Cape Town

Two Oceans Aquarium

A decent-sized aquarium showcasing the biodiversity within the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Displays include clownfish, seahorses, turtles, sharks and even the local penguins. Features a live kelp forest and microscope exhibit. There is an extensive series of events calendar for each month, and a daily event schedule including live feedings as well. Scuba diving with the sharks is also offered. A walk around the aquarium takes about an hour. There is also a viewing platform available to see the cape fur seals near the V&A Waterfront.

09:30-18:00 · Adults, children (14-17) and children (4-13) · Wheelchair accessible

South African National Gallery

Located in the Gardens area of Cape Town off Government Ave (about a 20-minute walk from downtown). Contains extensive displays of South African art, and information on the history of censorship of art during apartheid.

Daily 10:00-17:00 · Adults; children, students and seniors

Rhodes Memorial

Built on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak, the memorial was designed in recognition of imperialist politician and business magnate Cecil Rhodes. The wooden bench that Rhodes used is placed under the memorial. This memorial is a wonderful spot to have a picnic. It is a starting point for the bike and hiking trails that head towards Devil's Peak, which have now become very popular. If you are eager to explore the nature and beauty in the area, make sure you are never alone and never carry valuables with you.

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

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

See the beautiful and highly diverse flowers and plants of the Cape in one of the most stunning botanical gardens in the world. Plants from every South African bioregion are displayed. These include a huge baobab tree, rare succulents from the Richtersveld, as well as fascinating medicinal species. Several paths meander throughout the garden. There are also many restaurants, an indigenous nursery and a gift shop located here. At certain times of the year there are concerts and performances in the open air amphitheatre. There is art frequently on display, including large Shona stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. The gardens are also home to the National Biodiversity Institute. The garden is special because it changes dramatically every season. You will see different birds, new flowers, etc. In the summer, sunset concerts feature excellent international and local music acts in various genres. Enter early to find a good spot on the grass amphitheatre. Come along for a picnic and revel in the music of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, popular local artists and rock bands.

daily 08:00-18:00 (19:00 September to March). Guided tours depart from Gate 1 Mon-Fri at 10:00, 11:00 and 14:00 and Sat 10:00, and from Gate 2 at 11:00 Mon-Fri and Sat 10:00 · for adults, for children

Rhodes Memorial Restaurant

Situated in the Table Mountain National Park directly behind the famous Rhodes Memorial. The restaurant has stunning views over the northern and eastern Cape Town suburbs and the Hottentots Holland mountain range. The menu is diverse and caters to all tastes, but it's the desserts that really rate a mention, be sure to tuck into some scones!

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 · -

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

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

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)

The Cape of Good Hope Trail

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

Company's Garden

The Company's Garden is a large public park situated in Cape Town CBD - the main commercial district of Cape Town. It is the oldest garden in South Africa, and a national heritage site. The garden was originally created in the 1650s by the region's first European settlers and provided fertile ground to grow fresh produce to replenish ships rounding the Cape.

Built 1652

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trax Tours

Guided hiking and cycle tours in Franschoek and Stellenbosch, including wine tasting.

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.

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

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

Glen Beach

Glen Beach is located north of Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. The two beaches are divided by a rock outcrop that extends from the land to the shore-line. During the summer months, sand deposits tend to build up at the shore-line, widening both Glen and Camps Bay beaches until the two beaches merge—until winter, when the sand deposits are eroded by winter storms.

Canal Walk Shopping Centre

Cape Town’s largest shopping centre has over 400 stores.

9AM-9PM

Devil's Peak

Devil's Peak is part of the mountainous backdrop to Cape Town, South Africa. When looking at Table Mountain from the city centre, or when looking towards the city across Table Bay, the skyline from left to right consists of Devil's Peak, the flat summit of Table Mountain, the peak of Lion's Head, and Signal Hill. The central districts of Cape Town are located within this natural amphitheatre.

1001 m high

The Orangekloof Hiking Trail

6 days, Cape Point to Table Mountain.

Green Point Park

Green Point Park, is a public park in Green Point, Cape Town, in South Africa, where numerous playing fields, wetlands, walking paths, gardens, and a golf course are situated. The Green Point Urban Park & Biodiversity Garden is just behind Mouille Point and has an entrance on Bay Road. The Green Point Park is open from 09:00-19:00, Monday to Sunday, and is free to access.