What I loved the most about my time in Cape Town is that the city has an incredibly unique blend of urban life meeting natural wonders. You can go from buzzing and vibrant neighbourhoods to the Botanical Gardens or hiking mountains in the shortest amount of time. When I visited Cape Town in 2024, my family and I had 4 days to explore this wondrous city, and I could have spent much more time there. However, we squeezed in as many activities as we could into these 4 days, and I am confident that my choice of the Top 10 Things to do in Cape Town is all the things you shouldn’t miss out on!
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FAQ on what to do in Cape Town
Where to Stay in Cape Town? – My personal Recommendations!
When travelling to Cape Town for the first time, you will want to stay in Camps Bay. The vibrant and luxurious neighbourhood is the perfect base for your time exploring the city. From there, you can reach all the highlights and top things to do in Cape Town with ease, all while having some of the most wonderful of them directly within your reach.
My personal recommendations for hotels in Cape Town:
For a travel party of 4: Stunning Sea View Apartment – I stayed here during my time in Cape Town, and we had the most wonderful time!
Here are the options I would book if I were to book a place to stay again:
- Sea Castle Hotel Camps Bay – Can the location be any better?
- Finchley Guesthouse in Camps Bay – Look at that pool!
- Kettle’s Guesthouse – on the cheaper end but with an incredible view!
When to Visit Cape Town?
Well, while Cape Town is beautiful all year round, you should make sure to take its weather and your personal preference into account when planning your trip.
During the winter months (June to August), you will have milder weather, more rain and colder nights, but also fewer crowds.
From December to February, you will have warmer temperatures (perfect for beach time!). In between, you will find milder shoulder seasons, which are perfect for hiking and avoiding the crowds.
How to Get Around in Cape Town?
Getting around Cape Town requires you to put in some thought regarding your safety. Unfortunately for any European, you can’t just walk anywhere, due to safety risks. That’s why it is recommend to go anywhere either by a rental car or to book your trips with a service such as Uber.
1. Camps Bay Beaches – Clifton 4th
Let’s start this list of the most amazing things to do in Cape Town. The beaches of Camps Bay are incredible. White sands and the rolling ocean in the background, with Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles’ tower in the background. Honestly, I can think of little places that have a vibe that is comparable.
As a photographer, you can not help but feel inspired right there, especially when you are there during sunset. It makes you understand why Cape Town is such a must-visit for anyone who lives behind the lens.
Additional Tips for visiting the Camps Bay Beaches
- The beaches are amazing for whole beach days; however, if you only want to absorb their beauty for a short while, it will do too! We went there right before our dinner at the Codfather (absolute must-visit for any seafood lover out there) and just had a lovely sunset walk there.
- When visiting the beach, make sure to keep a close eye on your belongings
- Always follow the safety rules for swimming.
2. V&A Waterfront
One of the most vibrant and exciting areas, especially for tourists, is the V&A Waterfront. It is one of the places where you can roam around easily, with a mall, exhibits of local artists, a wonderful promenade and many great places for any of your meals during the day.
As someone who lives in a very walkable city, getting around Cape Town can feel very limiting, as it is recommended to go around exclusively by car, but strolling around the V&A Waterfront to get a few steps in was very amazing, especially when it came to the coffee & waffle with a view of Table Mountain!
3. The Rock at Camps Bay
One of the most incredible viewpoints in Cape Town has to be the Rock, from where you can watch over Camps Bay, its beaches, the Twelve Apostles, and the wonderful neighbourhood of Camps Bay. On a good day, you can see incredibly far, and the ocean just has the most amazing view there.
4. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Probably my favourite thing to do in Cape Town is to visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. I do love to visit Botanical Gardens whereever I travel to an and with the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, you are in for a treat! The vast area is incredible and filled to the brim with beautiful native species of Fynbos plants. You can see the famous Protea, or Sugar Bushes, South Africa’s national plant and walk the canopy, overlooking the park and Table Mountain.
What I love the most about the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is that you learn so much about South Africa’s botanical wonders. Like did you know that botanically speaking, the area surrounding Cape Town marks one of only six so-called Floristic Kingdoms? The shrub and bushland, or Fynbos, is the most prominent aspect of said Kingdom. These delicate and distinct-smelling flowers are beautiful, and you will find products with their scent in any souvenir shop in Cape Town.
5. Boulders Beach
Ok, the one thing I wanted to do more than any other in Cape Town is to visit the famous Boulders Beach. A short drive just outside of Cape Town, you will find the beach that is home to a colony of Cape Penguins that you can visit and observe them up close.
Additional Tips:
- When visiting Boulders Beach, make sure to be there early! It opens at 8:00 AM, but you don’t want to be there later than 9:30 AM, as you want to be there before the huge tour buses start to roll in.
6. Cape of Good Hope
When you leave Boulders Beach after watching the penguins, it might be time to head to the next stop for the day! The combination of Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope is Day 3 of my Cape Town Itinerary and makes for the perfect day trip from Cape Town.
The Cape of Good Hope is one of the most beautiful natural wonders surrounding Cape Town. It is perfect for exploring the local flora (Fynbos) and fauna (Ostriches, sea lions, Bunteboks), as well as the iconic lighthouse that used to guide sailors back home and was a signal to them that the worst was over. The Cape of Good Hope Park is one of my favourite places in Cape Town and would be thing to do in Cape Town I wouldn’t skip! It is also the first place to experience a little Safari in Cape Town.
7. Bo-Kaap
One of the most colourful and vibrant neighboorhoods that are there to explore for you in Cape Town is Bo-Kaap. Formerly the area for the quarters for Malay immigrants, the colourful area is now the cultural centre of the Cape’s Malay and Muslim community. In the colourful streets, you will find the bright houses; the neighbourhood is famous for its street art and galleries.
8. Signal Hill
Honestly, Cape Town might just be filled with the best viewpoints worldwide. Period. Another incredible thing to do in Cape Town is visiting the Signal Hill Viewpoint. From there, you can see the coast, the Lion’s Head and the concrete jungle filling the space between. If you turn the other way around, you can also see Table Mountain on a clear day. It is a very magnificent place to be!
9. Lion’s Head Hike
When you are at Signal Hill Viewpoint, the next place to be is for sure the top of the Lion’s Head. This iconic hike is one of the best things to do in Cape Town. From up there, you will see the most incredible views of Cape Town, Camps Bay, the ocean and Table Mountain.
Helpful Information:
- The hike up Lion’s Head requires you to be physically fit. Especially the last portion of the hike is very steep, and you are going to have to climb. It may be unsuitable for people with physical limitations or those who are uneasy with heights.
10. Maiden’s Cove
One last place on this list of the top things to do in Cape Town is to visit the Maiden’s Cove in Camps Bay. The tidal pool is great for swimming in on warm days, offering you calmer waters than the beaches of Camps Bay.
Neighbourgoods Market
One last thing that I can’t just not recommend for your time in South Africa is visiting the Neighbourgoods Market. The lively market takes place every Saturday and Sunday, and right here you will find amazing shopping opportunities from clothing to coffee to souvenirs and art. But you will also find the most incredible food vendors there and are guaranteed to find the most incredible lunch in Cape Town right there!
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