Cape Town has everything that you may look for a holiday. Perfect weather all year round together with unique beaches, good shopping, nice nightlife, incredible scenery, exquisite cuisine and wine, and important world history.
In this article I’m sharing 10 things to do that I really loved in Cape Town that will make you want to book the next flight!
① GO ALL THE WAY UP TO TABLE MOUNTAIN
I was impressed with the views from Table Mountain. There are few places in the world like that where from one place you can spot most areas of the city. The name comes from the flat top shape mountain and its part of Table Mountain National Park together with Cape of Good Hope.
You can get up there by foot – several good hiking trails are possible but the quickest way is by Cable Car.
Cost: The round trip on the cable car costs R255. I strongly recommend you to buy the tickets online in advance to avoid massive queues. You can read more information about it here. There is also a cost to hike up the mountain and depends on the route you choose (you can check it here).
② LEARN ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN’S HISTORY IN DISTRICT 6 MUSEUM
A visit to this museum will make you understand better South Africa’s period of apartheid when in 1966 the government declared District Six area ‘whites only’ and more than 60,000 residents were forced to move from their homes.
Cost: R30 for self-guided entrance and R45 for a guided tour with an ex-resident/guide. See more information here.
③ EAT DELICIOUS FOOD
South Africa is probably one of the best countries I have ever eaten! In Cape Town you will find so many places from the simple street food van to the most expensive restaurants, everything is rich in flavour and worth the try.
My favourites during my visit were Mama Africa that had meat in huge portions and Marco’s African Place with the best peri-peri shrimps. In both places there was live music that just enriched the experience. I also loved the seafood at Willoughby & Co at the V&A Waterfront.
④ GO TO THE BEACH
There are several beaches within minutes from the city centre. Sunbathing, swimming, surfing there are so many things to do. Visit some of my favourites Camps Bay, Muizenberg and Boulder’s Beach for some rocky hippie vibes.
⑤ HAVE A COCKTAIL IN LONG STREET
Long Street is the place for partying. You will find several cosy and retro bars there with awesome cocktails that will make you want to dance all night long! The best spot for me was Zula Sound Bar and Café.
⑥ DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL COLOURS OF BO-KAAP
Bo-Kaap formerly known as the Malay Quarter, is a multicultural area full of coloured houses that make the area a must go for all the photography lovers!
There is a little museum there where you can find more about the history of the area.
I opted to stay there because it’s very well located in the middle of the city. La Rose Bed & Breakfast was the perfect place for my time in Cape Town. Breakfast was perfectly cooked every morning with fresh fruit and the owners gave us lots of advice on where to go and see in the city.
⑦ STROLL AROUND V&A WATERFRONT
V&A waterfront was named after Queen Victoria and her son Alfred and it remains till this days a beautiful harbour full of art work.
Although this area is mainly for food or shopping you can go for a boat tour around the waterfront to see the seals or Robben Island.
⑧ BECAME ONE WITH NATURE AT KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS
Unique flowers species can be found here with the impressive Table Mountain on the background. The gardens are beautiful and filled with trees that are specific from the African continent.
Cost: R55 for an adult ticket.
⑨ GET INSPIRED BY AFRICAN ART WORK
Even if you’re not into art and don’t want to walk around shops, believe me, you will most certainly bring something from Cape Town. It’s just irresistible the amount of good art work around and hand crafted objects you see everywhere!
The Pan African Market and the Greenmarket Square offer great variety. If you want to experience something different, head over to Woodstock to see the many art galleries that are quickly giving the area a very trendy vibe.
⑩ VISIT ROBBEN ISLAND
From V&A waterfront you can take a boat to Robben Island which was a former island prison for people against the Apartheid regime. One famous name was Nelson Mandela that spent 18 years in the island. The tour is two and half hours and you will learn more about this period of South Africa’s history.
Cost: R190 – R340, check more here.
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Have you done any of the things I mention in my to-do list of Cape Town? Tell me your experiences!
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Cape Town is so high on my list! I really want to make it there soon (afraid I’ll never leave though haha). Some of the pics remind me of when I lived in Norway. So strange! Surely different weather
I think that Cape Town is absolutely stunning, especially the botanical gardens. I would love to see the seafront as well x
Even though I have wanted to visit for a long time, I still haven’t made it to the African continent as yet. But I will get there! This post has just added to many I have read, together with wonderful photos that are compelling me more and more to make this my next holiday. Such a great list of things to do and experience.
I’ve heard amazing things about Cape Town. This is def on my bucket list! Thank you for sharing!
I have been wanting to go to Africa and especially South Africa for the longest time but it is so far from Singapore.
Author
Sona maybe including it on a long trip itinerary? Doing a couple of weeks in Africa? I did about 3 weeks and loved it!
Wow! Just amazing! I never wondered that this amazing views are from africa. I only knew this place is only wildlife. I would love to be here!
Cape Town sounds like an amazing place, I’d love to go up Table Mountain x
Cape Town is a WOW! I can’t imagine having a place like that in South Africa. Interesting pics tho
Wow what a diverse list of things to do. I would love to visit Cape Town and South Africa in general one day. Seems like an amazing place! I love your pictures, they’re really beautiful.
Honestly I haven’t try to go there and I really love all the photos it looks a great view and I wish I can go there too!
Your Cape Town visual story telling is great! Thank you for sharing and I really hope I can enjoy that beach one day. And that museum too!
Oh my Gosh Cape Town look so beautiful!! It has always been in my bucket list but looking at your photos I just wish I could teleport there right now! Lovely post
I honestly didn’t realize there was so much to see and d there. I’d love to try the different restaurants and go to the beach. I’m not one for mountains.
Author
Hi Melanie, to see the Table Mountain is really easy by Cable Car, but I do agree the beaches are a must go and the food you would be crazy, I think I put on some weight over there!
I love the photos so much! have a wonderful day!
I have friends in Cape Town who have invited me to visit for ages.These photos are very inspiring and I plan to visit some day.
Cape is surely the biggest draw in the rainbow nation. My friend stays there and he cant stop talking about it and for good reasons too:)
Hi Amalia! Pics are sending my thoughts back to November 2015 when i visited cape town. It is indeed a wonderful city. I would like to go there again ?. We visited Robben island and it was very impressive… Nelson Mandela was there for 28 years! I saw in your comment along the picture you wrote 2 years, i think you forgot to type the 8 ?. For Mandela though it would have been a huge difference ?. Tomorrow we are leaving for a trip to Uganda, including chimp and gorilla tracking. I saw your adventure on your blog. Looks amazing!
Author
Hi Suzi, apologies for only seeing your comment now! I’m confused now about how long did Nelson Mandela spend there (correcting it on the post now) as I thought he was there for 18 years – from 1964 – 1982 being then transferred to Pollsmoor prison… how was your experience with in Uganda? Amalia
Cape Town seems like a fun place to be! It’s in my bucket list and I hope to travel on that side of the world soon.
Wow! some breathtaking photos. Cape town is a definitely among the list of places on my wanderlust.
Author
Hey Ryan! It really is, not a lot of places can have the view from of the Table Mountain! Let’s see in the future if I can go back, X
Thanks for sharing and narrowing it down the top 10 things to do in Cape town. Table Mountain is definitely the top one. So awesome!
Author
I would say that it is safe! I was with my husband and I never felt any danger of any kind!
Cape town is on my list, it is so beautiful and has so many things to do, From strolling to beaching. Perfect for a pleasant holiday..
I have friends who have visited Cape Town. They loved it. Maybe I will get to see the beautiful city one day. Heard things are so cheap there.
I would love to have a trek up to that high point in Cape Town.. Must be exhilarating to be there on top. Such a magnificent view! Great exercise, too.
These are very awesome pics and list to do in Cape Town. I also like to visit South Africa. Is it safe to go solo backpacking there? Anyway, this will be one of my notes when I get there.
I am planning for holidays in cape town with my family. These to do list will help me a lot. Thank you
I’d love to explore Cape Town someday. It’s on my list of places to go, and this hotel sounds fab!!