Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa | 9 Can’t-Miss Activities

With pleasant year-round temperatures and some of the most historic and scenic landmarks in the country, Cape Town promises a well-rounded trip to South Africa. Things to do in Cape Town include hiking up scenic Table Mountain, trekking to the Cape of Good Hope and playing with penguins on Boulders Beach. Of course, these are just a few things to do in Cape Town. Plan a trip to South Africa’s second largest city to tour world-renowned botanical gardens, apartheid museums, and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.

1. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

As big on tourism as it is on conservation, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of 10 national botanical gardens that focuses on preserving and nurturing native plant species. The garden was established in 1913 to cultivate indigenous plants and preserve vegetation unique to South Africa. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden contains more than 2,500 species of plants native to the Cape Peninsula.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a great place to spend a day with the family or on a solo backpacking tour. Exhibits like Fragrance Garden and Braille Trail provide outdoor activities as well as educational opportunities, and guests can catch a concert or evening movie at The Galileo Open Air Cinema. For an aerial view, visitors should walk across Boomslang Canopy Trail, a suspended bridge in the central part of the garden. Children particularly like the life-size dinosaur sculptures near Cycad Amphitheatre, and the Sculpture Garden features African stone sculptures as well. Other can’t-miss attractions include the Fynbos Walk, the Conservatory and the Kirstenbosch Garden of Extinction.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is located on the eastern edge of Table Mountain National Park, in the Newlands region. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September through March and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April through August. Admission is 75 rand for adults, 40 rand for South African students and 20 rand for students 6 to 17 years old. Children under 6 enjoy free entry, and South African senior citizens can tour the garden for free every Tuesday (except on public holidays).

Check In to Banksia Boutique Hotel & Spa, Step Out to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

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2. Table Mountain National Park

Tourists can’t really call it an official trip to Cape Town without a view from Table Mountain in Table Mountain National Park. This floral paradise, one of the newest 7 Wonders of the Natural World, hosts a multitude of native vegetation and wildlife, and it also features one of the most spectacular views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean.

The flat-top mountain range stretches for nearly two miles (3 kilometers), and a maze of walking trails lead to points like Devils peak, Maclear’s Beacon and Lion’s Head on Signal Hill. Trekkers can make their way through the Valley of the Red Gods and Frustration Gorge before crossing The Old Iron Bridge into Skeleton Gorge. Woodstock cave also is worth exploring, as two picturesque waterfalls nearby offer a perfect spot to take a break!

Tourists who just want to experience the view from Table Mountain without working up a sweat can jump on a cable car at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway near the northern edge of the park. The cableway is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The last trip down the mountain leaves at 8 p.m. The cost for a round-trip ticket is 350 rand for adults, 180 rand for children ages 4 to 17 and 100 rand for senior citizens.

Check In to Alphen Boutique Hotel, Step Out to Table Mountain National Park

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3. Boulders Beach

A nature reserve for penguins and a swimming area all rolled into one, Boulders Beach provides a coastal adventure like nowhere on earth. In fact, it is one of the only places on earth where tourists can get up close and personal with African penguins, which live on the beach and are protected by CapeNature, a government-funded conservation group. The sheltered waters of False Bay are enclosed by granite boulders, providing a save cove for the penguins as well as a private beach for tourists. While the swimming area is separate from the penguin colony, the penguins are free to roam any part of the beach they want, so swimming with penguins is common at Boulders Beach!

Boulders Beach is part of Table Mountain National Park and is located on the northeast coast of Cape Peninsula. Cost of admission to Boulders Beach is 75 rand for adults and 40 rand for children ages 2 to 11. The beach is open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in December and January; from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from February through April; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through September; and from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during October and November.

Check In to Admiralty B & B, Step Out to Boulders Beach

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4. Robben Island (Robbeneiland)

For a ferry ride and a tour of one of the best things to do in Cape Town, visitors should embark on a journey to Robben Island. The flat-surfaced island was used as a prison, primarily for political leaders and “freedom fighters,” from the mid-1600s right up until 1996. During the mid-19th century, the island also served as a leper colony and animal quarantine station.

One of the most famous prisoners to be incarcerated on Robben Island was Nelson Mandela. The former president of South Africa stayed on the island for 18 years before the fall of apartheid. Two other prisoners, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, also went on to become president of South Africa. Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a South African National Heritage Site.

Tours operate daily from The Nelson Mandela Gateway to the island and are led by former prisoners who offer personal accounts as well as in-depth lessons about the 500-year-old history of the island. Tours, which last about 3.5 hours and include a ferry ride to and from the island, can be booked online and must be booked in advance. Tours run at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Cost of admission for South African citizens is 380 rand for adults and 200 rand for children under 18. Foreign tourists pay 550 rand for adults and 300 rand for children age 18 and younger.

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5. Cape of Good Hope

A hiker’s delight, the Cape of Good Hope features some of the best scenery and walking trails on earth. This natural haven dangles in the Atlantic Ocean from one of the southernmost points of Africa, and while the cape is a sightseer’s paradise, it more importantly serves as a nature reserve for Africa’s wildlife and flora and fauna. Trekkers might see a zebra along the way! Short walking trails allow visitors to see parts of the peninsula, like the New Cape Point Lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope Old Lighthouse, and die-hard trekkers can sign up for overnight tours to explore every nook and cranny of Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain National Park.

Easy walking trails at Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope

• Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail – leads to Cape of Good Hope Old Lighthouse and Cape Point

• Cape of Good Hope Trail – takes tourists past the Cape of Good Hope sign, past Diaz Beach and to the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula

• Antoniesgat Trail – follows a path to Buffels Bay Beach, where tourists can take a dip in tidal pools, explore caves and enjoy a barbecue in modern facilities

• Shipwreck Trail – a unique walk (and one of the most popular tours) that explains the maritime significance of Cape Point

Overnight walking tours at Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope

Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre, located at the entry to the cape, provides two overnight tours through the peninsula. Trekkers must book tours in advance, provide their own bedding and be in good enough condition to complete the walks.

• Cape of Good Hope Trail – a one-night, two-day tour that begins at Cape Point and follows a 33.8-kilometer circular path around the reserve. Guests stay in simple cottages and can cook over an open fire.

• The Hoerikwaggo Trail – a four-night, five-day hiking extravaganza that begins at the southern tip of Cape Peninsula and covers the entire length of Table Mountain National Park. Trekkers stay in tented campsites along the way. Cooking equipment and firewood is supplied. The tour ends at Platteklip Wash House, just a short distance from Cape Town City Centre (CBD).

Check In to Watercolours House, Step Out to Cape of Good Hope

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6. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

An art gallery housed inside a piece of art itself, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is one of Cape Town’s newest attractions and just happens to be the largest contemporary African art museum in the world. Viewing the architecture of the museum is as awe-inspiring as the art inside, as the building was once a historic grain silo that served as the industrial heart of the waterfront district. Visitors can view exhibits in more than 80 galleries, all carved from concrete cylinders that once held massive amounts of grain.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa opened its doors in late 2017 and now attracts more than 24 million tourists each year. The museum sits near the vibrant V&A Waterfront, a shopping plaza loved for its upscale shops and restaurants. It’s also next to The Cape Wheel, Cape Town Fish Market, Clock Tower Waterfront and The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is 200 rand for adults. Children under 18 can visit for free with ID.

For a truly authentic Cape Town experience, guests can book a room at The Silo Hotel, also constructed from the former grain silo and connected to the museum grounds.

Check In to The Silo Hotel, Step Out to V&A Waterfront

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7. Sea Point Promenade

Commonly known as “The Prom” by locals, the Sea Point Promenade provides more than just a walk along the coast. This lively attraction stretches from Mouille Point to Sea Point and features the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Signal Hill on the other. The scenic waterfront attracts cyclists and runners as well as teenagers and families, and why wouldn’t it? The Prom is jam-packed with activities, including The Blue Train Park and Mouille Point Adventure Playground, Putt-Putt golf and the famous Green Point Lighthouse (which actually is red-and-white striped). Milton Beach and Sea Point Pavilion Swimming Pool also are popular stops along Sea Point Promenade.

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8. The Neighbourgoods Market

Lovers of hippie chic and all things local will want to add The Neighbourgoods Market to their Cape Town itineraries. The Saturday market started in 2006 as a way to revitalize the district of Woodstock, showcase wares from area merchants and build a vibrant community. The project succeeded so much that similar markets began popping up across the Cape. Today, local merchants continue to sell everything from fresh produce and sweets to handmade clothing and jewelry.

The Neighbourgoods Market is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine. It is located at 373 Albert Road, between the Woodstock and Salt River train stations.

Check In to Happy Home – Woodstock, Step Out to Cape Town City Centre

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9. District Six Museum

Another historical and tour-worthy attraction in Cape Town is the District Six Museum, which serves as a memorial to 60,000 people who were forced out of their homes within the district during the 1970s apartheid in South Africa. The movement, which aimed to enforce discrimination against any citizen who was not white, lasted from 1948 until the early 1990s, and the museum captures the culture and heritage of the residents who occupied District Six Museum during that time.

The museum tells the story of District Six residents through photographs and memorabilia collected from the ruins of the area. Exhibits of street signs, typical home furnishings and racially discriminatory propaganda materials help explain the hardships some citizens had to endure. Several former District Six residents also contribute to the ambiance of the museum by hosting tours and telling personal stories about what it was like to live in Cape Town, particularly in District Six, during apartheid.

District Six Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tickets for adults are 45 rand for self-guided tours and 60 rand for a tour led by an ex-resident. Guided site walks, which include tours inside and outside the museum, are 110 rand (or 140 rand, which includes a snack). Guided tours are available at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but tickets are sold upon availability. To ensure a designated time slot, visitors should book guided tours online in advance.

The museum is located at 25A Buitenkant St, Zonnebloem, very near Capetown City Centre, meaning sightseers are close to more of Cape Town’s best attractions.

Best walking tours & things to do in Cape Town City Centre

• Parliament Towers, Iziko Slave Lodge & Cape Town City Hall – historic buildings with notable architecture and political significance

• Castle of Good Hope – 17th-century fort that once served as the local headquarters for the South African Army

• Greenmarket Square & Long Street – flea market and shopping district

• The Company’s Garden – historic park close to South African National Gallery, Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre, Iziko South African Museum and The Labia Theatre

• Artscape Theatre Centre – popular entertainment venue that regularly hosts glamorous musicals, operas and can’t-miss festivals

Check In to Wish U Were Here Cape Town Hotel, Step Out to Cape Town City Centre

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