Looking for an amazing destination filled with fun and new adventures? Then look no further! A trip to Cape Town South Africa, also known as the Mother City, is guaranteed to leave you with happy memories that will last for a long time. Cape Town is remarkably different to other parts of Africa, it’s a highly cosmopolitan city with amazing architecture, magnificent sights and great transport networks that can rival some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here is a list we created of the top fun things to do in Cape Town including the most useful travel tips.
What to do in Cape Town
1. Explore V&A Waterfront
If you have just arrived in Cape Town, visiting V&A Waterfront, will be a good place to start with. V&A is a beautiful complex situated right in front of Cape Town Harbour, South Africa’s oldest working harbour.
Entertainment at V&A includes over 450 local and international shops selling nearly everything, endless restaurants, glamorous hotels, museums and amusement rides. The activities around V&A are plentiful and suit many tastes.
What we enjoyed the most about the V&A was wandering around watching and listening to the local artists singing and dancing to various traditional South African songs. We enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, the artist’s colourful outfits, energy and cool hairstyles.
2. Ride the giant Cape Wheel
Price: R155 – Adults, R80 – Children
Riding the giant Cape Wheel at the V&A is one of the best Cape Town attractions to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean, Robben Island and the iconic Table Mountain.
The 15-minute ride on the Cape Wheel is smooth and comfortable with wheelchair-accessible cabins.
3. Stop by the Two Oceans Aquarium
Price: R210 – Per Adult, R100 – Children
The Two Oceans Aquarium which is also found at the V&A is one of the most popular and fun things to do in Cape Town especially if you’re travelling with kids. The Two Oceans Aquarium houses Ragged-tooth Sharks, a Kelp forest and rescued Rockhopper Penguins which are also part of the South African marine life.
Other activities offered at the Two Oceans Aquarium are scuba diving for experienced divers and an opportunity to get up close with the penguins. Bear in mind that prior booking is required.
4. Stop by the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Price: R210 – Adults
Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), located in the Silo District at the V&A, is the world’s largest museum showing contemporary African art. Jochen Zeitz‘s collection is considered to be the most significant contemporary art from Africa. The building of Zeitz MOCAA is quite impressive and worth a visit in itself.
Zeitz MOCAA offers various admission discounts, especially to South African Nationals.
Zeitz MOCAA Opening Times.
5. Visit the Robben Island Museum
Price: R600 – Adults, R310 – Children (Duration – 3.5 Hours)
There is no trip to Cape Town which should exclude visiting one of the most important historical sites in South Africa, Robben Island. As is commonly known, Robben Island was the place where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned for many years before the fall of apartheid.
A visit to Robben Island is filled with a sombre tone, but an insightful experience to understand the struggle against apartheid. Fans of UNESCO World Heritage Sites will be happy to know that Robben Island is a protected site.
Ferries to Robben Island leave from Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A.
6. Indulge in delicious seafood in Cape Town’s stylish restaurants
Cape Town is a renowned hotspot for having some of the best restaurants in the whole of South Africa, so if you are a foodie, you’re going to be spoiled for choice.
One of the highlights of our visit to Cape Town was the delicious seafood we had at Firefish Restaurant at the V&A. There are a lot of excellent restaurants all around Capetown and my advice is to be open-minded, so try anything that looks good.
Cape Town is also a great place for market-style dining, if you’re a fan, don’t miss the V&A Food Market. There is amazing food from around the world like all types of curries, falafel shawarmas and bunny chow, offered from over 40 food stalls at affordable prices.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market is another fresh farm produce market worth checking out if you’re visiting the V&A Waterfront on weekends. It’s a fresh farm produce market, so it’s an ideal spot to shop if you’re self-catering.
7. Take a Free Walking Tour of Cape Town city centre
Price: Tip R200 – R400 Free Walking Tours
Cape Town city centre is filled with places of historical significance in South Africa and joining a guided tour is one of the most effective ways to learn about them. We joined Cape Town Free Walking Tours and we recommend them as the tour was quite fun, engaging and informative.
As well as touring Capetown’s historical neighbourhoods like District Six and Bo-Kaap, the guide shared with us other lovely spots in the city to explore on our own, places to eat delicious food and shop for souvenirs.
8. Visit Bo-Kaap
One of the cheapest fun activities in Cape Town you don’t want to miss is visiting its most colourful and distinct neighbourhood, Bo-Kaap. Bo-Kaap’s history and the culture of its residents (commonly referred to as Cape Malay or Cape Muslims) are quite interesting to know.
Originally, the houses in Bo-Kaap could only be painted white but when this rule was abolished, the residents repainted their houses in all sorts of colours as an expression of freedom.
Bo-Kaap Museum which is located on Wale Street is a good place to start exploring the real history of Bo-Kaap and the Cape Malay Culture.
Interested in Cape Malay cuisine? Consider taking a Cape Malay Cooking Class.
9. Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to Table Mountain
Price: Adult Return R380 & R190 – Child – Price Varies
Taking the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway or cable car to Table Mountain National Park has to be at the top of your list of fun activities in Cape Town. The famous flat-topped mountain overlooking the city of Cape Town is said to be one of the most visited and photographed attractions in South Africa.
Visiting Table Mountain is worthwhile because you get to enjoy breathtaking views of Cape Town, the surrounding ocean and Robben Island in the distance.
Table Mountain top is filled with unique shrub-like plants called Fynbos which are only found in this part of the world. Rabbit-like creatures related to the elephant family commonly known as Dassie are some of the wildlife to keep an eye out for.
Going up to Table Mountain on foot is quite popular but the hiking trails require a good fitness level. We opted for the easy and swift ride on the Table Mountain cable car.
Table Mountain is also a perfect spot to enjoy the spectacular Cape Town sunset. Plan to visit late in the afternoon so as not to miss out.
10. Spend time at Camps Bay Beach
Camps Bay Beach is found in the upmarket suburb which shares the same name, it’s one of the most beautiful and conveniently located beaches to visit when in Cape Town.
Furnishing this Blue Flag beach is a stretch of fine white sand and a safe tidal pool, though the water tends to be cold. In front of Camps Bay Beach is a bustling promenade filled with elegant hotels, trendy restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The Twelve Apostle Mountain range forms the back of Table Mountain providing a unique backdrop for Camps Bay. I recommend spending some time around Camps Bay exploring the local boutiques on the promenade, relaxing in one of the cocktail bars or taking a walk along the promenade.
Camps Bay Beach is another great spot to enjoy Cape Town’s spectacular sunset, so don’t miss it if you appreciate sunsets.
11. Take a full day to explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Price: R200 Adults, R25 Children
A full day tour of the world-class garden, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to go in Cape Town for those who love exploring nature. UNESCO World Heritage Site fans will be interested to know that the vast area around Kirstenbosch, also referred to as the Cape Floristic Region, is a protected site.
More than 7, 000 species of plants and wildlife found around the Cape Peninsula are housed in Kirstenbosch. There are plenty of other attractions as well which include walking trails with incredible views, an ever-changing sculpted themed garden and an African-style restaurant.
To fully explore Kirstenbosch, join the garden’s own free guided walking tour. The tour takes you through the garden’s interesting history and brings you around the various themed gardens and walking trails like the famous Boomslang Canopy Walk.
How to get to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch is situated in the Newlands suburb, 13 km from Cape Town city centre, on the southern slopes of Table Mountain. If you’re not driving, City Sightseeing Hop-on and Hop-Off is a great choice to get to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
12. Try the wine tasting experience at Groot Constantia
Groot Constantia is one of the most conveniently located wineries to visit for a wine tasting experience, especially if travelling on public transport. It’s located in the upmarket suburb of Constantia, about 20 minutes drive from Cape Town city centre. Groot Constantia’s red wines are said to be some of the best in South Africa which makes a visit here worthwhile.
Aside from producing high-quality wines, Groot Constantia’s wine fields and garden are quite superb. If you’re lucky to have good weather during your visit, be sure not to miss the wine tasting offered from the garden.
The winery runs a highly-rated tour of the wine cellars, offered at an additional cost to the wine tasting. Being one of the oldest wine estates in the country, it’s also worthwhile to give the Groot Constantia’s museum a quick visit.
How to get to Groot Constantia
The City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-Off Wine Bus is a good choice to explore the wineries in Constantia including Groot Constantia if travelling on public transport.
13. Visit the Old Biscuit Mill
Located in the hipster neighbourhood of Woodstock, The Old Biscuit Mill is one of Cape Town’s emerging and exciting art, food and shopping spaces. Street art of varying themes by local and international artists is quite a big thing in Woodstock and the Old Biscuit Mill has its fair share.
One of the city’s popular markets, Neighbourgoods Market, offering market-style dining, fresh farm produce and locally designed lifestyle goods is held from the Old Biscuit Mill.
Other things to keep you entertained at the Old Biscuit Mill are independent art galleries, trendy boutiques selling unique products created by local designers and restaurants which are highly regarded in Cape Town such as The Pot Luck Cluband The Test Kitchen.
The Old Biscuit Mill is a cool spot in Cape Town to hang out. We loved the low-key atmosphere and the light lunch we had at Saucisse Deli.
14. Visit the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park
Price: R130 – Adults, R50 – Children
World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park, situated in the seaside town of Hout Bay and about a 30-minute drive from the city centre, is certainly one of the top family activities in Cape Town. The park was recommended to us by a local but we added it to our itinerary reluctantly, it turned out to be one of the most fun places in Cape Town we visited.
The park is Africa’s largest bird sanctuary housing over 3,000 birds, and 400 bird species as well as small animals like monkeys, meerkats, penguins, small cats, reptiles and other various small creatures.
At World of Birds, you can find more than 100 walk-through aviaries which give you an opportunity to get up close and interact with the animals. A visit to World of Birds is a real treat for children of all ages, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers as it’s quite rare to find this amount of different species of wildlife.
15. Take the boat ride to Duiker Island from Hout Bay
Price: R110 – Adults, R60 – Children (Duration – 40 mins)
Visiting Duiker Island to see its famous habitat, the Cape Fur Seals is one of the most popular fun Cape Town activities for families with kids. There are a few boat companies to choose from at the harbour in Hout Bay, all of which are child-friendly and require no prior booking.
Along the way to Duiker Island, you will find the views of the ocean, Chapman’s Peak Drive and the surrounding mountains quite spectacular. No one is allowed on Duiker Island but the boats do get close allowing you to see hundreds of seals basking, diving into the water or just being playful. The guides told us to look out for dolphins, whales and wild birds as well; however, it was difficult to see anything else with the seals that cake the island.
16. Ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak Drive is said to be one of the world’s best coastal drives and I couldn’t agree more. The 9-kilometre toll road was built on the rugged sides of Chapman’s Peak Mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, connecting the seaside towns of Hout Bay and Noordhoek.
Driving along Chapman’s Peak, marvelling at the ingenious engineering and the beautiful Atlantic seaboard on the other side is a sight in Capetown that will fascinate everyone, regardless of age.
Dotted along the drive are viewpoints which allow you to stop safely to enjoy the wonderful views and take astonishing pictures.
17. Explore Cape Point Nature Reserve
Price: R340 Adults, R170 Children (Discount for SA Nationals)
Cape Point Nature Reserve (Cape of Good Hope) at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain on the north end are part of one huge nature park, the Table Mountain National Park. Making an effort to take a full-day tour of the Cape Point Peninsula will be sure to be one big adventure, one which feels quite literally like you’ve reached the end of the world.
The highest peak at Cape Point is reached by getting to the viewpoint at the old lighthouse. A small tram known locally as the Flying Dutchman funicular is available for an easy and swift ascend.
However, we took the challenge to hike to the top and went on to take another trail to a lower point where the new lighthouse is located. The walks at Cape Point are not for the fainthearted but are great fun and the scenery is just out of this world.
Cape Point is large in size with lots to see, so it’s impossible to do everything in one day, you pick out what you want to do the most and hope that you’ll return another time. We’ve got shark cage diving in Gansbaai, wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards and the Garden Route on our bucket list, so will certainly be returning to Cape Town.
How to get to Cape Point Nature Reserve
If not driving, the most affordable way to get to Cape Point is to join the many available full day tours. You could also take the Southern Line train from Cape Town Station to Simon’s Town and finish the journey with a private taxi.
Cape Point Popular Tours
18. Stop by Boulders Beach to see the African Penguins
One of the most adorable things to do in Cape Town for free guaranteed to put a smile on your face is visiting Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town to see the African Penguins. The sound of the penguins will grab your attention as you approach Boulders Beach.
An easy stroll along the marked boardwalk leads to the colony where you can get up close to the penguins. It’s quite fascinating to see countless penguins just strolling around in the neighbourhood.
African Penguins are only found on the South African and Namibian Coast. They are also in decline, so this might be your last chance to see them. We visited Boulders Beach as a quick stop returning from Cape Point which was enough time to see the penguins.
19. Explore the villages along the coast of False Bay
If your itinerary allows, I recommend taking time to explore the stunning beaches and villages along the coast of False Bay which includes Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. This is also the Indian Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula meaning the water is much warmer and ideal for all sorts of water activities like swimming, fishing and surfing.
Muizenberg Beach is one of the top surfing destinations in Cape Town therefore if you plan to surf, it would be ideal to base yourself around the coast of False Bay.
False Bay is connected to Cape Town by the Southern Line train which makes the region one of the easiest and most affordable day trips to take from Cape Town.
19. Visit Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay along the coast of False Bay is one of the coolest and oldest fishing villages in South Africa, it’s worth adding to your list of places to visit in Cape Town especially if you enjoy fish. The fish in Kalk Bay is said to be the freshest fish you can get in Cape Town.
If you won’t be self-catering, don’t worry because you can still get to indulge in some fresh catch of the day from the many seafood restaurants around Kalk Bay like the highly rated Brass Bell or the takeaway Lucky Fish & Chips, which is equally good.
Kalk Bay is also a hotspot for seal watching, so if you’re visiting with children this would be a perfect trip to take from Cape Town. The village of Kalk Bay is also lovely to wander around exploring its interesting vintage bookstores and art and antique galleries.
How to get to Kalk Bay from Cape Town Centre
Taking the Southern Line train from Cape Town Station heading to Simon’s Town is the best affordable public transport option to get to Kalk Bay which comes with a bonus, the stunning view of the sea.
20. Visit Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands for a wine-tasting tour
My top recommendation for an amazing wine-tasting tour in the Cape Winelands is to head to the beautiful town of Franschhoek. Just a half an hour long drive from Cape Town city centre and you are already in the Cape Winelands where grape farming dates back to the 1600s.
Although Franschhoek is not as big as other towns in the Cape Winelands such as Stellenbosch, it’s easy to get around with a nice mix of things to do that caters to all sorts of travellers.
Wine farms like Haute Cabriere offering a variety of wine tasting and outstanding dining experiences overlooking Franschhoek Valley are conveniently located near Franschhoek town centre.
21. Take a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Hopping on the stylish Franschhoek Wine Tram is one of the most unique things to do in Cape Town while exploring the wine estates around Franschhoek.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram will bring you to the various wine estates in Franschhoek, sampling South African wine, indulging in good food or just strolling around the beautifully landscaped vineyards. If travelling with children, the tram ride is a winner and the adults will enjoy the wine tasting.
Wine Tasting Tours
22. Try the Chocolate Tasting at Huguenot Fine Chocolates
Price: R50 Per Person
A chocolate-tasting experience at Huguenot Fine Chocolates in Franschhoek town centre is one of the best fun activities in Cape Town. The chocolate-tasting experience will make you look at chocolate differently and appreciate the work and challenges involved in the making of such an incredible product.
You’ll get to try out chocolate with varying intensity, some blended with South African flavours like Amarula, Fig and Mango. No prior booking is required for the chocolate tasting, just drop by the shop when in Franschhoek.
23. Stop by the Huguenot Memorial Museum and Monument
The Huguenot Memorial Museum and Huguenot Memorial Monument are located close to each other at the end of the main street of Franschhoek town centre. The little museum is dedicated to the Huguenots and their plight, settlement in Franschhoek and contribution to South Africa.
Huguenot Memorial Museum charges a small fee.
24. Stop by Fairview Cheese and Wine Farm in Paarl
A huge draw to Cape Town for me is places like Fairview Cheese and Wine Farm in Paarl, Cape Winelands. Found in the farm shops are all sorts of fresh farm produce, unique hand-crafted lifestyle products, and wine and cheese tasting experiences.
Aside from selling a variety of farm produce, most of the farms offer child-friendly activities such as horse or camel riding or just general interaction with farm animals which includes alpacas and goats.
We enjoyed our brief visit to Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm during our tour of the Cape Winelands. One of the best things to do here is to try cheese tasting. The cheeses at Fairview Farm are said to be the best in the Cape Winelands.
25. Stop by Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie
Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie is another lovely child-friendly farm shop to look out for when you’re heading to Cape Point. We loved Imhoff Farm for its freshly baked pies and cakes served from their nicely decorated cafe-style restaurant. Imhoff Farm is also a great place to fill up your picnic basket with treats from its farm shop.
26. Visit West Coast National Park
Price: R100 – Adults, R50 – Children
West Coast National Park is one of the furthest attractions in Cape Town, located about 120 km north of the city in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Our Cape Town itinerary was quite tight so we didn’t get to visit West Coast National Park, but it’s definitely on our top list of things to do in Cape Town when we visit again.
West Coast National Park is said to be a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts. Walking or hiking, mountain biking, and bird and whale watching are some of the activities to do at the park. The park has dedicated areas for picnics and braai which makes it quite an appealing day trip destination when in Cape Town.
Learn about West Coast National Park
Booking a trip to Cape Town – Useful Information
What can you do in Cape Town on a low Budget?
Many sights in Cape Town offer great discounts or free entry during public holidays mostly to South African Nationals which allows you to experience Cape Town even on a low budget. Getting the City Pass is also a good choice to help reduce costs when exploring Cape Town’s main attractions.
Where to stay in Cape Town?
Affordable and safe places to stay whilst visiting Cape Town are suburbs central or very close to the city like Green Point and Sea Point. Great cafes and restaurants, plenty of spots for lovely walks and proximity to the city centre as well as Cape Town Stadium are some of the draws for staying in this part of Cape Town.
Airbnb is my favourite resource to find lovely and reasonably priced accommodation in Capetown especially if you’re travelling as a group.
How to get around Cape Town?
The best and safest way to get around Cape Town city is by local buses or a combination of both. Renting a car is a great choice which allows flexibility and an option to explore places further from the city centre. City Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off bus is also another great option especially if you avail of the City Pass to reach most of the attractions in this guide.
Cape Town Popular Tours
I hope you enjoy your visit to Cape Town South Africa. Let me know if you need help, I will be glad to help.
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Dudu Dlamini
Thanks for updating us because it will be my first time in Cape Town with my family
The other thing is it’s not easy to get accommodation around Sea Point and Green Point… Please help with that.
adelaide
Hi Dudu! Thanks for your comment. Airbnb is a great place to find accommodation in Cape Town. We stayed in an apartment in Green Point booked on the site. Have a lovely time in Cape Town!
Jenn
You’re making me miss Cape Town so much! What a great city! And you captured all the best things to do.
Adelaide
Thanks Jenn for the feedback. Cape Town is such a great city!