12 Best Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa

Take a Scenic Drive Through Chappies

Just south of Cape Town, the mountain of Chapman's Peak plunges in a nearly vertical drop into the ocean. Through an engineering feat, a road was constructed along the coastal face of the mountain connecting the two towns on either side, Hout Bay and Noordhoek, creating as a byproduct one of the most scenic routes in the world. Chapman's Peak Drive, better known as Chappies to locals, is only nine kilometers long—not even six miles—but you'll still want to set aside some time to drive the entire route. Not only are there vista points every few hundred feet to stop at and take photos, but there are also over a hundred curves to navigate.

This is a toll road and drivers must pay to drive the whole thing, but if you just want to reach one of the trailheads to park the car and hike, you can obtain a free day pass on the Hout Bay side which lets you drive partway onto the road for free.

Take a History Lesson at the District Six Museum

Of the many tragedies that resulted from apartheid, the forcible removal of an entire Black neighborhood in Cape Town was one of the most grievous. The 60,000 residents of District Six, as the neighborhood was known, were evicted and sent to the outskirts of the city under the pretext of clearing out slums (the reality is that District Six was valuable real estate). The District Six Museum is located in what was once the same neighborhood and commemorates those who once lived there, many of whom are still alive today. See a map of the area as it once was, step inside recreated homes, and listen to the real-life testimonials of the South Africans who endured eviction in this moving and powerful museum.

Visit Robben Island

Surrounded by the frigid waters of Table Bay, Robben Island was once a penal colony for political prisoners. Legendary South African president Nelson Mandela spent 18 years here during his apartheid-era imprisonment, as did many other important political revolutionaries. Half-day Robben Island tours depart from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and offer you an insight into what life in the prison would have been like. Led by former prisoners, the tours include a roundtrip ferry ride to the island, a tour of the island itself, and a visit to the old cells (including one inhabited by Mandela). It's a unique opportunity to better understand the most turbulent period in South Africa's recent past. 

Meet the Penguins at Boulders Beach

The African penguin is endemic to Southern Africa and especially adapted to life in a warmer climate. You can see these charismatic little birds up close at Boulders Beach, a penguin colony located approximately one hour's drive south of the city center. Here, a boardwalk allows visitors to wander through the penguins' nesting ground without causing too much disturbance. At the beach itself, an observation platform gives you ring-side seats to the penguins' antics as they squabble on the white sand or play with one another in the crystal blue water. There is a small conservation fee, which goes towards ensuring the future of this sadly endangered species. 

Reach the Top of Table Mountain

You can't miss Table Mountain, since it's the archetypal Cape Town icon and its incredible flat-topped silhouette is visible from almost everywhere in the city. Standing 3,563 feet tall, the top of the mountain offers incredible views of Table Bay and the city spread out below. You can opt to climb to the top (either independently or with a guide), or you can take a cable car instead. The easiest hiking route via Platteklip Gorge is strenuous but requires no special equipment, taking about 2.5 hours to reach the top. The cable car operates throughout the day as long as the weather is good, with the last car descending around sundown. Booking in advance is essential, as this is Cape Town's top attraction and queues can get crazy. Summertime, which starts in December, is the busiest time of year for hiking and the cable car.

Go Diving With Sharks

With its cool waters and abundant fur seal population, Cape Town is a natural aggregation site for great white sharks. Several companies offer cage-diving trips into False Bay, allowing you to get up close and personal with the world's greatest marine predator. The boats use bait and seal decoys to attract the sharks, which often come within a few feet of the viewing cage. Despite their fearsome reputation, a close encounter with a great white is a thrilling (and ultimately humbling) experience. If you're a certified scuba diver, you can also dive with other local shark species, including the tiny pyjama catshark and the prehistoric seven-gill cow shark. 

Explore the City's Culinary Scene

Cape Town is a city that takes its food seriously. Its culinary scene reflects the diverse heritage of its people, with different restaurants specializing in traditional African food, Cape Malay fusion, Indian cuisine, or Portuguese specialties. You can choose to dine at world-class restaurants with a price-tag to match, like La Colombe or Rust en Vrede, or you can tour the city's farmers' markets, food halls, and authentic hole-in-the-walls for unforgettable meals sold for just a few rands. Seafood is a specialty, of course, as are wines sourced from the famous vineyards of the Western Cape. The wineries themselves often house some of the region's best restaurants, so a day out wine tasting is usually accompanied by a superb meal.

Take a Township Tour

During the apartheid era, the Group Areas Act of 1950 decreed that Whites and non-Whites could no longer live in the same residential areas. Non-Whites were forcibly relocated to informal housing settlements on the edge of the city known as townships. Despite the fall of apartheid in the early 1990s, these townships still exist, and poverty is still a major problem in South Africa. Township tours give visitors the chance to experience the other side of life in Cape Town, while also giving money back to the township community. While this can easily cross the line into "slum tourism," choosing a local operator that supports the community is a positive way to make sure the people you meet benefit directly from your visit, such as Siviwe Tours in the Langa Township. Remember that you are a visitor into the home of others, and this isn't the type of activity for taking photos or selfies unless you ask for permission.

Stroll Through Kirstenbosch Gardens

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is an oasis in Cape Town's city center. Nestled beneath Table Mountain's eastern slopes, the garden celebrates South Africa's incredible botanical diversity and, in particular, its endemic indigenous plants. Paved walkways allow for endless hours spent strolling between the flowerbeds, while lush green lawns are perfect for summer picnics. Keen birders should also head to Kirstenbosch to look for specialty species like the orange-breasted sunbird and the Cape sugarbird, both of which feed on the garden's colorful proteas. Between November and April, the garden also hosts open-air concerts every Sunday.

Discover Cape Malay Culture in Bo-Kaap

Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill, Cape Town's Bo-Kaap neighborhood is known as one of the most Instagrammable places in South Africa. Its candy-colored houses and quaint cobbled streets are certainly a good reason to visit, but the main attraction is the area's rich Cape Malay history. Descended from immigrants from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia, the modern-day residents make up a vibrant Muslim community. Bo-Kaap is home to some of the country's oldest mosques, as well as restaurants serving spicy Cape Malay cuisine. The architecture is also notable, offering a fascinating blend of Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian styles.

Tour the Cape Winelands

If you have a day or two to spare, make sure to venture outside the city proper and into the lush scenery of the Cape Winelands. Spread out like a blanket around the famous wine-making regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek; the vineyards of the Western Cape yield some of the world's finest vintages. You can stop by for a tasting session, for a tour of the cellars, or a gourmet meal in a farm-to-table restaurant with breathtaking rural views. One of the best ways to see several different wineries in a short space of time is to book a hop-on, hop-off tour on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Alternatively, choose an iconic vineyard like Spier Wine Farm for a luxurious overnight stay. 

Shop at the V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is Cape Town's shopping and entertainment showpiece. Located on the harbor's edge against a Table Mountain backdrop, this pedestrianized area is full of first-class seafood restaurants, brewpubs, and upmarket shops. Make sure to visit The Watershed, where different vendors sell artisan crafts and fashions, and the V&A Food Market which is home to more than 40 stalls selling food and drink from all over the world. Nobel Square offers a photo opportunity with bronze statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Other nearby attractions include the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Cape Town Diamond Museum.