42 Best Things to Do in Cape Town (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in Cape Town | Outdoor Activities | Food & Drink | Beaches | Adventurous Activities | Cool & Unusual | Rainy Day

I’ve lived in Cape Town all my life and I promise you’ll never run out of things to do here.

Cape Town has lots to offer whether you like hikes and beach days or wandering bustling markets and enjoying lazy lunches under the oaks at a wine farm. This is the only guide you’ll need to figure out what to do in Cape Town. 

I’ll overview the city’s top attractions and outdoor experiences, including the beautiful beaches you don’t want to skip. I’ll also uncover some incredible restaurants and bars, activities for a rainy day, and adventurous, one-of-a-kind experiences within and outside of the city. 

Use this list and my guide to where to stay in Cape Town to get started planning your ideal Cape Town trip!

42 Best Things to Do in Cape Town

V&A Waterfront

Enjoy sunshine, beautiful views and time at the water’s edge at the V&A Waterfront’s magnificent harbour setting.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 408 7600 | Website | Entrance: Free 

The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is a magnificent harbour setting at the foot of Table Mountain that’s popular with locals and tourists. It’s a great place to eat, and there are a lot of family-friendly things to do here. 

Some of my favourite restaurants include Life Grand Café, Quay Four, La Parada (it has delicious tapas) and Granary Café at the Silo Hotel. You can also find takeaways in the Victoria & Alfred Shopping Mall. Enjoy grab-and-go food, from oysters to burgers, at the Time Out Market or indulge in baked goods, ice cream, and smoothies from the Watershed.

Stroll next to the water’s edge, or take a ride on the Cape Wheel (Ferris wheel). You can also take a scenic helicopter flight, or book one of the many boat trips within the harbour out into Table Bay. I recommend taking a historic Robben Island ferry tour from the Waterfront to Robben Island, where South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. 

Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCCA), or my favorite place to explore at the Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium. 

The V&A Waterfront is touristy, but it’s safe and has a lovely upbeat vibe in an incredibly beautiful setting.

See African Penguins on Boulder’s Beach

Swim with African penguins in the ocean or watch them from the wooden walkway.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 (0)12 428 9111 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7:30 pm (December to January), 8 am – 6:30 pm (February to March & October to November), 8 am – 5 pm (April to September) | Entrance: R245, adults, R120 under 12 | 👉 Book A Penguin Encounter Half Day Tour from Cape Town on Viator 

You may be used to seeing photos of penguins in the snow; however, in Cape Town, you can find penguins on the beach, at the Boulder’s Beach penguin colony. 

The penguins are a critically endangered species, and this is one of the few African penguin colonies in the world. This beach is about a 50-minute drive from Cape Town central, but it’s often one of the stops on a coastal tour.

Want to spend time on the sand, swim in the ocean, and possibly see penguins in the water, on the rocks, or on the beach? I’d recommend setting aside at least half a day to travel to and from the beach and spend a few hours on it. Otherwise, a popular way to see them is from the walkway, as a stop on a tour like this half-day penguin encounter excursion from Cape Town. 

Table Mountain Cableway

Enjoy incredible views as you go up (or down) Table Mountain.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 424 0015 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: Return ticket R450, one-way R295 adults, Return ticket R255, one-way R160 youth under 18 

The Table Mountain Cableway is a must-do activity for everyone who visits the city. Get treated to incredible views of Table Mountain and look down over Camps Bay, Lion’s Head and the Cape Town City Bowl as you take a ride to the top of Cape Town’s iconic mountain.

It’s best to pre-book your tickets online to skip the queues. If the Cable Way shuts down due to weather (like strong winds) you can use your ticket on the next open day that week, or get a refund. 

There’s a restaurant and a bar at the top, and a coffee shop and another bar at the bottom cable station, but you can also take your own picnic to the top and enjoy it on the mountain.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Unwind in nature in one of the world’s largest botanical gardens, on the slopes of Table Mountain.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 799 8783 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 7 pm daily in summer (September–March), 8 pm to 6 pm daily in winter (April–August) | Entrance: R250, adults, R40 youth under 18 

The tranquil setting of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is great if you want to spend some time in nature, or have a picnic in a place where children can run free. There are several restaurants at Kirstenbosch, but what makes it special is the flora, so it’s worth taking a walk and exploring or even taking a tour.

My favourite spots are Lady Ann Barnard’s Bath, which is a little pool in the shade with mountain water flowing into it. My other favourite is the raised tree canopy walkway that snakes its way through the trees. It’s known locally as ‘The Boomslang’ (meaning tree snake).

Kirstenbosch also hosts great outdoor concerts on Sunday evenings during the summer. And on certain weekdays, you can watch movies outside on a giant screen, as part of the Galileo open-air cinema. 

Groot Constancia

Enjoy wine tasting under the oaks at South Africa’s oldest wine farm.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 794-5128 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily, Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day | Entrance: Free 

Only 20 minutes from Cape Town city center, the Constantia Wine Valley is a lovely, tranquil setting in a large leafy suburb. Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa, established in 1685. It has a rich history and it’s rumoured that when Napoleon was exiled on St Helena island, he drank Groot Constantia wines.

Today, it’s home to two fine restaurants, Jonkershuis and Simon, as well as a wine tasting cellar. There are also large lawns and a shaded tree-lined walkway to enjoy. You can visit Groot Constancia on one of the City Sightseeing Bus routes, which makes it easy to access. 

Go Kayaking

Spot sea life from an ocean-going kayak.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 81 863 3622 | Website | Hours: 7:30 am – 6:15 pm daily | Entrance: R600; Children must be over 8 years old and be accompanied by an adult | 👉 Book an Atlantic Outlook Kayak Tour on Viator 

Several kayak tours leave from the V&A Waterfront, or nearby Granger Bay, and take you out on a two-hour ocean kayaking adventure. You’ll have an experienced guide and be supplied with the kayaks, oars, and life vests.

You may spot a local pod of Heaviside’s dolphins, particularly in the early morning. Other sea life you might see includes seals and sunfish, which are large, flat fish that like to hang around the ocean’s surface. You may even spot whales, and you’ll certainly see the amazing view of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head from the water.

Oranjezicht Market

A fabulous food market, with an array of delicious food and fresh produce.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +2782 468 1125 | Website | Hours: Saturday 08:00 – 14:30, Sunday 08:30 – 14:30, Wednesday Night Market 16:00 – 21:30 | Entrance: Free 

The Oranjezicht Market is a trendy, dog-friendly marketplace where locals and visitors gather over food. You’ll find South African-made clothing, like those from Swing Shop. There are also handcrafted Chommies dog collars and leads (it’s like the local Gucci for dogs, but without the bling), soy candles, jewelry and more.

I go there for the food, however. There’s such a variety of flavours. You can find anything from pizza and curries to Vietnamese rice paper rolls, Japanese mochi, and creamy South African fudge. You’ll also find craft beer, cocktails, great coffee, and matcha here. It’s a good idea to get there early on weekends to find seating.

Free Walking Tour in the Bo-Kaap

If you care about your Instagram feed, this area is worth a stop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 76 636 9007 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am, 2 pm and 4:20pm | Entrance: Free 

The Bo-Kaap is famous for its colorful houses and is a great spot for some Instagram-worthy photos. The small residential area is a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood, also previously known as the Cape Malay quarter. 

Cape Malay food is delicious. It’s a mix of Indonesian, Malaysian and Indian influences combined with traditional Dutch and French cooking. The curries are milder and sweeter than Indian curries and are definitely worth a try. There’s also a sweet called a koesister (a doughnut covered in coconut), not to be confused with the traditional Afrikaans koeksister (very sweet, syrupy strands of woven dough).

Bo-Kaap is a great place to do a free walking tour, which takes you past Atlas Spices (where you can buy nuts and spices at great prices), through cobbled walkways, past a mosque and to Faeeza’s Home Kitchen: a Bo-Kaap eatery that sells traditional food. You can also book a Malay cuisine cooking class here.

City Sightseeing Bus

A relaxing and informative way to explore Cape Town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 10 009 0095  | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm (depending on the route) daily 

The City Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off bus is a great way to explore Cape Town. It has over 30 stops and recorded commentary about the places that you’re passing. It’s especially fun to sit on top of the open-top bus on a sunny day and feel the wind in your hair as you tour around.

The bus has three main routes: the Red Route, which explores the city and takes you to the Cable Way on Table Mountain; the Blue Route (my personal favourite), which is a coastal tour around the peninsula; and the Purple Route, which takes you to wine estates.

I recommend starting early and stopping at either Kirstenbosch Gardens, Hout Bay or Camps Bay (or all three). 

Outdoor Activities in Cape Town

Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP)

Stand-up paddleboarding is a fun and relaxing way to explore the Waterfront canals at Battery Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 (0) 21 205 1131 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily | Cost: R300 for 1 hour. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult  

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUPing) is a relaxing way to explore the V&A Waterfront canals at Battery Park. It’s an especially good place if you’re a beginner, as the canal water is calm. You can find rentals at SUP Cape Town.

You’ll make your way under a bridge on the canal into an area flanked by expensive waterside apartments. There’s a little circular island with some plants near the end of the canal that you can make your way around, and you’re likely to see some birds on the water too!

Table Mountain

Cape Town has lots of hiking trails with amazing views, but none as iconic as Table Mountain.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free (unless booking with a guide) | 👉 Hike Table Mountain with a Guide

While you can take the Cable Way to the top of Table Mountain and back down (and it’s certainly worth doing), if you’re a keen hiker, you should consider trying one of the many hikes on Table Mountain.

You can choose to walk on the fairly flat Pipe Track contour path, which has gorgeous views over Camps Bay. Or climb to the top of the mountain via one of the popular and very steep routes, like Platteklip Gorge (which will take you to the top near the station, so you can catch a cable car back down, if you prefer), or Kasteelpoort.

Always bring something warm, as the weather can change quickly. Remember to also pack some snacks and enough to drink. For your safety, I recommend doing a Table Mountain hike with a guide and not walking on the mountain alone.

Lion’s Head

This is one of the best spots to watch the sunset.

📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free (unless booking with a guide) | 👉 Book a Guided Lion’s Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike on Viator

Lion’s Head has become such a popular sunset hike that there can be a bit of a queue getting to the top in summer, particularly during busy periods like summer holidays. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the top if you are fit, and an hour if you’re a bit slower.

Lion’s Head is a wonderful, short hike with breathtaking views over the ocean and of Table Mountain and Cape Town below. You don’t necessarily need a guide as the path is fairly simple, but if you’re uncomfortable going alone, this guided Lion’s Head hiking tour is a good option. 

There is a marked section where the path splits and you can use chains and ladders to climb up a steep section. If you’d prefer an easier but slightly longer route (not more than 10 minutes extra) stick to your left. The paths rejoin just below the summit. It’s a great hike that I’ve done countless times. 

Cape Sidecar Adventures

Feel the breeze on your face as you swoop over roads in a vintage sidecar.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 434 9855 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: From R 3,400 (depending on the tour length) per sidecar with driver 

This is the most fun you can have on three wheels! Cape Sidecar Adventures offers trips that range from two hours to half-day and full-day outings. Each former military vintage bike has been fully refurbished to suit South African road conditions and comes with its own driver (sidecars carry the driver plus either 1 or 2 passengers). You get to wear a cool leather jacket, helmet and goggles to feel the part. 

You can do a city tour, visit the Cape Winelands, or go along the ocean – it’s up to you. My favourite route is the Atlantic Seaboard and Chapmans Peak Drive, which is incredibly scenic. There’s no age restriction, but children under five must sit on an adult’s lap in the sidecar.

Sea Point Promenade

One of the best spots to enjoy fresh sea air and see locals enjoying daily walks or runs. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +2774 100 9161 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 7:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free

The Promenade is a paved walkway along the ocean that’s roughly three-and-a-half miles long. It runs from the V&A Waterfront, along Granger Bay, Mouille Point, and onto Sea Point. You’ll see people out walking or running along the promenade at all times of day, but especially in the morning and evenings.

As you walk, you’ll pass the Mouille Point lighthouse, a small labyrinth of hedges, and a popular mini-golf (also known as putt-putt in South Africa) course. You’ll also pass some lawns where people love to walk their dogs, picnic, or work out, and children play. You can rent a bicycle from Upcycles if you prefer to explore on two wheels. Just be mindful of pedestrians and runners, and cycle slowly.

Look out for interesting photographic works displayed on the barrier wall, opposite the Winchester Mansions Hotel. This point is also where you’ll see paragliders land after launching off Lion’s Head or Signal Hill.

Learn to Surf

Cape Town has a strong surf culture, with Muizenberg and Big Bay being popular with beginners.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 83 6226 993 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Cost: From R550 for a group lesson, board rentals from R200

Cape Town has a popular surf culture with good surf at beaches like Big Bay in Blouberg, Derde Steen, Melkbos, Muizenberg Beach, Llundudno, and Glen Beach. 

The best places to learn to surf are Muizenberg (which has warmer water) and Big Bay at Blouberg. Both these beaches have surf schools, like Surf Big Bay Surf School, where you can book private or group lessons. If you already know how to surf, you can rent a board.

My brother taught himself to surf at Big Bay and I’ve spent many hours watching surfers at this beach. The water is cold, so you’ll need to wear a wetsuit.

Take a Boat Trip

Yachts, catamarans, canal boats and more – you’ll find them all at the V&A Waterfront.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 421 0909 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily | Entrance: Various prices | 👉 Book a Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town on Viator 

There are lots of options for boat trips at the V&A Waterfront and a boat trip is a lovely way to explore. You can enjoy a cruise through the harbour and the canals on a canal boat trip or hop on the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship (often used for themed children’s birthday parties). Enjoy a yacht trip to Clifton 4th Beach in summer, a catamaran cruise, a sunset cruise, or a dinner cruise.

You can choose and book your boat trip at the V&A Waterfront or online from the various operators. Bring something warm to wear, as even in summer it can be chilly on the water, especially in the evening.

Food & Drinks in Cape Town

Life Grand Café

There’s always a festive vibe at the V&A Waterfront and lots of food options.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 205 1902 | Website | Hours: 11:00 am – 10:30 pm daily

Life Grand Café is situated on the water’s edge at the V&A Waterfront. The food is good, and there’s a wide variety. Choose from all types of seafood and sushi to lamb shank, pork belly, burgers, and pizza. 

It has a vibey feel in the evening with good music, lights strung up outside, and boats bobbing in the harbour. In addition to the choice of wine, if you’re in the mood for a cocktail, the mango daiquiri is especially delicious.

Nice to Matcha

Enjoy an array of tasty drinks at this hole-in-the-wall spot with friendly staff.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours:  7:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Saturday, 8:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday

If you’re a matcha fan or if you’d like to give it a try, Nice to Matcha is my go-to place. It’s a hole-in-the-wall spot, where the friendly, upbeat staff write your name, as well as an uplifting message, on your cup. My latest order said, ‘Faith can move mountains’.

This trendy drink is made from ceremonial-grade matcha powder. You can enjoy it warm or cold, with an array of milk alternatives: from coconut to oat, almond or soy and in various flavours, like mango or strawberry. 

From Nice to Matcha, it’s a short stroll to the Sea Point Promenade, where you can enjoy your drink overlooking the ocean. Other spots to grab a matcha include the Oranjezicht Market and Love Matcha, which has a few outlets across the city.

The Lawns at The Roundhouse

One of the most beautiful settings to enjoy a meal in Cape Town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 438 4347 | Website | Hours: Monday to Thursday 12 pm – 11 pm,  Friday to Sunday 9 am – 11 pm

This trendy venue is a popular spot for breakfasts, lunch, sundowners, and dinner. The Lawns at the Roundhouse is the more casual restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and a spectacular view overlooking Camps Bay and the back of Table Mountain’s Twelve Apostles. The Roundhouse, on the same property, offers fine dining.

The pizza at The Lawns is really good and you can order cocktail jugs for your table as well as individual drinks. It can get really busy, so make sure to book in advance.

Chardonnay Deli

Expect a relaxed atmosphere and great food at this farm-style deli.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 795 0606 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 6 pm daily  

Chardonnay Deli is a lovely stop for great coffee and freshly baked cakes, pies and other pastries. They also have a wide range of healthy food. 

A few of the breakfast options include fruit bowls, smashed avocado, salsa, hummus, chickpeas, black rice, grilled halloumi, and an energy bowl with oats, dates, and cranberries. Lunch options include salads, wraps, soups, pastas, and burgers.

You can sit in the shaded courtyard at the back or in the front facing the road, next to a flower seller. Chardonnay Deli is dog-friendly and is close to Groot Constantia Wine Estate. If you don’t want to sit down, it’s a good place to grab a quick takeaway.

Bukhara

Expect mouthwatering curries in an upscale environment.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 424 0000 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 10:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 12 pm – 9:30 pm Sunday-Thursday

Bukhara serves really top-notch Indian food with an incredible depth of flavor. My husband ordered a vindaloo curry, which was not on the menu and the waiter made sure he got it.

This is where local Indians in the know come to experience a home-away-from-home taste. You can order individual curries or choose a bunch of dishes to share across your table, which is what we did. The butter naan was incredibly tasty, and my favorite meat dish was the lamb rogan josh, with the lamb vindaloo and butter chicken a close second. Bukhara is on the pricey side, but it’s really delicious.

The Leopard Bar

A refined setting with magnificent views.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 437 9029 | Website | Hours: 9 am am – 2 am daily

The Leopard Bar has to be my favorite bar in Cape Town, purely for its setting. It’s situated overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. The inside of the bar is plush with a distinctly African twist on a colonial bar, while the outside deck is all about the views and is a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean.

The bar has a wide array of wines, whiskey, cognac, and cocktails, and it’s set some miles away from Camps Bay’s busy strip on the main road.

The Granary Café at the Silo Hotel

This elevated café has an interesting design, outstanding views, and a great selection of tea.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 670 0511  | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9:30 pm daily 

The Granary Café is a hidden gem on the sixth floor of the Silo Hotel, with views over the Waterfront and towards Table Mountain. They serve a ‘Royal Tea’ with a wide selection of teas, sandwiches, and teatime treats.

The lunch and dinner options are also refined and delicious. I love the large geometric windows that look out over the city.

Faeeza’s Home Kitchen

Enjoy authentic Cape Malay cooking in the heart of the Bo-Kaap.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 72 120 3710 |Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am – 2:30 pm on Saturdays, Closed on Sundays 

If you’re keen to try home-cooked, authentic Cape Malay food then tiny Faeeza’s Home Kitchen is well worth a visit. Seating is mainly outside under the trees, next to the car park of local homes. It’s a real hidden gem.

Not only can you enjoy curries, sambal, and koesisters, but Faeeza also gives cooking classes. Just note that these need to be booked in advance.

Gi-Gi’s Rooftop Bar

Good music, food, drinks and a rooftop bar with a pool.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 612 0999 | Website | Hours: 7 am to 10:30 am & 12 pm – late daily

Even if you don’t stay at the Gorgeous George Hotel, it’s worth visiting Gigi’s for drinks or a meal. It’s a trendy spot in the city, with a beautifully decorated interior and exterior. The music, setting, food, and drinks are all sublime and I can’t wait to go back!

There is a cute rooftop pool, but it is only for hotel guests.

Cape Town Beaches

Clifton 4th Beach

The perfect spot to lie and watch yachts and other boats in the bay, or hire a sea kayak.

📍 Google Maps

Clifton 4th Beach is a soft, white sandy strip of beach that is so scenic. It’s easily one of my favorites, as it’s sheltered from the summer southeast wind. 

When facing the sea, you have Lion’s Head towering above you and behind you. There are palm trees, beach bungalows and houses lining this wealthy suburb overlooking the ocean. It’s also known for its granite boulders, which are similar to those found in the Seychelles.

The beach is often full of young people, as well as families. And, although the water is cold (about 58 degrees Fahrenheit) it’s very refreshing on a hot day. In summer, it’s also a great place to have a sunset picnic. 

It’s illegal to have alcohol on South African beaches, so if you’d like to enjoy sundowners, you’ll need to do so from a restaurant or bar nearby.

Big Bay, Blouberg

Enjoy fantastic views of Table Mountain standing crisp against the African sky. 

📍 Google Maps 

Blouberg Beach is a popular family beach, with lots of people walking their dogs on the sand. It’s also a favorite for surfers and paddleboarders. You’ll also see lots of kite surfers as they take to the water and to the skies on windy days. 

You’ll find ice-cream vans along the beach as well as a strip of restaurants at Eden on the Bay. When the tide is low, you can walk across to a little rocky island full of rock pools, where you’ll see tiny crabs, fish, and anemones.

Oudekraal

You can picnic or barbecue at this beach within Table Mountain National Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 0214389555 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: R200, adults, R100, children 2 to 11 years 

 Oudekraal is made up of flat granite rocks, small sandy patches at the water’s edge, and a few grassy spots, too. It’s found along a beautiful stretch of coastline that is less touristy than Camps Bay and Clifton, which are further down Victoria Road. There is an entrance fee to access this beach as it falls within Table Mountain National Park.

There are built-in braai (barbecue) areas if you want to barbecue, but you’ll need to bring your own grid, wood, meat, and other supplies. You can also choose to picnic here or just go for a swim and lie in the sun. There are no shops nearby, so come prepared with water and snacks.

Camps Bay

Expect a long stretch of powdery white sand framed by palm trees and a line of restaurants.

📍 Google Maps 

Camps Bay is popular with tourists and locals and although the water is cold, the waves are normally not too rough. If you want really calm water, you’ll find the Camps Bay tidal pool on the southern side of the beach. I love floating in the tidal pool, facing Table Mountain’s 12 Apostles peaks, which rise dramatically above the beach.

Camps Bay is lined with palm trees and across the road you’ll find restaurants and hotels. There are lots of good food options, but if you’re looking for the cheaper, more casual eateries, try Kauai for smoothies and wraps, Tigers Milk for burgers and pizza, and Mozambik for seafood, peri-peri chicken or prego rolls.

Adventurous Activities Near Cape Town

Sky Dive Cape Town

Get a bird’s-eye view of Table Bay as you free-fall before floating with ocean views.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 82 800 6290 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: From R3,400, for a tandem skydive 

If you like a little adventure and possibly a bit of adrenaline, there’s no better way to experience it than skydiving. Besides free-falling strapped to a qualified skydive instructor, you’ll get to enjoy amazing views over Table Bay and towards Table Mountain as you float back toward the earth.

I absolutely loved this experience and felt very safe with my instructor. You don’t need any experience and you can order a video and photos to remember your adventure afterwards.

Cape Canopy Tour

Enjoy the feeling of gliding on a scenic and safe adventure in the Cape mountains.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 300 0501 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm (last tour leaves at 1 pm) | Entrance: R1,175

The Cape Canopy Tour was voted the best adventure activity in Cape Town by a local radio station and I agree! It’s safe and family-friendly and you get to swoop across beautiful gorges in the Elgin Valley and even over a waterfall. 

You’ll be surrounded by mountains covered in the Cape’s unique fynbos vegetation and the guides are entertaining and well-trained to keep you safe.

Go Shark Cage Diving

Get up close to one of the ocean’s most important predators.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 82 380 3405 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily | Cost: R3,655 Adults, R2,070 Children | 👉 Book a Shark Cage Diving and Viewing Experience on Viator

Shark cage diving is a thrilling experience, but even if you’re not keen to put on a wetsuit and get into the cage, you can view the sharks from on board the boat. Before departing, just remember to take seasick or motion sickness medication as the boat tends to roll from side to side when it’s anchored.

Marine Dynamics is an excellent tour operator with a highly regarded reputation. They have a marine biologist on board and are involved with shark research and protection. Since two orcas started patrolling the coast, great white sightings are not as regular, and you are more likely to see copper sharks.

Quadbiking at the Atlantis Dunes

Meander through the Atlantis dunes as your quad bike engine hums away on this outdoor adventure. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 64 670 0698 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: R1,200 for 60 minutes R500 for 30 minutes, additional R250 for entry to the nature reserve. No children under 16 

Quadbiking is great fun and a wonderful activity for older teenagers and adults. Listen to the engine hum under you as you ride up and over dune after dune. On a clear day you’ll get beautiful views of Table Mountain in the distance. You can combine this adventure with sandboarding if you like, or just enjoy quad biking.

Elgin Railway Market

Visit a historic market on a vintage steam train.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 79 401 9353 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm most Saturdays and occasionally on public holidays | Entrance: From R750 | 👉 Purchase Steam Train to Elgin Railway Market Tickets 

For a family-friendly adventure, take this vintage steam train trip from Cape Town to the bustling Elgin Railway Market, which describes itself as a ‘Steampunk, Art Deco market’. 

On the way, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views over Gordon’s Bay and Stand as you climb Sir Lowry’s Pass. When you arrive, you’ll find lots of food stalls with options from burgers and pies to pizza, Thai food, and delicious poké bowls.

There’s freshly brewed coffee and a wine merchant where you can buy wine to drink with your meal, as well as bars that serve beers and other drinks, like locally made gin. The market has live music and also sells leather goods, clothing and other handcrafted odds and ends. You’ll need to set aside a full day for this outing.

Cool & Unusual Things to Do in Cape Town

Ski-Hi Ride on the Roof of the Sky Hotel

Get ready to feel your stomach turn on this exhilarating ride.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 879 5040 | Website | Hours: Monday and Tuesday 12 pm to 8 pm, Wednesday to Sunday: 9 am to 8 pm | Entrance: R200

The Sky Hi Ride is found on the roof of the Hotel Sky, nearly 480 feet above the city streets. As I went higher and higher on this ride, I felt quite relaxed as it rose slowly and the view was wonderful. The ride then pauses at the top, and when you’re least expecting it, it plummets down at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. 

It’s quite thrilling and I laughed when I watched the video of myself afterwards and saw my face!

Cape Wheel at the V&A Waterfront

Enjoy a breathtaking view over the ocean and of the Waterfront and city.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 87 470 0696 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: R275 Adults, R95 Children (4-17), Under 4 go free | 👉 Purchase a Cape Wheel Admission Ticket 

The Cape Wheel is a relaxing ride at the V&A Waterfront overlooking the ocean on one side, and Signal Hill, Table Mountain and the rest of the Waterfront on the other.

It’s a family-friendly activity and is also popular with couples. It can get a little hot in the Ferris wheel glass boxes during the day in summer, so I prefer going on a sunny winter’s day. Or you can go at night, which is my favorite time to do it.

The Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio

Feed and pet adorable alpacas.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 84 793 3666 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm daily (except 25 December)  | Entrance: Free to the coffee shop and weaving studio. R20 to the petting zoo and R30 for alpaca feed.  

Visiting the Alpaca Loom is a great outing with kids but it’s also something grown-ups can enjoy. The coffee shop serves coffee, cakes, and simple meals with a view. Visit the weaving studio or the petting zoo, where you can feed and pet alpacas. There’s also a guided walking tour twice daily, where you can lead an alpaca with a halter and learn a little about the farm.

It’s a fun and unusual outing about 40 minutes from Cape Town, and it’s also very close to Fairview Wine Estate (known for its wine and cheeses) and The Spice Route. The latter is known for its craft beer, gin and tea tastings, ice cream, chocolate shops, and restaurants. Before you leave, you can buy socks or sweaters made from alpaca wool.

Visit the Cape Winelands

Taste a variety of award-winning wines.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 883 8975 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (last tasting 16:00) Monday to Friday and weekends and public holidays from 10:00–16:00

All wine enthusiasts should take a trip to the Cape Winelands. Neethlingshof is just one of the many excellent wineries here. Most wineries have a restaurant but not all of them do, so check beforehand. 

Some of my favorite wine estates are Maasricht on the Durbanville Wine Route, and I recommend Waterford, Ernie Els Wines, L’Avenir, Thelema and Blaauwklippen on the Stellenbosch Wine Route. If you’re in the Franschhoek Wine Valley, try Boschendal, Boekenhoudtskloof, La Motte, and Chamonix.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a popular way to move between wine farms in Franschhoek and acts like a hop-on-hop-off bus.

Things to Do On a Rainy Day in Cape Town

The Pottery

Paint clay items and have them fired for you in a kiln, while you enjoy coffee and lunch.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 87 470 0743 | Website | Hours: 9 am to 7 pm Sunday-Wednesday, 9 am to 9 pm Thursday-Saturday

The Pottery is a cute café that is not only about the food. It also comes with an entertaining, artistic activity. Choose an item of pottery to paint (there are options of mugs, vases, jugs, and plates). It’s a great activity for couples, small groups, or those with children, and it’s extremely relaxing. It’s a perfect rainy day activity.

Once you’re done painting, The Pottery will fire your piece so that it’s glazed, and then you can pick it up some days later. If you are only in Cape Town for a few days, let them know when you will be leaving, so that you can organise your pickup.

Iziko South African National Gallery

You’ll find an interesting collection of fine art at Cape Town’s public art museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 481 3970 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, Closed on Christmas Day and Workers’ Day (1 May) | Entrance: R80 

The Iziko South African National Gallery is a calm space filled with a collection of art that ranges from historical to modern and contemporary art. It’s a fairly small and eclectic gallery, with art such as Jane Alexander’s The Butcher Boys juxtaposed with oil paintings of horses or portraits.

I found artist Maurice Mbikayi’s sculpture of the Grim Reaper, called ‘E-Munkishi’, made from keyboards, cables, and other electronic waste, an interesting commentary on the death that being a slave to the internet can bring. Some of the art is provocative, and it’s possibly not ideal for children, despite educational school tours being offered. 

Two Oceans Aquarium

Feel like you are drifting to the gentle rhythms of the sea at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 (0)21 418 3823 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: R265 Adults, R195 Children 14-17, R120 Children 4-13, Children under 4 go free

This is my favourite indoor attraction in Cape Town. I love how calm the underwater world of the Two Oceans Aquarium makes me feel. 

Near the entrance, you’ll find a tank filled with clown fish, like those made famous in Finding Nemo. There are jellyfish, giant crabs, eels, rock lobsters, lots of different fish, and stingrays. You can also watch the African and rockhopper penguins get fed at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm daily. 

The big attraction is the shark tank, where you can walk under a tunnel arch and then sit in front of the tank and watch ragged tooth sharks and other large fish swim by. 

There’s no need to book ahead, however, the aquarium gets extra busy on weekends and during the South African school holidays, so I’d pick a weekday if you can.

Iziko South African National Gallery and Planetarium

An ideal spot for history buffs.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +27 21 481 3800 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, Closed on Christmas and Worker’s Day (1 May) | Entrance: R80 

Love natural history, archeology, and culture? You may enjoy a trip to the South African National Museum. Here, you’ll find whale bones, dinosaur fossils, animal skeletons, insect collections, and taxidermy displays of animals like the extinct quagga. There are also informative digital displays.

Right next door, you’ll find the Iziko Planetarium, which is fascinating if you’re interested in space. 

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There are tons of things to do in Cape Town, from beaches and mountains to food, wine, and adventurous outings! I promise you’ll never be bored in this city. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to answer. Next, see my ultimate packing list for South Africa.