Things to do in
Cape Town

Discover a melting pot of culture in this coastal city, along with daring adventure and fusion cuisine.

Top activities

Top sights in Cape Town

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Our most recommended things to do in Cape Town

Cape Town: Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Tour

Cape Town: Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Tour

Embrace the thrill of riding a quad bike on a guided tour set on the pristine white sand dunes of Atlantis in Cape Town. Get your heart pumping as you glide among a panoramic desert backdrop and admire the ever-changing landscapes. Hop onto your fully automatic quad bike and get ready to explore the expansive dunes under the guidance of expert instructors. Climb slopes and navigate declines on your powerful vehicle. Feel the adrenaline surge as you conquer dunes as tall as 50 meters, leaving a cloud of white sand in your wake. Witness breathtaking panoramic views of the dunes and beyond along the way. Enjoy moments to pause and capture the scenery with your camera. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a first-timer, seize this chance to ride safely through one of Cape Town's most exceptional natural wonders.

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

One of South Africa’s most popular destinations, Cape Town is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See landmarks such as Table Mountain, Camps Bay, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. Choose from 3 exciting tour routes. There are 2 ticket options available. If you opt for a 1-day ticket it allows you to experience all routes - Red, Blue and Purple Routes. The 2-day ticket allows you to take advantage of all routes - Red, Blue and Purple Routes for 2 consecutive days.  The 2-day ticket also includes a walking tour, a harbour cruise, and a sunset bus tour. Discover Cape Town on a narrated tour with daily departures. You may join the tour from any of the stops on the route: - V&A Waterfront (Tour office outside the 2 Oceans Aquarium) - Zeitz Mocaa Museum at the Clock Tower (Also Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island) - Cape Town Convention Centre - Downtown Tour office at 81 Long Street - Lower Cableway Station - Camps Bay Beachfront - Queens Road Stop (Cnr Alexander Road) - Beach Road, cnr St John's Road (Walk from here to Winchester stop along Promenade) - Beach Road opposite Winchester Mansions Hotel - Green Point Lighthouse - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - Constantia Nek (Wine Bus Tour change point) - World of Birds Park in Hout Bay - Imizamo Yethu Township (walking tour) - Mariner’s Wharf at Hout Bay Harbor Visit Constantia Valley – the oldest wine making region in South Africa. - Groot Constantia Estate (oldest commercial wine estate) - Eagles’ Nest (boutique winery)  - Beau Constantia (great wine and amazing views)

Cape Town: Sip 15 Wines on a 3-Region Wine Tour with Cheese

Cape Town: Sip 15 Wines on a 3-Region Wine Tour with Cheese

Discover 3 wine regions of South Africa on a guided tour from Cape Town. Explore the renowned wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl with stops at 3 top estates, with 15 wine tastings included throughout the day. Start with pickup from one of the convenient pickup points in Cape Town and travel first to the Stellenbosch wine region. Upon arrival at the first wine estate, be treated to a selection of cheeses and snacks. Then embark on a tour of the cellar, followed by a wine-tasting session. From there head into Stellenbosch for a walk around the historic town before we head over the Helshoogte Mountain pass into the Franschhoek valley. Stop at the second winery of the day and enjoy a selection of wines with fantastic views of the village of Franschhoek. Enjoy a photo stop at the Drakenstein Prison, where Mandela was released from. Head to Paarl for an afternoon wine tasting featuring a selection of sweet and decadent wines. Relax under the trees and enjoy the views of the vineyards before heading back to Cape Town.

From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive

From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive

Discover animals like the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape Buffalos on this day trip from Cape Town to the Aquila Private Game Reserve. Take a game tour in an open top, all-terrain vehicle. Stop for a delicious lunch at the reserve's lodge.  After a morning departure, you will head up the N1 Highway, through the spectacular Hex River Valley, and arrive at the Aquila Private Game Reserve. The bio-diverse habitat of the reserve ensures plenty of interest for the avid game viewer and bird watcher. Spot giraffes, blesbok, black and blue wildebeest, zebras, springbok, gemsbok, klipspringers, duikers, greybuck, steenbok, ostriches, baboons, caracals, foxes, jackals, and more. Spot up to 172 species of birds, including the majestic black eagle. Enjoy a game drive with a well-informed ranger followed by a delicious lunch at the lodge.

Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour

Cape Town: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Guided Prison Tour

Prepare for a memorable journey into South Africa's recent past with a trip to Robben Island. Waste no time waiting to buy tickets by pre-booking your ferry and guided tour entry. Upon arrival on Robben Island, meet up with a former inmate for a guided tour of the notorious prison. After heading to the meeting point, go straight to the boarding area to take a roughly 30-minute shared boat trip to Robben Island. Embark on a journey across the sea and dock at the Robben Island Museum upon arrival. Once on the island, meet up with an ex-political prisoner to begin your exploration of the island. Board a bus to tour the premises, and hear first-hand accounts of what it was like to be a prisoner there. Find out about the rich history of the island, and then reach the highlight of the tour: Nelson Mandela's prison cell. Get a sense of his fight for freedom as you discover the prison cell where he was incarcerated for more than 25 years. Afterward, take the return trip back to Cape Town. Kindly note that this offer is for International travellers. (Non South Africans) We encourage SA citizens to purchase their tickets from Robben Island directly. Please also note that this is not a private tour and you will join others on the boat trip and on the guided bus and land tour. You will skip the ticketing line but will still have to queue to board the ferry boat. This tour excludes hotel pick up and drop off. The tour starts and ends at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island.

Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Embark on an incredible Cape Town experience exclusive package. Experience the city like never before as you enjoy a combined Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Classic 1-Day bus ticket covering 3 bus routes and a Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket. Enjoy the bus tour with its informative audio commentary, available in 15 languages, as you experience the sights, attractions and experiences that Cape Town has to offer. Feel the thrill as you ascend to the summit of the iconic Table Mountain, the Seventh Natural Wonder of the World, aboard the Cableway. Enjoy the captivating panoramic views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Seaboard from the mountain. With a full day's access to all 3 hop-on hop-off bus tours, you have the freedom to discover Cape Town's top attractions and must-see landmarks at your own pace. Let the informative commentary guide you through the city's rich history and remarkable sights, helping you decide where to hop off. For added convenience, your ticket is valid for 14 days from the first use, offering flexibility and ensuring you have ample time to experience the bus tours and Cableway journey on separate days. Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to explore Cape Town on your terms with our all-inclusive package. Get ready for an adventure that combines convenience, breathtaking sights, and unparalleled flexibility.

From Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope and Penguins Guided Tour

From Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope and Penguins Guided Tour

You’ll be picked up at your Cape Town accommodation in the morning by a qualified tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus, and taken on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour. We begin with a drive-by city orientation tour of Cape Town City centre and a stop in the Bo-Kaap for photos with the colourful houses. Next, we drive along the scenic coastal route with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other and see what makes this coastline so special. Pass through Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, and Llandudno beaches along Chapman's Peak drive and enjoy a photo stop at Maiden's Cove. In Hout Bay, you’ll have the option of taking a boat to Seal Island to get a closer look at the seal population (not included in the tour price). The boat cruise takes approximately 45 minutes and we will view the seal colony from the boat. After exploring the harbour in Hout Bay, your tour continues on to Noordhoek village for an optional stop to try the best coffee roasted this side of the Cape (cost not included). The next stop is at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, where you'll explore the reserve, see the Dias Beacon, and also where the two currents meet. You can hike up to the top to see the Cape Point Lighthouse or take the Funicular (cost not included). From Cape Point, you’ll continue on toward Boulders Beach and stop to see the penguin colony. Enjoy the scenic Boyes Drive and see Kalk Bay and St. James Beach with its colourful beach cabanas for optional photos. The return route to Cape Town will be via Old Cape Road, ending the day with a drop-off at your accommodation.

Cape Town: Tandem Paragliding Adventure

Cape Town: Tandem Paragliding Adventure

Enjoy an spectacular paragliding adventure in Cape Town and marvel at the incredible views of the Atlantic Coastline, Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Clifton Beaches and more. Fly up into the sky with your experienced instructor and create unforgettable memories of a lifetime. Meet your pilot and other fun seekers at Signal Hill to begin your adventure. First, get an induction brief from your Instructor before you take off from a mountain slope under a canopy that resembles a parachute.  Get ready for liftoff; take a few steps or a short run to take off from the gentle slope, the wind will catch the canopy, and you will be airborne. Seated comfortably in front of your instructor you will feel the exhilaration and incredible sensation of free flying. A natural high as you experience a paragliding flight that you won't forget. Get hooked on the freedom and breathtaking views of Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Clifton Beaches, Waterfront, and Robben Island, that you won't forget.

From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

Uncover the lush beauty of the Franschhoek Valley on a hop-on hop-off tram and bus tour. Travel by air-conditioned bus from Cape Town and hop aboard the tram which stops at wine estates. Savor a range of wines while you take in the views from the tram. Available tram routes vary depending on the day of operation. Navy Line: (Multiple pick up points) You will depart Cape Town at 8:30 AM and head to the Franschhoek Valley. Arrive at the Groot Drakenstein station in the Franschhoek Valley by motor coach and board your choice of tram line (clockwise and counterclockwise) stopping at Zorgvliet, Vrede and Lust, Solms Delta, Plaisir de Merle, Camberley, Le Pommier, Boschendal, or Allee Bleue. The circular routes stop at any of the wine estates with the tram or tram bus passing every 60 minutes. Hop-on-hop-off at your preferred wine estates. Wine-tasting fees are excluded and payable on the day. Each of the lines has a wide selection of wine estates to visit, from boutique to marquee estates, and offers a unique perspective on the Franschhoek wine experience. At 4:45 PM, head back to the bus for your return to Cape Town.

Cape Town: Waterfront and Sunset Champagne Cruise

Cape Town: Waterfront and Sunset Champagne Cruise

Enjoy a unique view of the coast of Cape Town from the sea while relaxing and sipping on local sparkling wine on this sunset cruise. Admire the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean that stretches away from the majestic Table Mountain range. The sailboats Esperance and Serenity One follow the wind for this cruise, and therefore the destination is dependent on the weather at the time of the cruise. Your captain will let you know before departure your expected direction, but a typical Cape Town summer wind blows from the southeast. First, you'll leave the harbor and sail across Table Bay towards Milnerton Lighthouse, returning to the protection of the Granger Bay in the lee of Table Mountain to watch the sun set, and then motor back to the waterfront. In the winter months, with the Northwester prevalent, the direction will likely be towards the Clifton coastline or the Robben Island Coastline. This cruise will also return to Granger Bay and the Waterfront. On some occasions the weather may require the use of a motorboat, in which case the boat will cruise slowly along the Atlantic seaboard towards Clifton beach and then return. On all trips your skipper and crew will do their best, weather dependent, to give you the best view of the spectacular sunset over the sea - you won't believe the beauty of this sight until you experience it yourself! For all the vessels, when the seas are running too high or the wind is unpleasantly strong, instead of heading into Table Bay the destination is the Cape Town Harbor; a perfect alternative offering magical views of Table Mountain and the lights of Cape Town and the harbor in the evening. In extreme conditions the skipper will take every aspect into account, and even stay dockside to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

What top attractions are a must-see in Cape Town?

The must-see attractions in Cape Town are:

See all must-see sights in Cape Town

What are the best day trips and excursions from Cape Town?

The best day trips and excursions from Cape Town are:

See all day trips and excursions from Cape Town on GetYourGuide

Insider tips: Planning a trip to Cape Town

After travelling through South Africa for quite some time, blogger Check Out Sam stayed in Cape Town for a few months longer and explored the Mother City in depth. Curious about the best things to do, see and experience? Keep reading!

What should I do on my first trip to Cape Town?

Get to know the diversity of this city by exploring several of the lively neighborhoods (Bo-Kaap and V&A Waterfront are my favorites!), hiking some of the best hikes of the country (Lion's Head!), soaking up some sun at the stunning beaches (Boulders Beach & Clifton Beach can't be missed) and organizing (day) trips to other areas around Cape Town. There is SO much to do in and around this city!!

What are some hidden gems to see in Cape Town?

I booked an excursion through GetYourGuide to go swimming with seals in Cape Town. To this day, it is one of the tours that I enjoyed most! There are only a few other places in the world where you can do this, so this truly is a unique and wonderful experience that you shouldn't miss out on.

How much time should I spend in Cape Town?

Cape Town is huge and is surrounded by other lovely regions that deserve some of your time too. Therefore you should be here for at least one full week. And even then, your itinerary will probably be jam packed! Keep in mind that some tours (e.g. cage diving with sharks, swimming with seals, visiting Robben Island) take up half or even a full day too.

What food is Cape Town known for?

The food you find in Cape Town is as diverse as its citizens, history and culture. If you're a meat lover, you will love game meat. My favorite was kudu. Ostrich is also worth trying out! There are quite some restaurants at V&A Waterfront who serve these delicacies. Another typical South African dish I would recommend, is bobotie. This oven dish still makes my mouth water when I think about it!

What is the best way to get around Cape Town? 

Public transportation for tourists is a no-go in South Africa. If you do use it, there is a chance you will get mugged. Therefore I would recommend to make use of Uber. It is cheap, safe and easy to use all around the city. Since it is so big, you just have to make use of it. Walking around Cape Town is fine, as long as you don't do it after dark, don't show off your wealth too much and stay away from dangerous areas. You shouldn't be there anyway, because most highlights are quite centrally located in the city. Are you doing a day trip or road trip from Cape Town away? Rental cars are cheap and found across the city.

What are the best months to visit Cape Town?

Since Cape Town is located in the southern hemisphere, you have to know that seasons are reverse to the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Therefore, January and February are great months to visit since the temperatures are at it's best and the days are longest. During these months, there also are a lot of activities and festivals going on around the city. The only disadvantage is that there often are bigger crowds. If you don't like that, March and April are a bit chillier but way less crowded.

What is neighborhood V&A Waterfront known for?

V&A Waterfront is considered the safest area of Cape Town and perhaps also the liveliest if you're a tourist. There are lots of things to do and here you'll also find the best restaurants. The nearby Waterkant also has great food and bars, but once it gets dark you shouldn't walk here anymore. Bo-Kaap is a very popular neighborhood with tourists because of its colorful houses. It's safe to walk here during the day (like most areas in the city center), but again I wouldnt come visit this area once it gets dark.

What are the best neighborhoods for food?

You have to be in the city center if you're a food lover. V&A Waterfront and Waterkant had some of the best restaurants I've encountered in all of South Africa. There are a lot of places who offer local cuisine, but also burgers, Italian food, etc. Make sure to try out some other African restaurants as well!

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Cape Town?

If you want to be in the city center, I recommend to find accommodation in V&A Waterfront, Waterkant or Greenpoint. You'll be staying very centrally, but also in quite safe areas. As I said earlier: walking around after dark is not a great idea, but during the day you should never worry about a thing. The area around Simon's Town, Camp's Bay and Hout Bay are wonderful if you want to be closer to the beaches and don't like the busy city.

What is the best family-friendly thing to do in Cape Town?

Go out and meet some of the cute locals! I already mentioned Boulders Beach with its quirky penguins or Hout Bay with it resident seals, but of course you can also organize a safari (day) trip to one of the parks just outside Cape Town. There you might get the chance to spot the Big Five!

What is the best thing to do in Cape Town for couples?

Head out the city for some days and venture to the South African wine country: Stellenbosch! This chique area is located very close to Cape Town and has several fantastic wineries to try out. Sit down, relax, take a sip of your wine and enjoy a romantic sunset at one of these domains. Afterwards, go have dinner in one of the many fantastic restaurants you'll find in this area.

What are the best areas for outdoor activities around Cape Town?

There are several hikes you can do in the city itself (don't mis Lion's Head!), but if you really want to explore the diversity of South Africa I suggest you drive along the Garden Route or discover the quite unknown Cederberg region (about three hours from Cape Town). Along the Garden Route you'll see lots of rough coastline, but also stunning national parks and some wildlife. Cederberg is a rocky desert wilderness great for hiking, road trips or exploring the history of this region.

What are the best beaches around Cape Town?

My personal favourite is by far Boulders Beach. On this tropical white beach, you don't only find (impressive!) boulders, but also one of the penguin colonies of South Africa. Swimming ánd tanning together with these quirky birds is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Since you have to buy an entrance ticket to get in, it is also considered a very safe beach and thus you don't have to worry too much of leaving your bag when you're going for a swim.

Top Attractions in Cape Town

Things to Do in Cape Town

Cities in South Africa

Other Sightseeing Options in Cape Town

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What people are saying about Cape Town

Overall rating

4.6
(16,571 reviews)

Great tour. We had the oportunitat to understand the challenges and live of the township, with the guide explanations, walking the streets and talking to the people. Thanks.

The service was excellent. The rides were even more amazing. And the instructors were so friendly and patient 🙏😃😃. I’m very happy.

Wonderful show, great food, friendly driver, and an all-around excellent and entertaining experience. I highly recommend it.

We missed our time slot on Saturday and they gave us the slot for the following day .

Flight was delayed but they were there to meet us. Good transfer