’s so close to Sea Point that I think it still counts!
I did my first ever sauna and cold plunge session here, and I definitely caught the bug! I was a bit nervous so I booked a guided session, and I absolutely loved it. In fact, the feeling I had afterwards was somewhere between post-massage zen and runner’s high… Safe to say, I see why people get so addicted to this.
You can go for a guided on independent session, and they even do special experiences like Afrobeats and techno-themed sessions. I’m not sure I’m there yet, but I’m definitely looking forward to improving my cold plunge tolerance at the Haus!
You can check prices and availability via the Sauna Haus website.
Where to Eat and Drink in Sea Point
1) The Falafel Guy
It might seem strange to start with a food truck rather than an actual restaurant, but I think I’ve eaten at the Falafel Guy more times than anywhere else in Sea Point (unless you count the Spar sushi counter?)
The falafel sandwiches here are absolutely delicious, and you can grab a table and enjoy your food while looking out at the ocean. If you’re really hungry, they also do bigger shawarma plates, too. There are other food trucks on the pavilion as well, like Pancake Affaire, Chip n Dip, and Posticinos, but I always go for the Falafel Guy.
The Falafel Guy has actually been so successful that they’ve opened a brick-and-mortar store along Main Road, too! However, I usually go to the truck as it’s the perfect way to end a sunset prom walk.
2) Eat your way around Mojo Market
Mojo Market is a permanent indoor food market along Regent Road with tons of great stalls and nightly live music.
The best thing about coming here for dinner is that there’s so much variety. I absolutely love the falafel bowls from Chilled, and I’m obsessed with poke bowls so of course Dashi Poke is another go-to for me. If you like mochi, I highly recommend the granadilla (passion fruit) ice cream balls from Mooi Mochi, and I’m also a big fan of Sha Sha Shawarma.
Sorry, I don’t mean to overload you with recommendations but there’s just so much good stuff here. The market is open from 8 am until 10 pm each day, and they have live music every evening. Plus, they also have midday and afternoon performances on weekends, and salsa dancing on Sunday nights!
3) JARRYDS.
JARRYDS is one of Sea Point’s most popular brunch spots, and it was even featured on the Cape Town episode of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil.
It’s best known for its indulgent pancakes, which come topped with mascarpone, honeycomb, strawberries, and maple syrup. They’re absolutely delicious, but they’re huge, so I’d recommend sharing if you can!
I also love their new breakfast plates, which are each inspired by a different destination. My favourites are the Istanbul and Cape Town plates.
Like many of Cape Town’s best cafés, JARRYDS is walk-in only. It’s usually busy, especially on weekends, but the queue moves pretty quickly and I’ve never had trouble getting a table.
4) Arlecchino by tashas
Arlecchino is a stylish, higher-end restaurant from the popular tashas group, located right on Main Road. The beautiful interiors were what first caught my attention, but then I fell in love with the food.
I visited for lunch with a friend and we ordered several small plates to share. The portions were much more generous than expected, so we definitely overordered! Everything was delicious, though. The whipped feta was a standout, and the tuna tartare was easily my favourite dish.
5) Maggy Lou’s
If you walk down Main Road in Sea Point, there’s no way you could miss Maggy Lou’s. This all-day cafe has a noticeable maroon and yellow exterior, and it’s always super busy, with people spilling out onto the pavement. It’s the place to be!
My favourite thing about Maggy Lou’s is their pickletinis. As a self-professed pickle addict, it’s truly the drink of my dreams.
However, their buttermilk chicken burgers are a close second! I do recommend going for the regular over the hot version, though, because I think slathering the entire thing in sauce ruined it a bit for me. Their loaded fries are also really good, and big enough to share.
Where to Stay in Sea Point
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for elegant accommodation in Sea Point, then The Winchester is the clear choice. This is Sea Point’s most iconic hotel and it’s situated right opposite the promenade, in a beautiful white building adorned with bougainvillea.
The rooms are well-decorated in a tasteful, floral style and their famous high tea is available on weekends. The pool is a big bonus if you’re visiting during the summer months, and each stay includes an amazing breakfast each morning.
Read the amazing reviews and book your stay at the Winchester here!
Mid-range – $$
The Glen Boutique Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous boutique property with lovely decor, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and a full service spa for when you need some rest and relaxation. It’s in an excellent location, as it’s in Sea Point but also close to the V&A Waterfront and Green Point.
For me, the biggest draw here is the al fresco dining terrace, which looks absolutely beautiful. It also has a 9.4 score on Booking.com, which says it all!
Check prices and reserve your stay at The Glen here!
Budget – $
The Protea Hotel by Marriott in Sea Point isn’t budget-budget, but it’s definitely one of the most affordable hotels in Sea Point! It’s also in an ideal location in the heart of the neighbourhood, on the same street as my beloved Arthur’s bar and just around the corner from Maggy Lou’s. You can walk pretty much anywhere in Sea Point in about 10 minutes from here, and you’re literally steps away from the promenade.
The hotel itself is pretty simple with clean, functional rooms, and a sun terrace with a small pool. Breakfast is also included, making it even better value for money.
You can book your stay here, with no prepayment needed and free cancellation!
Sea Point FAQs
Is Sea Point safe?
Yes, I would say that Sea Point is safe. It’s definitely one of the safest neighbourhoods in Cape Town, and I feel safe bar hopping here with friends at night on the area around Regent Road. While it’s not advisable to walk down quiet streets alone after dark, that’s true of pretty much anywhere in Cape Town!
During the day, I walk around Sea Point all the time and I’ll be honest, I’m not that careful with my phone or belongings. Perhaps I should be, but I really do feel very comfortable here.
Is Sea Point worth visiting?
Yes! Even if you’re staying elsewhere in Cape Town, I definitely think it’s worth coming to Sea Point to check out some of the fun cafes and bars, and to take a dip at the rockpool.
Can you swim in Sea Point?
Yes, there are a few places to swim in Sea Point. Saunders Rock Beach is my favourite and you’ve also got the Sea Point Pool. Lots of hotels have pools, too!
Sea Point or Camps Bay: Which is better?
Sea Point is better for every day life, fun bars, exercise studios, and walkability. Camps Bay takes the cake for luxury hotels, beautiful views, and beaches! For a full breakdown of the two areas, check out my article on Sea Point vs. Camps Bay.
How far is Sea Point from the V&A Waterfront?
Super close! Sea Point is a Point is a 5-minute drive from the V&A Waterfront, or a 20-40 minute walk along the promenade, depending on your starting point. It’s also cheap to take an Uber from Sea Point to the Waterfront, since it’s not far.
Where can I watch the sunset in Sea Point?
My favourite place to watch the sunset in Sea Point is Saunders Rock Beach, but Hugo Social Club is another good spot. Some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen have also just been from walking along the prom!
Hi Hannah, I have just read various parts of your brilliant blog about South Africa and specifically – Sea Point and hikes up Table Mnt and Lions Head. All really informative and useful. My wife Karen and I are visiting SA in Dec 2025 for 13 nights and will be visiting Sea Point – Inverdoorn – Franschhoek – Betty’s Bay.
Any tips!?
Peter 🙂
Hi Peter, thank you so much for the kind words! I haven’t been to Inverdoorn sadly but my tips would be…
1) Go for drinks at The Nines in Sea Point
2) Do the Franschhoek wine tram
3) Eat at the Petite Ferme in Franschhoek
4) Enjoy the penguins at Betty’s Bay!
any questions, just let me know 🙂