The Mother City | Things To Do in Cape Town

By Ellen – (Updated Feb 2023)

⏱ 8 min

To me, Cape Town is one of the most incredible cities on Earth. If it isn’t on your Bucket List yet, it absolutely should be. There is an abundance of things to do in Cape Town and it has something for all types of travelers. Cape Town has unparalleled natural beauty, surrounded by towering mountains and white sand beaches. It is modern in many ways, with trendy cafes, shops, fine dining, and world-class wines, but the lasting effects of a deep and complex history can be felt throughout. It is a multicultural city with some of the friendliest people.

I am fortunate to have visited Cape Town on three occasions. Two visits were shorter trips, but the third time I went, I lived in the city for one entire month with a group of other digital nomads. Each time I visited the city, it captivated me in a new way. In this post, I’ll share my recommendations for things to do in Cape Town. The region surrounding Cape Town also has a lot to offer. It was too much to cover in this one post, so if you’re going to visit Cape Town, you will have to check out our post on 7 Incredible Day Trips from Cape Town. It includes details about visiting Robben Island, the surrounding wine regions, wildlife refuges, and more.

Things to know before visiting Cape Town

At a Glance

When to go	You can visit Cape Town year-round December – February is peak season, as it is summer in South Africa June – August is low season with more winter rain (I would visit during the shoulder seasons where the temperatures are milder. I visited in March twice which was lovely and once in June, which was colder and rainy.)
How to get there	Fly into Cape Town’s international airport (Note: do not take up a stranger’s offer to help you with your luggage)
Where to Stay	Areas worth checking out for accommodation: Gardens, City Bowl/CBD, Clifton, Camps Bay, Sea Point, V&A Waterfront (not cheap)
Don’t forget	To read up on safety tips (see some below), good walking shoes and hiking gear if you want to hike
Cost	I ranked it as a 3 for cost because getting there can be expensive – it is a long flight from most places in the world. You can also spend more depending on activities or day trips (See: Day Trips from Cape Town) But once you’re there, it is a budget-friendly destination (more like a 2 ranking). Uber is really cheap and rental cars are economical. The average cost is around $100 USD per day. Remember: nature is free (except a small entrance fee to the Kirstenbosch Gardens)

Safety in Cape Town

Read this section if you are thinking about visiting Cape Town for the first time.

First and foremost, one of the top things to do in Cape Town is to consider safety. In my opinion, Cape Town can be an easy place to let your guard down, especially during the day when you’re in touristy areas. It is known as a dangerous city, but I believe that if you go prepared and remain vigilant while you’re there, you can have an amazing visit. The safest areas are probably the central business district (CBD), Camps Bay, and Clifton. If you want to visit a local township, it’s best to visit on a guided tour with reputable and ethical companies.

Common Crimes Affecting Tourists

Poverty-driven crimes such as petty theft, muggings, assaults, and carjackings occur regularly in Cape Town. As modern-day and affluential as some parts of Cape Town may seem, there is still a lot of poverty in and around the city. The lasting effects of the Apartheid era still have a hold on today’s social issues.

I have not had any serious issues in Cape Town. I just had one incident where a man attempted to open my backpack in broad daylight while I was walking (not just standing still in place). Beware of credit card theft at the ATMs. This was a new one for me and it happens more than I expected. While you’re taking money out of an ATM, a person may come by and quickly grab your card right out of your hands. This happened to a couple of my friends on different occasions.

My top, most important tip would be: do not roam around at night. Some of my fellow digital nomads and I worked US hours, so we worked until midnight or later. Even though our co-working space was in City Bowl (a relatively safe area in the CBD bustling with entrepreneurs and start-ups), and less than a 10-minute walk back to our apartment, we never walked home at night. Take an Uber or use a reputable taxi company. We knew a group of travelers who walked through a park around 11:00 pm and were assaulted and mugged. One person was hospitalized for a head injury.

If you want in-depth information on safety in Cape Town (which areas are the safest, which areas to avoid, detailed tips, etc.), I really like this guide by The Broke Backpacker. It’s worth a read.

Cape Town Hikes

Hike Lion’s Head

While Table Mountain is one of the most famous icons of Cape Town, Lion’s Head is another mountain that offers spectacular views along the hike and from the summit. I have hiked to the top twice – once at sunrise and once at sunset. I have to say that doing it at sunrise was incredibly rewarding because once you’re at the top, you have an impressionable 360-degree view of the sleepy city awakening. The sunrise paints the skies pastel blues and pinks, treating you to some truly picturesque views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape Town below.

At sunset, you also get the magnificent pastel skies and views, but it’s more dangerous because if you’re not fast enough, you’ll be hiking down in the dark. When I did the hike at sunset, my friend and I had to run down to try to beat the falling darkness.

On average, it takes 2-3 hours to go up and back down Lion’s Head. It can vary, depending on your fitness level, how many stops you take along the way for photos or rest, and how long you choose to take in the views at the top. This hike isn’t as tough as the ones up Table Mountain, but don’t mistake it for a walk-in-the-park. It is recommended to have some level of fitness to complete this hike. There are parts where you have to climb up ladders and some rocks, assisted by using chains.

Hike up Table Mountain

There are hundreds of trails leading up to the top of Table Mountain. This isn’t an easy feat, and all trails require a good level of fitness. Pay attention to the weather when you’re planning your trip. The weather on the mountain can change quickly, and clouds that blanket the mountain can cause decreased visibility. We recommend going with a guide. My friends and I went up the Kasteelpoort Hiking Trail with a friend who is a local and has done the hike more times than he can count.

Our hike was windy, strenuous, and a bit rainy. It took us about 2 hours to get to the top. We still had a ways to go, to reach the area where the cable cars operated from to go back down. Unfortunately, we couldn’t complete the hike because the weather conditions and visibility were so poor at the top. Instead, we decided to hike back down the same way we came.

Here’s a great guide on other 5 popular Table Mountain Hikes to try.

Lion’s Head and Kasteelpoort Trailheads

Cable Car to Table Mountain

If hiking up Table Mountain is not your cup of tea, you can always take the cable car to the top. I did this once as well, and don’t regret it. The views from the top are incredible. One minute the mountain can be covered in clouds, and the next minute the sky can clear up and reveal vast views of the cape.

For up-to-date operating times and fares, check: https://www.tablemountain.net/

Add a beach day to your to-do list in Cape Town

Whether you are into surfing, beach volleyball, sunset drinks by the beach, or are just seeking relaxation in the sun, there are plenty of opportunities to hit the beach in Cape Town. Some of the most popular spots include Clifton Beaches, Camps Bay, and Muizenberg. All of these beaches are easy to get to from the CBD. I used Uber, which was affordable for the short distance. You can’t go wrong with the impressive Table Mountain in the background as you dig your feet into the sand.

Try Clifton 2^nd or Camps Bay for beach volleyball and beach sports. At Camps Bay, the stunning backdrop is Table Mountain’s Twelve Apostles peaks.

If sunsets are your thing, join the locals in ending the day taking in the jaw-dropping sunsets at these western-facing beaches. I may have had one or two Aperol Spritz with a friend while enjoying the sunset, after an afternoon sunbathing on the beach.

If you want to venture a bit further, check out Hout Bay or Boulders Beach for a chance to see the African Penguin in the wild! More details on the blog post Day Trips from Cape Town.

Watch a sunset from Signall Hill

Catch an incredible sunset from Signal Hill, one of Cape Town’s best places to watch a sunset. Signal Hill is a small hill, offering views of Cape Town, the ocean, and of course, spectacular sunsets. This is a great alternative for watching a sunset from an elevated point, rather than hiking up to Lion’s Head.

Cafes, Dining, and Shops

Cape Town has everything you need from a shopping and dining perspective. I love cuisine from all parts of the world, healthy foods, and cafés with top-quality coffee. I was able to find something for pretty much every craving in Cape Town.

CAFES

Two of my favorite cafes were https://truth.coffee/ and http://jarryds.com/

They both offer delectable coffee roasts along with an array of food options. Great spots for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Truth Cafe has a steampunk aesthetic and offers its very own coffee roasts. Jarryds has several delicious smoothie and juice options, and bottomless mimosas for R150 on the weekend!

KLOOF STREET

Kloof Street is lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants. From shopping to dining, you’re bound to find something up your alley here. You can find restaurants with Asian flavors, vegan options, Mediterranean-inspired, tacos, and more. Check out this great list here: Kloof Street Restaurants

I’ve enjoyed El Burro Taqueria, The Poke Co, Nourish’d Café & Juicery, Thali, Yours Truly, to name a few.

V&A Waterfront

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is located in the Table Bay Harbour and is one of Africa’s most visited destinations. The waterfront restaurants, shops, and hotels are world-class. The historic harbor and the waterfront retain some of their charm from the past. You can also take in some history while you’re here by visiting the likes of the South African Maritime Museum, the Breakwater Prison, or the Clock Tower.

TOURS TO ROBBEN ISLAND

Tours to Robben Island leave from here. Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were sent during the dark apartheid era (1948-1994) in South Africa. Getting to the island, and taking a guided tour can fill up several hours in the day which is why I will write about it in the upcoming blog post Day Trips from Cape Town in more detail. Visiting Robben Island is an enlightening and educating experience, which I would recommend as a must-do for anyone in Cape Town.

Visit Bo-Kaap, the Malay Quarter

Colorful Bo-Kaap is something you’ve probably seen on Instagram – a neighborhood of colorfully painted houses, but it is much more than an Instagrammable place. Bo-Kaap is Afrikaans for “above the Cape” and this neighborhood is formerly known as the Malay Quarter of Cape Town. You can get to it just with a 5-minute walk from the city center, and a 10-minute drive/20-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. I recommend walking along Wale Street until you reach the Bo-Kaap Museum. The museum is a great starting point for you to discover the history of this area before you go out and explore.

The houses here were initially rented out to slaves who arrived from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the rest of Africa during the years of the South African slave trade. These people became known as Cape Malays. Some highlights you might be interested in checking out here are the Islamic shrines, mosques, craft markets, and one of my personal favorites – the Cape Malay food. You can do a traditional Cape Malay meal at a restaurant or a cooking class with a local like this one, offered by AirBnB.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

If you want some relaxation, head to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is known as one of the best botanic gardens in the world. There are a few tours you could join, or just wander around at your own leisure up and down the trails and paths that take you through the garden. Bring a book and a blanket and relax in the grass for a few hours, or grab a coffee, lunch, or tea at the Tea Room. To check the most up-to-date fees and hours of operation, visit here.

Hopefully, this post has given you some ideas on things to do in Cape Town, and some inspiration to visit this incredible city. Stay tuned for the next post which will cover Day Trips from Cape Town. You won’t want to miss it!