As far as urban tourism destinations go, Cape Town really is hard to beat, with a national park right in the core of the city, wildlife-rich waters and an ever-growing foodie scene just for starters. Expect stirring historic sites such as Robben Island and neighbourhood tours that help you tap into Cape Town’s often troubled history; while modern art galleries and street murals paint a picture of the city’s current frame of mind. You can be as active or as chilled as you like — spending your days on the hiking trails, kayaking, swimming, pounding the streets, or dragging out a leisurely brunch before an afternoon on the beach. Whatever you do, it’s likely you’ll wish you had longer to enjoy all there is to do in the Mother City. Here’s how to get started.
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1. Climb Lion’s Head
A climb up Lion’s Head is an absolute must-do. The tiny peak overlooks the Cape Town city bowl, Table Mountain and the Atlantic, and is the perfect spot to watch sunrise and sunset. It’s also a popular place to hike on a full-moon night (you should still pack a headtorch). While there are some ladders to clamber up, on the whole it’s an accessible short trail if you’re relatively fit; and a round trip is around three miles. Although there are often many people on the trail, it’s still smart to go with a guide — not only for safety, but also to learn about the surrounding flora and fauna and some city facts as you climb.
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2. Catch the ferry to Robben Island
Head to the V&A Waterfront to hop on a ferry to Robben Island. This place has a long history: it was thought to be a sacred place for the indigenous Khoi, was a leper colony from 1843 to 1931, and — most famously — was a prison for anti-apartheid activists from the 1960s to 1991. Though most people will know of Nelson Mandela, a tour of the prison will put you in the know about the many other prominent leaders of the anti-apartheid movement. Tours are led by former prisoners who recount their experience to make sure people never forgot the atrocities of apartheid South Africa.
3. Visit the Boulders Beach penguins
Meet a colony of African penguins that have grown from two mating pairs in the 1980s to an estimated 2,000-3,000 thanks to conservation efforts. Boulders Beach is a great place to see the penguins, but you can get closer at neighbouring Foxy Beach — there’s an elevated boardwalk over the beach so you can watch them surf out of the waves on their bellies and totter up the sand without disturbing them.
4. Kayak with dolphins
Hire a kayak in Sea Point and head out for a guided paddle along the Atlantic coastline to encounter dolphins who’ll curiously investigate your boat; seals; penguins; even whales or giant sunfish — often you barely need to leave the beach before spying them. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to kayak; even if the wildlife doesn’t show up, watching the sky change colour from the water is something special.
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5. Learn about District Six
District Six Museum has a collection of photographs, letters and other artefacts that tell the story of District Six — an area that was home to a diverse community before all people of colour were forcibly removed by the apartheid government. Today the fight to reclaim their land continues. Go with a guide who will properly explain the history of the neighbourhood and provide some background to help you better understand past and present South Africa.
6. Surf at Muizenberg
Whether you’re a pro surfer or keen to learn, Muizenberg is the perfect place to catch some waves. The beach is always buzzing with boarders and, on weekends, families. There are surf shops around the beach, so you can hire a board and any gear you need. For beginners, Muizenberg has smaller waves made for first-timers, which are also handy for intermediates wanting to hone their pop-up. Afterwards, grab a coffee or a beer at one of the many bars, restaurants and cafés around the beach.
7. Summit Table Mountain
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If you love hiking, consider this a must-do. There are numerous trails up Table Mountain to its highest point, Maclear’s Beacon (1,086m). The most straightforward route is the relatively short but steep Platteklip Gorge, which faces the city and can be a high-traffic trail, especially on weekends. It can take under an hour to get to the top if you’re fast, but aim for two or three hours to reach its peak otherwise. All routes are best done with a guide — lush Skeleton Gorge is a favourite, especially when the waterfalls are flowing (but don’t go during or immediately after heavy rain). If hiking’s not your thing, hop in the cable car instead so you don’t miss out on the striking views from the top.
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8. Explore Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
On the lower slopes of of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a pretty, peaceful attraction. About 36 hectares of the estate have been cultivated, while the other 528 hectares are allowed to grow free. Wander around reading the information panels to bone-up on regional flora, or take a guided tour. There’s art tucked away in the gardens too. Don’t miss strutting along the Boomslang treetop canopy walkway.
9. Paraglide off Signal Hill
You’ll see paragliders soaring above the Sea Point neighbourhood all year round, and you can join them to see the city from a different vantage point; tandem flights start at Signal Hill and end on the Atlantic promenade. After a reassuring safety briefing, you’ll be harnessed up to a pilot. As you run down the slopes of Signal Hill, the wind catches the wings — and before you know it you’re sailing above Sea Point, before looping over the ocean and circling back to land on the promenade.
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10. Take a street art tour
The neighbourhood of Woodstock is known for its street art — and although you can walk around and admire the murals yourself, you’ll get much more out of it with a tour guide. Many of the guides are artists themselves and know many of the street artists whose work brightens the roads and lanes of hipster Woodstock — previously quite a gritty part of town, but recently gentrified with a slew of craft beer and gin bars, coffee shops and boutiques. Learn about the significance of the artworks and murals, plus the development of Woodstock on a walking tour.
11. Abseil down Table Mountain
If hiking Table Mountain isn’t enough action for one day, up the ante by abseiling off the top. Abseil Africa operates sessions all week, starting next to the cable car station. The scariest part is the first lean back, putting all your trust into the ropes. Then you ease yourself down the cliff face — ideally hopping down like a pro, but clumsily sliding down the rock is fine too. If you can, take a moment to stop and look around at those unforgettable ocean and city views.
12. Go south to Cape Point
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Cape Point is the most southerly point of Cape Town, right at the end of the peninsula, and the most southwesterly point of the African continent. The lighthouse was built in 1859 to guide ships sailing the perilous Cape of Storms, and today you can catch the funicular to the lighthouse and look out across the ocean — next stop, Antarctica. There are trails to hike through thick fynbos vegetation, spotting baboons, bontebok antelopes and mountain zebras on route.
13. Admire modern art at the Zeitz MOCAA
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa opened in 2017 to international excitement. The first museum dedicated to contemporary African art is housed in a restored grain silo at the V&A Waterfront; the grand atrium is carved out to resemble the shape of a corn grain. Exhibitions change regularly and there are daily guided tours if you’d like to delve deeper into the continent’s art scene.
14. Dine at FYN
Voted one of the best restaurants in the world, FYN is a smart choice if you’re going to book one of Cape Town’s fine-dining restaurants. The cuisine is vaguely Japanese, but with southern African elements woven through the food — think Mozambican blue crab with seaweed salad and Cape wagyu loin with fried koji rice. There are also pescatarian and plant-based menus available.
fynrestaurant.com
15. Sip wine in Constantia
The Constantia valley — at the foot of Table Mountain — is the oldest wine-making region in South Africa. There are several tempting vineyards to visit for tastings that double-up as some of the city’s best restaurants, but Constantia Glen has a vantage point that’s hard to beat. Sit outside for a leisurely lunch while soaking up the sunshine and views of the undulating vineyards and rugged mountain slopes.
constantiaglen.com
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16. Take a freediving course
Hop in, the water’s freezing! But seriously, the ocean around Cape Town is full of life and a great, easy (-ish) way to see it is by freediving. Book an introductory course, which includes a day in the studio learning about breath work and safety and then a day in the ocean putting it all into practice. Already have a certificate? Borrow gear from the centre, ask their advice on the best beaches depending on the weather, then explore the kelp forests, spot rays or octopuses, and admire the walls and rocky seabeds of urchins and starfish.
capetownfreediving.com
17. Braai in Khayelitsha
Ask any South African what their weekend plans are and chances are it involves a braai (a barbecue). See what the fuss is about and join Khayelitsha residents for a braai and a few brews with local tour operator ABCD Travel. The township is often avoided by tourists, but this is one of the ways to support businesses of the underserved area while having a “jol” — as they say here in SA. Tuck into grilled meats with pap (a starch made from maize, like polenta) and chakalaka (beans, chilli and tomatoes) plus beers at a couple of local nightlife haunts.
abcd-concepts.co.za/tour/night-life-experience
18. Dig into a Gatsby
The Gatsby sandwich is one of Cape Town’s most famous dishes. This soft sub is stuffed with any combination of chips, meat (polony, masala steak, vienna sausages), salad, cheese, sauce and a fried egg. Go hungry — it’s a challenge to finish. Note that you won’t find authentic Gatsbys anywhere fancy. The original is thought to have come from Super Fisheries in Athlone; other local favourites are Cosy Corner in Wynberg and Mariam’s Kitchen in the city.
eatout.co.za/venue/super-fisheries
19. Take a food tour through the city
Cape Town Eats City Walking Tour is a delicious introduction to the Mother City. Explore areas such as Bo-Kaap, with its brightly coloured houses where you can get to know the Cape Malay heritage through cookery classes and street food. Meet the people who make up the Cape’s food and drink scene, from coffee pros to biltong butchers. Just don’t eat before or make any lunch plans for afterwards — you’ve been warned.
capefusiontours.com/cape-town-eats-city-walking-tour
20. Join a group trail run
Trail running is one of the joys of Cape Town, but as a visitor it can be difficult to know where to go — and it’s not always safe to go onto the mountain alone. Happily there are a number of free, welcoming running groups in the city; no need to book, just show up. Two of the most popular are Tuesday Trails, which meets on a Tuesday evening (beers afterwards), and Chicks Who Trail, a women’s group that runs on Thursday evenings. Both run for an hour, have pace groups (note that Tuesday Trails doesn’t have a beginner group), and stick around for beers afterwards. Look to Instagram for run details, including meeting points.
instagram.com/tuesdaytrails
21. Visit the 18 Gangster Museum
This museum offers a glimpse into the reality of life in South Africa. 18 Gangster Museum was set up by social entrepreneurs from the township of Khayelitsha as a way of educating people about the cycles of crime and gang culture in which so many get caught. The museum’s installations are created by former prisoners and ex-criminals telling the story of how they broke the pattern. Before the museum, the tour starts with a walk through the surrounding area and a coffee at Siki’s, who bought barista coffee to Khayelitsha. Every ticket buys a museum visit for a local school child.
18gm.co.za
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