There’s no denying that Cape Town is one of my favorite cities in the world. In fact, it might be my favorite city. There is something for everyone here. Mountains, beaches, wineries, nature, scenic views, fantastic sunsets, culture, great food, hiking, nightlife and much more. And I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to spend so much time in this wonderful destination.

I adored Cape Town when I first came in 2018 and I swear the universe must have heard the song in my heart….because it brought me back for a long term stay in 2020-2021. And now I’m going back for another few months! And if my boyfriend’s show is a success….who knows how many more moons will be spent in Cape Town. I definitely wouldn’t mind splitting my time here!

I think a part of me loves Cape Town so much because in many ways it’s pretty similar to Los Angeles. It’s a little pretentious but beautiful and hard not to love.

Anyways, I digress.

Now that I’ve had so much time to explore the city, I wanted to put together some recommendations for my top things to do in Cape Town.

10 Can’t Miss Things to Do in Cape Town

#1. Visit the Top of Table Mountain

Table Mountain is basically synonymous with Cape Town….this iconic mountain range seems ever-present no matter your location in the city. And no visit to Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the top. You have a couple options on how you want to ascend the mountain.

For the fitness freaks like me, I would highly recommend hiking up! You have numerous options depending on your fitness level, time available, and desire for a challenge. If you want to make a day of it, I recommend the Skeleton Gorge route - which takes off at Kirstenbosch Gardens - giving you an opportunity to explore this lovely Cape Town classic - before climbing up the magnificent gorge to the top of Table Mountain. You then spend a few hours traipsing along the top of the mountain on flat ground (make sure to check out the reservoir at the top of the mountain!). You have the option of taking the cable car down. I hiked this route very fast (considerably speaking) and it took my guide and me about 4 hours (roughly 2 hours up, and 2 hours on flat ground to get to cable car area).

If you aren’t up for something quite so grueling, Platteklip gorge is a fantastic way up as well and one of the more popular routes. It takes about 75 minutes to the top and you can take the cable car down (make sure to check the Table Mountain website to see if the wind permits the cable car to run). Another nice option would be up Kloof’s Korner (20 min somewhat uphill) to Contour Path (45 min on flat ground…very beautiful views) to Platteklip Gorge (up to cable car).

NOTE: It can be VERY cold at the top of Table Mountain, even in the summer when it’s hot in the city. Always come prepared with jacket, hat, gloves, etc. And I also recommend a rain jacket since the mountain is in it’s own micro-ecosystem / climate. I learned this the hard way….but I did end up with a lot of fun Table Mountain merch from the giftshop at the top haha.

#2. Hike Lions Head

Atop everyone’s Cape Town bucket list, should be hiking Lions Head. The cool thing about Lions Head is that, like Table Mountain, it can be seen from all over the city. And it’s definitely a popular spot with tourists and locals alike. Lions Head is to Cape Town what Runyon Canyon is to Los Angeles….but it’s trendiness doesn’t make it any less pleasant, trust me! The hike in it’s entirety takes about 90 minutes roundtrip, and it’s reasonably easy while still providing a good workout. There are a few bits where you need to scramble and climb so make sure you are fit and able (would not recommend taking elderly parents on this).

The hike starts out a bit steep but then flattens a bit, before involving scrambling and ropes towards the top. But the views at the top are well worth the effort. Come at sunrise or sunset for truly amazing views!

There is even a coffee truck at the base of the mountain for you to grab a quick snack after your efforts.

If you aren't up for the traditional route (with it’s ropes & challenges), there is also an alternate route that goes along the side of the mountain and is quite nice as well. Takes about 90 minutes to circumnavigate the side of the mountain and provides a great walk with scenic views. There is also a nice spot with giant rocks where locals often congregate for sundowners and to watch the sunset.

#3. Stroll Through the Weekend Markets

Cape Town has basically taught me to be obsessed with markets. I have always been a fan of shopping local and supporting small businesses and this is a fantastic way to do so when you are traveling! Plus, the vibes of the markets in Cape Town are unbeatable. Make sure to go hungry because you are going to want to try everything in site. Two of my favorite local markets are Oranjezicht Market (near the Waterfront) & Neighborhood Goods (in Woodstock).

Oranjezicht takes place every Saturday & Sunday from about 9AM-2PM and is one of the busiest and most popular - with good reason. Here you will find an array of tasty food - some geared towards takeaway groceries AND a food market for hot, ready-to-eat meals. There are some really cute shopping vendors as well - make sure to visit the lady with the boho dresses (I have a bunch now lol!). This market is very trendy and a bit upscale, there is a wide range of ages, and often has live music playing as well. My favorite stands are the brownie lady, PopSecret popsicles, and the Avocado Toast!

Neighborhood Goods market is a Saturday affair and caters to a young & hip crowd (lots of millennials). There is always a dj spinning and the music is one of my favorite parts of this market. The food market has some takeaway groceries, but mainly centers around hot food to eat on location. And everything is SO good, I always find myself wandering for like 30 minutes debating what to eat. Some of my favorite stands are the Cauliflower Fried Noodle Bowls, grilled cheese stand, and the vegan lady (but I haven’t had anything I didn’t love!)

No matter what part of town you find yourself on the weekends, do a quick search because there is likely a market nearby!

#4. Picnic on Signal Hill

Popular with locals and tourists alike is watching the sunset on Signal Hill. It attracts a young, mixed demographic and the vibes are strong. There are a number of picnic tables and tarp is laid out on the mountain near the prime viewing area. Make sure to come about 45-60 minutes before sunset so that you can grab a good spot on the tarp (or a table). I recommend bringing a picnic (maybe pickup items from the market first!!) so that you can enjoy the view with a bit of food and drinks.

This spot is a stellar spot for photos so bring your cameras as well!

One thing to note is that cell reception is really poor at the top of the mountain, so you might want to pre-arrange a pick up with an uber/taxi driver. Or else, just be prepared to walk a little down the mountain until you get reception & can get a pickup.

#5. Explore Bo Kaap

After Table Mountain, one of the next most iconic shots from Cape Town has to be the colorful homes and buildings that line the neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Bo-Kaap is the historical neighborhood of the Cape Malays (or more specifically, the Muslim part of town). This area has a rich history - starting out as a neighborhood to house slaves who were brought over from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and other parts of Africa. The melding of different peoples and traditions resulted in a rich cultural heritage that stands strong still today. Many people have lived in the Bo-Kaap for generations.

The area itself is small and can be walked around in about 20 minutes. But the history is so unique that I recommend taking a guided tour or listening to a self-guided audio tour.

Here are a few must-dos when you are in the area:

Visit the Bo Kaap Museum - it’s small but gives a nice overview of the area & provides some historical context
Auwal Mosque - the most famous mosque in town. Feel free to step inside and have a visit! They are very friendly & welcome visitors.
Bo-Kaap Kombuis - this quaint little restaurant, up the hill, sports some of the most incredible views of town. Be aware that you will feel as though you’ve walked into a random residential neighborhood (I thought I was lost). But the Cape Malay food is to die for!
Try Koeksisters - these Cape Malay sweets are somewhat like syrup-y fried donuts covered in coconut. Very tasty!
Take a Cape Malay Cooking Class - I highly recommend Fayruza’s Cape Malay cooking class! She’s a wonderful host and teacher and we loved getting to visit her home (right in the Bo-Kaap) and learn a bit about her culture.
Atlas Trading Co - make sure to stop into this small shop to get all your cooking & spice needs.
Tana Baru Cemetery - the site of the first Muslim burial ground in the city.
Take Photos with Colorful Homes - enjoy but see note below!

Bo-Kaap is an Instagrammers dream with it’s quaint colorful buildings….but be aware that these are people’s homes so behave accordingly & be respectful.

Just a heads up - there are ALOT of beggars in Bo-Kaap so be prepared to be approached and asked for money. Make sure you are always on your guard and aware of your surroundings!

#6. Beach Time in Camps Bay

Next up - no visit to Cape Town would be complete without some time spent at the beach. And one of the most popular beaches - both in terms of beauty and accessibility from the city - is Camps Bay! With it’s white sand, deep blue waters, and views of Table Mountain…there is no shortage of beauty here. In fact, Camps Bay Beach was given Blue Flag status in 2008.

If you plan to swim, be prepared for icy waters. The Atlantic is no joke lol. But if your like me and just want to relax with ocean views, there is a prime spot at the end of the beach with huge boulders that make for a nice place to lay out and catch some rays. There’s also a path running along the beach that makes for a great place to go for a walk or run as well.

This trendy and upscale part of town ALSO has many delicious restaurants and a couple awesome rooftop bars as well (check out Chinchilla). So pull up a chair, grab a drink, and watch the sun go down. Camps Bay is one of the best places for watching the sunset.

Just a word of caution, the area can become quite busy & crowded in the summer and on warm weekend days.

#7 Visit the Winelands

This paragraph could go on and on. I absolutely ADORE the wine lands and could write an entire article just on this item (in fact, maybe I will!). The Cape Town Winelands generally refers to the areas of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and Constantia. These stunning destinations are sure to capture your eye and heart. And if you’re a fan of wine? Well, you, my friend, will be in heaven. The wines that are produced in these regions are outstanding and very affordable (as an added bonus).

One of the best things to do in the area is to take a Wine Tour (my friend Blaine runs a fantastic Stellenbosch Wine-Tasting Tour) or another great company that covers a number of different estates in the region is Wine Flies (make sure to ask for Sharif as your guide!).

But this region isn’t just about wine - there are lots of other things to do as well - such as nature reserves, hiking, weekend markets, great restaurants to dine at, gardens to explore, cheese farms, art galleries, scenic drives, and more!

If you’re looking for something active to complement your imbibing of spirits, I recommend Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. There’s a nice 90-ish minute hike that takes you to a couple small waterfalls. It’s a little bit off the main tourist track (and not as well marked as other trails), but is a very pleasant hike. Or you could check out Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - which is just outside Franschhoek town and has 6 hiking trails of varying lengths (choose from 2km to 13km paths!). Or combine wine tasting with a bike ride at La Motte Wine Estate where they have a 5km path with fantastic views of the Franschhoek valley.

A few of my favorite spots within this area are:

Babylonstoren - A beautiful estate with stunning gardens and a number of wonderful restaurants on site (it’s big and commercialized but still a wonderful stop).

Dalewood Cheese Farm - This farm is right next to Babylonstoren and a perfect stopover. The cheese is to die for…make sure to try the Huguenot and Boland!
Boschendal - Stunning estate with big oak trees and bean bag chairs…a wonderful spot to wander the gardens or stop for a picnic (or restaurant) lunch. Their on-site market is also a great place to stock up on meats, cheeses, and other goods for your pantry at home.
Mitres Edge Winery - this boutique winery produces my FAVORITE wines in South Africa. Make sure to try the Sholto & Petit Verdot…and their Malbec is award-winning. It’s wine maker, Lola, was also the 2nd female winemaker in South Africa!
Tokara - Stunning winery with great bubbly and a fantastic restaurant on site.

#8 Drive Chapman’s Peak Down the Peninsula (& See the Penguins!)

I’m sure you’re heard of Chapman’s Peak Drive. It’s often touted as the most beautiful, scenic drive in the world. And if you find yourself in Cape Town, you’ll very likely find yourself on it at some point or another. (And you’ll probably know when you’re on it just by this description alone!)

One of my favorite half day excursions is to take Chapman’s Peak Drive down to Cape Point Vineyards - a cool winery with huge lawn perfect for relaxing with friends and sharing a bottle of wine. You can also sign up for a wine tasting and/or have a meal in their restaurant. Highly recommend this spot for sunset as well….you will be stopped dead in your tracks from the beauty!

Afterwards, make your way down to the Boulder Beach penguins! You cannot come to Cape Town without visiting these funny little guys…especially since who knows how much longer they will grace us with their presence. Their populations have already dwindled significantly in the last decade. They may soon find a new home to go to (much to our sadness). So now is the time to visit!!

#9 Eat Really Good Food

Cape Town has no shortage of amazing restaurants to choose from. Pretty much any cuisine that strikes your fancy can be found. I’ve ever had some pretty decent Tex-Mex (and that’s coming FROM a TEXAN). Here are some of my top recommends (although I’m always adding and growing this list!!)

Pot Luck Club - tapas, super yummy

Test Kitchen - considered one of the best restaurants in town
Chef’s Warehouse - there are a couple of these around Cape Town and they all have their own set menus
Belly of the Beast - another set menu that is supposed to be outstanding (going in a few weeks)
Hemelhuijs - AMAZING lunch spot, stylish cafe in the central part of town
Lexi’s Healthy Eatery - I eat here at least a few times a week. MUST TRY their beet falafels and the glow bowl might be my favorite lunch bowl of all time.
La Moette - tasty restaurant set within a mansion. Around Sea Point.
Kloof Street House - a Cape Town classic. Set in a victorian era house. Good food & drinks. Weekends live music.
Strangers Club - Chill, trendy bungalow hidden off a side street. Lots of people hang out here to work. Menu is limited but good.
Nourish’d - I literally go here multiple times a week, SO good. Trendy tiny cafe.
Unframed - Great ice cream! Lots of vegan flavors too.
Mojo Market - cool food market type establishment in Sea Point. Lots of great options!

#10 Spend the Day in Constantia

Constantia is considered part of the Winelands, but since it’s only 20 minutes from the Cape Town city center - I decided to give it it’s own line item. It’s way too convenient not to be explored from Cape Town!

A wonderful day spent in Constantia could start off with a leisurely & pleasant walk on the Alphen Trail (flat, partly shady greenbelt). You can park your car on the bend of Alphen Drive (that leads off Constantia Main Road to the Alphen Hotel). Afterwards, consider having high tea at the Alphen Hotel (a national monument in its own right with beautiful gardens and amazing high tea setup).

From there, make your way to Constantia Groot - the oldest winery in South Africa! It sports lovely views, an on-site restaurant, museum, wine tasting, and more! It’s a great place to relax and spend a few hours.

Next check out Uitsig Constantia - where you can have wine tastings as well as the BEST ICE CREAM on the planet. There’s also some shops and a few small restaurants on site as well.

Consider booking a reservation at Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia which is nearby as well. There are a number of Chef’s Warehouse restaurants around town - but this is one of the best! Each restaurant has it’s own set menu and food is to die for.

Honorable Mentions:

Robben Island - Where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years….the tours are all conducted by former prisoners which is pretty cool.

V&A Waterfront - very touristy part of town but some of the restaurants are actually pretty decent. It’s where the ferries for Robben Island take off.
District 6 Museum - about the forced removal of black residents from District 6 and the subsequent uprising (very powerful)
Swimming with Sea Lions - we did this a few years ago, it was fun but water was a bit rough….made Colin sick lol.
Woodstock - Walk around Woodstock neighborhood & check out the street art
Zeitz MOCCA - Fantastic art museum (and I don’t usually enjoy art museums)
Sky-Diving - I haven’t done this yet but am thinking about it haha
Sea Point - nice promenade and area to walk around
Hout Bay - another nice area to walk around near the beach
Muizenberg Beach - the main surfing beach with the iconic colorful bathhouses
Cape Point - this is a popular thing to do (lowest point on the continent), I personally didn’t find it all that exciting though!

10 Things You Absolutely Cannot Miss in Cape Town