When you’re looking for the best things to do in Cape Town, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice. It’s the kind of city where you can fill every day with something new, whether you’re in the mood for wine tasting, hiking, learning something interesting, or just sitting by the sea with a glass of something cold.
What I really love is how Cape Town somehow manages to feel relaxed and busy at the same time. You’ve got that dramatic mountain backdrop, long stretches of beach, great food, wildlife, history, and a mix of cultures and experiences that keeps everything feeling fresh. It’s one of those places that makes you think, “I could definitely live here.”
This list isn’t your usual collection of tourist hotspots. These are all things I actually did, paid for, and really enjoyed while living in Cape Town for a few months. I tried to make the most of my weekends, so if you’re visiting for a short break or staying a bit longer, this should help narrow things down. Every one of these experiences is here because I’d happily do it again.
Whether you’re planning a trip, already in the city, or just daydreaming from your desk, these are the things to do in Cape Town that I’d genuinely recommend.
If you’re heading to Cape Town, make sure you check out my list of my favourite beaches in Cape Town – there’s so many to choose from!
1. Take a day trip to Cape Point & Boulders Beach
This day stands out as one of the real highlights of my time in Cape Town. I absolutely love animals and being by the sea, so the mix of coastal scenery and penguins makes this a bit of a dream trip.
We booked this Cape Point & Boulders Beach day tour, and it turned out to be one of the best-organised tours we’ve done. It includes a bunch of great stops, and everything runs smoothly from the moment we’re picked up in the city centre.
First up is Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The views from the top are incredible. There’s a proper sea breeze and dramatic cliffs below, and we even spotted a few ostriches wandering past.
The Cape of Good Hope, with its iconic sign and rugged coastline. Yes, it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but you’ve just got to see it.
- Boulders Beach, where you can go into the reserve and walk the nature trail. Then you can head to Boulders Beach itself, which is outside the trail and only accessible if you’re able to climb over boulders. Here you can swim or sit with the African penguins.
It was a genuinely brilliant tour. We were picked up at the City Sightseeing Office on Long Street, and it was slick from start to finish. We didn’t have to think of a single thing. There was plenty of time to wander and enjoy without ever feeling like we were waiting around.
The guide was lovely and really passionate about the area. He told us all about the Fynbos (the greenery) and the history of Cape Town on the way there, and was always happy to take photos and answer questions.
To be honest, I really can’t fault Cape Sightseeing. They were consistently fantastic. It’s a full-day trip and packs a lot in, but it never felt rushed.
Top tip: Bring cash for park entrance fees and wear shoes you’re happy to walk in, as you’ll want to explore. It can be a bit trail-like. A pair of flip-flops is also handy for walking back from the beach to the bus at the end.
Book the Cape Point & Boulders Beach tour here to secure your spot.
2. Safari at Inverdoorn Game Reserve
This was a bit of a treat weekend and not the cheapest activity on this list. But it was, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Cape Town – for me anyway.
Aaron and I really wanted to go to Kruger, but there were no direct flights at the time. A trip there meant going through Johannesburg and onwards, which we weren’t that keen on.
Instead, we headed to Inverdoorn Game Reserve, which gave us such a good taste of the safari experience. The bonus is that it’s only 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
We rented a car from Avis and drove ourselves. The roads were fine, and the drive was relatively easy once we were out of the city. Keep your doors locked and plan your journey, avoiding any areas that don’t look great. Also, don’t let Google reroute you randomly; make sure you stick to the main route.
We stayed overnight and absolutely loved it. Our package included:
- A sunset game drive (cue giraffes, elephants, rhinos and cheetahs)
- Dinner, breakfast, and lunch, all served al fresco
- A sunrise safari, where we spotted lions lounging in the early morning light. There was time for a coffee before we set off too.
We also went stargazing, which was an incredible experience. I’d never seen so many stars. It’s complimentary and optional, so if you’d rather chill out, you can.
The reserve is part of a cheetah rehabilitation programme, so there’s a strong conservation element as well.
Accommodation tip: The luxury chalets are gorgeous if you’re splurging. We went for the double lodge room, which was still stunning and had a little rooftop terrace where we enjoyed an evening drink.
To be honest, I wish we’d stayed two nights because they also have a spa and horse riding available. But even with just one night, it was totally worth the trip.
This was a real luxury African experience. I am so, so glad we made the trip. You can book your Inverdoorn safari here.
3. Hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
I’m not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best days of the whole trip (and I appreciate I’ve already said this twice…).
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on-hop-off tram line that takes you through South Africa’s most scenic wine valley. You choose a colour line (they’re like wine-tasting Hogwarts houses), and hop between wineries at your own pace. Or, if you’re British, then I mean at breakneck speed, trying to fit as many in as possible.
We drank, snacked, admired vineyard views, got a little (a lot) merry, and then drank some more. The wine was consistently great, and the scenery just never got old.
The whole tram and bus experience was also really fun too!
I recommend doing the Navy Line, because you can book it through City Sightseeing, which includes return transport to and from Franschhoek. Otherwise, you’ll need to sort taxis (it’s about an hour’s drive from the city).
Each winery has its own vibe. For example:
- Plaisir had a lovely food market inside where I picked up some biltong to soak up the wine!
- Larger estates offer picnics, restaurants, and some even have activities like horse riding.
Top tip: Go early and pace yourself. It’s a full-day experience, and the wine tastings come thick and fast. Some are basically full glasses (from what I remember, which isn’t a lot…).
Book the Wine Tram with City Sightseeing to make your day stress-free.
4. Afternoon tea at Mount Nelson
The Mount Nelson Hotel’s Afternoon Tea is iconic for a reason. There’s a live pianist. You get your own tea sommelier, something I didn’t even know existed before this experience. This man knew SO much about tea, and he made it really interesting.
The food was amazing too! Think tiny cakes, finger sandwiches, and scones so good I considered ordering a second round.
We opted for the Sparkling Afternoon Tea (you’ve gotta go for bubbles), and it felt indulgent and very old-world luxe in the best way. You can go for a little walk around the grounds after which are very beautiful and much needed after so much food!
Booking tip: Make sure you reserve in advance, especially on weekends and during high season, as it’s a popular activity.
5. Wander Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
I’ll admit, I didn’t think a botanical garden would be that exciting, but Kirstenbosch blew me away. It’s right at the foot of Table Mountain, and it’s absolutely vast. You could spend hours here walking, picnicking, and gaping at the views.
The highlight for me was the Boomslang Canopy Walkway, where you get incredible views of both the mountain and the gardens below.
We went late morning and ended up staying for hours without really meaning to. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a few busy sightseeing days.
Bonus tip: Kirstenbosch hosts summer concerts and open-air cinema nights. These are super cute, but we found it difficult to get an Uber back afterwards, so it’s worth pre-booking your return transport if you can.
Cape Town is made for active travellers. Whether you’re a casual walker or a full-on hiker, getting up one of the city’s iconic peaks is a must.
Safety-wise, the general advice is not to hike alone. If you’re a nomad, check out local WhatsApp or Facebook groups to find others to go with.
That said, Aaron and I did hike Table Mountain on our own, totally unplanned. We set out to hike from Constantia to Kirstenbosch, but then saw a sign pointing towards Table Mountain and thought, “How hard can it be?”
Very hard, as it turns out. It was 30 degrees, and we’d brought enough water for an hour’s walk, which turned into four hours. When we reached the top, we ordered a water, a Coke, and a beer each. We were parched.
Alternatively, if this doesn’t sound good to you (!), you can go with a guide, which I highly recommend.
Hike Table Mountain
If you want to go with a group, this guided hike is a brilliant option. There are a couple of routes to choose from, including a more challenging direct one and a slightly easier route if you’re not a fan of heights.
The guides are fantastic and will chat to you beforehand to help you pick the right trail to ensure you really enjoy it. Plus, you’ll learn loads about the park and its wildlife along the way, which is a great distraction from the uphill bits.
Book your Table Mountain guided hike here to make sure you get a spot.
Hike Lion’s Head
If you’re after something shorter, the Lion’s Head sunrise hike is incredible.
There’s a bit of a scramble near the top, but the views of the sun rising over Cape Town are totally worth it. I recommend going with a guide if you’re nervous about the climb or the dark, and solo travellers especially should consider it for safety.
You can book your guided Lion’s Head sunrise hike here. It’s such a magical way to start your day.
7. Explore the Constantia wineries on the purple route
Franschhoek gets all the wine hype, but Constantia is just 20 minutes from Cape Town and equally beautiful.
We did the Hop-On-Hop-Off Red Bus Purple Route, which takes you through some of Constantia’s best wineries. Our favourites included:
- Beau Constantia for the panoramic views and lovely terrace. We sat in the sunshine with a cold bottle of white, and it was heaven.
- Groot Constantia. It’s one of the oldest wineries in South Africa, with a grand, historic vibe.
- Eagles’ Nest. A cosy, hidden gem surrounded by forest.
The route is easy, affordable, and a great way to spend a relaxed day sipping wine with mountain views on all sides.
This is also a perfect backup plan if you’ve left things too late to book. Just hop on the bus and let the wine guide your afternoon.
8. Go kayaking with dolphins (and maybe a seal)
This was an early start, but one of my favourite experiences in Cape Town.
We booked this morning kayaking tour and paddled out to the V&A Waterfront just as the city was waking up. The water was glassy, the light was golden, and about ten minutes in, we were surrounded by dolphins!
We also saw a very cheeky seal following our group happily jumping in and out of the water – so cute.
Top tip! Wear layers and bring a hat. It can be chilly first thing, but you’ll warm up quickly paddling, and the sun reflects strongly off the water.
You can book your Cape Town dolphin kayaking tour here.
9. Watch live sport
Cape Town is a fantastic city for sport, and if there’s a match on while you’re visiting, it’s well worth getting tickets.
Cricket at Newlands
We caught a T20 match at Newlands, and the atmosphere was so fun every time we went (I think we went 2 or 3 times). We went to an afternoon match and a full day on the weekend. The beers were flowing, we were waving our flags like lunatics, and everyone was generally having a merry old time.
Even if you’re not that into cricket, it’s a great day out.
Top tip! This sounds silly, but make sure you wear sunscreen and reapply. I forgot the latter, and I was a bit crisp. The sun is a little unforgiving in the cricket ground!
Rugby at DHL Stadium
We also managed to get tickets to a Stormers game at the massive DHL Stadium. It was Cape Town vs Edinburgh, which was especially fun given we’re British (although we supported Cape Town, of course).
South Africans take their rugby seriously, and the crowd gets very into it, which makes it 10x more fun.
Tickets are affordable, and it’s a great way to mix with locals who are super friendly anyway, but even more so on game day. Head to the Scottish or Irish pubs (next door to each other) at the V&A Waterfront for a pre-game beer.
10. Visit Robben Island
Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years. You get there by ferry from the V&A Waterfront, and the tours are led by former political prisoners who tell you their stories in the cells they once lived in.
It’s not a “fun” experience in the traditional sense, but it was incredibly moving and interesting. It’s an experience that I’m really glad we did. Cape Town is vibrant and fun, but it’s important to understand its history too.
Top tip: Book early. We tried to book two days in advance, and it was sold out for a full week. Also, bad weather can cancel the ferries, so do this earlier in your trip in case you need to reschedule.
Book your Robben Island tour here to avoid missing out.
BONUS: See the city with a hop-on-hop-off bus
Not going to lie, I love a hop-on-hop-off bus. And while I’ve already mentioned the City Sightseeing Bus (aka the Big Red Bus) a few times, it deserves its own spot on this list.
The City Sightseeing Explorer Pass covers multiple routes, including:
- Table Mountain cable car
- V&A Waterfront
- Camps Bay
- Hout Bay
- Kirstenbosch
- The City Centre, including Long Street
We used it on our first day to get our bearings, and again later to hop between wineries. It’s especially useful if you don’t want to rely on Uber all the time.
Top tip: Sit on the top deck for the best views. Just keep hold of your hat and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Grab your City Sightseeing Bus ticket here to get the most out of your time in Cape Town.
Final thoughts
Cape Town is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. Whether you’re a hiker, wine drinker, history buff, or just someone who likes a good sunset with a cocktail in hand, you’ll find something to love.
I hope this guide has given you some genuine ideas for the best things to do in Cape Town, especially if you’re looking for experiences that are tried, tested, and actually worth it.
If you’ve got any questions about any of these places, let me know in the comments or send me a message on Instagram.
Disclaimer: My blog contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these, I get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you x
By Meg
