10 Cool Things To Do In Cape Town

Cape Town is South Africa’s capital of cool.

Based on the experiences I’ve enjoyed there, I 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 10 of the best things to do in Cape Town.

10 Cool Things To Do In Cape Town

1. Take The Cable Car Up Table Mountain

An easy and fun way to get your bearings in Cape Town is to hop on the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.

Discover the suburbs and bays that lie snug on the side of the mountain as you ride the rotating Table Mountain Cableway.

The floor of the carriage rotates so you get a fantastic 360 degree view no matter where you board. There are also some open windows, which may not delight those with vertigo but are fantastic for photographers who want a clear shot.

I recommend spending at least 45 minutes at the top – there’s a circular track you can follow to see all sides of the city and on a clear day you may be able to gaze all the way to Cape Point. Be aware that in peak season you may have to queue to catch the cable car back down so give yourself ample time on your itinerary.

For the more active amongst us I’ve heard that hiking Lion’s Head before sunrise gives you spectacular aerial views too – I say heard because this girl wasn’t really made for hiking. (Sorry!)

2. Explore Bo Kaap – The Malay Quarter

Perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable areas of Cape Town, Bo Kaap is the colourful Malay Quarter that seems to get brighter each year.

Many come to photograph the rainbow-coloured houses but my favourite thing to do here is take a cooking class with dynamic Faldela. Faldela teaches the Cooking With Love cookery class in her lavender-hued home, and teaches guests as much about Cape Malay culture and history as she does cooking.

 

3. Street Art Walking Tour In Woodstock

Another colourful neighbourhood of Cape Town is Woodstock, known for being a hub for artists and creatives.

You’ll find great shopping and coffee at the likes of The Woodstock Exchange and The Old Biscuit Mill, plus over 100 works of art by street artists who share inspiring messages about social change and wildlife conservation. To learn more about the messages behind the murals, as well as those who painted them, take a street art walking tour with Woodstock local, Juma. Find out more here.

>> Read more – Street art and social change in South Africa <<

4. Shop At The Watershed

Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront attracted over 24 million visitors last year with its mix of traditional harbour architecture and modern collection of bars, restaurants and souvenirs shops.

One of the new additions to waterfront is the Watershed – an airy warehouse space filled with craft, fashion and design retailers.

Prices here are (understandably) higher than in the local markets, but it’s a great place to pick up fashionable clothing, jewellery or a handmade souvenir by a local designer.

5. Eat At The V&A Waterfront Food Market

Just next door to the Watershed is a historic pumphouse filled with food!

At the V&A Food Market you can graze your way around 40 artisan stalls selling everything from craft beer to chocolate-covered cashew nuts.

There’s live music, a kiddie play area and bar, so it’s the perfect place to spend a food-filled afternoon. It’s also the perfect pitstop to pick up some South African rooibos tea or try some of Cape Town’s best coffee by Truth.

6. Visit Robben Island

Follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela to Robben Island where he spent 18 years of a 27-year imprisonment.

Tours of the prison are run by former political prisoners who can tell you first hand what life was like here during Apartheid.

You can also step foot in the minuscule cell Mandela was held in and be amazed at how it did not break his spirit.

Robben Island tours leave from the V&A Waterfront and take approx 3.5 hours from start to finish. The tour route includes stops at other significant sites on the island including Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry and the army and navy bunkers.

7. Drink At the Durbanville Wineries

You do not need to travel far to experience some of South Africa’s fine wine farms. Just 20 minutes outside of Cape Town is the Durbanville Wine Valley – home to 12 superb wineries.

For a fantastic dining experience head to Diemersdal Wine Farm who host hearty Sunday lunches in their old stables. The menu changes according to what’s in season but you can expect to feast on the likes of wholesome veg from the kitchen garden, homemade pies bursting at the seams, BBQ beef brisket and broccoli souffle all washed down with a glass (or 2) of the Diemersdal Estate wine.

(3 courses and a glass of wine costs just $22AUD per person. Find out more here.)

For a wine tasting experience with a difference, stop at Klein Roosboom, a family-run boutique winery who host tastings on vintage furniture inside their old wine stores.

The eclectically decorated cellars (watch out for the one with swing seats) are a great place to hang for an afternoon and you won’t be surprised by the bill at the end of it as wine tasting in South Africa is fantastic value for money.

At Klein Roosboom you can sample 7 wines (each named after family members) for just a few quid and tuck into an incredibly photogenic 2 person cheese and meat platter for approx £10.

8. Watch Sunset At Camps Bay

You’ll find a lot of cool Capetonians hanging out on the palm tree fringed promenade of Camps Bay.

This upmarket beach suburb, backed by a majestic mountain range known as the 12 Apostles, is one of the most expensive places to live in South Africa. Head here for sun-downers to try on the Cape Town high life for size.

9. See The Penguins At Boulders Beach

Prepare for cuteness overload at the Penguin Sanctuary at Boulders Beach.

Nestled in a bay on the spectacular Western Cape, Boulders Beach is home to approximately 3500 African penguins. There is a boardwalk setup which allows you to get fairly close to where these happy penguins like to flap about in the surf.

The penguins live at Boulders year round but you may see less if visiting during September and October when they tend to feed at sea.

Note: Boulders Beach has an entrance fee of R65 so bring change.

10. Drive The Scenic Coast To Cape Point

And finally, take a scenic drive to Table Mountain National Park to enjoy the cliff-top views from Cape Point and boast-worthy claim of standing at the most south-westerly point of the African continent at Cape Of Good Hope.

The Flying Dutchman Funicular will escort you to the highest point of Cape Point; watch out for the cheeky monkeys if you decide to take the walking path back down.

The National Park boasts over 1100 indigenous plant species and various wildlife including antelope, ostrich and the Cape mountain zebra.

Note: You’ll need a full day to visit the Point from Cape Town, longer if you plan to do some of the hiking treks.

Where To Stay In Cape Town

For a stylish base on the beach check out the chic Bliss Boutique Hotel. With incredible views of Table Mountain (especially from the hammock on the terrace) and direct beach entry, the location of Bliss is perfect for those who like early morning strolls on the beach and sunset views over the mountains.

The tastefully decorated rooms can be accessed via an e-key on your mobile phone – the first hotel in Africa to utilise this technology. There’s also a restaurant and pool on site and a free shuttle to scoot you into town, approx 15 mins drive away.

Getting Around

For short hops around Cape Town, taking a metered taxi or Uber is a cheap and easy way to get around. Try to avoid rush hour though as congestion on the major highways gets pretty bad.

For journeys to the wineries, penguins and Cape Point, if you’re not comfortable hiring a car and driving yourself, you can book an escorted tour instead. We travelled with the very patient and sweet Francois from Hylton Ross who taught us lots about South African history and culture whilst also driving us safely from place to place.

More Info

The Cape Town Travel site has lots of useful articles and tips about travel to the Mother City.

Thanks to South African Tourism for supporting my visit.

Read next:

First-timer’s guide to Johannesburg

Street art and social change in South Africa