Check these off your Cape Town travel list and you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic trip!
Hike the trails
Get some fresh air and enjoy the beautiful mountains overlooking Cape Town. Lion’s Head is a 45 minute- an hour hike with some scrambling at the top. Just enough exercise and adventure to feel really good about it! For a longer alternative, there are several trails to the top of Table Mountain. Start from the Kirstenbosch Gardens for a particularly scenic route. Chapman’s Peak trail is the one to conquer if you can’t get enough of the drive just south of Cape Town.
Spend time at the beach
Cape Town has beautiful beaches – some just minutes away from the main city. Clifton Beaches and Camps Bay are two solid choices for during the day or sunset. Muizenberg beach is where you can find the colorful huts along the water. Hout Bay Beach is a bit further but worth the trek.
Hang with the penguins
You can’t miss the endangered African Penguins that waddle in and around Boulder’s Beach. Check this one off the list by visiting both the boardwalk and beach with small water inlets.
Learn about the culture & history
Absolutely go to Robben Island to learn more about the apartheid history and culture of South Africa. Reserve four hours for this which includes the ferry, bus ride and prisoner tour. The Bo-Kaap area is the next best stop for history.
Sip wine
South African wine is fantastic! Every single bottle of wine we ordered on our trip was a 10/10. There are 900 wine estates producing more than 9,000 labels annually in the Western Cape. Many of the wineries are within an hour’s drive of Cape Town and should be a day trip at the very least.
Meander through gardens
Search for the protea flower and all of the unique plants that can be found in any Cape Town green space. Kirstenbosch Gardens was a standout but Arderne Gardens is a more local spot.
Sample bites at the local markets
Old Biscuit Mill, City Farm Market and Greenmarket Square are all in the city. You will find similar souvenirs at most markets, but these can be a bargain vs stores or airport shopping.
Act like a local
Try a comedy show, check out The Galileo Open Air Cinema or bop around the streets during First Thursdays. The locals are friendly and welcoming!
Get a thrill
There are adventurous sports to take on in Cape Town. Mountain biking, sand boarding, paragliding, or shark diving are all available for those who want a unique experience.
Enjoy a cup of coffee
Cape Town has amazing coffee and they are proud of it. Truth Coffee is an experience in its own right. Shift Espresso bar and Bread Milk and Honey are also incredible cups to start the day.
Indulge in a 5 star meal
There are casual restaurants and occasional street food, but South Africa has many fine dining establishments. La Colombe or Test Kitchen Fledglings will be a memorable experience with local and fresh ingredients.
Spot wild animals!
You can find wildlife at Cape Point, home to mongooses, baboons, porcupines, bontebok, zebra, eland, ostrich and more. Head to Aquila Private Game Reserve, or if you have time, make the journey to Kruger. Cape Town arguably doesn’t feel like Africa – but an authentic safari will make the trip feel complete.
