by EvanCape Town has a way of making first-time visitors feel like they’ve arrived somewhere extraordinary, and regulars feel like they’re seeing it for the first time again. With the mountain on one side, the ocean on the other, and a city full of culture, history, and flavour in between, it’s no wonder this destination consistently features on lists of the world’s most beautiful cities. If you’ve been searching for the top ten things to do in Cape Town and want more than a list of names, this guide is for you.
Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, looking for couple things to do in Cape Town, or simply want to explore places to visit with a clear plan in hand, we’ve put together an honest guide to Cape Town’s best, with practical tips on when to go, how to plan your day, and what to expect when you get there.
1. Climb Table Mountain — But Do It Right
Amongst the top ten things to do in Cape Town, Table Mountain is the undisputed centrepiece, and for good reason. Between January and April 2024 alone, the Table Mountain National Park recorded over 1.17 million visitors, making it the Western Cape’s most visited attraction by a significant margin. You can take the aerial cableway to the top or hike up via Platteklip Gorge for a more rewarding arrival. Either way, go early. The mountain can disappear under clouds (locals call it the “tablecloth”) by mid-morning in the summer.
It’s worth knowing about one of these top ten things to do in Cape Town: Platteklip Gorge is the most popular hiking route to the top, but the Pipe Track is a well-regarded alternative, quieter, hugging the mountain’s western flank, with outstanding ocean views that the main trail doesn’t offer.
When to go: Weekday mornings, ideally before 9am.
2. Walk the Sea Point Promenade
This is where Cape Town lives its daily life outdoors. The promenade stretches along the Atlantic seaboard, past tidal pools, open-air gyms, and benches full of people watching the sea. It’s completely free, genuinely beautiful, and one of the best activities to do near me if you’re staying anywhere along the Atlantic coast.
Hire a bicycle and cover the full stretch, or simply walk at sunset when the light on Lion’s Head turns everything amber.
3. Explore the Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap’s pastel-painted houses are among the most photographed popular attractions ‘near me’ in the whole country and are, of course, in the top ten things to do in Cape Town, but the neighbourhood is far more than a backdrop. This is the heart of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town, with a history stretching back to the 17th century.
Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum to understand the context, then explore the streets on foot. Go early on a weekday; by late morning the tour groups arrive and the intimacy is lost. If you see koeksisters at a local bakery, buy them immediately.
Etiquette note: People live here. Be respectful with photography and remember you’re a guest in someone’s community.
4. Drive Chapman’s Peak
Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the world’s great coastal roads. 9 kilometres carved into the cliff between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with the Atlantic crashing below. It’s a toll road but worth every cent.
Combine it with a stop at Hout Bay harbour to watch the seals, then drive back in the late afternoon when the light is completely different. This is a favourite romantic spot in Cape Town; it’s scenic and genuinely spectacular.
5. See the Penguins at Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is home to a colony of African penguins, and yes, they are every bit as delightful as the photos suggest. Book your entry ticket online in advance, arrive when the gates open, and you’ll have the boardwalk largely to yourself.
This fits naturally into a full southern peninsula day: start at Cape Point in the morning, stop at Boulders Beach around midday, and work your way back up the False Bay coastline. If you’re compiling your own list of top 10 attractions in Cape Town, Boulders earns its place every time.
6. Spend a Morning at the V&A Waterfront
The Waterfront gets written off by some travellers as too touristy, but that misses the point. Yes, there are shops and restaurants, but there’s also a working harbour, the Clock Tower precinct with its Cape Dutch architecture, and the departure point for Robben Island.
Book your Robben Island tour well in advance during the peak season. The island tour takes around three hours and includes a guided walk through the prison by a former political prisoner, Nelson Mandela, one of the most powerful experiences on any list of top 10 tourist attractions in Cape Town.
7. Day Trip to the Constantia Wine Valley
Twenty minutes from the city centre, the Constantia Valley is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the southern hemisphere. Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, and Groot Constantia are all worth a visit, and most estates have excellent kitchens attached.
If you’re searching for a ‘tourist spot near me’ amongst the top ten things to do in Cape Town that feels nothing like a tourist trap, Constantia delivers. It’s relaxed, beautiful, and genuinely world-class. You don’t need a tour, just a car and a designated driver.
Stop for Lunch: Foresters Arms, Newlands
If you’re making a day of the southern suburbs, Constantia in the morning for hiking or the peninsula in the afternoon, you’ll need a proper lunch stop. Foresters Arms in Newlands is exactly that.
This Newlands institution has been feeding Cape Town since 1903. We are a proper pub with a shaded garden, a reliable kitchen turning out well-executed classics, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that makes you want to linger over a second drink.
It’s a well-loved neighbourhood spot that captures the relaxed, convivial spirit Cape Town does so well. We are situated at 103 Brommersvlei Road, Newlands. Bookings are recommended as our restaurant does get busy, even during the week.
8. Hike in the Table Mountain National Park’s Southern Sections
The Silvermine and Tokai sections of the national park offer some of the finest ‘points of interest near me’ for hikers who want more space and a quieter experience. Fynbos lines the trails, the views stretch to both coasts, and the paths are well-maintained and accessible from the southern suburbs.
Check the weather before you go, carry water, and wear sunscreen regardless of cloud cover. The Cape sun is not subtle.
9. Visit the Oranjezicht City Farm Market
Every Saturday morning, the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at the V&A Waterfront draws Cape Town’s best small producers, bakers, and food artisans together. It’s not a craft market; it’s a genuine community food market with exceptional coffee, local cheeses, fresh bread, and enough variety to constitute a full breakfast.
10. Sunset from Signal Hill or Lion’s Head
Cape Town’s sunsets are extraordinary and are easily among the top ten things to do in Cape Town. Signal Hill is the easiest place to watch one. Drive up, park, and settle in. For something more active, the Lion’s Head sunset hike (or the famous full moon hike) gives you an elevated perspective over the city as the sky turns.
This is the perfect way to end a long day of exploration and one of those things to do in Cape Town that costs nothing and leaves a lasting impression. After the sun goes down, the city lights up beautifully below.
Top Ten Things to Do in Cape Town: Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
- Getting around: Uber is reliable and affordable across most of the city. For the peninsula and wine routes, a rental car or hired driver gives you the most freedom. The MyCiTi bus is useful for the Atlantic Seaboard and Waterfront.
- Best season: October to April offers the most reliable weather, but Cape Town is a year-round destination. The southeaster wind (the “Cape Doctor”) arrives in summer and can be fierce; it’s worth checking the forecast before planning outdoor activities.
- A note on load-shedding: South Africa experiences scheduled power outages known as load-shedding. Check the Eskom schedule before heading out, particularly if you’re planning to visit smaller restaurants or attractions.
- Safety: Cape Town is a city that rewards awareness. Stick to well-trafficked areas after dark, use Uber rather than walking late at night, and follow local advice on which neighbourhoods to explore independently.
Top Ten Things to Do in Cape Town
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, Cape Town rewards visitors who plan thoughtfully. Use this guide of top ten things to do in Cape Town as your starting point, build in some flexibility, and give yourself time to move at your own pace between stops. And when you need a proper lunch break in the southern suburbs, you know where to go. Book your table at Foresters Arms by calling 021 689 5949, dropping us an email at reservations@forries.co.za, or booking online via the Dine Plan form on our website.
