Top 10 Things to do in Cape Town
1. Table Mountain
One of the world’s greatest wonders; Table Mountain, has hosted weddings, events, hikes, sunset picnics, trails and more. It is truly a natural masterpiece to behold, even from afar. Better yet; take the cable car up or tackle a trail. Visit the restaurant for dinner or pack a picnic for sunset in summer. Be sure to check the weather before you hike up, go in groups and pack clothing for all weather as well as extra food and water. Be prepared to have your mind blown as you overlook the coastline and city bowl of the Mother City of Cape Town.
2. Robben Island
Robben Island is one of the most historically significant locations in South Africa. Located in the middle of Table Bay in Cape Town, this island was used at various times between the 17th and 20th centuries as a prison, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups and a military base. There were many prison buildings on this island, but none are more infamous than Prison No. 7, the home of Nelson Mandela during his incarceration.
Today, the once-foreboding prison has been transformed into a thought-provoking museum. A guide will show you around the prison and educate you about how Mandela lived, where he exercised and read books. This commitment to keeping sharp while he was in prison is one of the reasons that he was such an effective president when the nation became a democracy later on in his life.
Wildlife lovers will also appreciate the penguin sanctuary, and Robben Island is also regarded as a hotspot for seabird biodiversity, and is a base for African black oystercatchers, sacred ibis, cattel egrets, little egrets and bank cormorants.
3. Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches and just so happens to be the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins. These penguins are protected because Boulders and its surrounding beaches form part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.
Stroll along three wheelchair-friendly boardwalks that make their way through the dunes and dense vegetation around Foxy Beach. If you want to get up close and personal with the penguins, that’s okay. Just don’t get too close—–those beaks are razor sharp!
If you’re traveling with kids, you don’t need to worry about rough currents. The boulders protect the beach from the wind and large waves, making it an ideal swimming spot for kids. They can climb over the boulders, explore the rock pools, or swim in the cool, clear False Bay water. The beach is rarely packed, so you can enjoy more private and serene picnics.
If you’re wondering when the best time is to see the most penguin action, that time would be during the summer. However, you can see the penguins throughout the year. Between September and October the birds spend much time feeding out at sea, so there are fewer penguins on the beach. For a real treat, visit in January when the juvenile birds are moulting on the beach. If you’re after snapshots, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the birds are most active.
4. Winelands
Just 45-minutes from Cape Town, the winelands are divided into different regions, each offering their own wonderful wine route. Exploring the winelands is a great way to take in the natural beauty of the Cape and the surrounding areas.
The most popular and well-known are the routes of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. These routes both offer a variety of wine estates that create delicious wine and are surrounded by gorgeous views of the landscape. Take a stroll through quaint and historic towns, visit whitewashed Cape Dutch homesteads and enjoy a leisurely meal or picnic at one of the many excellent restaurants while immersed in the magnificent surroundings of the various valleys and mountains.
The highly acclaimed wine estates in Constantia Valley are located within Cape Town itself and offer something for everyone; from visiting award-winning wine estates and restaurants, to an array of experiences such as picnics, festivals, tours and adrenaline adventure sports. The beautiful Constantia Valley, with its moderate climate and rich soil, is home to the oldest wine estates in South Africa and boasts award winning wines.
5. Cape Point Nature Reserve
Mistakenly cited as the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet (that’s actually at the Cape Agulhas), Cape Point is, nonetheless, a place like no other and happens to be the South-Western most tip of Africa. The natural vegetation of the areas – fynbos – comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms.
If you’d like to see the stunning panoramic views on offer at Cape Point from the old lighthouse, the Flying Dutchman Funicular is a unique way to do so. The Flying Dutchman Funicular travels on a railroad at Cape Point, providing a novel and exciting way to travel and see the sights. From the bottom station, you will journey through dense foliage and fynbos to the upper lighthouse.
Other activities include taking a walk along the shipwreck trail at Cape Point, dining at the Two Oceans Restaurant, taking a dip in one of the tidal pools as well as game, whale and bird watching.
6. V&A Waterfront
Situated in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbor, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is the city’s most visited destination, offering a range of exciting activities, diverse cuisine and shopping.
Shopping at the V&A is a given. With more than 450 South African and international stores selling everything from fashion, jewelry and homeware to leather goods and groceries — you can shop till you drop here! The V&A also boasts an amazing selection of fine dining restaurants, delis, cafes and casual dining eateries for all budgets and palates.
In terms of fun things to do, the V&A is not short of opportunities to have buckets of fun! Going for a ride on the giant observation wheel is a must when visiting Cape Town for the first time. You can explore the incredible diversity of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Take a step back in time at the Waterfront’s five resident museums, and after all of that heavy learning, lighten up and enjoy an evening of laughs at the Cape Town Comedy Club.
Helicopter rides and Boat Charters are available for those who like to live large. For children’s entertainment there’s the Hamleys Express to the Watershed, they can hunt for gemstones at the Scratch Patch, see the harbor aboard Tommy the Tugboat, and even play mini golf. Other activities include a giant outdoor chess board on Pierhead Square, seal spotting, playgrounds, Art jamming and holiday activities. There is something for the whole family!
7. Biscuit Mill Market
The Old Biscuit Mill is a vibrant and bustling hub of food, art and design, situated right in the heart of Woodstock. It’s the capital of cool here in Cape Town, and it’s one of the most exciting up-and-coming hubs. It is a vibrant, warm-hearted little village in the heart of Woodstock where talented people come together to share, collaborate and well... show off the heart-felt passion.
The food stalls offer various delicious kinds of cuisine. On weekdays, this is where you’ll find entrepreneurs, artists, hipsters, fashionistas, and young cool kids from all over the world. The vibe of the Old Biscuit Mill is one you don’t want to miss out on. Every Saturday you’ll find people from all walks of life here.
There are many fantastic designers with stores at the Biscuit Mill. Harpers Rose Boutique sells trendy ladies clothing with a classic twist, while Karoo Moon sells locally handmade leather handbags, accessories and designer jewellery, as well as clothing, confectionery, and gifts. Art collectors can find high quality fine art prints done at Artlab, or visit the Cape Town Creative Academy. Everyone leaves The Old Biscuit Mill happy.
8. Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap, or old Cape Malay quarter, is hard to miss and is a multicultural area, tucked safely into the fold of signal hill. This is a lively suburb filled with brightly colored houses from the nineteenth and seventeenth century, Muslim saints shrines known as kramats and many beautiful Mosques, and the first established Muslim Mosque in South Africa.
The Bo-Kaap Museum is the oldest building in the Bo-Kaap and is located on Wale Street. This is the best place to discover the real history of the area and to get a glimpse into the life of a typical Malay family. Enjoying a traditional Cape Malay meal at one of the restaurants or taking a Cape Malay cooking course with one of the expert locals is a must for anyone that wants to discover the local cuisine. The recipes involved in these dishes date back centuries and are a spicy mix of Middle Eastern and Dutch styles of cooking, usually consisting of fruit, spices, vegetables and meat.
9. Hout Bay - Bay harbour market
Located at the edge of the sea overlooking Chapman’s Peak at the foot of the famous Hangberg Mountain; this once-abandoned factory is now the legendary Bay Harbour Market. This is a place where the creative energy and the vibrancy of Cape Town come alive in an authentic fish factory in a working harbour, where people of all ages and cultures gather alongside one another to celebrate the unique spirit of South Africa.
The Bay Harbour Market is the best destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a guaranteed awesome weekend. The weekend market kicks off with Friday Nite LIVE!, offering live music and about 26 culinary experts catering to everything from Tunisian cuisine, Seafood platters, Oven-fired Pizza to gourmet Sandwiches, speciality soups and more to go with the entertainment.
The Saturday and Sunday market is open from 9.30 am to 4 pm and is bustling with interesting people of all ages and cultures, shopping, tasting, eating, drinking and laughing, while listening to the live music on the Bay Harbour Sound Stage. If this doesn’t sound like the perfect weekend, I don’t know what is!
10. Kalk Bay
The quirky and rustic seaside town of Kalk Bay is known for its raw beauty, interesting shops, vast selection of restaurants and stunning views. In terms of dining, Kalk Bay offers many options: Bob’s Bagel Café, Harbour House, La Parada, Lucky Fish and Chips, Under The Cypress, Cape to Cuba, The Brass Bell, and The Ice Café is a good place to get dessert.
However, nothing is more identifiably Kalk Bay than its institution: Kalky’s. This fish and chips place sits right on the harbour and serves up the most delicious fresh fish and chips in a relaxed and unpretentious setting. You can take your own wine if you wish, and relax with the family while watching the local fishermen haul in their latest catch.
Kalk Bay is also a great place for shopping. If Woodstock is the capital of cool here in Cape Town, Kalk Bay is the home of the hip, laid-back bohemian vibe. If you’re into boho-chic, Kalk Bay is the perfect place for you! Shops like Catacombes, Casa Boho, Global beads and the Kalk Bay Co-op put the hippy in hipster with clothes, furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and more. If you’re a bookworm, you’ll love Kalk Bay Books and Quagga Rare Books & Art have lovely, cosy atmosphere for literature-lovers to dive into their favourite reads or simply browse the shelves.
After experiencing Kalk Bay’s quaint quirkiness, it’s easy to understand why Kalk Bay was named one of The 12 Coolest Cities Around The World by Forbes magazine in July 2018, ranking alongside international hotspots like Barcelona, Washington and Amsterdam, and outranking London and New York in the process. No wonder Capetonians have a special place in their hearts for Kalk Bay!