Travel guides usually tell visitors to pick just a few highlights and skip the rest. Cape Town breaks that rule by packing world‑class mountains, beaches, culture and food into one compact city. To keep it realistic, this list focuses on 10 essential things to do in Cape Town that genuinely show what the city feels like, without turning your stay into a frantic checklist.
1–3: Get Up High – Table Mountain, Lion’s Head & Signal Hill
Cape Town makes no sense until it’s seen from above. The city, ocean and fynbos (local shrubland) all lock together around the mountain, so the first priority is to gain some elevation.
Table Mountain vs Lion’s Head
Table Mountain is the icon on all the postcards, and it lives up to the hype. The cableway whisks visitors to the top in about 5 minutes, with rotating floors so everyone catches the view. The plateau is bigger than most people expect, with multiple viewpoints, short walking trails and plenty of space to escape the crowds if needed. Late afternoon often gives the best mix of visibility and softer light, though wind can shut down the cable car without much warning.
Those who enjoy hiking usually tackle Platteklip Gorge, the most direct walking route up Table Mountain. It’s steep, exposed and can feel like endless stone stairs, but it’s also straightforward: up, up, up. On hotter days, an early morning start is far more comfortable, and water runs out faster than people think on this route.
Lion’s Head offers something a bit more playful. The loop around the mountain gives 360‑degree views of Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles, Table Mountain and the City Bowl. The top section includes some chains and staples in the rock — nothing extreme, but enough to feel more adventurous than a simple hike. Sunset from Lion’s Head might be the most beloved daily ritual in Cape Town, though that also means peak crowds on clear summer evenings.
Signal Hill is the easy option for those who want the view without the sweat. It’s a drive‑up lookout popular for picnics and paragliding, good for travelers with limited mobility or anyone short on time. Sunset traffic can be heavy, so arriving earlier takes the stress out of it.
The flat top of Table Mountain is home to more than 1,500 plant species, many of which grow nowhere else on Earth — all in an area smaller than some city suburbs.
4–5: Drive the Coast & Visit Cape Point
The coastline around Cape Town is dramatic, easy to access and constantly changing character. Dark, cold Atlantic on one side, calmer False Bay on the other, with some of the best scenic drives in the country in between.
Cape Point & Boulders Beach
A Cape Peninsula day trip usually combines two essentials: Cape Point and Boulders Beach. Starting early pays off, because the route is more about the journey than just ticking off destinations. Chapman’s Peak Drive, when open, is arguably the most photogenic stretch of road in the region — a narrow ribbon carved into cliffs above the ocean, with regular pull‑offs for photos.
Cape Point, inside the Table Mountain National Park, is often mistaken for the southernmost point of Africa (that’s actually Cape Agulhas), but in terms of mood and landscape it’s hard to beat. Steep cliffs, wild seas and strong winds combine to make the place feel remote, even with other people around. Walking up to the old lighthouse is short and steep; exploring the trails beyond gets quieter and more rewarding with every step.
On the way back, Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town delivers the famous African penguins. The main boardwalk area provides close, respectful viewing of the colony. For those who want a more relaxed experience, the adjacent public beach (with controlled access) sometimes allows a chance to share the water with penguins drifting nearby — still as wild animals, not performers.
Many visitors squeeze the Peninsula into a rushed half-day tour. That usually means lots of minibus time and minimal walking. A full day with frequent stops, short strolls and time for lunch in a coastal village does the area more justice.
6: Explore the City Bowl & V&A Waterfront
Downtown Cape Town can’t match the mountains or beaches for drama, but it’s where the city’s personality really sits. The City Bowl (the central basin beneath Table Mountain) mixes colonial architecture, street art, coffee culture and a pretty varied crowd.
V&A Waterfront vs Inner‑City Wandering
The V&A Waterfront is the polished, easy introduction. It’s safe, busy and heavily curated: restaurants, the Two Oceans Aquarium, boat trips, live music and shopping, all set around a working harbor. Families, first‑time visitors and anyone arriving late in the day often default here, especially since many hotels cluster nearby.
For something less manicured, the grid of streets around Long Street, Bree Street and Kloof Street offers a denser concentration of bars, independent shops, galleries and coffee spots. Bree Street in particular has grown into a reliable line of good eating, from casual tacos to tasting‑menu restaurants. Walking these streets in daylight feels relaxed; at night, taxis or ride‑hailing services are the more sensible choice, especially when carrying cameras.
Bo‑Kaap, with its steep cobbled streets and brightly painted houses, sits just above the city center. Beyond the obvious photos, the neighborhood tells a deeper story of Cape Town’s Muslim community and the legacy of indentured labor and slavery. A visit to the Bo‑Kaap Museum or a cooking class focusing on Cape Malay cuisine gives more context than a quick drive‑through for Instagram shots.
Those who enjoy museums can easily fill a half‑day between the District Six Museum, the Zeitz MOCAA at the Waterfront and smaller galleries. District Six in particular is raw, moving and grounded in lived testimony, not just exhibits in glass cases.
7: Visit Robben Island
Robben Island is both a tourist staple and a genuinely important site. The ferry leaves from the V&A Waterfront, and the standard tour combines the boat trip, a bus circuit around the island and a guided visit through the prison. Many tours are led by former political prisoners, which gives the experience a weight that lingers long after leaving.
Weather can disrupt sailings, especially in windier months, so building some flexibility into the schedule helps. The visit is not light entertainment; it’s confronting, layered history, and pairing it with something calmer later in the day — a slow walk on the Sea Point Promenade, for example — usually keeps the day balanced.
8: Township Experiences Done Respectfully
Visiting a township is one of the most debated activities in Cape Town. Done badly, it turns communities into zoo exhibits. Done thoughtfully, with local guides and genuine engagement, it can be one of the most meaningful parts of the trip.
Areas like Langa and Khayelitsha host guided walks that focus on small businesses, arts projects, food and daily life, rather than drive‑by poverty. Spending money directly in locally owned cafes, craft workshops or music venues keeps the dynamic more balanced. Photography etiquette matters here; asking before shooting people or private spaces is basic respect, not optional courtesy.
Even short visits make it clear that Cape Town’s beauty sits alongside deep inequality. Understanding both sides of that reality usually leads to a more honest impression of the city than sticking purely to beaches and wine estates.
9: Take a Day Trip to the Winelands
For many visitors, the Cape Winelands supply their single most relaxing day. Towns like Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl lie within about 45–70 minutes of central Cape Town by car, with mountain backdrops, vineyards and a huge range of wineries to choose from.
Wine estates here aren’t just about tasting rooms. Many offer farm‑to‑table restaurants, sculpture gardens, cellar tours and picnics on lawns. Even non‑drinkers often enjoy the setting, the food and the slower pace. Pre‑booking tastings or lunch at at least one or two popular estates is wise in peak season, especially on weekends.
Those who don’t want to drive have options: organized tours, private drivers or the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which mixes a bit of novelty with curated stops. The tram route feels more playful than in‑depth, but for a first visit it works well and keeps logistics simple.
10: Eat, Browse Markets & Enjoy the Evenings
Cape Town’s food scene reflects its mix of cultures and relative affordability compared with many global cities. Eating well doesn’t require chasing only the most hyped restaurants.
- Vibrant markets such as the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill (usually Saturdays) and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market near the Waterfront offer a snapshot of local produce, street food and small producers.
- Casual seafood — hake and chips in Kalk Bay, grilled line fish in Hout Bay — often beats fancier options in sheer satisfaction.
- Cape Malay dishes like bobotie, samoosas and fragrant curries connect directly to local history and are easy to find in and around Bo‑Kaap.
- Contemporary restaurants in the City Bowl and Woodstock play with local ingredients in more experimental ways, from small plates to full tasting menus.
Nightlife runs from low‑key wine bars and cocktail spots to full club nights, mostly clustered around the City Bowl and Green Point. Saturdays feel busier, but mid‑week can be more relaxed and just as enjoyable. For most evening outings, using taxis or ride‑hailing apps is the default choice, especially when moving between neighborhoods after dark.
All together, these 10 things to do in Cape Town cover mountains, sea, history, inequality, food and wine — the real mix that makes the city so addictive. With a week on the ground, it’s possible to fit most of them in without rushing. With fewer days, choosing a balance of views, coast, history and at least one slow, indulgent day usually works better than chasing every viewpoint and photo stop.