What not to miss in the crowning jewel of South Africa
I have a tendency to fall in love with every place I visit. However, Cape Town is truly something special. The natural beauty makes this one of the most picturesque cities in the world. The wonderful people, vibrant arts scene and rich, albeit complicated, history only further adds to the charm. With so much to do, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the list. So, here are 12 awesome things to do in and around Cape Town, South Africa.
1. Hike Lion’s Head
Visible in almost every aerial photo of Cape Town, Lion’s Head is well-known for the popular 2.7-mile hike that leads to stunning vistas. Unlike most hikes, you can expect scenic views of Cape Town the whole way up and not just from the summit. For the most part, the trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. While it is rated difficult, due to the steady incline and spots that require climbing ladders or utilizing chains, there is an alternative route available that avoids these areas, so don’t let that deter you. Given its popularity, the trail does get quite busy during sunrise and sunset and the small parking lot fills up fast. Depending on number of stops made and fitness level, the hike takes about 2 hours.
2. Visit Kirstenbosch Gardens
Located on the eastern foot of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens has certainly earned its reputation as one of the world’s best botanical gardens. Not only do you feel as if you have been transported into Jurassic Park — which is only further made a reality given the bronze dinosaur statues found throughout the gardens — but the biodiversity is truly spectacular. Tickets were approximately $13 and while we spent about 2 hours here, you could easily spend much more time exploring.
TIP: During the summer, they do a concert series that is worth checking out!
3. Day trip to Stellenbosch
If you have the time, I highly recommend visiting Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Not only is the region beautiful and the wine delicious; it was so much fun visiting wineries that had been operating longer than the US has been a country!
We did not have a car during our trip and instead chose to book a private tour with Camino Tours. They picked us up and dropped us off from our Airbnb in Cape Town, set-up all the tastings and tours as well as took us to a delicious lunch. Best off all, we could just relax and enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving.
4. Drive the Cape Peninsula
Whether you drive yourself or take a tour (we used Camino Tours again) this costal, scenic drive is not to be missed! The tour starts in Cape Town, making its way to Camps Bay, passing the 12 apostles and making stops at Llandudno and Hout Bay. The highlight of the tour for me was the breathtaking Chapmans Peak Drive that heads down towards the southernmost point on the peninsula at Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. From there, the tour heads back towards Cape Town, hitting Boulders Beach to visit the penguins!
5. Take the Cable Car up Table Mountain
If you have seen images of Cape Town, then you have seen the city’s most iconic landmark: Table Mountain. Take the cable car up to the top and experience an ecosystem not found anywhere else. If you are up to the challenge, there are also several hiking routes to the top. Regardless of how you get there, weather at the top of the mountain is notorious for being finicky, so be sure to check their website for current weather conditions. If it is a clear day, definitely take advantage of it and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Cape Town city center, Lions head and Robben island. You can also abseil from the top! Tickets for the aerial car are upto $25/pp depending on age and time of day.
Tip: Tickets can be purchased in advance online. If you have to cancel due to weather, you can get a full refund.
Fun Fact: Table Mountain has its own cloud cover, aptly named “tablecloth.”
6. Go Shark diving in Gansbaai
Gansbaai is a little over 2 hours from Cape Town and is a mecca for Great White encounters. We used Marine Dynamics for our shark cage diving tour. The main reason I chose this company over others was because of their commitment to conservation as well as all tours having a marine biologist on board to educate us about the animals. The experience was unforgettable, to say the least. Even though our first tour was canceled due to weather (book earlier in your visit so there is an opportunity to rebook, if needed), we ended up seeing 8 full-sized great whites! The company also provides pickups from Cape Town, which we took advantage of.
Tip: Dress warm and in layers, even if the temperatures are warm. The water is quite cold and you’ll want to change into warm clothes after the dive. Also, make sure to bring an underwater camera — you’ll want to capture the sharks coming up to the cage!
7. Watch the sunset at Camps Bay
Whether you enjoy a picnic on the beach or sit at one of the many restaurants across the beach in Camps Bay — this was the perfect way to end an evening. We did not spend a lot of time in Camps Bay, but a sunset happy hour was memorable enough for me to mention in things to do in Cape Town.
8. Cape Town Bike Tour
If you follow us on instagram, you already know that biking is my favorite way to discover a new city and get my bearings. Cape Town was no exception! On day one, we did the 3 hour Cape Town City Tour with AWOL tours. Tours depart daily at 10AM and 3PM from the V&A Waterfront, but you can also book in advance (I did). It was such a wonderful way to both see places of significance, but more importantly learn about South Africa’s rich and complicated history. A personal highlight was visiting District Six, an area once known for a lively arts scene, but was devastated by apartheid.
Tip: You don’t have to be a biker to take this tour. There are some hilly portions, but it is mostly a flat ride. Electric bikes are also available.
9. Signal Hill
For yet another place to take in beautiful views of Cape Town, visit Signal Hill. This hilltop, is a popular spot during sunrise and sunset, so plan to arrive early. However, I think it is beautiful to visit any time of day. Keep an eye out for paragliders taking off from the top!
Tip: If you go in the evening, take something warm. It does get chilly, even in the summer months.
Fun Fact: Every day at 12PM, you can hear a cannon being fired from Signal Hill. It is one of Cape Town’s oldest traditions, going back 200 years! Learn more about it Noon Gun here.
10. Shop local at the Watershed
Located at the V&A Waterfront, the Watershed houses 150 different local vendors selling everything from Rooibos tea to wood carvings. We picked up all of our souvenirs here, including a colorful acrylic painting. After you are done shopping, spend some time walking around the waterfront. End the day by enjoying the views of Table Mountain with a nice meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants. Our favorite dining experience was at Signal Restaurant in the historic Cape Grace Hotel.
11. Visit Robben Island
Unfortunately, this was one thing we missed due to weather, but I have heard nothing but positive reviews about this experience. If you are not familiar, Robben Island is were former-president Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years. Visitors first take a ferry to the island and then go on a guided tour via bus. They also recently added walking tours.
12. Go on Safari
Last, but certainly not least — you can’t come to South Africa and not go on a safari! While there are several game reserves within a few hours of Cape Town that provide a “safari,” it is no comparison to what you will experience on a safari in Kruger National Park. We stayed at the Lion Sands and I couldn’t recommend it enough. If you still need more convincing, check out my safari photo journal!
Let us know your favorite spots in Cape Town in the comments!
