Cape Town

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

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

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

Labia Theatre

An old-school cinema which has been open for more than 65 years.

R 90 pp

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 · -

Sport Helicopters

For scenic flights around the mountain, Huey flights, wine farm transfers.

8AM-5PM

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

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.

Cape Town Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Wine Tours Western Cape, visit, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and or Paarl from Cape Town.

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

Gravity Adventure Group

Provides training (African Paddling Association approved) as well sea kayaking in the West Coast National Park.

Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail

3-day, non-strenuous, luxury trail through the city, botanical gardens and Table Mountain National Park.

per day

Hooked on Africa

Tuna fishing charter that also offers boating excursions. If it's your lucky day, you'll catch a yellowfin.

Luhambo Tours

Specialised in township tours (Gugulethu and Khayelitsha) and wine tours.

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)

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)

Skydive Cape Town

One of the most scenic dropzones in the world, a 30 minutes drive up the just after Melkbos.

Taste the Cape Travel and Tours cc

A tour company specialising in wine and food tours with a registered tour guide.

The Cape of Good Hope Trail

Cape of Good Hope in the Table Mountain National Park, 34 km, 2 Days.

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

Cape Eco-Tours

A good one for twitchers to use and is a member of Bird Life South Africa.

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.

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.

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

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.