Cape City is an unimaginable metropolis with many nice things to do. Regardless if you happen to come right here for the primary time otherwise you’re a frequent customer there shall be at all times one thing new to experience and to strive within the metropolis. We’ve put collectively this checklist of things to do in Cape City primarily based on one’s pursuits to make your alternative simpler. Whether or not you might be an journey lover, a tradition vulture, or a foodie you’ll discover right here the perfect actions to incorporate in your Cape City itinerary.
There are some things that simply can’t be skipped when visiting Cape City. Here’s a checklist of 9 such actions that we as locals advocate to each vacationer coming to town.
You will discover extra data on the highlights of Cape City in our submit on 15 prime locations to go to in Cape City.
Take a cable automobile as much as Desk Mountain
- The perfect time of the day to go to – mornings and evenings, within the afternoon the mountain is commonly coated in clouds. I’d recommend checking the forecast or searching of the window earlier than you determine to go up.
- Opening hours – in summer time (November to March) from 6.30 am (first automobile up) to Four pm (final automobile up)/5 pm (final automobile down), in winter (April to October) from Eight am
- Admission price – one-way (up or down) ZAR 220/US$12 for adults and ZAR 120/US$6 for kids. A return ticket adults – ZAR 395/US$22 (morning time) and ZAR 340/US$19 (after 1 pm); youngsters – ZAR 195/US$11 (morning time), ZAR 170/US$10 (after 1 pm).
Desk Mountain excursions & actions
Visiting Desk Mountain is a not-to-miss factor to do in Cape City. Taking the cable automobile is the quickest and easiest method of attending to the highest. If you happen to’re up for a bit of journey and have sufficient time you may get to the highest by following one of many Desk Mountain climbing trails. From up there you may get among the finest views of town and the encircling space. As soon as on the highest, you possibly can spend a few hours there it’s an enormous space with a number of nice look-out factors, strolling routes, a restaurant, and a memento store. The trip within the cable automobile takes 5 minutes.
In the course of the December vacation and over the weekends in summer time I’d advocate shopping for your tickets upfront. Within the peak season, you may spend a while ready within the queue to board the automobile. Apart from some breathtaking views on the highest of Desk Mountain you possibly can see many cute little dassies (rock rabbits) operating round and occasional baboons in search of meals. If you happen to’re going up within the morning or night take a jacket or a jumper it will get fairly cool up there.
It’s crucial to have journey insurance coverage if you go to a faraway nation. Cape City presents an amazing vary of out of doors and journey actions from climbing and paragliding to shark cage diving and abseiling. Earlier than occurring an journey be sure to have insurance coverage to cowl you in case one thing goes mistaken. If you happen to don’t have an insurance coverage firm we will advocate utilizing World Nomads. They’ve been working within the journey trade for a few years, have versatile insurance policies, and concentrate on masking out of doors actions. It takes solely a few minutes to purchase your insurance coverage on-line from wherever on the earth. You should purchase it to cowl your entire journey or particular days. Get an prompt quote proper now!
There are lots of nice espresso retailers in Cape City the place you possibly can cease for espresso and breakfast on the way in which to Desk Mountain or Lion’s Head.
Watch the sundown/dawn from Lion’s Head
- Greatest time of the day to go to – sundown or dawn for security causes it’s not really helpful to wander round at night time time. If you wish to come for the dawn be part of a bunch or a tour.
- Opening hours – 24 hours
- Admission price – free
Lion’s Head excursions & actions
One other iconic mountain in Cape City. It isn’t as excessive as Desk Mountain nevertheless it is likely one of the finest spots within the metropolis for watching the sundown. From the highest of Lion’s Head, you possibly can see the Metropolis Bowl, Camps Bay, Sea Level, Robben Island, and plenty of different metropolis points of interest. If you happen to can’t make it for the sundown you possibly can come right here at any time of the day the gorgeous views are assured. Lion’s Head hike is likely one of the finest hikes in Cape City. It’s a bit of bit difficult. The final half entails ladders and ropes, be certain to put on snug sneakers and an acceptable outfit. Locals come right here for the sundown as nicely.
If climbing to the highest of Lion’s Head is an excessive amount of of a mission you possibly can benefit from the sundown from the highest of close by Sign Hill. Getting up there’s a lot simpler; you possibly can mainly drive all the way in which. I’d recommend arriving at Lion’s Head or Sign Hill at the very least an hour earlier than sundown. You’ll want a while to discover a parking spot and to get to the highest.
Discover the colourful Bo Kaap neighborhood
- Greatest time of the day to go to – any time of the day by means of the sunshine round noon isn’t the perfect for taking images
- Working hours – 24 hours
- Admission price – free
Bo Kaap excursions & actions
The brightest and essentially the most colourful neighborhood in Cape City. Colours rule right here; inexperienced, crimson, blue, orange, yellow, and purple homes lined up alongside the slender cobbled streets of Bo Kaap. It’s troublesome to decide on the place to pose for images. Regardless of its funky look Bo Kaap wasn’t at all times that colourful. Its first residents had been slaves delivered to South Africa principally from Malaysia and Indonesia. The second identify of the neighborhood is the Malay Quarter.
After the abolition of slavery in the UK, native residents determined to color their homes in numerous colours as an indication of freedom and individuality. These days Bo Kaap has change into one of many metropolis symbols like Desk Mountain or Robben Island.
Stroll alongside V&A Waterfront
- Greatest time of the day to go to – any time of the day by means of the sunshine round noon isn’t the perfect for taking images
- Working hours – 24 hours
- Admission price – free
V&A Waterfront excursions & actions
V&A Waterfront might be the perfect and most secure space within the metropolis for strolling just about any time of the day. There are a number of points of interest to go to right here; V&A Clock Tower, Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Wheel, and Zeitz Trendy Africa Artwork Museum. You’ll be able to spend an hour or two strolling round, watching avenue reveals, ingesting espresso, consuming, purchasing, and so forth.
There are lots of eating places, cafes, and memento retailers right here. The realm is at all times busy and full of individuals, it has a pleasant festive vibe. Vovo Telo espresso retailers and bakery is our favourite place to return for breakfast or cease for a cup of espresso with a freshly-baked pastry. Many cruises and boat excursions depart from the Waterfront.
Go to Robben island
- Greatest time of the day to go to – mornings, the tour takes nearly Four hours.
- Departing instances – boats depart Three instances a day; at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm, and three pm
- Admission price – ZAR600/US$33 adults, ZAR310/US$17 youngsters (2-17 yo). The value features a return boat trip and a 2-hour guided tour.
Robben Island excursions and actions
Robben Island is an important place in South African historical past, a spot the place Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail. The overall space of the island is 5km, and it may be visited solely as part of a tour. Excursions depart from V&A Waterfront. There are 3-Four each day departures. The tour takes between Three and Four hours. I’d strongly advocate doing the earliest tour that leaves at 8.30 with the intention to have sufficient time to go to different metropolis points of interest within the afternoon. In the course of the tour, you’ll be taught in regards to the historical past of the island, and its most well-known prisoners, go to Mandela’s cell, and get a while to stroll round. You should purchase tickets on-line.
The identify in Afrikaans means “Seal Island”, you possibly can see various seals on the Island and on the way in which to it. Robben Island has a protracted historical past; for nearly three centuries it was used as a jail principally for political convicts.
Books about South African historical past
Go to Camps Bay
- Greatest time of the day to go to – any time of the day although within the second half the sunshine is best for taking images, at sundown the realm appears gorgeous.
The flowery neighborhood of Cape City with lovely seashores, ice-cold water, luxurious mansions, and posh eating places. Even when all these don’t sound like your sort of place, it’s nonetheless value coming right here for the spectacular view. White sand seashores, large boulders, blue colour water, and a powerful mountain vary within the background. It’s positively probably the most lovely areas of town. Camps Bay is a good space to return for a cocktail, to walk in your bikini alongside the seashore, or simply to take some superior images.
Discover Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard
- Greatest time of the day to go to – any time, in summer time it’s good to cover from the scorching afternoon warmth within the shade of the timber.
- Opening hours – summer time 8am-7pm, winter 8am-6pm
- Admission price – ZAR210/US$11 adults; ZAR30/US$1,5 youngsters; (6-18 yo), free for kids underneath 6.
Kirstenbosch is a inexperienced paradise inside the metropolis. You may be stunned by this lush inexperienced backyard. A go to here’s a not-to-miss factor to do in Cape City. One can spend a full day right here. There are lots of strolling routes by means of the backyard together with some difficult longer routes just like the Skeleton Gorge that take hikers from the Backyard to the highest of Desk Mountain.
The Backyard is a good place for having a picnic on the grass. No have to carry meals and drinks. You should purchase a picnic basket at one of many native eating places. They’ve an amazing number of basket units together with vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free choices. There are a number of thematic gardens that symbolize the vegetation of the totally different components of South Africa. A cover tree walkway is to not miss in Kirstenbosch, a steel bridge that makes its method over the timber of the Arboretum. The form of the bridge was impressed by a snake physique, it’s fairly curvy. The bridge presents nice views of the Backyard.
Style wines in Constantia
- Greatest time of the day to go to – any time of the day
- Opening hours – most tasting rooms are open between 10am and 4pm
- Tasting price – between ZAR 70-100/US$3-5 per individual
Constantia excursions & actions
Wine tasting is a bucket checklist exercise in Cape City. In Constantia, you’ll discover among the oldest wine estates within the nation that make unique wines. What might be higher than driving round lovely wine farms, tasting nice wine, and having fun with the implausible surroundings of Constantia? Among the most famous wine estates in Constantia are; Klein Constantia, possibly probably the most lovely wine farms in Cape City; Groot Constantia, the oldest wine farm in South Africa; Steenberg Vineyards, which boasts a luxurious lodge and produces nice wines.
If you happen to’re planning on doing critical tasting relatively take a taxi or use a shuttle bus don’t drink and drive. There are a number of lodging choices within the space if in case you have time you possibly can spend right here a few days tasting wine and stress-free. There are wine estates in Constantia in two days you’ll have the ability to go to all of them with out speeding round.
Locations to remain in Constantia
When you have extra time and wish to do extra wine tasting in Cape Winelands be certain to go to Durbanville wine farms. It’s a distinct wine route in Cape City that produces nice wines and presents some gorgeous views of Desk Mountain.
Drive across the Cape Peninsula
- Greatest time of the day to go to – it’s higher to drive within the morning to have sufficient time to discover the realm.
- Opening hours – Chapman’s Peak Drive is open 24 hours, most Nationwide parks work from 8am to 6pm.
- Admission price – Chapman’s Peak drive tall street ZAR 57/US$Three per automobile,
Cape Peninsula excursions & actions
A street journey round Cape Peninsula is likely one of the most scenic drives within the metropolis and an ideal place for a day journey from Cape City. It’s positively a bucket-list factor to do within the metropolis. The well-known Chapman’s Peak drive is part of it. A giant a part of the drive is alongside the rugged coast of the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a nice variety of look-outs and viewpoints the place you possibly can cease alongside the route. It’ll take just about a full day to do the drive and to cease on the major points of interest. There are lots of good eating places alongside the path to cease for breakfast or lunch. To do that journey you possibly can lease a automobile or be part of one of many urged excursions.
The highlights of the drive
- Seals at Hout Bay. Right here you possibly can see seals on the harbor or do a ship tour to identify extra of them and even snorkel with these majestic creatures
- Chapman’s Peak Drive is a 15-kilometer breathtaking street alongside the rugged coast of the Atlantic Ocean with gorgeous look-outs.
- The attractive seashores of Kommetjie are among the finest locations for browsing in Cape City.
- Cape Level Nature Reserve is likely one of the finest locations in Cape City to do climbing, there are a number of trails contained in the park
- The penguin colony at Boulders Seaside is a good looking white-sand seashore surrounded by large boulders with many cute African penguins.
- Colourful seashore cabins in Muizenberg are a row of crimson, inexperienced, yellow, and blue picket cabins alongside the seashore
There may be actually so much to see and to do within the space if in case you have time to spend right here a few days may be a superb choice.
Locations to remain alongside the Cape Peninsula
Paragliding from Lion’s Head or Sign Hill
If you happen to’re in search of a panoramic journey in Cape City tandem paragliding from one of many iconic metropolis mountains is an ideal exercise. In the course of the flight, you possibly can benefit from the contemporary sea breeze and breathtaking views of town. The touchdown is on the seashore at Sea Level. You’ll be able to go paragliding any time of the day however paragliding on the sundown is an imposing experience. The flight is round 20 minutes throughout that point you get to see Desk Mountain, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, Camps Bay, the Waterfront, the Atlantic Shoreline, and so forth. Just about all major metropolis points of interest.
Go on a safari drive
There are a few massive personal sport reserves not too removed from Cape City that may be visited as a day or a two days journey from town. I’d positively advocate doing a safari drive in a non-public sport reserve if you’re not planning to go to any of the Nationwide Parks in South Africa. A visit to Africa received’t be full with out seeing African animals roaming freely within the wild. A wonderful thing about visiting one of many sport reserves close to Cape City is that it’s malaria-free.
Aquila Personal Sport Reserve is likely one of the hottest locations to do a safari from Cape City. The reserve is 170km away, it may be visited in at some point from town. Right here you possibly can see many animals together with the Huge 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo). There are tons of of animals within the park. You are able to do a morning, afternoon, or night time safari driving your self or be part of a safari drive with the park rangers. The sport reserve presents lodge rooms and cottages on its territory. Staying right here for an evening is an effective way to discover extra of the park and see extra animals. E book your room at Aquila Reserve on-line.
Inverdoorn Personal Sport Reserve is one other standard place to go on a safari journey from Cape City. The reserve is 140km away from town, it may be visited as a return day journey from Cape City. Guests can see right here the Huge 5 and plenty of different African animals like zebras, giraffes, antelopes, cheetahs, and so forth. The reserve presents luxurious lodging on its territory. E book your lodging at Inverdoorn Sport Reserve on-line.
Log on/kitesurfing
Cape City has a number of glorious surf spots unfold out alongside its coast appropriate for all ranges. The perfect time to surf is in winter when the larger swells come by means of. Inside False Bay the water is barely hotter and breaks are comparatively protected for novices. The perfect spots for novices are The Surfer’s Nook in Muizenberg and a few seashore breaks at Huge Bay/Bloubergstrand. Each locations are a couple of 30-minute drive from town heart. Lengthy Seaside at Kommetjie is an effective spot for extra superior surfers.
Browsing classes are from ZAR 500/US$27, the worth features a surfboard and a wetsuit. If you understand how to surf and don’t want classes you possibly can lease a surfboard.
If you wish to be taught browsing in Cape City it’s higher to remain in Muizenberg or Huge Bay there are a few surf colleges and equipment rental locations there.
Bloubergstrand/Huge Bay is the perfect place in Cape City for kitesurfing. You’ll be able to kitesurf right here all yr spherical, however the perfect time is November to March when the winds are sturdy and constant. Kite classes, 3h30min. from ZAR950/US$50 per day together with gear. From our experience, I can inform you it’s tougher than it appears.
Do a whale-watching tour
Cape City is an unimaginable place for watching wildlife. Not many different massive cities on the earth can provide the unimaginable biodiversity of Cape City. In a few days driving across the metropolis, you possibly can see each the African Huge 5 (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo) and the Marine Huge 5 (whale, shark, seal, penguin, and dolphin).
Yearly between July and November Southern proper whales come to South African shores for breeding. The months of July, August, and September are the height season when your possibilities to identify whales from a ship are very excessive. Hermanus is the perfect spot for whale watching close to Cape City. These mild giants are unimaginable creatures. Having the ability to see them from shut by is as soon as in a lifetime experience for many individuals. Even in comparison with a giant boat that may match about 40 passengers they’re large.
As a bonus in July and August you get to see child whales like every infants they’re very cute and playful. When you have a while we’d advocate spending a day or two right here, it’s a good looking city. There are lots of nice things to do in Hermanus.
Whale watching excursions
Snorkel with seals
Watching these playful animals from shut by is a enjoyable and thrilling experience. There are lots of Cape Seals within the chilly water of the Atlantic Ocean round Cape City; your possibilities to see them snorkeling are very excessive. These guys are very curious not like many wild animals after they see individuals approaching they’re very more likely to get nearer and test you out. The water is chilly, and also you’ll want a wetsuit even for snorkeling however the gear is normally included within the value of the tour. Snorkeling is finished from boats. The boats depart from the Waterfront and from the harbor in Hout Bay.
Boat and snorkeling excursions
Renting a kayak or becoming a member of a tour and rowing across the Cape Peninsula having fun with the implausible surroundings and observing the varied marine lifetime of the area is an incredible factor to do on a pleasant summer time day. There are a number of standard spots in Cape City for kayaking; V&A Waterfront, Hout Bay, and Simon’s City. On the Waterfront and Hout Bay, you’ll see Cape seals, possibly some dolphins, and plenty of sea birds. Kayaking from Boulders Seaside you’ll see many African penguins and birds, an opportunity to see dolphins and seals. If you happen to don’t have a lot experience kayaking within the open water I’d advocate as an alternative becoming a member of a tour.
Discover Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch is known for its nice wines, breathtaking surroundings, and among the finest Universities within the nation. There are about 160 wine farms within the Stellenbosch space; most of them have tasting rooms. You’ll be able to come to Stellenbosch only for a day or spend right here a few days. It’s an amazing place for a weekend escape from Cape City. You’ll be able to take pleasure in the great thing about the realm and style among the finest wines within the nation.
Stellenbosch excursions
There are lots of wine farms in Stellenbosch, don’t attempt to go to as many can it can simply spoil the entire experience. Fairly select Four or 5 locations and take your time, find out about totally different cultivates, style, examine, and do chocolate or cheese & wine pairing.
There are lots of things to do in Stellenbosch moreover wine tasting (climbing, biking, horseback driving, and so forth.) to maintain you busy it’s completely value staying right here for a few days.
Locations to remain in Stellenbosch
Franschhoek is the famend meals capital of South Africa. Regardless of the small dimension, it’s house to among the finest eating places and most interesting wine estates within the nation. Like Stellenbosch you possibly can go to Franschhoek as a day journey from Cape City however if in case you have time I’d advocate staying right here for a few days. It’s an ideal place for a romantic getaway or a household vacation. We love coming right here for Valentine’s Day or our marriage ceremony anniversary there are a lot of things to do in Franschhoek. If you happen to’re a single traveler becoming a member of one of many wine-tasting excursions or leaping on the wine tram are two nice methods to discover the realm.
Franschhoek excursions
There are actually many wine farms within the space. We’ve a few favorites that we go to nearly each time we come to Franschhoek. Many wine estates have eating places the place you possibly can mix wine tasting with lunch. If you happen to determine to remain in Franschhoek for dinner I’d advocate reserving it at the very least a day upfront.
Locations to remain in Franschhoek
Really useful books & guidebooks
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How one can get round Cape City?
The simplest method of getting across the metropolis is to lease a automobile particularly if you happen to’re planning on doing day journeys and go to some points of interest exterior Cape City. You’ll be able to lease a automobile on the airport on arrival and drop it in if you depart. For driving across the metropolis I’d recommend renting a smallish automobile which you could simply park on the slender streets of Cape City. All roads across the metropolis are tar no have to lease a giant off-road automobile.
Utilizing the Cape City Sightseeing bus to commute between metropolis points of interest is an effective method for many who don’t need to lease a automobile. There are totally different routes that cowl just about your entire metropolis. On the bus, you get numerous details about town and its points of interest. There are 1 and 2-day bus tickets. You should purchase Metropolis Sightseeing bus tickets on-line.
Cape City journey planning assets
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a 10 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
