Cape Town - Do & See
- Nearby guides:
- Johannesburg
- Guangzhou
- Rio de Janeiro
- Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam
- Sharm el-Sheikh
- Riyadh
- Cairo
- Eilat
- São Paulo
- Doha
- Other guides in South Africa:
- Johannesburg
- More
Cape Town has an amazing array of things to do and see, from historic buildings, museums and art galleries to nature reserves, wine tastings, boat trips, walking and horse riding.
Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point
The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are two of the most famous and popular tourist spots in Cape Town. There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the most southern tip of Africa, that is not true as it is in fact Cape Agulhas that is the southernmost point. Both The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are sections of the Table Mountain National Park where you can see cape lions, spotted hyenas, jackal, elephants and zebras.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront - also known as A&F Waterfront - is a hotspot for tourists as well as locals. A harbour with exciting architecture that offer a magnificent view of the sea and the mountain range. The area has more than 250 shops, restaurants, pubs, hotels and cafés that will most likely keep you busy all day.
Robben Island
The former prison island located 11 km off the coast of Cape Town is now a World Heritage Site and an evocative virtual shrine to its most famous prisoner, African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela. He was imprisoned here for 18 years and made a big impression on the world with his big heart.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
The view of the city and its surroundings from the top of Cape Town’s biggest landmark, the 1,086 metre (3 563 ft) Table Mountain, is stupendous. The revolving cablecar that takes you up gives you a great view in all directions. Once up there you can check out the telescopes or sit down for a drink or a meal and just drink in the spectacular view.
Two Oceans Aquarium
Sharks and thousands of other marine creatures from the seas off South Africa’s coasts swim in the huge glass tanks of this excellent aquarium. This aquarium showcases the Marine life of the Indian Ocean as well as the Atlantic Ocean, hence the name.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is a prestigious area and one of Cape Tows most popular beaches. Restaurants, hotels, sports clubs and of course the white sandy beach keeps people coming back for more.
Winelands
No more than 45 minutes outside of Cape Town lies the winelands regions Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. This means numerous wine estates offering wine tasting and cellar tours. The monumental mountains in the background gives an extra edge to this already beautiful environment.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town lies one of the world’s greatest Botanical Gardens. It was founded in 1913 to preserve the indigenous flora of South Africa and displays a wide variety of plants including fynbos, karoo, savanna and a giant baobab tree. Inside they even have plants dating back millions of years to when there was probably only one continent.
Simonstown
Simon’s Town, or Simonstown as it has come to be called, has an interesting history and many famous buildings. There are many activities to keep you busy, how about boat charters, sea kayaking, seepsea fishing or whale watching? However, this quaint little town is most famous for being home to a colony of South African Penguins. Boulder’s Beach, a few kilometres south of town is the one and only place in the world where you can swim with penguins!
Gold of Africa Museum
More than 350 amazing pieces of art and jewellery are on display in this glittering museum, located in an 18th century townhouse.
Groot Constantia
The graceful, whitewashed Groot Constantia manor house is a magnificent example of 18th century Cape Dutch colonial architecture, and is surrounded by its own vineyards.
District Six Museum
This evocative and moving museum commemorates the non-white inhabitants of District Six who were expelled from this once multi-ethnic neighbourhood when it was declared a ‘whites only’ zone in the 1960s.
Koopmans-De Wet House
This pretty 18th century townhouse is furnished as it would have been in the 18th and 19th centuries and offers a glimpse into the gracious life of colonial Cape Town.
Bo-Kaap Museum
This excellent small museum in the colourful Bo Kaap district traces the history of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community.
Slave Lodge Museum
The second oldest building in Cape Town now houses a grimly fascinating exhibition which explores the history of slavery in South Africa.
