Cape Town, known as the Mother City of South Africa, is hands down one of the most visually stunning cities in the world, and should be on everyone’s bucket list. This cosmopolitan, modern city offers natural beauty, historic architecture, an abundance of history, fantastic restaurants and wineries, great shopping, and some of the best beaches in the world, all at a very affordable price.
I first visited Cape Town in 2013, when I went to South Africa to visit my partner’s family. Since then, I have visited four additional times, and with each trip, I’m still in awe of the city’s beauty and wealth of sites to see. We usually go back to many of the same familiar places, but with each trip, try to check out a new place.
There are dozens of places to explore around the Cape Town region, and one could spend months enjoying all that the region has to offer. Below are my top twelve recommended sites to visit in Cape Town. A variety of tours for most of these sites can be found on Viator.
Check out Contemporary African Art
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (also known as the V&A) is a hub of tourist activity in Cape Town. It is located just north of city center, facing Table Bay, with Table Mountain behind it. Originally a Navy Yard, it was named after Queen Victoria, and her son Prince Albert, who visited the harbor in 1860. Today, the V&A is an enormous mixed use complex comprised of a huge mall, shops and restaurants, bars, cultural and recreational activities, entertainment spaces, hotels and residences, all surrounded by a working harbor. Walkways and promenades line a myriad of waterways, canals and marinas that snake their way through the complex. It’s a great place to enjoy the day shopping and eating, while observing cargo ships, fishing vessels and yachts that make their way to and from the South Atlantic Ocean. Adjoining the V&A is the Silo District. Here, a former grain silo that was once the tallest building in Africa has been converted to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. The museum showcases contemporary African art within an interesting structure comprised of a huge atrium, spaces created within the curved concrete walls of 56 storage silos, and geodesic windows allowing light to penetrate within the former enclosed space. Surrounding the silo are condominiums, shops and restaurants, and the eclectic Radisson RED hotel, offering stunning views of the harbor and Table Mountain.
Visit a Prison that Once Held Nelson Mandela
Situated four miles off the coast of Cape Town is Robben Island, the site of a former prison that held Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, former lawyer and anti-apartheid activist. Robben Island had been an incarceration site for prisoners since the late 17th century, as well as a leper colony, animal quarantine station, and World War II military installation. Since the end of Apartheid in 1991, the island has become a solemn living museum displaying the country’s political history and development of a democratic society embracing human rights. Visitors can view and learn about the many former uses of the island, including Nelson Mandela’s cell. Many of the guides are former prisoners who describe what life was like on the island. Visitors can reach the island by taking a relaxing and scenic ferry from the V&A waterfront.
Take a Hike on a Tabletop
The most iconic landmark of Cape Town, breathtaking Table Mountain is visible for miles around the city. The mountain, known for its distinctive flat plateau, hovers over Cape Town and Table Bay, often with orographic clouds draping over it like a table cloth. The flatness of the mountain’s top is due to the fact that it was once the floor of a valley. The park attracts over 4 million visitors a year, most of whom reach the top by cable car. From the top, visitors are afforded amazing views of the city, Table Bay and the bright blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. The park is a great place for hiking, where visitors can take in abundant flora and fauna. There are nearly 2,300 species of plants on the mountain. Lucky visitors may be greeted by a dassie, a small rotund mammal related to elephants, but resembling marmots.
Have Afternoon Tea with a Pink Lady
Located on the southwest edge of city center, beneath the slopes of Table Mountain, is the Mount Nelson Hotel, a crown jewel of Cape Town. Known as the Pink Lady, the hotel has been greeting visitors since 1899. The hotel is a great place to escape the hustle of the city. Visitors can relax or stroll in the gardens, eat gourmet meals, or have afternoon tea. I’ve partaken in Afternoon Tea twice at the Mount Nelson, and highly recommend it to any visitor of Cape Town. At an affordable price (about $26 US dollars) compared to other High Teas, you’ll be indulged with a variety of delicious sandwiches, cakes, pastries, teas and champagne, while listening to live piano music, or sitting on the patio overlooking the gardens.
Visit a Beautiful Estate
Located in the prosperous leafy suburbs south of Cape Town in the Constantia Valley is the Groot Constantia estate. The estate was South Africa’s first wine farm, dating to 1685. Today, the beautiful estate includes vineyards, a museum within a Cape Dutch style manor house, a wine tasting room, restaurants, and gardens. A wine tasting (including five wines) will set you back less than $6 US dollars. The winery is noted for its production of high quality red wines. Dining options onsite include two very good restaurants, including the Jonkershuis, and Simons.
Take a Walk in the Garden
Tucked against the eastern slope of Table Mountain near Groot Constantia is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It is one of South Africa’s ten national botanical gardens. The gardens were originally founded in 1913 to preserve the flora native to South Africa, and today the garden places a strong emphasis on the cultivation of indigenous plants. The gardens include a series of trails, some that go up the mountain slopes, and others built on raised boardwalks. In addition, the gardens include an Herbarium, and a large conservatory. During Summer, concerts are held on Sunday evenings.
Observe Some Colorful Architecture
The De Waterkant neighborhood is one of Cape Town’s trendiest neighborhoods, filled with boutique hotels, restaurants offering international cuisine, coffee shops, bars, galleries, and unique shops. De Waterkant is situated immediately southwest of the V&A, and most of the commercial activity is along Main Road, and Somerset Road. It is here that you’ll find the Cape Quartier Lifestyle Village, filled with a multitude of restaurants, clothing boutiques, home décor stores and gift shops. The neighborhood is also the center of LGBT life in Cape Town, offering many bars and restaurants. Every March, the neighborhood hosts the Cape Town Carnival, displaying a colorful celebration of all things Cape Town, with a distinctly African flavor.
To the south of De Waterkant is the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Bo-Kaap translates to “above the Cape” in Afrikaans. This unique and colorful neighborhood situated on the slopes of Signal Hill was formerly known as the Malay Quarter, and is the oldest residential neighborhood in Cape Town. Most of the bright colorful Dutch and Georgian style homes are owned by Muslim families whose ancestors came to Cape Town as slaves or skilled laborers from Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Africa. More recently, the close-knit community has faced increased gentrification, slowly losing its distinctive character. The Bo-Kaap museum, located within an old home, showcases local Islamic culture and heritage.
Go Hip in Woodstock
Woodstock is Cape Town’s trendy new hip destination. It is also a classic example of gentrification, having gone from fashionable, to run down, and back to fashionable. Located east of center city, Woodstock became a popular seaside residential area in the mid 19th century with the arrival of a railway. By the mid 20th century, the neighborhood became more industrial, especially with port related activity, and by the 1970s it was plagued with drugs and crime. Over the past decade, young professionals and creatives priced out of more expensive neighborhoods began restoring the many Victorian homes. Soon after, new restaurants, bars, galleries and shops followed. Throughout the neighborhood, but especially along Albert Road and Sir Lowry Road / Victoria Road, one can find second-hand stores, antique shops, book shops, and galleries. Some of the hottest new restaurants in Cape Town can be found here. Street art and graffiti is also popular in Woodstock, and several companies such as Viator offer walking street art tours. The neighborhood has also become a center for craft gin and beer establishments. The Old Biscuit Mill, toward the eastern edge of the neighborhood, is a dynamic hub that hosts artists, jewelry and craft shops, vintage shops, and restaurants. The facility is housed within a former biscuit mill that opened in the early 20th century, and closed in 1946. Whatever you’re looking for, you can likely find it in Woodstock.
Take a Jog Along an Oceanfront Promenade
Sea Point is one of the older affluent beach suburbs of Cape Town. It is located around the bend from the V&A, separated from the rest of Cape Town by Signal Hill. Walking south along the waterfront offers great views of Lion’s Head peak. A wide promenade filled with public art stretches along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and is popular throughout the day, especially with joggers. Unlike beaches further south, the beach here is rocky as it nears the water. A variety of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and stores can be found along Main Road and Regent Road, which are a block inland from the beach. Mojo Market is a popular food hall that has 30 eateries, five bars, and offers live music.
Make it a Beach Day
Continuing south from Sea Point along M6, you will arrive at the upscale beach communities of Clifton, and Camps Bay. Clifton is primarily a residential community of condominiums and large homes perched on hills overlooking the beaches below them. Lions Head Peak looms over it all. The beaches are comprised of fine, beautiful white sand, teal colored water, and large rounded boulders that emerge from both the water and sand. The four beaches of Clifton cater to every crowd. First Beach is popular with surfers, Second Beach is popular with families, Third Beach attracts an LGBT crowd, and Fourth Beach draws a trendy crowd.
South of Clifton is Camps Bay. Here, the M6 is lined on one side with shops, restaurants, coffee houses and hotels, and the other side with an expansive palm studded park and beautiful white sand beach. Rising above the commercial district are the Twelve Apostles mountains, a stunning backdrop to this popular seaside community. There’s no better way to spend a lazy day than to soak in the sun on a white sand beach, followed by an afternoon cocktail overlooking the ocean.
Drive along one of the Most Stunning Roads in the World
One of the most stunningly scenic drives in the world is along Chapmans Peak Drive and the M65 highway which leads toward the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. Starting in Camps Bay, the coastal Victoria Road (M6) becomes Chapmans Peak Drive at Hout Bay. South of Hout Bay, the twisty road hugs the side of mountains, overlooking teal colored Hout Bay and the Atlantic. Its beauty matches Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or the Central California coast, as each hairpin turn leads to another amazing view. Eventually the road turns inland. At Sun Valley, you can pick up M65 which heads back toward the west side of the Cape Peninsula offering more scenic views. Continuing on M65 leads to the entry road to the Cape Point Nature Preserve. Along the way are a number of viewpoints and pretty beaches, including Buffels Bay Beach and Platboom Beach. The very tip of the Cape Point is known as the Cape of Good Hope. From the parking lot, you can hike or take a funicular to the Old Cape Point Lighthouse. A trail down a steep hill leads to Diaz Beach which is situated in a beautiful cove. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. Heading back to Cape Town, you can drive along the east side of the peninsula along M4, stopping in various beach towns including Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, St. James and Muizenberg. Near Simon’s Town is famous Boulders Beach, known for its colony of African penguins.
Taste some of the Best Wine in the World
No trip to Cape Town would be complete without visiting one of the many wineries in the region. South African wines are among the best in the world. Stellenbosch, located about 30 miles east of City Center Cape Town, is host to numerous wineries, all set in a spectacular setting. Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest towns, was founded by the Dutch in 1679 along the banks of the Eerste River. Huguenot refugees later settled here, starting the wine industry that lasts to this day. The Stellenbosch wine region, with over 150 wineries, is one of the most popular destinations in the country. A variety of winery tours can be purchased through Viator. One of my favorite spots, Babylonstoren, is located northeast of Stellenbosch. It is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in South Africa, and includes a variety of beautiful fruit and vegetable gardens, a winery, restaurant, lodging, and spa.
