Best things to do when visiting Cape Town

Have you ever been on holiday, not knowing what to do with your time or where to go for some good fun? Well, if you plan to visit Cape Town South Africa, you might want to consider planning a couple of trips ahead of time since there are so many to choose from. Here are some of the ones at the top of my list…in no specific order.

Table mountain

Take a trip up & down Table Mountain

If you’re keen on following a rope 112 meters down Table Mountain, then I’d suggest you contact Abseil Africa. It is the world’s highest commercial abseil and the view is awesome.

The less adventurous can catch the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway up... and back down. The quick ride will give you a bird’s eye view of the City Bowl.

If you’re into hiking, the summit can also be reached on foot through a multitude of beautiful, albeit exhausting, trails.

Abseil Africa

Hike Table Mountain

Explore the Cape Town Waters and its habitants

For adrenalin junkies Gansbaai is the place to go as it is the white shark capital of the world. Shop around to book your shark cage experience- you should have no trouble finding a good deal.

The safer alternative in my opinion is a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Have an amazing view of the marine species found, educational trips or take the kids with you for a memorable family day out.

Aquarium

Take a lesson in South African history

Robben Island and the District Six Museum are must-visits for anyone interested in South Africa's period of apartheid, which came to an end in 1990.

The fascinating and inspirational Robben Island is a symbol of centuries of both cruel oppression and the triumph of hope. It has become synonymous with the former leader of the free and democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years in its maximum-security prison.

The award-winning community museum, District Six exhibits the time when the ruling government declared the area ‘whites only’ and over 60,000 of its residents were forcibly taken from their homes and shipped out to the Cape Flats, before their houses were reduced to rubble.

Robben-island

District Six

Explore unique tastes and flavors

Cape Town offers adventurous eaters tastes from across the African continent, including Xhosa fare like samp (crushed maize used in porridge) and marog (African spinach), Cape Malay cuisine or the popular Cape Town favorite, Gatsby.

Shop around for places serving your preference and explore some new ones as well.

Relax and unwind in a palace of pampering

Cape Town has all the ingredients for an alluring city break: sun, sea, shopping and thankfully, quality spas too.

Be sure to pop in at a luxury spa around town and enjoy the beauty Cape Town has to offer.

Spend some money at Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront

A historic working harbor now converted to a complex of homes, businesses, restaurants, shops and art museums. It attracts more than 23 million visitors a year and is the spot ‘where the city meets the sea’

Enjoy quiet tanning sessions and relaxing on hidden beaches

Head to one of these secluded sandy shores for some undisturbed rest and relaxation.

Oudekraal lies right next door to Beta Beach. It offers a protected cove at the bottom of a steep set of stairs, which is surrounded by a thicket of milkwood trees. Since this area forms part of the Table Mountain National Park, there’s an entrance fee payable, but it’s a negligible amount to pay for the splendor that waits inside.

Smitswinkelbaai is further out of town. Heading in the direction of Cape Point, keep a lookout for the tiny, graveled parking area by the side of the road between Simon’s Town and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Once there, dash across the road and commence a 15-minute downward amble along the overgrown footpath until you reach the un-spoilt, isolated Smitswinkelbaai. The view of the lush valley is well worth the extra effort involved in getting there and the calm water makes for great snorkeling.

Tietiesbaai is just under two hours’ drive from town and is situated in the Cape Columbine Reserve on the West Coast. It boasts carpets of colorful wildflowers in spring and a guaranteed soundtrack of silence thanks to the prohibition of anything that blares, barks, roars and whirrs.

Boulders Beach is a sheltered public bay with sandy beach and boardwalk, plus it’s the only beach that offers free-roaming colony of African Penguins. Penguin viewing is made easy by boardwalks that lead visitors across the beaches as well as to an information center, which is managed by SANParks.

Muizenberg Beach is a good option for the ultimate family experience so head over to Muizenberg with its colorful Victorian Bathing Boxes next to the dramatic landscape. This is a blue flag beach which means it is top rated for safety, eco-consciousness, and recreational facilities.

Bikini Beach is located in Gordon’s Bay and a great hangout place for the youth. Surfers enjoy the fact that the slope on this side of Gordon’s Bay drops down suddenly and sharp so be sure to visit if you would like to surf some time.

The list goes on and being located along the coast, finding the perfect beach in Cape Town should be an effortless task.

Cape Town Magazine

Take home an African souvenir

If you’re a savvy traveler you’d know to come with a half-empty suitcase ready to fill up with well-priced buys for yourself, friends, and family.

Visit the Pan African Market and Greenmarket Square for a real deal bargaining experience.

There’s a shop for each kind of shopper so search around and stock up on collectables and souvenirs.

Toast the Cape Winelands

It’s only an hour’s drive from Cape Town but the famous Cape Winelands feel like a different world. There are rolling vineyards, towering mountains, historic wine estates and nearly every farm and estate in the area offers wine-tasting: you’ll need a designated driver, though.

Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are the largest, nearest, and most famous towns in the region, but the further you go the more you’ll discover. The Winelands, and their rustic, rural gems such as Robertson and Montagu, offer more than just wine presses and vineyards.

Constantia Wine Route is located in Constantia, a wine-producing suburb of Cape Town, South Africa and links the many wineries dotting the Constantia Valley. Housed in a 17th-century wine estate, Groot Constantia Homestead and Wine Museum includes a manor house with 18th- and 19th-century furnishings, plus collections of drinking vessels and carriages.

Vibe to the Cape Jazz rhythm

Cape Town’s jazz scene is a vital part of its heritage. The city’s rich jazz tradition derives from artists finding inspiration in their struggles during the apartheid years. Since then, the music has evolved into its own genre, Cape Jazz, a style with a distinct African spice. It’s a way of life in the Cape and you’ll find it everywhere from the heart of the townships to the most lavish lounge.

The number of jazz festivals and venues speaks for itself, and events like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Jazzathon draw enthusiasts from all over the world.

Cape Town Jazz Fest

Jazzathon

Lastly if everything just seems too amazing to make a choice, you can always go for a ride on the City Tour Bus and select your favorite route. Visit their website to see all the routes and package options available.

Cape Town Red Bus

For more about Cape Town News and updates, visit https://www.capetownmagazine.com

To let us know if you have any hidden Gems still to be discovered in Cape Town- leave a comment.

Unfortunately, due to the after effects of the Covid pandemic, many businesses are not operating or even closed, so we recommend confirming before you take off to enjoy yourself.