From flat-topped Table Mountain down to the blue waters of Table Bay, Cape Town is simply stunning, but the city doesn’t thrive by its looks alone. Proudly multicultural, its flourishing arts, dining, and nightlife scenes are proof of this modern metropolis’ creativity and innovative spirit.

Cape town has a lot to offer – First, there’s the in-your-face beauty of a craggy mountain range that drops precipitously into a glittering sea, its flanks carpeted in greens and delicate florals. 

Then there are the pristine white beaches lapped by – it must be said – a chilly Atlantic, their curves defined by giant granite boulders to bake on, and burbling mountain streams in dappled forests. And no visit is complete without at least one full day exploring some of the surrounding vine-carpeted valleys, their rich terroir spawning not only award-winning wines but superb produce.

Yet Cape Town has a cool urban edge, too: excellent art galleries, hip bars, world-rated restaurants, and design-savvy shops. It’s also home to many of Africa’s innovative artists and designers, drawn by the city’s innate beauty, and with MOCAA the city is now home to the biggest repository of contemporary African art. In short, this pulsating city will leave you hungry for more.

Wedged between the sea and the mountains, Cape Town’s stunning scenery means a lot of its biggest attractions are free – wander around the V&A Waterfront, check out Bo-Kaap’s colorful houses, spend the day on the beach at Camps Bay or hike in Table Mountain National Park. 

There’s a good selection of places to stay in Cape Town to suit all budgets. But like most big cities, when you add in a few sights, meals out, and travel costs, prices can start to add up. There’s a lot you can see and do in Cape Town without spending big though, so here are my top tips for making the most of Cape Town on a budget.

Cape Town is South Africa’s capital of cool.

Based on the experiences We’ve enjoyed there, we cannot recommend Cape Town enough for an extended weekend break when you’re visiting South Africa.

With its unusual long mountain, sweeping bays, sparkling waterfront eateries, and up-and-coming suburbs sprinkled with street art – not only is Cape Town easy on the eye but it’s filled with fun things to do too.

Just outside the city is even more incredible scenery – you can hike or surf, spot penguins and whales, and indulge in local produce at boutique wineries too. If any of these ideas sound like your kind of thing, then read on to discover some of the best things to do in Cape Town

VISIT THE TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN

If you think the view of Table Mountain from Cape Town is epic, just wait till you’re standing atop Table Mountain and looking out over Cape Town and the city bowl…!

A trip to the top of Table Mountain is a must during your visit to the Mother City, though you’ll have to time your visit carefully as the mountain’s weather can be pretty unpredictable (it basically creates its own weather patterns).

You’ll quickly become familiar with the city’s ‘tablecloth’ – a thick blanket of clouds that roll in over the top of and whiteout everything. If you see Table Mountain begin to rise from the city bowl with no clouds nearby – go, go, go!

See our detailed post for visiting the table mountain here

So, here’s a few tips to visit Table Mountain: don’t go up (not even on the cable car) if the day isn’t clear. It’s a real shame to make all the effort to get up and realize that there’s a visibility of no more than 5 meters. 

Checking the weather broadcast and the regularly updated cable car report is what to do in Cape Town in order to decide when to visit. At times it is so windy that the cable car doesn’t even run.

Make sure to stay long enough to take in the sunset views. It’s worth the line at the cable car to go back! The Table Mountain aerial cableway has been ferrying passengers to the top of Table Mountain for almost 90 years, and with its 360* rotating floor and epic views it’s definitely worth taking the ride.

You can also combine your cableway ride with any other Cape Town sightseeing you want to do by purchasing a combined aerial cableway and hop-on-hop-off bus pass

HIKE & WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM LION’S HEAD

Sunrise is beautiful anywhere in the world, but a sunrise from Lion’s Head is one of those rare uplifting sights that just makes you so ridiculously grateful to be alive.

While Table Mountain might be Cape Town’s number one attraction, the view from Lion’s Head, rock to its side, definitely provides some of the greatest views of the city imaginable.

Hike up Lion’s Head for sunrise, and you’ll be rewarded with 360° views of the wild beauty of Cape Town as it wakes for the day. We guarantee that watching everything from the Atlantic seaboard to the city bowl, Table Mountain to Robben Island come to life under a vivid sky will be one of the most unforgettable mornings of your life.

It’s important to note that while the hike is relatively short and easy, it definitely shouldn’t be underestimated. It also involves some rock climbing and pulling yourself up via chain ladders and handholds.

This sounds more daunting than it really is; pretty much anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and sturdy shoes should be able to accomplish it, but you will need to be careful in wet or foggy weather.

My first tip for those who want to hike Lion’s Head is to go there only if they can see it – if the weather isn’t ideal, if Lion’s Head is actually covered in clouds, chances are that the view from there will be covered and the hike will end up being a struggle more than anything else. Provided that the weather is nice, hiking Lion’s Head is one of the most fun things to do in Cape Town.

The hike is a short and sweet one, mostly easy but challenging in parts as there are bits where it’s necessary to climb. It takes about 3 hours overall, and the views of Table Mountain from the top are truly rewarding. You can read our detailed guide: Here

ADMIRE THE PENGUINS AT BOULDER’S BEACH

Boulders Beach is gorgeous: it has incredibly fine, white sand and the clearest waters one could possibly hope for. Sure enough, the penguins got themselves a sweet spot. The whole area is invaded by them.

It takes about an hour to reach this incredibly beautiful beach which is located in the south of Cape Town. It’s home to over 2,000 endangered African penguins.

This is the only place in the world where you can actually get close to the little cuties — although as always, please be mindful that these are wild and endangered animals, and should only be observed from a distance.

They are highly protected, but as they are everywhere it’s very easy to take good photos. Going to Boulders Beach is what to do in Cape Town to admire some wildlife (on a side note, depending on the season it’s also possible to see whales and whale sharks).

Please don’t feed or attempt to touch the penguins; it not only goes against conservation efforts, but their beaks are also super sharp – and they’re not afraid to use them!

ENJOY SUNSET VIEWS FROM SIGNAL HILL AND THEN PARAGLIDE OFF IT!

Right next to Lion’s Head is the flat-topped Signal Hill (sometimes also called Lion’s rump), another of Cape Town’s best lookout spots. It is one of the most popular places in Cape Town to watch a sunset.

Visitors gather on the hill with picnics and blankets to watch the sunset over the sea in the distance. It’s spectacular and if you’re looking for romantic activities in Cape Town, this is definitely one of them!

In addition to the pretty epic views of Cape Town and surrounds, you can also drive pretty much to the top of Signal Hill – which makes it an extremely popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. The number of cars in the car park and the approach road certainly indicates this. But the potential trouble in parking is well worth the reward.

For those looking for an even more epic viewing experience, you can actually take a morning to enjoy some paragliding down from the top of the Signal Hill. We chose:  Parapax Cape Town and while we weren’t fans of paragliding during our time in Cape Town, we’ve subsequently discovered how awesome it is in the Dolomites – and highly, highly recommend getting yourself up into the skies above this incredible city now!

EXPLORE ALONG THE V&A WATERFRONT

V&A waterfront the oldest working harbor in the Southern hemisphere, and the entire area is scattered with interesting attractions (ie the Clock Tower, or Robinson Dry Dock – they can all be visited during the walking tour that departs every 30 minutes from Chavonnes Battery Museum).

While it might be Cape Town’s famous shopping mall, but with the harbor a stone’s throw away, epic views to Table Mountain, fresh produce in abundance, and locals who appreciate the good stuff (i.e. tasty food); the waterfront has also become one of the city’s best-loved eating spots for tourists and Capetonians alike.

After shopping all day, you’ll definitely want to stop in at one of the restaurants here to replenish your energy.

Whether you’re after world-class cuisine or a quick caffeine hit, seafood fresh from the Atlantic, Asian fusion, or modern dishes with all the flavors of Africa, there’s something for every palate here.

CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE

This beautiful scenic drive winds along the coastline and is considered one of the most beautiful routes in the world.

Starting in the picturesque fishing village of Hout Bay and finishing in Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula that hugs the rugged and dramatic cliffs of the coastline on one side, with incredible views out over the ice-blue Atlantic on the other. Factor this drive into a Cape Peninsula day out and drive this stunning route at sunset back towards Cape Town.

Stop by or a picnic at one of the lovely spots along the route or combine it with your sunset drive to catch the best views of the city from above. You will not be disappointed!

EXPLORE THE COLORFUL NEIGHBORHOODS OF BO-KAAP

Nestled under Signal Hill, right on the edge of the Cape Town CBD, the colorfully painted houses of the former Malay Quarter of Cape Town could also be confused for a gigantic bag of exploded skittles.

Bo Kaap is famous for the vivid multicolor single-story Cape Dutch houses that stand in rows along steep cobblestoned streets.

It’s where the Muslim community of Cape Town is concentrated, so it is not uncommon to hear the call to prayer coming from mosques (though I have to say, the area is actually quite multi-cultural).

The area is scattered with nice cafés and restaurants, which serve Cape Malay food – an interesting fusion of local and Malaysian flavors.

If people’s watching is one of the coolest activities in Cape Town, Bo-Kaap is definitely a good place to do it.

But while the predominantly Muslim suburb’s rainbow Instagram-worthy streets might be inviting and cheerful today, the history that underlies them is far more complex and turbulent.

It’s a proud, colorful, and extremely culturally-rich part of the city, and if you’re looking for things to do in Cape Town, a visit to Bo Kaap should definitely make the list.

In recent years, Bo Kaap has exploded as one of the most popular Cape Town attractions, particularly as an Instagram destination. If you decide to wander these colorful streets, please remember that this is a living neighborhood with a complex past and a rich Muslim culture – and it’s absolutely not your social media playground!

These are people’s homes and livelihoods, so be sure to exercise respect, dress appropriately.

VISIT CAPE POINT

One of the most popular things to do in Cape Town is touring around Cape Point Peninsula. It’s a full day trip, and a great one I should add. The Cape Peninsula is where the rocky, mountainous headland collides with the wild Atlantic sea, creating a dramatic landscape teeming with unique flora and fauna.

The first place to stop when exploring Cape Point Peninsula is Hout Bay. From Mariner’s Wharf, it’s easy to access the harbor and get on a ferry that goes to a fur seal colony – they are a fun sight. To be fair, there are also a few hanging rights at the harbor, along with some guys who claim to be their owners and demanding money in order to take pictures.

Hout Bay is a gorgeous beach per se, so I recommend going even just there as it’s one of the nicest places to visit in Cape Town. Driving away from it more into the Peninsula, there’s a viewpoint where it’s nice to stop for photos. The view is simply stunning.

Driving or even Biking around Cape Point National Park is one of the coolest things to do in Cape Town – the views of the ocean along the bike ride are beautiful, and there are chances to see quite a few animals, including ostriches and baboons.

Yet, the best stop on a Cape Peninsula tour is Cape Point, where it is possible to walk all the way up the lighthouse. Hiking up is what to do in Cape Town to get breathtaking views. The walk is made more fun by the baboons that are everywhere – though it’s important to remember that they are feral animals, so they should never be fed and never get too close to them.

Right below the lighthouse, an easy trail leads all the way to Cape of Good Hope – simply one of the most famous Cape Town attractions.

The rocky cliffs and endless ocean views give the impression that you’ve reached the end of the world, which in some ways, you have, given that this is the most southwestern point of Africa!

The drive down there will take you past Muizenberg, the Boulder’s Beach colony, and Hout Bay, all worth a visit in their own right. Alternatively, detour along Chapman’s Peak Drive and the west coast to take in some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Cape Town.

EXPLORE FOOD AND WINE IN THE CAPE WINELANDS

Visit the local vineyards at Constantia, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek

South Africa is globally renowned for its excellent wines. And fortunately, some of the best wine growing regions are found right next to Cape Town.

Only a scenic hour’s drive from Cape Town and home to many of South Africa’s famous wine estates, the wine region is all rolling vineyards, towering mountains, and historic colonial architecture. Spending a day here sampling some of the insanely good local wines is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Cape Town!

Constantia is the closest Winelands area to Cape Town, located less than a 20-minute drive from the city center. There are plenty of transport options to get from Cape Town city center to Constantia if you don’t have your own car. Even the famous red bus company, City Sightseeing includes Constantia on one of its routes. Book your tickets here.

The beautiful towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are both less than an hour driving from the centre of Cape Town. There are many wine farms to visit, and you can even do these via hop-on-hop-off tours. For example in a tuk-tuk or on the popular Franschhoek wine tram. Book the wine tram here.

We stayed in Babylonstoren for 2 nights to fully immerse ourselves in the Winelands culture. Read our experience: Here

The most famous town of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch, is beautiful and definitely worth a visit; but for an equally delicious day trip with just as much eye-candy, we recommend spending more time in Franschhoek.

One of South Africa’s oldest towns, it’s got splendid wines, delicious food, epic scenery – and you can enjoy them all minus the large crowds of Stelly.

If you’re keen to indulge in a tipple or two, we recommend booking this guided tour of the Winelands and enjoying a relaxed day out with your own guide and driver.

GO SHARK DIVING IN GANSBAAI

One of the things for adventure seekers is experiencing Shark cage diving. It’s one of those adventure activities that elicit strong reactions from people.

In Cape Town, the shark cage diving industry is a robust and flourishing one with tens of thousands of tourists taking the plunge every year. While shark cage diving wasn’t at the top of our list of unmissable things to do before I kick the bucket, we did jump at the opportunity to get into the water with the world’s most efficient predator. Read our guide on the shark diving experience and how you can experience it too: Here

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