Best Things To Do in Cape Town

Cape Town, one of South Africa's most captivating capitals, is the gateway to a myriad of wonders. From learning about this African gem's colorful history to its art scene, the city and its surroundings offer a rich and varied experience.

Immerse yourself in its art scene, explore the history on city tours and take in the majesty of the iconic Table Mountain. Dare to go on safari, wine tasting in Franschhoek and follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela at his island museum. This is just a glimpse of the countless wonders that await in this unique city - get ready for a journey that exceeds all expectations in Cape Town!

The first recommendation when visiting a new destination is to take a tour of the capital, and even more so when it comes to a country that has not one but 3 capitals. Yes, as you read it Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Cape Town are the capitals of South Africa, the latter being home to a collection of historic buildings including the South African Parliament, the National Library, the City Hall, and the National Gallery of Art. And they are all located in one place: Company's Garden.

This historic park, flanked by elegant white buildings, was the heart of the first European settlement in the city. Walk among Indian fig trees and tropical trees while you discover the history of the country.

The points of interest that you will find around are numerous, it is best to take a guided tour of Cape Town so you do not lose sight of any of them and the urbanism around.

Get into the heart of South African wine culture as you explore the lands of the world's eighth largest wine producer with Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch as the focal points of this wine trail.

Sign up for some of the best day trips from Cape Town focused on this prized grape distillate. The options are varied. The Franschhoek Wine Tram with transfers from Cape Town is my first recommendation because of the variety of wineries and wineries along the way. It works in the best hop on hop off style, but instead of making it from the bus, you make your way between cantinas where some wine tasting awaits you.

Level up you said? Follow the wine route to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town. Explore the Boland Basin in depth by tasting from among some 80 types of local wine with grape varieties such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. To complete your tour of Cape Town's best vineyards, don't forget to also stop by Paarl, the most relaxed area of this Cape Town wine route.

Signing up for a safari is an appealing alternative for travelers visiting Cape Town in 5 days or more. The reason? Rhinos, antelope, wildebeest, giraffe, leopards, lions, buffalo, zebras, elephants, foxes, and generally African wildlife - including nearly 200 birds - and the big five in the reserve receive millions of visitors each year in their natural habitat.

Follow the Garden Route, visit the Humanus Coast, sign up for a city music safari; experience Aquila Game Reserve, the latter with a luxury pool and spa. Cape Town safaris are a must-do experience for tourists who want to get the most out of their trip.

With the purchase of your ticket to the Zeitz Mocaa Museum in Cape Town you prepare to enter the fabulous world of contemporary African art. From its base, this museum tells a story of reimagining the environment.

The MOCAA is housed in former grain silos built around the 1920s. The building was rehabilitated and transformed by the studio of renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick, who transformed the site into an imposing 57-meter-high structure that perches in front of Table Mountain, while the bustling Waterfront rests at its feet.

Opened in 2017, the Museum of Contemporary African Art is a pioneer in exclusive dedication to African artists. Its rooms are grouped around a cylindrical space that you can admire from a glass elevator or from open balconies on each floor. If you feel like taking a closer look at this modern and industrial jewel, you can stay at the elegant Hotel Silo, with whom it shares space in the same building.

Board a cruise on the V&A Waterfront 's iconic Nelson Mandela Gateway and begin your adventure of exploration to the striking Robben Island Museum, about eight kilometers off the coast of Cape Town.

This is among the recommended activities on longer itineraries when visiting Cape Town in 7 days or more, as one day is devoted to this activity, but it's well worth a historical tour, delving into Robben Island, which was a famous penal colony during the Dutch and British colonial eras.

Tour its grounds by bus before exploring the prison where South African freedom fighters were incarcerated, including Nelson Mandela, who spent much of his sentence there. One of the interesting facts about the visit, apart from the photographs, the leper cemetery, the walk through the cells, the hundreds of life-size bronze sculptures, and other tangible memorabilia, is that the island's story is told by former political prisoners.

Explore the cobblestone streets where descendants of Indonesians and Malaysians, who arrived in the 17th and 19th centuries, have left their mark on Cape Town in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, one of the 7 must-see Cape Town neighborhoods according to National Geographic and Instagram. The houses with pastel-colored facades, protected as heritage, tell the story of slavery and resistance during apartheid. In fact, their colorfulness represents freedom.

Delve into daily life as you watch people coming out of the mosque and children playing on the sidewalks. Learn about **Cape Town'**s rich cuisine, enter the small Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street, which provides essential context for exploring the neighborhood with respect. The tour of Bo-Kaap, with Signal Hill in the background, can be done on your own, and if you have your Cape Town City Pass, the tour is included in the pass.

Embark on an exciting hiking adventure on Lion's Head Mountain, the city's conical spire-shaped ridge. Its distinctive shape gives it its name, and on your way to the top it offers a spectacular backdrop, ideal for enjoying sunsets over the ocean on a mountain less crowded in the city, and with moderate trail.

The climb to Lion's Head is quick and relatively easy. Its trail winds its way to the top moderately and the views are changeable, so it should be enjoyed by active hikers and amateurs, however, if vertigo is your thing, a helicopter flight in Cape Town may be a better option for you.

Ascend Table Mountain in the most comfortable way possible: aboard Cape Town's iconic Cable Car, mostly known as the Table Mountain Cable Car. Since its inauguration in 1929, this ingenious means of transportation has been the preferred choice for those seeking to reach the top of this majestic 1,500-meter-high plateau included in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

A few steps away, you will find yourself immersed in an extensive garden that dazzles with more than a hundred multicolored flowers, highlighting the emblematic king protea, South Africa's national flower, which, by the way, has a variety in honor of Nelson Mandela. On one side, vibrant colors and the captivating shapes of the flora; on the other, the aerial view of Cape Town and the peninsula stretching to the mythical Cape of Good Hope.

From any angle, Table Mountain stands as the undisputed emblem of Cape Town. And you can conquer it in just five minutes where a breathtaking panorama of the city and its surroundings awaits you. Take the opportunity to combine your ticket to the Table Mountain Cable Car and the Cape Town Sightseeing Bus, a convenient way to explore the city.

This activity tops the list of things to do in Cape Town with kids. In Simon's Town, among granite rocks, lies Boulders Beach, better known as Penguin Beach.

BouldersBeach is a protected beach that since 1983 on its fine sandy coastline, presents a perfect habitat for birds. Humans and penguins coexist in harmony, which is why it attracts a large number of tourists every year. To get to this idyllic place you just have to get off at one of the stops of the tourist bus of Cape Town, or with some transport that will take you about 40 kilometers from the center and voila, you've arrived.

Cape Town is a city of contrasts and this is felt not only in its architecture or its flora and fauna, also its geography makes it clear, and among the best tours in Cape Town, you can surf the sand dunes.

Experience an adrenaline rush by launching yourself down the dunes of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve. Hop on an ATV and challenge the slopes and descents of these 32-square-kilometer dunes. Capture unforgettable moments as you ride along the ridges, exploring the rich indigenous flora and fauna. For something different, try sandboarding and make the most of your experience in the South African dunes!

Hermanus is one of the top ten places in the world for whale watching, according to National Geographic, and is located about 90 minutes from Cape Town.

The charming coastal town of Hermanus awaits you with an unforgettable experience along the Cliff Path. Watch the whales jump as you stroll along the coast. In addition, if you choose a marine animal cruise from Cape Town, you can also see dolphins, sea lions, sharks and other cetaceans. A tip if I leave you: the best sighting season is from June to December, remember that these animals are free, so your chances of encountering them increases if we consider this season.

The most popular beach is Llandudno Beach, located just over 15 km from the center of Cape Town, this destination is flanked by Twelve Apostles Mountain and Lion's Head Mountain, both part of the 9 reasons to visit Cape Town according to Vanitatis. While taking to the water for a swim can be a challenge in Llandudno because of its cold water current from the Atlantic Ocean, surfers will find it a paradise.

Another coveted destination is Muizenberg Beach, a beautiful beach that you can identify from a distance by its multicolored cottages on the white sand. This beach has a family atmosphere, is quite crowded and its Blue Flag certification positions it in a privileged place.

However, don't be confused. Yes, its water is warm and lying in the sun is tempting, but much of the surfing community comes here for its huge waves. The surfing community reserves for it a special place among their destinations, even National Geographic includes it in the top destinations in the world for surfers.

Finally, we must not forget Camps Bay Beach, also called the Miami Beach of South Africa, is a very complete place. Flanked by the Twelve Apostles mountain range, this beach has fine white sand, turquoise sea, huge waves, warm temperature, beach bars, bars and restaurants everywhere.

If you fancy a beach where regular surfers and sunbathers make peace and you want to join the beach party in the area, write this destination among your things to do in Cape Town at night, here the fun never ends.