Are you going to Cape Town soon? Then of course you want to know what you really shouldn't miss there. This cool city, situated between impressive mountains and surrounded by two oceans, has a unique mix of nature, culture and city life. You can enjoy vibrant neighbourhoods, beautiful views, impressive history and find plenty of peace and quiet in the nature just outside the city. We chose to spend the last days of our tour of South Africa spend in this vibrant city. And wow, what an ending! Below, we share our favourite sights, including practical tips for your visit.
General information on South Africa
Are you planning your trip to South Africa? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. You can find all information on South Africa here.
Transport in Cape Town: these are your options
Cape Town is a fantastic city to explore, but it is precisely the surrounding area that makes this city so special. Think of iconic routes such as Chapman's Peak Drive, the rugged coastline of the Cape of Good Hope or the atmospheric wine country around Franschhoek. The most fun and practical way to explore Cape Town is by rental car. This gives you all the freedom to discover the city and its surroundings at your own pace. The roads in and around Cape Town are well maintained and the traffic is clear, even if you have to get used to driving on the left!
Tip: Booking a rental car? At Thousandtravelmiles we almost always opt for Sunnycars.co.uk, because it is by far the most reliable option. With their clear terms and conditions and all-inclusive service, you are always well insured, with no hidden costs.
Travelling in Cape Town itself
Within Cape Town, you have several options for getting around. Many travellers opt for Uber. This is safe, fast and relatively cheap. We too often use Uber for short rides in and around the city centre, for example to a restaurant or beach. But do you really want to get out of town or combine several places in one day? Then a rental car highly recommended.
Tip: For the Uber app, you need internet. It is therefore useful to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-sim card, for example through Airalo.
Organised tours in Cape Town
Want to make it easy on yourself and see a lot in a short time? Then organised tours are a fine option. Especially if you don't have your own car, these kinds of day tours are ideal for exploring the Cape Winelands, Table Mountain or Cape Point, for example. There are a lot of providers and the offer is wide: from food and bike tours to guided hikes or an extensive road trip along the south coast.
For organised tours, check reliable platforms such as GetYourGuide and Tiqets or book directly with a local tour operator.
What to do in Cape Town?
Together with a friend, I took a crazy tour of South Africa and spent the last few days in bustling Cape Town. We climbed Table Mountain and Lion's Head, visited Robben Island, relaxed at Camps Bay and strolled through colourful Bo-Kaap. The city has so many faces, and to top it all off, we spotted a whale on our return trip from Robben Island to Cape Town. Now that's what we call magical! In other words: Cape Town is bursting with fun things to do. Below are our favourite tips.
Personal tip on safety: We did a complete tour of South Africa in pairs (as women) and felt safe almost everywhere. Of course, it is still important to use your common sense: avoid the dark where possible and always check with your accommodation which places are better to visit or not.
1. Climb Table Mountain or take the cable car
We start with the classic you've undoubtedly heard a lot about: Table Mountain. This famous mountain literally towers over Cape Town and offers spectacular views. We decided to climb the mountain (yes... you have to have some fitness for this) via the Platteklip Gorge route. From the starting point you walk up via natural rock steps in about two hours. At the top, a view awaits that literally silences you: the city, the ocean, the clouds gently creeping over the edge.
Tip: Park your rental car at the cable car near Platteklip Gorge.
Another cool route is the Skeleton Gorge. At first, you hike through a lush forest, then after a while you cross a waterfall. Halfway through, you encounter several wooden ladders that lead you over rocks. This route is quite challenging and requires a good level of fitness. The starting point of this hike is in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, making it easy to combine these two outings. The total duration of the Skeleton Gorge hike is about five hours, including some breaks.
Don't feel like climbing? The cable car will take you up (and down) quickly and safely. Of course, you can also choose to walk up Table Mountain and then take the cable car back down, or vice versa. Make it your own party!
Tip: Leave early and check always the weather! In fact, I recommend that you only climb Table Mountain in good weather. In bad weather, the view is often limited (and that is what you do it for anyway) and there is a chance that the cable car does not go (so you definitely have to walk there and back). In addition, don't forget to bring a warm jacket, as it can be quite cold and windy at the summit.
→ Book an organised tour to Table Mountain via GetYourGuide here.
2. Climb Lion's Head with sunrise
Lion's Head is a slightly shorter but much more adventurous hike than Table Mountain. The climb is steep and requires some scrambling, but is fine for anyone with basic fitness. The whole hike takes about an hour. I really liked it because it is slightly different from the standard routes. We chose to climb the mountain at sunrise, so it slowly became light during our hike. The views were stunning every time. An experience you won't soon forget!
→ Book an organised tour to Lion's Head via GetYourGuide here.
3. Visit Robben Island
A visit to Robben Island should not be missed during your stay in Cape Town. This is the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years and it is incredibly impressive. The stories, the cells, the guides who are former prisoners themselves, it made a deep impression on us.
We read different experiences online beforehand and not everyone was equally positive. I think it matters a lot who gives the tour, and unfortunately that is not in your control. Maybe not what you want to hear, but we hope you have as special an experience as we did.
Keep in mind that it is very touristy, but again: you don't want to miss this place. Moreover, by buying a ticket you also help the guides; many of them are still restricted in their movements and cannot travel or find work elsewhere.
Tip: Want to visit Robben Island? Then buy your tickets a few days in advance at the Clock Tower in the V&A Waterfront, as they often sell out on the day itself.
→ Book an organised tour to Robben Island via GetYourGuide here.
4. Discover Cape Town's most beautiful beaches: Camps Bay and Clifton
After all the impressions and walks, Camps Bay or Clifton is the perfect place to relax. These two beaches (10 minutes apart) offer white sand, palm trees and a lively promenade full of fine restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Enjoy the sunset here with a cocktail in your hand and the ultimate holiday feeling!
5. Genite the sunset at The Rock
Stick around Camps Bay and Clifton for a while, because after a relaxing afternoon, we recommend enjoying the sunset at The Rock. This viewpoint offers an impressive panorama of the beach, the ocean and the surrounding mountains. Once the sun sets, the sky changes to soft shades of pink, making the view even more magical. The Rock consists of several large rocks where you can sit, but it can (read will) get crowded here. Therefore, make sure you are on time to get a good spot.
6. Go swimming among the penguins at Boulders Beach
About a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, you'll find Boulders Beach: an idyllic beach where you'll come face-to-face with African penguins. From the official entrance (at Foxy Beach), you walk along footpaths between bushes and rocks with perfect views of the penguins. Want to enter the water yourself? Then at the adjacent beach area (actually Boulders Beach itself), you can swim with them for a fee!
You probably guessed it but Boulders Beach is no longer a secret. In fact, buses full of tourists come here daily. So go early in the morning so you only share these waddling penguins with a handful of people.
Note: It sounds logical but still some people find it difficult. It is forbidden to touch or feed the Penguins. Please do not do so, this way we protect the animals!
Read also: South Africa round trip - The ultimate 3-week itinerary + tips
Read also: 14x Great travel games for 2 people
7. Explore Cape Town's most colourful district, Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town's most colourful, photogenic and culturally rich neighbourhoods. Located at the foot of Signal Hill, this neighbourhood is known for its brightly coloured houses and cosy streets. Super fun to have seen!
But behind those cheerful facades lies a deeper history. The neighbourhood is traditionally Muslim and inhabited by descendants of enslaved people from places such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which were brought to Cape Town by the Dutch East India Company in the 18th century. During the period of slavery, it was forbidden to wear colourful clothing. After the abolition of slavery, residents painted their houses in the most exuberant colours, as a sign of freedom and identity. So be sure to visit here, grab a delicious cup of coffee on the way and walk past the cheerful houses at your leisure.
8. Other things to do in Cape Town
There are so many great tips for Cape Town that it is impossible to do everything if you only stay there for three to four days. Do you have longer? Then find some more inspiration below.
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: Located on the eastern flank of Table Mountain, this botanical garden is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. You walk among native plants, flowers and trees, with the mountains always in the background. Perfect for an afternoon picnic or wandering around.
- Take a bicycle tour of Cape Town: Want to see a lot in a short time? Then a bicycle tour is ideal! Together with a guide, you will discover well-known highlights as well as hidden gems, while learning more about the city's culture, history and stories along the way. Book a bike tour through GetYourGuide here.
- V&A Waterfront: This lively waterfront area is the place for those who love shopping, good food and conviviality. You'll find boutiques, restaurants, food halls and museums such as the Zeitz MOCAA. From the quay, you overlook the harbour with bobbing boats and Table Mountain in the background. Ferries to Robben Island also depart from here.
- Signal Hill & Sunset Drive: Drive or walk up Signal Hill in the afternoon for spectacular views of Cape Town, the ocean and the setting sun. Bring a rug and some snacks and enjoy the atmosphere: many locals gather here to end the day in peace.
- Swing over Chapman's Peak Drive: This one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world. This cool coastal road winds in some 114 bends from Houtbaai to Noordhoek, past steep cliffs and the deep blue ocean. Although the route is only 9 kilometres long, you'll spend an hour on the road in no time, simply because you want to stop every time to enjoy the view.
- Stroll through the gardens of Babylon Tower: In the heart of the Cape Winelands, near the charming village of Franschhoek, lies Babylonstoren: one of South Africa's oldest Cape Dutch farms. From Cape Town, you'll drive about 45 minutes to this idyllic spot, where you'll be welcomed on arrival via a long driveway among the vineyards. For a small fee, you get access to the impressive 3.5-hectare estate, where you can easily wander around for hours.
- Go paragliding over Cape Town: Want to admire Cape Town from a completely different perspective? Then go paragliding! This is a spectacular way to see the city from above. From Signal Hill or Lion's Head, you'll run down the hill with an experienced guide.
Tips for good restaurants in Cape Town
Good food is a must while travelling, and in Cape Town, thankfully, you have plenty of choice! In fact, you have a lot of choice, which is why I'm sharing my favourites with you:
Good restaurants in Gardens:
- La Parada: A cosy restaurant with plenty of choice on the menu. The atmosphere is casual, the interior stylish, and some evenings there is live music.
- Asoka: Asoka is one of those places where everything is right: good atmosphere, good food and great cocktails.
- Kloof Street House: A classic in Cape Town. The menu is versatile and the food fantastic. Perfect for a slightly fancier dinner or a lazy Sunday lunch.
- Maria's Greek Café: An atmospheric, Greek restaurant in a charming little square. Think mezze, moussaka and ouzo, as if you were on holiday in Athens for a while. Reservations are recommended.
- The Fat Cactus Gardens: For an evening of Mexican fun. Think tacos, margaritas and live music. Perfect for a relaxing evening with friends.
- Sushi Box: For the tastiest sushi in town. Fresh, beautifully presented and always top quality.
Good restaurants in Sea Point
- Harry's: Located right on the beach, Harry's Beach Restaurant is the perfect spot for lunch with a view or dinner. Think: fresh salads, seafood and a great wine list, while watching the sun slowly sink into the ocean.
- KAUAI: Fancy something healthy after a day at the beach? At KAUAI, score smoothies, wraps, bowls and juices.
- JARRYDS Brunch & Bistro: The place for a sumptuous brunch. Think fluffy pancakes, good coffee and delicious ‘Turkish eggs’.
Our favourite Cape Town addresses
Whether you're travelling around with a backpack or looking for a bit more comfort, you can definitely find some cool accommodation in Cape Town. We stayed at the fine Kloof Street Hotel, in the middle of the lively Gardens District. From here, you can walk straight to cosy coffee shops, trendy boutiques and, of course, the iconic Kloof Street itself. Some other cool places we saw during our search are:
- Villa Viva: A colourful guesthouse with pool, nice rooms and a cheerful atmosphere. Plus, with your stay, you support a good cause: access to clean drinking water in Africa.
- Home Suite Hotels Station House: A modern and sleekly decorated hotel with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The rooftop terrace with pool offers spectacular views of the ocean and Lions Head.
- The Tree House Boutique Hotel: This small-scale boutique hotel has a personal feel and is beautifully decorated with natural materials.
- The Big: A cosy and affordable option with a warm atmosphere. Perfect for solo travellers or couples who like to connect with other travellers. There is a small pool, cosy lounge and a nice breakfast every morning.
- 5 Camp Street Guesthouse: A charming guesthouse in a historic building with spacious studios and flats. You will be in a quiet place, yet within walking distance of cosy restaurants and shops. Ideal for families or travellers who like a bit more space.
- Mount Bay: Want to enjoy stunning mountain and bay views? Then Mount Bay is a lovely place to stay. The flats are spacious, modern and equipped with a small kitchenette, ideal for longer holidays.
Cape Town is one of those cities where everything comes together: impressive nature, rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods and beautiful beaches. Whether you climb the iconic Table Mountain, stroll through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, pay an impressive visit to Robben Island or relax at Camps Bay, there is always something to discover. For us, Cape Town is a destination you absolutely should not miss during your trip through South Africa! With these tips, we hope to inspire you and help you plan your visit. Still have questions? Then you can always send us a message via Instagram or [email protected].
We try to keep this blog as up-to-date as possible but this cannot be done without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via [email protected].
Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these affiliate links, you support Thousandtravelmiles. This allows us to roam the world, fund the website and offer you free information for planning your trip. This means that a ‘real’ person will do a little joy dance if you make a purchase through this link! You're a legend!