If you happen to’re searching for journey, pleasure, magnificence and information, then you definately’re in the proper place. Breathtaking, typically even difficult, there’s a lot to do in Cape City that you just received’t ever run out of issues to do and locations to see.
We’ve damaged our information down into 4 sections: our prime suggestions, artwork and cultural actions, procuring and markets and seashores, hikes and outside areas. If you happen to’ve bought solely a short while in Cape City, I like to recommend having a look at our prime choices and seeing which of them take your fancy!
We’ve first-hand expertise of every exercise talked about right here, so be happy to ask within the feedback when you have any questions.
Our Prime Suggestions for Cape City
- Paragliding off Lion’s Head
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus
- Beau Constantia Vineyards
- Whale Watching at Hermanus
- Table Mountain and Cable Car
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Finest Artwork and Cultural Actions in Cape City
- National Gallery of South Africa
- District 6 Museum
- First Thursdays (plus Sincere Gin Bar)
- Zeitz MOCAA
- Norval Foundation
- Bo-kaap Walking Tour
- Labia Theatre
Finest Purchasing and Markets in Cape City
Finest Seashores, Hikes and Outside Actions
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- The Company’s Garden
- Big Bay Beach
- Lion’s Head
- Surf’s Corner in Muizenberg
- Kalk Bay’s Tidal Pools
- Sunset at Camps Bay
- Padel at the Mount Nelson
Our Prime Picks of the Very Finest Issues To Do in Cape City
Jaw-dropping, life-changing and intensely lovely, Cape City is a metropolis of wonders and adventures that may excite even travellers who suppose that they’ve seen all of it. In case you have simply a short while in Cape City, I like to recommend making an attempt to slot in as lots of our six prime picks as enchantment to you. Our favorite actions listed right here offer you an actual sense of Cape City’s heady mix of incredible nature, rugged landscapes and superior wildlife.
1. Paragliding off Lion’s Head or Sign Hill
The views off Lion’s Head are breathtaking and there’s no higher strategy to get pleasure from them than from the air. Paragliding is a incredible exercise, combining the tranquillity of gliding with the joy of working off the aspect of a mountain. Even when you have no expertise you may be part of a tandem dive the place you’re strapped to an skilled teacher. After the flight and an ideal touchdown by Camp’s Bay, I used to be fully buzzing with pleasure.
You’ll be able to e book paragliding by way of Get Your Information. After cautious analysis, we went with Cape City Tandem Paragliding, who appeared like probably the most respected firm. Technically because of the security legal guidelines in South Africa, you’re signing up as a pupil for a one-off lesson on paragliding. We met our paragliding crew at Lion’s Head parking zone and after various muddled ready round and paperwork, we finally walked half-way up the mountain to the launch website. Bear in mind to weigh your self earlier than you set off, take some ID and pack some heat garments.
If paragliding is one thing you’re excited about, I extremely advocate reserving it early on in your Cape City journey, because it’s pretty prone to be cancelled if the climate situations are dangerous. Our first try was cancelled resulting from poor climate and the climate wasn’t ok for the following 4 days. Nonetheless, I used to be glad our skilled instructors weren’t taking any possibilities with the climate. As our teacher properly stated, it’s higher to be on the bottom wishing you had been within the air, than within the air and wishing you’re on the bottom!
2. See Cape City’s Prime Sights with the Hop-on Hop-off Bus
I have to admit, we used to roll our eyes at this sort of vacationer exercise, however the Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Cape City is un-ironically sensible. One ticket (275 ZAR) will get you all-day entry to 4 totally different routes, together with a shorter central route, an extended route that takes you previous some gorgeous bays and seashores and one other which is particularly for Cape City’s vineyards.
Highlights embrace Desk Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Beau Constantia Winery, Hout Bay, Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront. I’d go as far as to say that should you solely have someday in Cape City, no different exercise will allow you to see as a lot as the town in as little effort and time.
3. Strive Domestically-Grown South African Wine at Beau Constantia Winery
If you happen to actually wish to encourage jealousy amongst family and friends again house, the place to take a smug vacation photograph is Beau Constantia Winery, ideally with a glass of wine in hand. This winery is properly positioned, with views of the vines rolling out in a single path and Desk Mountain within the different.
You’ll be able to select between a extra informal seat on the terrace which is open on the weekends, or an upmarket however nonetheless affordable seat within the Cooks Warehouse restaurant. Wine could be purchased by the glass or the bottle, to have there or take house, and evidently, every little thing is of a wonderful high quality. I may advocate each the oyster mushroom bao from their How Bao Now pop-up and the cheese board, each of which had been very good.
If you happen to’d wish to be taught extra about South Africa wine, the best choice is to get the tasting set of 4 small glasses of wine (110 to 130 ZAR). If you happen to don’t have a automotive, you will get to the winery, which is about twenty minutes outdoors Cape City, both by the hop-on hop-off bus or by Uber.
The Cape wine area together with the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek areas can also be a must-see when in Cape City. They are often visited as a day-trip, however we’d advocate spending no less than an extended weekend there to essentially take in the views and wine! The Constantia wine area is relatively a lot nearer to Cape City and smaller, so makes for a greater day or half-day journey.
4. Watch Whales in Hermanus (Day Journey from Cape City)
Watching a twenty-three thousand kilogramme animal launch itself out of the water earlier than crashing again beneath the waves is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. If you happen to’re in Cape City between June and November, then you definately’re in luck as a result of it’s the season of the Southern proper whale.
Lots of of Southern proper whales come to Hermanus to mate every year. Feminine whales come again to this bay, the identical one they had been born in themselves, to boost the following technology. They use the protection of the bay to show the younger every little thing they should know earlier than making the almost seven thousand kilometre journey to their feeding grounds within the antarctic.
The Southern proper whale doesn’t sing, it as a substitute communicates by slapping the water with its physique. If you happen to’re fortunate, you’ll have the ability to see a whale leaping out of the water (breaching) both to speak with others or to show its calf the methods of the whale.
We booked our journey by way of Get Your Guide (2,200 ZAR) and our journey was offered by Ivanhoe Sea Safaris, who I extremely advocate. Hermanus is a two hour thirty minute drive from Cape City, however transport was organized for us. We had been picked up at 10 AM promptly by our driver from our lodging. We stopped for a espresso in Hermanus city and had been on the harbour in Gansbaai by 12:30PM.
The boat left at 1PM for a two-hour journey. We packed snacks, waterproofs, sea illness tablets and sunscreen. We had been fairly nervous as our journey was on November sixth, which is close to the top of the season. Nevertheless, we had been fortunate sufficient to identify two whales with their calves.
The guides had been very educated and the captain minimize the boat’s engine engine a good way from the whales. One of many curious calves got here proper up subsequent to the boat to examine us out, which was an superior expertise. The 2 hours flew by and it was reassuring to see how respectful the guides had been in giving the whales loads of house.
On the way in which again, our driver stopped in Hermanus so we may get some lunch. The city has a nice seaside vibe and you’ll see whales from the city itself in case you are fortunate. We seen a crowd gathering and rushed over simply in time to see a whale breaching within the distance!
Our driver took us on the coastal route again and took us to a fantastic lookout level over False Bay. This place was well-known for its nice white sharks and though we didn’t see any we did spot a ultimate whale of the day within the bay in addition to a troop of baboons on the roadside. We had been dropped off again in Cape City by 7 PM.
5. Hike to the Prime of Desk Mountain (and take the cable automotive again down!)
The views of Cape City from Desk Mountain are iconic and to not be missed. For the energetic and adventurous, it’s an satisfying two-to-three hour hike to the highest should you take the favored Platekipp Gorge route.
The Platekipp Gorge route is brief and scenic however steep and fairly difficult. We began mountaineering at 8:45 AM on a Saturday morning in November and the path was pleasantly populated with different hikers. It is a bonus should you’re going with no information because it means you may’t get misplaced and there are pleasant faces round in case of an emergency.
Pack ingesting water, sunscreen, a hat and a windbreaker for the highest, which we discovered chilly even on an in any other case sunny day. On the prime, you may take the cable automotive again down (ZAR 220, a method). Purchase a ticket on the ticket workplace or on-line. It’s advisable to set off early to keep away from the noon solar and the worst of the queues for the cable automotive.
You’ll be able to use an app like Kamoot to navigate; this link will show you the exact route that we took. Word that beginning and ending on the Desk Mountain Aerial Cableway makes the route barely longer than the usual Platekipp Gorge route, however I assumed the extra stretch was price it for the nice views of Lion’s Head. The trailhead is fifteen minutes by Uber from the centre of city (ZAR 70).
6. See the Penguin Colony at Boulders Seaside (Simon’s City)
Standing on a white-sand seaside, my toes in cool blue seawater and lovely penguins waddling throughout — I discovered my pleased place at Boulders Beach penguin colony. Nature lovers of all ages mustn’t miss this expertise when in Cape City.
The Boulders Seaside penguin colony is in Simon’s City, which is a 45-minute drive from the CBD. If you happen to’re coming from Cape City, you’ll most probably cease at Cunning Seaside first. It’s 176 ZAR for an grownup ticket for a global customer. Be sure you preserve your ticket because it’s usable at two websites.
The Cunning Seaside website consists of two quick wood walkways and a present store. After we visited (Saturday third, December 2022) there have been numerous penguins! Most had been simply standing within the solar, however every so often a person or squad would come gliding out of the water at spectacular speeds. Cunning Seaside was pretty full of vacationers, so contemplate coming early within the day to beat the push.
A brief stroll from Cunning Seaside is Boulder’s Seaside, which is the place you may really entry the seaside itself. On the stroll to Boulders Seaside, the thickets had been full of lovely dassies together with many child dassies that had been making an attempt out some restricted independence underneath watchful parental supervision!
Boulder’s Seaside is strewn with massive boulders that the penguins dart between. There’s additionally sheltered swimming and it felt much less crowded than Cunning Seaside. You’ll be able to safely swim right here and should you’re fortunate, a penguin or two may swim with you. Please preserve a respectful distance from the penguins and don’t be tempted to crowd them, regardless of how cute they may be.
Funds travellers can see the penguins with out paying for a ticket by visiting Seaforth seaside, which additionally has a smaller penguin colony. Nevertheless, I’d advocate shopping for a ticket should you can afford it.
Finest Artwork and Cultural Actions in Cape City
Tradition vultures received’t discover themselves in need of issues to do in Cape City. From the architecturally distinctive Zeitz MOCAA, to the see and be-seen crowd of First Thursdays, there are many artsy and culturally enriching actions to participate in.
7. See the Art work within the Nationwide Gallery of South Africa
The Nationwide Gallery of South Africa is house to a diversified assortment of artwork of various sorts and from totally different time intervals. The items on show included each conventional work and a few placing sculptures. It’s properly price seeing Jane Alexander’s creepy however compelling Butcher Boys sculpture. Admission is cheap and it’s properly price a go to should you occur to be within the Firm’s Backyard.
8. Study concerning the Coronary heart-Breaking Historical past of District Six
The District Six Museum information the historical past of District Six, a poor however vibrant multi-racial neighborhood that was forcibly eliminated throughout apartheid. The museum homes a group of recorded statements, objects and images from the not-so-distant previous. It’s price visiting the museum, which is inside an outdated church constructing, and you’ll go to the positioning in round half-hour, although the tales you’ll hear will stick with you for a lot for much longer.
9. Get pleasure from Cape City’s Artwork Scene on First Thursday (and luxuriate in a gin afterwards!)
Each first Thursday of the month, the artwork galleries of Cape City open late to permit artists and artwork college students to showcase their work. It’s a free, unstructured vibe with small galleries and bars participating throughout the centre of Cape City.
We wandered between 4 or 5 small artwork galleries and loved the excitement for an hour or so earlier than settling down with a incredible gin cocktail on the Gin Bar). The Gin Bar is an excellent house with rustic darkish wooden floors and high-framed industrial fashion home windows. It’s a preferred place to finish the night once you’ve had your fill of artwork. Their suave gin menu consists of 5 signature cocktails. I attempted ‘The Ambition’ a gin cocktail with tonic, elderflower cordial, cucumber and thyme and loved it a lot I ordered a second. You can too add rooibos gin, a South African speciality, to any cocktail.
The Gin Bar shares each a constructing and a fantastic secret courtyard with Sincere Chocolate Cafe, Bubbly Bar and Bodega Ramen, which is an unparalleled assortment of my favorite issues in a single place.
Study extra and plan your route on the First Thursdays website.
10. Admire Up to date African Artwork on the Zeitz MOCAA
The Zeitz Museum of Up to date Artwork Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape City is a must-see vacation spot for anybody excited about up to date artwork from Africa and its diaspora. Positioned within the historic Grain Silo complicated on the V&A Waterfront, the museum is house to a world-class assortment of up to date artwork, together with work, sculptures, installations and extra.
Along with its spectacular assortment, the Zeitz MOCAA can also be a surprising architectural achievement. The museum is housed in a sequence of interconnected silos which were transformed into gallery areas, offering a novel and visually gorgeous setting for the artwork on show. A ticket prices 230 ZAR.
11. Mix Artwork, Nature and Meals on the Norval Basis
Set on a picturesque 18-acre property round thirty minutes from the centre of Cape City, the Norval Basis is house to a world-class assortment of up to date African artwork, that includes works from a few of the continent’s most celebrated artists.
Whereas I loved the gallery, the sculpture backyard and the Skotnes Restaurant are what make the place actually price a go to. The gardens, which take round quarter-hour to stroll by way of, are landscaped in such a method that allows you to admire every sculpture in flip.
The Norval Basis is open 10 AM 5 PM on daily basis besides Tuesday. Admission is 180 ZAR. Mains on the Skotnes Restaurant begin at 110 ZAR and go to 235 ZAR.
12. Wander the Vibrant Streets of Bo-Kaap on a Free Strolling Tour
The brightly colored neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap is known for its lovely colonial buildings and its conventional Cape Malay neighborhood. We joined a Free Walking Tour to expertise the neighbourhood and its rainbow streets.
The excursions are a few hours lengthy and depart from Church Sq. on Parliament Avenue on a regular basis. There’s no have to e book, merely search for the brilliant inexperienced umbrellas and inform one of many tour guides that you just’d wish to see Bo-Kaap. The educated tour guides are paid completely by suggestions and do settle for card funds.
We determined to remain in Bo-Kaap after the tour ended and luxuriate in a meal at Faeeza’s Home Kitchen. Because the title suggests, it’s a kitchen run out of a beautiful girl’s house and it specialises in home-cooked Cape Malay dishes. I had a scrumptious butter bean curry with roti and sambal that was fairly presumably the perfect meal I ate in South Africa! Although I didn’t strive it, I used to be additionally tempted by koesiester, which is a spicy doughnut-like deal with.
Inquisitive about Cape City’s delicacies? Take a look at our guide to Cape Town’s best vegetarian food.
13. Get pleasure from an Arthouse Film at Labia Theatre
The Labia Theatre – so named after Princess Labia who based the theatre in 1949, and under no circumstances referring to ‘pores and skin flicks’ – is Cape City’s oldest and finest cinema screening arthouse and unbiased movies. Although small, the cinema has 4 screens, all kitted out with red-velvet seats.
Tucked within the nook between Kloof Avenue and The Firm’s Backyard, a flowered arch leads you into the cinema’s courtyard. It’s well-worth arriving half an hour early to have a pre-film drink. Don’t neglect to seize your self a popcorn which is a novelty in itself because it comes unflavoured and also you shake by yourself flavours (very retro!)
We watched the attractive documentary ‘The Velvet Queen,’ about explorers looking Tibet for a wild snow leopard, on the Labia, which we’d additionally extremely advocate.
Finest Purchasing and Markets in Cape City
If you happen to’re in want of presents for family and friends again house, or simply one thing to remind you of your time in South Africa, listed here are three of the perfect locations to buy groceries:
14. Eat, store and benefit from the sea breeze at V&A Waterfront
If locally-made presents and meals are what you’re craving, then the Watershed on the V&A Waterfront has you lined. The V&A Waterfront (that’s Victoria and Alfred, not Victoria and Albert) is a glitzy a part of city proper on the waterfront. When you’ve completed procuring, reward your abdomen with one thing from the meals corridor subsequent door, which shares all kinds of eateries together with Hungarian, Cape Malay, dumplings and extra!
15. Browse, eat and drink on the Outdated Biscuit Mill (Woodstock)
For Camden Market vibes in Cape City, you may’t beat The Outdated Biscuit Mill. This well-liked neighborhood hub and inventive attracts in locals and vacationers alike. Discover an array of retailers and eateries, browse artisanal crafts, and chill out afterwards with a drink and a few reside music.
I’d advocate going at lunchtime to get pleasure from one thing from the intensive meals corridor, which had falafel, barbeque, Korean meals and rather more, in addition to loads of beers and wines.
16. Deal with your tastebuds at Oranjezicht Metropolis Farm Market (Waterfront)
Need to decide up recent produce, store for distinctive objects and take a look at locally-produced meals? The Oranjezicht Metropolis Farm Market in Cape City is a superb place to buy recent fruit and greens and artisanal items.
We picked up a variety of goodies, together with locally-made scorching sauces, spice mixes and freshly-ground espresso. To reward ourselves for a profitable store, we tucked right into a incredible vegan Cape Malay meal (ZAR 120) that included spiced chickpeas, cauliflowers, potatoes, rice, salad and recent roti. There are many meals choices out there, together with barbeque, burgers, Indian, Korean rooster, pizza and rather more.
The Oranjezicht Metropolis Farm Market is open Saturday and Sundays till 2 PM, and on Wednesdays from 5 PM-9 PM.
Go to Cape City’s Finest Seashores, Hikes and Outside Areas
Few capital cities on the planet can maintain a candle to Cape City; each the sweetness and variety of the landscapes are with out rival. Mountains, forests, fynbos, vineyards, gardens and seashores, Cape City has all of it. Listed here are a few of the finest locations to see:
17. Reconnect with Nature at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Do you know that there are solely six floral kingdoms on the planet and one in every of them is exclusive to the cape of Africa? However it’s not simply the “fynbos” (distinctive high quality shrubland) that makes this botanical backyard particular, it’s additionally its jaw-dropping setting on the slopes of Desk Mountain.
If you happen to want a break from the large metropolis, I extremely advocate heading out to Kirstenbosch to get pleasure from a picnic or lunch at one of many on-site eating places. These botanical gardens are huge and connect with a number of mountaineering journeys should you plan to make an extended day of it. Simply be careful for the baboons as they’ve been identified to open luggage seeking snacks! Customary grownup tickets are 210 ZAR.
18. Take a Stroll within the Firm’s Backyard
The Firm’s Backyard is a nice tree-lined house in the midst of Cape City, the oldest within the metropolis in reality. It’s a pathway flanked by greenery that runs from the Iziko Slave Lodge by way of to Mount Nelson Resort. The Firm’s Backyard can also be house to the Nationwide Gallery of South Africa and the pair make for an fascinating strategy to spend a few hours.
Be sure you’re out of the backyard method earlier than it will get darkish, because it’s not a protected place at evening time. Be sure to learn our guide to safety in Cape Town.
19. Get pleasure from Views of Desk Mountain from Huge Bay Seaside
Huge Bay Seaside is an idyllic stretch of white sand thirty minutes from the centre of Cape City, boasting immaculate views of Desk Mountain. The water is icy chilly, however that doesn’t cease the surfers from braving the waves.
If you happen to’re not into water sports activities, this can be a nice seaside for an extended stroll — should you’re fortunate, you may even have lengthy sections of the seaside fully to your self. Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, about midway alongside the seaside, is an efficient spot to cease for a picnic or a braai. There’s parking, bathrooms and a number of cafes, eating places and bars by the Huge Bay Surf Lifesaving Membership.
An Uber to Huge Bay Seaside from the centre of Cape City is 150 to 200 ZAR.
20. Hike Lion’s Head for merely gorgeous views of Cape City and Desk Mountain
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have climbed many mountains over time, however the views from Lion’s Head are among the many best. That’s since you’ve bought a 360 panorama which incorporates Desk Mountain, Cape City and a number of other pearly-white stretches of African shoreline.
Lion’s Head is a well-liked mountaineering route. We did the hike on a Monday morning in October and the path had sufficient different hikers that we by no means felt misplaced or remoted. You’ll be able to take a reasonable Uber from the town centre to the Lion’s Head automotive park the place the path begins and observe the group proper to the highest.
Be warned, though the hike is usually simple and doable in two to 3 hours, the route branches into a simple route and a tougher route. The route we took turned a difficult scramble involving ladders, chains and staples! The route we took would’ve been difficult, presumably even harmful, for inexperienced climbers so be sure you take the simpler of the 2 paths in case you are terrified of heights or usually are not in good bodily situation.
21. Surf with the Sharks at Surfers Nook, Muizenberg
Surfers Corners is a well-liked seaside and browsing spot positioned within the suburb of Muizenberg, a couple of forty-five minute drive from the centre of Cape City. It is named an excellent place for newbie surfers because the waves are light and the seaside is well-protected from robust winds. The shoreline is lined with vibrant seaside huts, eating places, and cafes, although the world simply behind the shoreline will get residential in a short time.
We weren’t in a position to surf on this journey as we couldn’t match every little thing in, however we visited the surf faculty, which rents boards and wetsuits (that you just’ll positively want) for 155 ZAR per 90 minutes. Word that as a result of the waves can get crowded, group lessons don’t run through the South African summer time, although non-public classes are nonetheless out there.
22. Take a Dip on the Kalk Bay Tidal Swimming pools
If swimming with sharks isn’t in your South Africa want checklist, you’ll be happy to know that each one sharks could be 100% prevented on the Kalk Bay tidal swimming pools. There are 4 tidal swimming pools at Kalk Bay, that are well-liked with adults and youngsters as they supply shelter from the open ocean.
I like to recommend the Dalebrook Tidal Pool or the St James Tidal Pool. The water right here is chilly however not as freezing because the water on the north aspect of Cape City. Entry is free. Kalk Bay is a thirty-minute drive from the CBD. For tidal swimming pools nearer to the CBD, you can even go to the Camps Bay tidal swimming pools.
23. Stare upon a Spectacular Sundown in Camps Bay
If you happen to’d like to search out your self with white sand beneath your toes and an impressive orange sundown on the horizon, then head on over to Camp’s Bay. Rolling waves meet glitzy beach-front bars only a quick, fifteen-minute drive from the centre of the CBD.
If time permits and you want strolling, I’d advocate getting a taxi to the Sea Level Pool and strolling for an hour or so to Camp’s Bay, having fun with views of Clifton’s seashores as you wander.
We ate at two locations in Camps Bay: Surf Shack which is a typical beachfront pizza place, and Cafe Caprice, which is a bougie beachfront bar with a wonderful vegan mezze plate.
24. Play Padel on the Mount Nelson Resort
For these seeking to get energetic and in addition take a look at a Cape City landmark, enjoying padel on the Mount Nelson Resort is a superb possibility. Padel is an up-and-coming sport that’s like tennis (however higher!) You’ll be able to lease a courtroom, plus balls and a racket, and play on the iconic Mount Nelson Resort, even in case you are not staying on the lodge. The individual supervising the courtroom reminded us of the principles and even ran just a few drills with us to assist us up our sport.
These which are much less energetic may alternatively get pleasure from a cream tea on the Nellie!
Have you ever tried any of the actions talked about right here? Tell us what you probably did and what you thought within the feedback part under. If we’ve missed something particular from the checklist, please tell us!
