19 Jun 50+ Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa
**I visited South Africa long before I ever thought of starting a travel blog and all pictures were for personal memories. But while the pictures might not be the best, the list is golden and full of some of the most fun things to do in South Africa!
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1. Visit the Bo Kaap District
The Bo Kaap district might seemingly be famous for its rainbow houses, but the story of the area is much deeper than being a good instagram background. Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, was the township where the Malaysian slaves lived. The houses were painted rainbow after the apartheid, perhaps as a sign of freedom and individualism. In Bo Kaap you can find the very first mosque in South Africa, Cape Malay food (check out Biesmiellah and Bo-Kaap Kombuis), and the Iziko Bo Kaap Museum.
2. Visit Robben Island Where Nelson Mandela was Held
Robben Island, just off the coast, was used for over 400 years as a place to exile people and is one of the prisons where Nelson Mandela was held. Since his realease, Robben Island has been declared a World Heritage Site and is meant to serve as a reminder of the sad history but also as a symbol of strength and freedom. Now daily tours of the island are available to learn more about the history and to actually visit Nelson Mandela’s old cell.
Tours to Robben Island
3. Take a Red Bus Tour Around the City
Usually I’m not one for touristy bus tours, but this one is actually awesome! The red bus tour takes you to 50 of Cape Town’s top attractions (many of which are actually on this list), and the best part is it operates on a hop on hop off basis! This means you’re on your own time and don’t have to rely on a group or schedule. You can opt to skip some locations you’re not interested in, or stay longer at the ones you like. The buses are frequent in rotation, so you won’t have to wait long at a stop to be picked up. It’s the perfect way to get your foot in the door of Cape Town, plus you get incredible views from the top deck!
4. Explore Camp’s Bay
Camp’s Bay is the posh side of Cape Town, with unlimited cocktails and patios, seafood and views! Here you can find white sand beaches with the 12 apostle peaks shadowing behind. My jaw dropped when I drove through this area for the first time!
5. Enjoy a Cocktail at Rooftop Bar
While in Camp’s Bay I strongly suggest stopping at a rooftop bar for a fruity cocktail, my favorite in the area being Chinchilla Rooftop Bar and Cafe and Mantra Cafe. But rooftop bars can be found all over Cape Town: there’s Your’s Truly on Kloof St. , La Bottega in Woodstock, and so so many more!
6. Sunbathe at Clifton Beach
Clifton beach is the perfect place to lay out and sunbathe with incredible views. Just be sure to bring a lot of sunscreen and an umbrella, or you can rent one!
7. See Innovative Art at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art
Zietz Museum of Contemporary African Art showcases some of the most incredible artists and is the largest contemporary African art museum in the world! Cape Town over the years has become an artist hub and art has served as a massive form of expression of the country’s history and culture. In Cape Town, art is expression and a loud voice, many of which you can hear for yourself at the Zeitz Museum.
8. Hike any or all of the 3 Cape Town peaks
Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain, and Lion’s Head all sit right in the middle of Cape Town. A must do while in visiting is taking on the challenge to hike at least one for an incredible panoramic view of the Mother City! Be sure to bring a lot of water and don’t forget your camera!
Hiking tours - great option if you're a solo traveler!
9. Take a Cable Car Up Table Mountain
Whether you are short on time or are unable to hike, it is still possible to experience the once in a lifetime views from Table Mountain; just take the famous cable car up! Sitting comfortably in the cable car, you can watch out the window as the city slowly draws farther away as you ascend. At the top you’ll get your world famous view, and then can opt to either hike down or take the cable car back down.
Book your Cable Car ride
10. Absiel Down Table Mountain
If you’re looking for even more of an adventure on Table Mountain, it’s possible to hike or to take the cable car up, and then abseil down! This give you a whole new perspective from the mountain and is an andrenaline rush for those who love heights! It’s okay if you’ve never done it before, the guides show you the ropes and make sure you descend successfully.
Abseiling experience
10. Browse Through Green Market Square
Green Market Square is the perfect place to buy any souvenirs or gifts you may want or to simply browse through the market goods. There is so much color and talent here, and it is right in the middle of old Cape Town. The square was actually built int 1696!
11. Catch a football game at Cape Town soccer stadium
In 2010, Cape Town hosted the FIFA World Cup at the Cape Town Statium, which was actually built specifically for this huge event! The statium is incredible to see, and the atmosphere matches. I myself do not know a lot about soccer, in fact attending a game here was my first game I ever saw; but I had the time of my life and recommend visitors catching a game if you can!
12. Party on Long Street
If you’re looking to get a little rowdy while in Cape Town then hit up Long Street! During the day the street is the perfect place to find a variety of restaurants and even book stores. But at night, it’s where the party is at! It’s a vibrant atmosphere that attracts all types of people and is all around good vibes!
13. Skydive Over Cape Town
Skydiving in itself is a bucket list adventure, so why not do it over Cape Town South Africa, one of the coolest cities on earth?! You’ll get your adrenaline rush and views without paying an arm and leg. Just don’t do this after a night of partying on Long Street..
14. Paraglide off Signal Hill
If skydiving is a little much for you, you can still get your views and adrenaline rush views fix by paragliding off of Signal Hill! This activity is actually incredibly popular and definitely a Cape Town bucket list item to be checked off!
Paragliding experiences
15. Take in the View of 12 Apostles Mountain Range
If you take the red bus tour or simply drive through Camp’s Bay, you will see the 12 apostle mountain range. However, to really take it in and snap some epic photos check out SeaPoint and Maiden’s Cove for an iconic view.
16. Shop Your Way through the V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is esssentially a mall, lined with shops and restaurants, and has a movie theatre. But it’s more than that, it’s also a harbor with a Ferris wheel, an aquarium and an epic view of Table Mountain! This is must visit while in Cape Town, and if you’re lucky, when you go there might be live music on a sunny day!
17. Appreciate the Street Art of Woodstock and District Six
As I mentioned before, Cape Town has completely become an artist hub and people are expressing themselves more and more through art. This is especially obvious in the Woodstock, Observatory and District Six area. Here you will see vibrant, captivating street murals that tell a story!
18. Visit District Six Museum
District Six has a dark history of inequality that is important to learn and commemorate the victims. In 1966, the government declared Distict Six a whites only area and forcibly removed 60,000 people to the Cape Flats instead. At the District Six museum you can learn more about this history and help fund the reconstruction of community and support multi-culturism.
19. Be a Foodie at the Neighbourgood's Market
This Saturday market, called the Neighbourgood’s Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, is an activity I highly recommend! The creativity in food and the fresh ingredients are to die for! While in Cape Town I lived in Obs and walked over here almost every weekend!
20. Play Pool, Drink Rum and Socialize at Stones Bar in Observatory
Obersvatory, or Obs as its known, is where most international students and volunteers stay while in Cape Town. Within this area is a popular bar known as Stones where you can find everyone on a Wednesday night drinking rum and playing pool. It’s a chill place to be any night of the week, but Wednesdays is happy hour night!
21. Wander through Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden rests on the slope of Table Mountain and is absolutely stunning to see! It’s especially famous for the elevated canopy walk through the trees, and during the summer many outdoor concerts are held here!
22. High Tea at Mount Nelson Hotel
Stopping for an afternoon tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is another common Cape Town bucket list item. Here you will feel like a king or queen enjoying their tea while being served an array of delicious treats.
23. Enjoy South African Jazz Music
Jazz music made its way to South Africa when African Americans came over a warship in 1862 and then in 1890 when an Orpheus Myron McAdoo put on concerts throughout Cape Town. Jazz music stuck and there are two places in Cape Town that now do it best! Sunday afternoons at The Kloof Street House and every night at The Crypt. The Crypt especially is a unique experience, with a venue in the basement of a stone church, purple lighting to set the mood, delicious food and drinks, and world class jazz music!
24. Eat and Drink on Bree Street
I already have difficulty deciding where to eat, and Bree Street makes it that much more difficult! This cool street is lined with cocktail bars, pubs, cafes, restaurant, and wine bars, all of which are aesthetically pleasing and instagram worthy. This a must stop for everyone visiting Cape Town, but especially for the foodie!
25. See African Penguins at Boulders Beach and Foxy’s Beach
When we think of penguins, we picture tuxedos wobbling around on a glacier in Antarctica. But there are actually African penguins too that thrive in warmer weather! The most famous place to see these little guys is a Boulders beach and Foxy beach in Simon’s Town. If you go, be sure to be respectful of their space and fair warning, they smell!
26. Visit The Iziko Musums: the Slave Lodge and South African National Gallery
One of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, the slave lodge now serves as a museum for the long history of slavery in South Africa where visitors can learn from the past. Close by is the South African National Gallery that displays exhibitions from the country’s top artists.
27. Stroll Through Company Garden
Just past the South African National Gallery is Company Garden, which is the oldest garden in Cape Town. This green oasis is the perfect place for a picnic or a relaxing walk, and even has cafe to enjoy a bite under the trees.
28. Grab Coffee at a Number of Hipster Cafes
Coffee culture has made its way to Cape Town, a city where style always has been. Putting these two together and you get many quirky and unique cafes scattered around the city. Living in Obs, I had my favorites there such as Ground Zero Marley Coffee, Honeybun, and Saint James Cafe. But there are even more through out the city! Probably the most impressive of which are Truth Coffee Roasting, Tribe Coffee, Kamili Coffee, and Deluxe Coffee Works.
Fun fact: If you go to Saint James cafe and you see iced coffee on the menu, I was the first to order this and they experiemented with me as their guinea pig and eventually put it on the menu! It’s delicious!
29. Surf at Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg Beach is famous for surfing, and especially for beginners as the waves are relatively consistent. This was my first time surfing, and even though I sucked, I had the time of my life! It’s an unforgettable experience and the atmosphere is amazing.
Not only do you get to look back at the shore for amazing views, but once you’re exhausted there are plenty of places to grab food and relax. There’s Xpression Cafe with delicious smoothies, Oven Baked with savory pizzas, and my favorite: Live Bait which offers fantastic food and an incredible view of the beach and surfers below.
30. Colorful Houses at St. James Beach
Besides surfing, Muizenberg is famous for the little colored houses lined up on the beach. You can find some of these at Muizenberg Beach and even more next door at St. James Beach.
31. Enjoy a Braai with Friends
One of my favorite things to do in South Africa is enjoy a braai with friends! What’s a braai you ask?? It’s essentially a bbq, except 10x better. There’s so much meat and drinking and the goal is to consume as much as possible. In South Africa you don’t need any excuse to gather friends and braai; it happens as often as you want and is a massive social custom and tradition that brings South Africans together! The house I lived in had an outside braai area but there are also many public areas such as Maiden’s Cove, Miller Point, and Oudekraal beach.
32. Spend Your Sunday Afternoon at Mzoli’s with beer, meat, and music
Mzoli Sundays is some of the most fun I’ve ever had! It’s essentially a braai within a township that is open to the public where you pay for meat, bring your own drinks and dance the day away with locals. It’s most fun and safe if you go with a larger group, this way you can organize a van, so you don’t have to struggle to get an Uber back.
33. Visit a Brewey
Craft breweries are growing in popularity in Cape Town as locals are exploring and drawing on natural ingredients to make beer their own. Some breweries to check out are Woodstock Brewery and Aegir Project Taproom.
34. Wine Tasting in Constantia
If you’re not a beer drinker, fear not because actually it is wine South Africa is most famous for. In fact, South African wine is so famous worldwide and many people visit Cape Town just for the wine tasting! Visiting this city you must indulge yourself and visit not only a number of wine bars throughout the city, but also the lush wineries. There are many in Constania, the most famous of which is Groot Constantia the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa. But if you cannot decide on one vineyard to visit, I suggest following the Constantia Wine Route or taking a tour to many.
cape town wine tours
35. Watch Sunset From Signal Hill While Enjoying a Picnic
Speaking of wine, one my absolute favorite things to do in Cape Town was grab some wine bottles from the supermarket, some cheese and crackers, and head to Signal Hill with friends to lay on a blanket and watch the sun go down. Signal Hill is one of the best places in Cape Town to watch sunset and should be witnessed at least once!
Sunset Hike Experiences
36. Full moon hike of Lion’s Head
Just next to Signal Hill is Lion’s Head, a peak that if hiked provides incredible views of the city! But if you’re looking for an even more unique experience, at every full moon in Cape Town a night hike is actually planned! You can learn more on their page for this bucket list experience.
38. Visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope
Cape Point is incredible to see not only because of the rocky coastline and waves hitting the wall, but because it’s actually at the tip of the whole continent of Africa! So staring far into the distance, somewhere down there FAR away is South Antarctica.
Nearby to to Cape Point is Cape of Good Hope, another popular spot famous for its rocky coastline.
Cape of Good Hope Experiences
39. Walk the Sea Point Promenade
The Sea Point Promenade wraps around the coast and has some great views of Lion’s Head. It’s lined with restaurants and is the perfect place to take a stroll, jog, cycle or even skateboard! There’s actually even an event every week called Promenade Mondays when skaters gather to take on the promenade together!
40. Visit Blouberg Beach for a Panoramic View of Table Mountain
Blouberg beach, sitting across from Table mountain, is the perfect place to sunbathe, swim, play volleyball, stretch out with a good book, and witness an incredible view!
41. Search for Hippos at Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Many people have seen hippos within a zoo, but never in their natural habitat where they should be. So if you’re a wildlife lover, check out the Rondevlei Nature Reserve where you can try and spot hippos in this wetland!
42. Take A Joyride Through Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive
Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive is an epic road that hugs the coast and provides the driver and her passengers with the most beautiful views! On one side you have the rocky wall that forms tunnels at some points and on the other side you have the blue water of the Atlantic Ocean! Driving through the curvy road with the windows down is an unforgettable experience.
43. Tour a Township
During the apartheid, black communities were displaced to segregated neighborhoods now known as townships. Even now, 20 years later, these townships show the still prevalent problem of segregation in South Africa. In fact, I found it so unsettling that on one side of Table Mountain it was paradise and million dollar homes, and on the other people were living in crammed spaces with barely a roof over their head. And many locals in Cape Town, siding on the privileged population, had never even been to these areas that dominate a good portion of their own city.
For that reason and many others, I think visiting a township while in Cape Town is important. It gives you the chance to see the reality of what’s going on and also to support the locals there. When looking for a township tour, I urge you to do your research and go with a company or a person who is apart of or supports the township community so that your money is going into their pockets, I went with a friend who used to live there but is not a tour guide so I can’t recommend her. There are a few on GetYourGuide, but I would message to ask of the company’s origins.
Lastly, remember to treat the residents with respect and – this should go without saying – as humans. They’re not zoo animals and you should always ask before taking a photo, especially of children. Also talk to them, get to know the people and learn about the situation. I found most people very open.
44. Take a Sunset Cruise with Views of the City
If you’re going to be sipping on some drinks, might as well be champagne on a boat, admiring the coast from the water. Sunset cruises are popular in Cape Town and the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.
45. Get into Wine, Art, and Music on First Thursdays
The first Thursday of every month in Cape Town is a big deal! It’s a night of wine tasting, bar crawls, art galleries, dancing and so much more! If you happen to be in Cape Town during this eventful night, check out their Facebook page to see what’s going on!
46. Bay Harbor Market at Hout Bay
The Bay Harbor Market at Hout Bay is a weekly weekend event that has an abundance of food! It’s fun to walk around to each stall and try a little bit of everything, plus there’s live music which seals in the perfect weekend vibes!
47. Enjoy an Abundance of Happy Hours
If your trip doesn’t fall on a First Thursday, no worries! Cape Town is a such a foodie and drink culture city that some of the best happy hours can be found every single night almost anywhere! Cape Town Magazine names some of the best!
48. See/Ride a 4D Movie at Nu Metro Theatre V&A Waterfront
Even though I typically wouldn’t spend money on a movie while traveling, seeing a 4D movie was actually one of the coolest experiences! My best friend in Cape Town and I still rave about it to this day because the effects were so unexpected. The “movie” was more like a ride and we had water sprayed at us and were jolted back and forth almost the entire time. It was so bizarre but something I would 100% do again!
50. Spot Some Seals at the Kalk Bay Harbor
On my red bus tour the first day in Cape Town, this stop I remember most! Seals sat along the harbor and were all too friendly, cozying up to me, hoping I had a bite to eat for them.
Things to do A Little Ways Outside of Cape Town:
1. Take a tour Through the Stellenbosch Vineyards
Stellenbosch is about a 40 minute drive outside of Cape Town and is an area known for its delicious and beautiful vineyards. Visiting can be done within a tour from Cape Town or renting a car and going on your own. My friends and I rented a car and went to a few vineyards, one where we did a wine tasting for under $1.50 USD! And let’s not forget that South African wine is some of the best in the world!
2. Shark Cage Diving at Gansbaai
Shark cage diving in Gansbaai is easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my whole life! A boat takes you out to where many great white sharks are, and pour dead fish and chum into the water to attract the sharks to the boat. When one is sighted, you’re lowered into the cage and you can then see the shark swimming by. I was lucky enough to see 3, and one came right up to the cage and actually bit for half a second! A moment I’ll never forget!
In my opinion, this is a must do activity while in Cape Town. Gansbaai is about a 2 hour drive outside of Cape Town. My friends and I rented a car and drove there, which split between 5 people was cheap. Then the shark cage diving itself was only $100ish USD!
3. Whale Watching at Cove de Kelders
Cove de Kelders is close to Gansbaai and the perfect place to spot some whales! The coolest way to do this is kayaking!
Things to do Farther Outside of Cape Town in the rest of south Africa:
1. Go on a Safari
Safaris are incredibly popular in South Africa, especially Kruger National Park which is known worldwide. But there’s also Addo Elephant Park, the Kariega Game Reserve, the Phinda Private Game Reserve, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
2. Road Trip The Garden Route
The Garden Route Roadtrip is an adventure that goes through the Western Cape of South Africa. It takes you to nature reserves, coastal towns, and through forests and beaches. Myself and three friends took this trip on our own by renting a car and I planned the 7 day trip from resources I found online. It’s a must do for the adventurous travelers!
3. Hike at Cederberg
Cederberg has some incredible rocky hiking and even a place for cliff jumping! I went here with a large group of people where we camped overnight.
4. Hike to the Second Longest Waterfall in the World
Tugela Falls on the eastern side of South Africa is the second largest waterfall in the world! This phenomenon can be witnessed in person by hiking to some of the most epic views. This is an excursion in itself and should be planned out before going.
More Resources for Your Trip to South Africa
Planning your own trip? Here’s some resources I use to book and coordinate my trips:
Hostels
If you’re a budget traveler or looking for an easy way to meet others, Hostelworld is the best place to search. Click to search for availability in South Africa!
Hotels
Booking.com is the way to go when searching for hotels in South Africa because they typically offer free cancellation with plenty of affordable to more luxurious stays.
Flights
Flights to South Africa can be pricey, especially from the U.S. so to find the best deal & prices I recommend using Skyscanner.
BUSES
The easiest way to search for and book buses in South Africa is with BusBud where you can easily compare options. Check it out here.
Car Rental
Renting a car is very popular in South Africa, and I encourage it! My friends and I hired a car for a week to complete the Garden Route and it was one of my favorite experiences in the country. To easily rent a car, I suggest doing so with RentalCars where you can compare prices and get good deals. Check it out here.
Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip to ensure you’re covered in unexpected situations. My go to travel insurance is always WorldNomads which is made for backpackers. You can search for coverage here.
If you’re a digital nomad looking for travel medical emergency insurance, I also suggest Safety Wing.
Tours & Experiences
There’s a lot of free thing to do in South Africa or experiences you can do on your own. I always recommend checking blog posts for inspiration. If you’re interested in tours though then I suggest checking on GetYourGuide & Viator.
Know Before You Go
Check out my South Africa Destination Page here for information on visas, health requirements, currency, outlets, and more.
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