Things to do in Cape Town

208 activities, venues and outings in Cape Town, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 208.

Photo: Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist ., CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

DoNational park
Table Mountain
3 km (all uphill), 1 to 3 hours, Platteklip Gorge to the Upper Cable Station.
Always open, but you might want to start early enough to catch the last cable car down · No fees are charged
DoBoat tour
Jolly Roger Pirate Ship
The Jolly Roger is the only authentic pirate ship in South Africa, departs from the V&A Waterfront at popular times. The Jolly Roger is able to sail in most weather conditions, normally at 11:00 (on weekends), 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 18:00. Must arrive early for boarding. Bookings to be made online here, or direct on arrival. https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=379132481.
from per child and per adult in winter, to
Do
Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
One-way and return cable car ticket available. Wheelchair accessible throughout, with a separate lift entrance and friendly staff will help accessibility visitors. Weather conditions at the top of the mountain are not the same as at the bottom so always take something warm to wear when going up the mountain, even if it is a nice toasty 30˚C at the bottom of the mountain. Wear sunblock and carry a water bottle (there is also a free drinking fountain at the top near the cable station). There is a cafe with a limited range of snacks, coffee, beer and wine at the top. Table Mountain is the home of a small animal, the rock rabbit (known locally as the 'Dassie') whose closest relative, DNA-wise, is the elephant, and you can see them running around on the rocks at the top of the mountain. If you want to see the sunset, you can go on the last car up which ranges from 17:00 (winter) and 20:30 (summer).
07:00-22:00 (usually 08:30), last car down varies: 21:30 during high season to 18:00 in mid winter · return ticket (bought online), (bought on site), or for one way; tickets for children return, student special return
Do
Labia Theatre
An old-school cinema which has been open for more than 65 years.
R 90 pp
Do
Newlands
Overlooked by Table Mountain and Devil's Peak, this scenic ground hosts Test matches and is home to Western Province and MI Cape Town teams. Its capacity is 20,000.
Do
Para-Taxi
Tandem Paraglide
Paraglide over the Cape while being securely strapped to a professional pilot. Lovers of height will be blown away. Flights are also provided to the disabled.
Do Not mapped
Cape Argus Cycle Tour
Total distance is 109 km. Start in downtown, cycle down the eastern side of the peninsula, past Simon's Town and back up the western side of the peninsula.
March every year · Entrance fee is for entrants on the African continent or the equivalent of EUR 50 everyone else
Do Not mapped
Diving at Two Oceans Aquarium
You must hold a recognised diving certification, specifically a minimum Open Water 1 qualification and present it when you arrive. Swim along with the sharks, guitar fish, bass, bull rays and turtles. The dive masters are kind and knowledgeable and will accompany you into the aquarium ready to fend off the sharks with his broomstick should they become cuddly. Dive time is around 30 minutes. For advanced divers, the Kelp forest tank puts you into the water with more and bigger local reef fish than you will see in the sea.
09:00, 11:00 and 13:00 daily · ( if you bring your own diving gear), this includes the aquarium entrance fee
Do Not mapped
First Thursdays
First Thursdays Projects
On the first Thursday of every month, walk between the galleries, restaurants and shops of Cape Town and Johannesburg until late. Discover the best things to see and places to go on First Thursdays. First Thursdays was started in Cape Town in 2012, and in Johannesburg in 2015. Inspired by similar initiatives in other cities around the world, the monthly event, taking place on the first Thursday of every month, is centred around a primary programme of art galleries and cultural attractions that are open to the public until late. The initiative is equally about access to the arts as it is about injecting life into our urban spaces after hours. Walk around the streets of Cape Town and visit galleries and restaurants who all have specials on the night.
6PM - 8PM or late · free
Do Not mapped
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Kirstenbosch Gardens Concert Stage
A picnic style concert, so bring a blanket and a picnic basket. Children under 6 years do not require a ticket. All concerts take place irrespective of rain. Regret no refunds are issued. The Kirstenbosch concerts are completely non-smoking events. There will be no designated smoking areas. Gates to the concert area open at 16h00 (On New Year’s Eve, gates open at 19h00).
late Nov to early April: Sun 17:30-18:30 · -
Do Not mapped
Sport Helicopters
For scenic flights around the mountain, Huey flights, wine farm transfers.
8AM-5PM
Do Not mapped
Two Oceans Marathon
An Ultra marathon (56 km), a half marathon (21 km) and a number of fun runs ranging from a 56m Nappy Dash to a 8 km walk or run. Maximum 10 000 entrance accepted per year per race distance (fun runs excluded).
On Easter Sat each year · There is a pricing scale for each of the runs. The Ultra Marathon, for South African residents, for the rest of Africa and for the rest of the world. The Half Marathon, of South African residents, for the rest of Africa and for the rest of the world. The Fun Runs are priced from to
Do Not mapped
Andulela Tours
Offers a variety of different tours, including jazz, soccer, poetry, and culinary tours. Their emphasis is on meeting people, not looking at them.
Do Not mapped
Cape Town Helicopter Tours
Helicopter Wine Tours Western Cape, visit, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and or Paarl from Cape Town.
Do Not mapped
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Also known as the Kaapse Klopse, these brightly dressed singers and dancers spend months preparing for this annual event.
Usually New Years day and a couple of days later during January
Do Not mapped
Gravity Adventure Group
Provides training (African Paddling Association approved) as well sea kayaking in the West Coast National Park.
Do Not mapped
Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail
3-day, non-strenuous, luxury trail through the city, botanical gardens and Table Mountain National Park.
per day
Do Not mapped
Hooked on Africa
Tuna fishing charter that also offers boating excursions. If it's your lucky day, you'll catch a yellowfin.
Do Not mapped
Luhambo Tours
Specialised in township tours (Gugulethu and Khayelitsha) and wine tours.
Do Not mapped
Meridian Hiking Club
This club organizes hikes ranging from easy day walks to strenuous rock scrambles on the mountain and multi-day hikes. Look up the calendar on the web site for details of current hikes. It is very popular with tourists.
per person (or annual membership)
Do Not mapped
Simon's Town Boat Company
The sole permit holder for boat based whale watching in False Bay (Permit No. 0806336). Also operate sightseeing cruises to Seal Island in the whale off-season.
per adult (2024 prices)
Do Not mapped
Skydive Cape Town
One of the most scenic dropzones in the world, a 30 minutes drive up the just after Melkbos.
Do Not mapped
Taste the Cape Travel and Tours cc
A tour company specialising in wine and food tours with a registered tour guide.
Do Not mapped
The Cape of Good Hope Trail
Cape of Good Hope in the Table Mountain National Park, 34 km, 2 Days.
Do Not mapped
Waterfront Boat Company
Take a relaxing sunset cruise on the Condor to Greenpoint and back or do the champagne cruise. One to one and a half hours.
to
Do Not mapped
Cape Eco-Tours
A good one for twitchers to use and is a member of Bird Life South Africa.
Do Not mapped
Cape Fusion Tours
Offers hands-on African cooking experiences in Langa at a local cooking school. This gives you an insight into the culture, the people and their cuisine.
Do Not mapped
Cape Peninsula
Go to the Cape of Good Hope via Simon's Town and the African penguin colony at Boulders. Visit Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park, maybe have lunch there before taking a hike in a quieter part of the reserve to immerse yourself in the essence of the landscape. Then take a scenic drive along Chapman's Peak Drive (if it is open) through Hout Bay and along the Atlantic seaboard via Llandudno and Camps Bay, stopping off at one of Clifton's famous four beaches.
Do Not mapped
Climbing Table Mountain
Platteklip Gorge is the most accessible and therefore the most popular route for climbing up Table Mountain. You start from Tafelberg Road and proceed up a steep gully to the top of Table Mountain. It's a steep two hours but well worth the effort and you can jump in the cable car back down to spare your knees. The cable car does not operate in strong winds so you need to check before departing. Remember to take water, sunblock, a hat and jacket. Climbing the mountain in the heat is a grueling task. But clouds can appear unannounced and the temperature then plummets. Poorly equipped hikers often have to be rescued. Although it is very steep this route is extremely popular and you are guaranteed to meet many people on the way up and down. The gorge is shaded in the afternoon but earlier in the day it can be extremely hot with very little shade. Most of the route involves rock steps which can be challenging and many people find coming down even harder than going up. Don't underestimate the time and energy required for the downward section of this hike. Wear appropriate hiking shoes. Leave plenty of time to get down before dark. As this is a well known route and easy accessible, many inexperienced hikers attempt the climb. Take care, or consider a guide. Meridian Hiking Club welcomes visitors on its organized hikes led by experienced climbers.
There's a daily charge per person
Do Not mapped
Kite surfing
Cape Town is one of the most popular kite surfing destinations in the world. The two oceans, combined with the windy conditions, make for a great kite surfing experience. Some of the most popular kite surfing hot spots are Dolphin Beach in Blouberg Strand, Muizenberg and Langebaan Lagoon.
Do Not mapped
SABP Tours
SABP Tours offers a diving opportunity to witness the great white shark.
Do Not mapped
Sunset cruise
On visiting Cape Town take the opportunity for a sunset cruise from one of the services lined up along the V&A dockside. Well worth seeing the sunset but also the view back towards the town and Table Mountain from the sea. Some tours include free wine and drinks, so you can get your sun-downer in as well. If you're lucky you may also see dolphins.
Do Not mapped
Surfing
Cape Town is one of the best places to surf. Muizenberg is a good place for beginners to learn to surf, Gary offers reasonably priced lessons from a shop facing the beach. Don't forget that the False Bay area (where Muizenberg is located in addition to Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek) is known for its sharks! If you're an experienced surfer, try the reef break at Kalk Bay, Outer Kom near Kommetjie or Misty Cliffs on the coast road near Scarborough. You could head up the west coast and sample Milnerton, Table View or Big Bay, although Big Bay is often crowded with people kitesurfing due to the windy conditions. When the swell is really cranking, the big wave surfers gather at Dungeons, near Hout Bay, for some of the biggest surfable waves in the world.
Do Not mapped
Swimming
Beaches on the False Bay side of the peninsula are the most popular with swimmers as the water is warmer. St James has the most picturesque tidal pool on the stretch between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, while Clovelly and Fish Hoek beaches wrap around a sheltered bay with soft, white sands. Fishing boats, hobie cats and kayaks launch from here too. Brave hearts can sun-worship and swim naked in the freezing water of the isolated and breathtaking nudist beach Sandy Bay near Llandudno. Major spot for gay tourists as well. There's a 1½ km walk down from the parking lot. Camps Bay and Clifton also have great beaches to visit if you want to try the chillier waters of the west coast.
Do Not mapped
The Amphitheatre in the Kalk Bay mountains
3 hours. Start at the sign on scenic Boyes Drive and climb up towards the rocks above which are peppered with scores of caves, many of which are not recommended for novice cavers so be careful. Take a torch. Follow the right forks in the trail and you'll be rewarded with increasingly spectacular views of False Bay. Head straight up through Echo Valley and through an ancient milkwood grove. Come back the same way if you don't have detailed directions. No permit required.
Do Not mapped
Trax Tours
Guided hiking and cycle tours in Franschoek and Stellenbosch, including wine tasting.
Do Not mapped
Winelands
Tour the beautiful Constantia Valley wine estates Groot Constantia, Buitenverwagting, Klein Constantia and Constantia Uitsig before checking out the Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Stellenbosch has the added attraction of being an historical university town and Franschhoek, well established as the food capital of the Cape, is home to three of the country's top ten restaurants. The views are extraordinary. Have a drink and a snack at Dieu Donne estate for an unsurpassable vista of the entire valley, or take your own picnic to the top of a little hill they have by the parking area. Most wineries charge for a tasting session, but usually refund it on a purchase. It's right next to the botanical garden.
DoSummit
Lion's Head
Lion's Head is a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. Lion's Head peaks at 669 metres (2,195 ft) above sea level. The peak forms part of a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town and is part of the Table Mountain National Park.
669 m high
DoSummit
Signal Hill
Signal Hill (Afrikaans: Seinheuwel), or Lion's Rump, is a landmark flat-topped hill located in Cape Town, next to Lion's Head and Table Mountain. The hill was also known as "The Lion's Flank", a term now obsolete. Together with Lion's Head, Signal Hill looks like a lion sphinx.
350 m high
DoTheatre
Artscape Theatre Centre
Artscape Theatre Centre (formerly Nico Malan Theatre Centre) is the main performing arts centre in Cape Town, South Africa. It was opened in 1971 and is located on reclaimed land in the Foreshore area of Cape Town CBD. The inaugural performance was scheduled to be Giuseppe Verdi's Aida but illness struck the title-role singer Emma Renzi and the production was replaced by CAPAB Ballet's Sylvia. Other productions in the opening season were Mozart's Die Zauberflöte in Afrikaans and Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Cape Town (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).