£50 off your first booking on select hotels. T&Cs apply.
HotHotels
One&Only Cape Town, Cape Town

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Cape Town

Updated 1 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: One&Only Cape Town

Few cities have a setting like Cape Town's. A flat-topped mountain rises straight from the streets, two oceans meet at the end of a rugged peninsula, and vineyards, penguin beaches and pastel-painted houses are all within a short drive. It's a city of big views, big history and very good food, and it's easy to fall for.

It's also a place with a complicated past, and that adds depth to a visit. Spend time on Robben Island and in the district museums, then balance it with long lunches in the Winelands and sunset on the Atlantic seaboard. Plan for at least four days, and keep a flexible day in hand for the weather, because Table Mountain doesn't always play along.

Don't miss

  1. 1Table Mountain
  2. 2Robben Island
  3. 3Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
  4. 4Boulders Beach
  5. 5The Bo-Kaap

Mountain, coast and cape

Cape Town’s landscape does most of the work.

  1. Table Mountain

    Nature

    The flat-topped Table Mountain above Cape Town
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The flat-topped mountain that defines the city. Ride the rotating cable car to the summit for views over the city, Robben Island and the Atlantic, or hike up one of the trails if you're fit and well prepared. On windy days, a cloud 'tablecloth' pours over the edge and the cable car may close.

    Tip: Check conditions on the day and go in the morning for the clearest weather.

  2. Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope

    Nature

    The rugged coast at Cape Point on the Cape Peninsula
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The rugged south-western tip of the Cape Peninsula, inside Table Mountain National Park. There are cliffs, lighthouses, walking trails and windswept views over the ocean. It's a long drive, so make a day of it and pair it with Boulders Beach.

  3. Boulders Beach

    Wildlife

    The African penguin colony at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A sheltered cove of granite boulders and calm water near Simon's Town, home to a colony of African penguins. Watch them from the boardwalks above the beach, and keep a respectful distance.

  4. Chapman's Peak Drive

    Nature

    Chapman's Peak Drive carved into the cliffs above the Atlantic
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A road carved into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with sheer drops to the Atlantic on one side and rock face on the other. It's one of the great coastal drives, and the viewpoints are made for stopping.

History and culture

  1. Robben Island

    Landmark

    The B-Section courtyard of the Maximum Security Prison on Robben Island
    Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The island where Nelson Mandela spent many of his years in prison is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a museum. The ferry leaves from the V&A Waterfront, and the tour is led by former political prisoners. It's moving and unforgettable.

    Tip: Book well ahead, as boat trips depend on sea conditions.

  2. The Bo-Kaap

    Neighbourhood

    Brightly painted houses on Wale Street in the Bo-Kaap
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Steep cobbled streets lined with brightly painted houses, on the slopes below Signal Hill. It's the historic home of Cape Town's Cape Malay community, with mosques, spice shops and kitchens serving traditional food.

  3. Zeitz MOCAA

    Museum

    The former grain silo that houses Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A major museum of contemporary African art, in a converted grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, with an atrium carved out of concrete tubes. The building is a sight in itself.

  4. District Six Museum

    Museum

    A small, powerful museum about the community forcibly removed from this part of the city under apartheid. Former residents often help to tell the story, and it's well worth an hour.

Beaches, gardens and the waterfront

  1. Camps Bay

    Beach

    The beach at Camps Bay beneath the mountains
    Photo: HelenOnline, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A wide beach of white sand beneath the Twelve Apostles mountains, lined with palm trees and cafés. The Atlantic is cold, but the sunsets and the people-watching are as good as it gets.

  2. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

    Nature

    Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
    Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A beautiful botanical garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, showcasing South Africa's native plants, including proteas. Walk the treetop canopy path, picnic on the lawns, and enjoy the mountain backdrop.

  3. V&A Waterfront

    Neighbourhood

    A working harbour turned lively waterfront, with restaurants, shops, street performers and views of Table Mountain. It's the departure point for Robben Island and a good spot for an evening stroll.

Wine country

  1. Constantia

    Day trip

    The Cape Dutch homestead at Groot Constantia wine estate
    Photo: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0

    One of South Africa's oldest wine-growing areas sits among leafy suburbs just south of the city centre. Visit historic estates such as Groot Constantia for a tasting and a long lunch, without having to leave Cape Town.

  2. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek

    Day trip

    Vineyards near Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands
    Photo: Matthias Bethke, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Cape Winelands, with oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch farmhouses and mountains behind the vineyards, are about an hour's drive inland. Stellenbosch is a lively university town, and Franschhoek is known for its restaurants. Hire a driver or join a tour if you plan to taste the wine.

Eat and drink

  1. Cape Malay cooking

    Food

    Bobotie, the baked spiced mince dish of the Cape
    Photo: Olga Ernst, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Fragrant, gently spiced dishes brought by the Cape Malay community. Try bobotie, a baked, curry-spiced mince with an egg topping, or a mild curry with sambals, and finish with a koesister, a spiced doughnut.

  2. The Neighbourgoods Market

    Market

    A weekly food market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, with stalls selling everything from oysters to pastries and local craft beer. It's a lively spot for brunch.

  3. A Gatsby

    Food

    Cape Town's gloriously oversized sandwich: a long bread roll stuffed with chips, meat and sauce, made to be shared. It's filling, local and best enjoyed with a friend.

Where to stay in Cape Town

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Cape Town →

Getting around

Ride-hailing and taxis are the easy way around, and the MyCiTi bus links the airport, the city and the Waterfront. Hire a car or a driver for Cape Point, the Winelands and the coast, and take advice from your hotel on safe areas, especially after dark.

When to go

November to March is warm and dry, ideal for the beach and the mountain, though the south-easterly wind can be strong. Winter, June to August, is cooler and wetter, but the city is quieter and the light is lovely.

Questions about visiting Cape Town

What is Cape Town best known for?
Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula, penguins at Boulders Beach, the Winelands and the colourful Bo-Kaap.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
Four to five days covers Table Mountain, Robben Island, the peninsula and the Winelands. A week gives you time for beaches and a more relaxed pace.
What is there to do in Cape Town with kids?
The Table Mountain cable car, penguins at Boulders Beach, the V&A Waterfront and Kirstenbosch gardens are good options for children.
Do you need a car in Cape Town?
Not for the city, where ride-hailing is easy, but a car or a driver is useful for Cape Point and the Winelands.

More guides