Looking for some of the best things to do in Cape Town? Today’s post is for you! We spent a good chunk of time in Cape Town, not realizing that we could have probably cut our time in half, but more days gave us ample time to explore all over the city both on foot and by car. Here are some of my top picks…
9 Things To See And Do In Cape Town
Chapman’s Peak Drive – This is the most scenic and gorgeous coastal drive. We started from our hotel at 12 Apostles and continued down along the waterfront. Be warned – the road is basically carved out of the side of a mountain so there are some twists and turns, and even a spot where it collapsed, but it is worth it! We stopped along the way to snap photos and look and the pretty beaches and lookout points.
Simonstown – The was along our Chapman’s Peak Drive journey and it’s best known for housing the South African Navy. We thought the quaint military town was adorable and honestly I wish we had spent more time there.
Boulders Beach – This is SUCH a gorgeous stopover point, but it definitely gets crowded. We walked the entire boardwalk and enjoyed looking at the HUGE boulders (obviously aptly named). Afterward, we took a walk down to see the penguins and they did not disappoint! There are so many penguins….and people. We snapped a few photos of the penguins with their eggs, watched them play a bit and then called it good. Lots of tour groups are here!
Table Mountain + Lion’s Head Trail – We had every intention of actually hiking Table Mountain and then we wound up squeezing it in unexpectedly on our first day, so the cable car it was! Good thing, too, because the mountain was closed for windy weather nearly every other day we were there. This is absolutely worth it for the views alone. Book an early morning cable car to avoid obscene lines.
View From The Top Of Table Mountain
Watching the sunset from 12 Apostles – Maybe my favorite part of Cape Town! Our first couple nights were spent at the 12 Apostles Hotel that has a gorgeous view of the ocean. Maybe I’m just an ocean-lover at heart, but the sunsets were beautiful and worth the drive over (have a drink at the Leopard Lounge) if you aren’t staying as a guest.
V + A Waterfront – This is tourist central, but it’s worth checking out, if for no other reason than to visit the food hall. Lots of yummy treats in there (lamp wraps, roasted nuts, samosas, Mexican, dried meats, fresh tea…and so much more!). We also really liked the local artisan market at the waterfront.
Greenmarket Square – There is so much history in Cape Town, and Greenmarket Square is part of that. Built in 1696, the square has served as everything from a slave market to a farmer’s market and presently — a flea market.
Watching sea lions float in the water – This one is sort of self explanatory, but we LOVED watching them twirl, flip and float along the waterfront area. You can see them best if you stand along the bridge right outside Cape Grace Hotel.
Shopping local – When we travel I love to shop. This trip was no exception! I saw so many beautiful items, but ultimately only came home with a few. We loved Mungo Design, Woodstock Laundry, Cruzin.
Want more? Don’t miss South Africa: What To Know Before You Go or view all of my Africa content in one place!