In Cape Town, South Africa and are wondering what to do and see? This guide will go over the top 5 must-visit attractions in Cape Town that you should add to your South African itinerary.
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Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa is a beautiful coastal city situated at the southwestern tip of South Africa. This stunning city is complemented with the majestic Table Mountain as well as a lively waterfront and amazing beaches along its coastline. Cape Town offers a ton of fun and interesting activities and sights, but here are my top 5 must-visit attractions in Cape Town, South Africa:
1) Table Mountain
You can’t visit Cape Town, South Africa without visiting the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain! Head to the top, either via cable car or by hiking up, and check out the incredible views of the city, beaches, and landscapes.
Before heading to Table Mountain, be sure to check weather conditions since it’s possible the cable cars may not be operating in bad weather. During a visit last September, I was unable to ascend due to strong winds and rains that deemed heading up too unsafe. You can check the status on the Table Mountain website (here), where you’re also able to purchase cable car tickets in advance.
When purchasing tickets, you can specify if you’d like a roundtrip ticket that includes going up and back down, or a single one-way ticket each way. The site also provides current cable car wait times heading either way.
2) Cape of Good Hope
Visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, where the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean meet!
The Cape of Good Hope is the Southwestern-most point of the African continent. A sign is situated here saying so as well. Not far from this point is the Cape of Good Hope Old Lighthouse. Here you can either take a funicular car for a small fee, or hike about 15 minutes uphill to the lighthouse for breathtaking coastal and scenic views.
During my visit, I was lazy and decided to take the funicular up which cost only a small fee. At the top were beautiful views of the waters, and I searched for whales and dolphins who can be caught breaching the waters here! If you want to try and spot them too, then bring your binoculars.
I was actually able to spot some whales but only after having come back down to the base of the hill, and they were leisurely passing through! At the base, there’s also a gift shop as well as a small café if you’re hungry.
3) Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Stop at Boulders Beach to see the adorable penguin colony! To see the African penguins, you will have to pay an entrance fee at the Boulders Beach Visitor Center. When you enter, you actually cannot access the sandy beach itself and there are wooden walkways you must stay on. Regardless of these walkways, the free-roaming wild penguins were close enough for me to admire and adore, and take tons of pictures. They were basking on the beach or on some nearby rocks, and were also on both sides of the wooden walkway among the bushes. I also came across Dassies here, which are small rabbit-size mammals. Some Dassies aren’t toooo shy where I spotted one cute Dassie laying out and stretch right on the wooden walkway!
Definitely try to spot cuddling penguins and molting penguins! Penguins are monogamous where they have one partner for life so you may find a penguin couple cuddling with each other. A molting penguin is when an adolescent penguin is beginning to lose its fluffy feathers and is transitioning to its more sleek waterproof feathers. They are also usually adorably chonky during this time. Can’t miss them.
The adorable penguins of Boulders Beach
4) V&A Waterfront
Explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a bustling hub with a vibrant atmosphere. You can enjoy shopping, dining at diverse restaurants, visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium, and watch street performances.
If you’re looking to shop at the V&A Waterfront, definitely check out the Watershed. The Watershed has a seemingly endless amount of shops, so don’t forget to buy souvenirs here! Looking to see some wildlife? Head over to the harbor right next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, where there’s a platform floating atop the water where you’ll likely find seals sleeping and sunbathing.
If you’re interested in getting an awesome picture of a framed Table Mountain, there is a large yellow frame perfectly positioned to center Table Mountain off in the distance. To find the frame, you can search for the “Den Anker restaurant” in the Google Maps app as it’s right next to this restaurant.
Additionally, if you enjoy a rooftop bar vibe, check out the Silo Rooftop Bar (requires reservation), or the Red Roof Bar (no reservation needed). These two bars are near each other so you can definitely check at least one of them out. At both, you will get awesome views of the surrounding waterfront along with Table Mountain. On the way, you’ll also encounter another giant yellow frame where you can take more pictures.
We decided to visit the Red Roof Bar (since I didn’t make a reservation for the other one) and the bar wasn’t too busy so we had so much spaces to ourselves! We went up during sunset and the views were amazing!!
5) Bo-Kaap: Cape Malay Neighborhood
Bo-Kaap is a Cape Malay neighborhood located on the slopes of Signal Hill where its cultural richness, vibrant colors, and historical significance make it a must-visit in Cape Town. The most distinctive feature of the neighborhood are the vibrant-colored houses which creates a picturesque and unique setting. While here, try some traditional Cape Malay cuisine in the area! We ate some delicious sweet pastries from a nearby café.
The neighborhood’s origins trace back to the 17th century when this area housed Muslim slaves from Southeast Asia (from India to Malaysia and Indonesia) by Dutch colonizers. If you can, stop by the Bo-Kaap Museum to learn more about the traditions, lifestyle, and history of the Cape Malay people and the community.
Final Words
These activities offer a glimpse into the diverse cultural, historical, and natural attractions that make Cape Town a captivating destination. The city has stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture where there’s something for every traveler to enjoy! Bon Voyage!
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