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Looking for the best activities in Cape Town? You’re in the right spot!
With mountains, beaches, and world-class wineries, I think it’s safe to say that there’s plenty to do in Cape Town. It’s the kind of place where you could spend months, but it would still leave you wanting more. So if you’re only here for a few days, how do you make sure to see the best of the city?
Well, our top 10 list is here to make things a little easier for you. We’ve compiled the best activities and tours that will show the city’s spectacular coastline, jaw-dropping mountains, and incredible wildlife. Doing activities with a guide is also one of the best ways to stay safe in Cape Town, so let’s get into it!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE Cape Town activity was this Big Five safari. We saw some of South Africa’s most iconic animals on a guided safari including elephants, rhinos, lions, and more!
Check out the 350+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: Reserve this tour here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa
- 1. Visit Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and penguins on a day trip
- 2. Go wine tasting in the famous Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch regions
- 3. Spot wildlife on a safari
- 4. Eat your way through the city
- 5. Get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline
- 6. See the best views of Cape Town on a helicopter tour
- 7. Cycle around Cape Town
- 8. Take a sunrise or sunset hike at Lion's Head
- 9. See wildlife on a boat tour
- 10. Explore the Cape Peninsula on a private tour
- Where to Stay in Cape Town, South Africa
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa
1. Visit Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and penguins on a day trip
- Price: $82 USD
- Duration: 8 – 10 hours
- Time: 7:05 am
- Highlights: Bo Kaap, Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point lighthouse, colorful beach huts in Muizenberg
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, bottled water, toll fee at Chapman’s Peak
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We were so impressed by this full-day tour because it does an incredible job of ticking off some of Cape Town’s most important highlights! It really showcases the beauty and variety of the Mother City, and we also loved the fact that we didn’t have to drive ourselves, because drivers in Cape Town can be aggressive, and driving here is quite stressful. So why not leave it to a pro?
The day kicked off by taking us to the colorful neighborhood of Bo Kaap. If you’ve ever Googled Cape Town, then I’m sure you’ve seen the photos of the brightly painted homes here!
Then, it was onto Table Mountain, aka Cape Town’s most famous attraction. We had to pay for our own cable car tickets on the day, but it was 100% worth it. The views up here are the best in the city.
Next, we drove along Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive, where red cliffs overlook the azure ocean. We love the fact that this tour allowed us to experience it without having to hire a car.
Then the day only got better when we arrived at Simon’s Town, which is home to the Boulders Beach penguin colony. Honestly, I think that there are very few experiences that can beat seeing adorable African penguins on a pristine beach.
Then, we also made stops at Cape Point and took in the views from the top of the lighthouse and popped into the famous surfer town of Muizenberg. We got back to central Cape Town at around 6 pm, feeling exhausted but very, very happy!
Check out the 1,200+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
2. Go wine tasting in the famous Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch regions
- Price: $101 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: visiting 3-4 wineries, small group tour, delicious lunch, lots of wine and food
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, 3-4 wine tastings, lunch, professional driver and guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 850+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
I’m not kidding when I say that wine tasting is an absolute must while you’re in Cape Town! The three main wine regions that surround the city are Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch, and this organized tour hits all three of them. Honestly, we couldn’t have loved it any more. It was the best day ever!
Now, I can’t tell you exactly which wineries you’ll visit on this tour, because our guide, Bruce, told us that it varies from day to day. However, given that this tour has over 800 5-star reviews, I can definitely say that they’ll be excellent!
We visited four very different wineries and got to try so many different South African wines at each. We loved the rustic vibes at Fairview Winery in Paarl, and we got to do a cellar tour here which was so much fun. There was also a cheese tasting, which was even better!
My personal favorite winery, though, was Le Pommier in Stellenbosch, which had the most delicious red wines, and such beautiful views that it almost didn’t feel real. We also saw ostriches at the Eikehoff winery in Franschhoek, which was pretty cool.
All the wineries were fantastic, but the day really wouldn’t have been the same without Bruce. He was an incredible guide who made us laugh and really brought our tour group together. Obviously, having a designated driver is super handy on a wine tour, but Bruce was so much more than that!
All in all, we highly recommend this tour. It was easily one of the best things we did in Cape Town, and we will 100% do it again when we return.
Reserve this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Spot wildlife on a safari
- Price: $119 – $245 USD, depending on group size
- Duration: 10 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: spotting the most famous African animals on a game drive, spending time at a luxurious resort, driving along the Du Toitskloof Pass, wine tasting on the way back to the city, stop at Du Kloof Lodge
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private driver and guide
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
One of the biggest draws of traveling to South Africa is spotting the Big Five on a safari. And by the Big Five, I’m referring to the group of African mammals that are considered the most difficult and dangerous to hunt: elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and lions.
The only problem is that you don’t tend to find these that close to Cape Town! Luckily, we booked this safari tour, which involves a 2-hour drive around a game reserve. It’s not quite the same as seeing these animals in the wild, but it does come pretty close!
We booked this tour based on the hundreds of 5-star reviews (check them out here), and it provided transport to a luxurious game reserve, where we had an amazing day.
When we arrived at the reserve, we did have to pay the entry fee on the day, so just bear that in mind when budgeting! We paid R1,690 ($93 USD) as we went during the high season, which covered a game drive, a buffet lunch, and use of the gorgeous on-site infinity pool. Bring your bathing suit!
The leader of our game drive, Charlie, was knowledgeable and taught us so much about animal behavior. We spotted four out of the Big Five (no leopards, sadly!), as well as hippos, giraffes, springboks, and zebras. It was an incredible experience and one that we will remember for a long time to come.
On the way back to the city, we stopped for a wine tasting in Du Toitskloof in Paarl. Du Toitskloof is a very well-known local wine, and the tasting only cost R50 ($2 USD), so we were very happy to partake!
This tour was the best experience that we had in Cape Town. Spotting wildlife, tasting wine, and hanging out at a luxurious resort is pretty hard to beat! So honestly, if you only book one tour in Cape Town, I suggest that you make it this one.
Check availability and book our favorite tour in Cape Town here!
4. Eat your way through the city
- Price: $112 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 12 pm or 1 pm
- Highlights: sampling lots of Cape Malay food, trying local favorites, exploring Bo Kaap, checking out trendy Bree Street, visiting De Waterkant
- Inclusions: food tastings, beer, wine, tea and coffee, professional guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This food tour is hands down our favorite way to spend an afternoon in Cape Town! Before traveling to Cape Town, we didn’t realize what an incredible foodie city it is and a lot of the best food we had was on this small-group food tour with our awesome guide, Marianne.
We kicked off the tour by exploring the famous Bo Kaap area, which is known for its colorful houses but is also home to some incredible Cape Malay food. We loved trying Koeksisters and Chakalaka here, which are two of the most iconic (and delicious!) South African dishes. I especially enjoyed washing the chakalaka down with some local craft beer!
Then, we crossed over to De Waterkant, which is a really pretty enclave with pastel-painted houses. It’s not as famous as Bo Kaap but it’s actually even more photogenic, so bring your camera! We visited a local cafe and b&b, and enjoyed some bobotie up on the roof. Then, we did a wine tasting, enjoyed some Malva pudding for dessert, and finished the tour at a waterfront bar in the Foreshore area.
Marianne did tell us that the tour itinerary changes day to day, so you won’t necessarily visit the same places and eat the same things that we did. But trust me, if you’re with Marianne, then you’ll be in very good hands – she’s the best!
We would recommend this tour to absolutely anyone who wants to get to know Cape Town better. It’s a fantastic way to get your bearings, geographically speaking, and we always say that the best way to get to know a new city is through its stomach.
Get to know Cape Town when you book this top-rated food tour here!
5. Get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline
- Price: $49 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Highlights: exciting zipline course, amazing views of Table Mountain, seeing the flora of the Cape Fynbos kingdom
- Inclusions: access to the zipline course, safety equipment, friendly guides, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 2,000+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We had a blast tackling this zipline course, which just so happens to be one of the longest in Africa! It’s situated in the eastern foothills of Table Mountain, so you get amazing views of the “other” side of the mountain as you zoom from platform to platform.
We really can’t say enough good things about this tour. The course was so much fun, with seven different lines of varying lengths and gradients. The time just flew by – literally!
We have to give a shoutout to our guides, Mussa and Ronald, who gave a lot of encouragement to those in our group who were a bit nervous. The tour was also very well-paced, as we had enough time to catch our breath and enjoy the views on the platforms between ziplines. However, since it was a small group tour, there wasn’t a lot of waiting around and we definitely didn’t get bored.
We also enjoyed chatting with our guides and they were also happy to snap photos for us and made us laugh the entire time!
All in all, this is not only a fun, adrenaline-fueled experience, but it’s also a great way to take in the beauty of Cape Town.
Don’t miss out – book this tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. See the best views of Cape Town on a helicopter tour
- Price: $265 USD
- Duration: 25 minutes
- Time: 9 am – 5:30 pm
- Highlights: aerial views of Table Mountain, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Signal Hill, the Twelve Apostles, the Atlantic Seaboard, and the Southern Suburbs
- Inclusions: hotel pickup, 25-minute helicopter flight, live commentary
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
With its majestic mountains and pristine coastline, Cape Town is easily one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. So what better way to see it than from a helicopter?
This 25-minute flight is one of our favorite trip memories. We flew along the Atlantic coast, past popular areas like Sea Point, the Clifton Beaches, Camps Bay, and the gorgeous Llandudno Beach. Then, the scenery only got more dramatic as we flew along the dramatic False Bay coast, past Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak.
We couldn’t help but “ooh” and “aah” at the craggy mountains and pristine beaches as we soared over it all.
We then flew inland over Cape Town’s southern suburbs back to our starting point, so we were basically following Table Mountain. It was honestly incredible to see how one city can be home to such a variety of landscapes. This flight definitely made us fall even deeper in love with Cape Town, which we didn’t think was possible!
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here.
7. Cycle around Cape Town
- Price: $76 – $139 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10 am or 2 pm
- Highlights: Bo Kaap, Green Point Park, the Company’s Garden, Adderley Street, the Castle of Good Hope
- Inclusions: bike or e-bike rental, professional guide, helmet
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Cycling around Cape Town in the South African sunshine is such an amazing way to see the city! We had the best time on this 3-hour tour and loved seeing the city’s highlights on two wheels. In my opinion, this would be the perfect tour to do if you’re short on time in the city!
We loved our guide, Mike. He knew so much about the city’s history, gave us some helpful safety tips, and amazing restaurant recommendations. He was clearly a very experienced guide, and he did a great job of accommodating everybody in our group and ensuring that no one got left behind.
We went for regular bikes, as the route isn’t too hilly, but there’s also the option to rent e-bikes if you’d like to save your energy!
From colorful Bo Kaap to Green Point Park, this tour showcased central Cape Town well. Lots of tours focus on attractions that are further out of the city, but this cycling tour showed us the areas where locals tend to spend time and live their daily lives.
So if you’re looking for a fun way to get to know Cape Town better, then be sure to grab your spot on this cycling tour!
Check availability and book this tour here, before it sells out!
8. Take a sunrise or sunset hike at Lion’s Head
- Price: $65 – $200 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 3:30 am, 4 am, 6 am, 4 pm, or 4:30 pm
- Highlights: incredible sunrise/sunset views from the top of Lion’s Head, hiking with a knowledgeable local guide, convenient transport and trail knowledge, private or shared tour options
- Inclusions: transportation (hotel pick up if selected), headlamps
- Rating: 5 stars (check 600+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Hiking is easily one of our favorite pastimes, although it’s not always super easy abroad. We have to figure out transportation, find the trailhead (which can be surprisingly difficult) and ensure trail safety – I often skip out on epic hikes just because I don’t want the hassle!
That’s why we were so excited to find this guided sunrise or sunset hike at Lion’s Head. This is one of Cape Town’s most popular hiking spots, located in Table Mountain National Park, and going at sunrise or sunset is definitely the best time to go. We opted to go at sunrise, but either option is incredible!
Our guide, Kurt, picked us up from our hotel and knew exactly where to go. This hike definitely isn’t a walk in the park, which is another reason we were happy to have Kurt with us. He led the way, made sure we were staying hydrated and taking breaks, and encouraged us as we made the climb. The trail is about 4.5 kilometers (about 2.8 miles) in total, so while it’s not super long, there is a relatively steep climb.
We had a lot of fun climbing up the mountain with our headlamps that Kurt brought, as it was still dark when we took off. Again – he is a lifesaver!
Even though this isn’t an easy hike, it’s one of the top activities for a reason – the views make it all worth it! I will never forget the incredible sunrise over the mountains with the ocean sprawling below. It’s a stunning sight!
Overall, this hike was a ton of fun and worth any effort. You can choose to take a shared or private tour, and if you want hotel pick up or not – so it’s all super flexible. We loved this experience and certainly aren’t the only ones, check out the 600+ 5-star reviews here!
Don’t miss out – book this popular tour in advance here!
9. See wildlife on a boat tour
- Price: $80 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 7 am, 9 am, 11:30 am, 5 pm
- Highlights: spotting local marine life including dolphins, seals, and penguins; views of Table Mountain and Robben Island; small group tour; professional skipper and guide
- Inclusions: boat ride, professional guide, life jackets
- Rating: 5 stars (check 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We had the best time on this boat tour! Cruising along the Atlantic coast and spotting Cape Town’s abundant marine life was an epic experience, and we would do it again in a heartbeat. I mean, there are very few things that beat spotting dolphins swimming alongside your boat!
Not only did we see lots of dolphins, but we also saw a few African penguins riding the waves, which was so cute. We also spotted a sunfish floating on its side, and there were tons of Cape Fur seals around. Every time we spotted a new animal, our skipper, Paul, would turn off the engine and make sure that everyone on the boat was able to get a close-up view. It was a bit like a marine safari!
Paul also taught us so much about Cape Town’s marine ecosystem, and he had a knack for knowing where all of the best creatures would be. In fact, he told us that he changes the route every day in line with sightings and the weather conditions to ensure that his passengers get the best chances of spotting wildlife. We couldn’t have asked for a better skipper!
As far as we’re concerned, this boat tour is a must while you’re in Cape Town. After all, it’s a coastal city, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to spot marine life, not to mention beautiful views of the mountains from out on the water?
Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour in advance here.
10. Explore the Cape Peninsula on a private tour
- Price: $260 USD per group of 4 people
- Duration: 6-9 hours
- Time: 8:30 am – 10 am
- Highlights: customizable itinerary, Bo Kaap, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Muizenberg
- Inclusions: private driver and guide, private air-conditioned car, customizable itinerary
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Last, but certainly not least, we think that this private tour of the Cape Peninsula is the ideal way to see as many of Cape Town’s highlights as possible in just one day. It’s truly the perfect tour if you only have a few days to spend in Cape Town.
What we love about this tour is that since it’s a private tour, the itinerary is fully customizable. It’s truly your day, your way! Your private driver will take you all over the Cape Peninsula, so you can tick off all of the must-see highlights such as Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, and more.
We had already done those things on another tour that we did, so we asked our driver to take us to Camps Bay and Hout Bay to start with. We enjoyed the atmosphere along the Camps Bay strip, checked out the Hout Bay Harbour Market, and checked out two pristine beaches in the area. We even saw some penguins!
Then we went behind what our driver, Michael, called Cape Town’s “lentil curtain” to check out the hippie areas of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. We loved the Kalk Bay tidal pools and seeing all of the artsy boutiques, and we were super impressed by Muizenberg’s gorgeous surfing beach.
We had the best day, because we got to do exactly what we wanted, and we had Michael’s full attention the entire time. He was a fantastic, friendly guide who went above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing day.
Book this tour here to access FREE cancellation before you take off!
Where to Stay in Cape Town, South Africa
Now that you’ve planned the perfect Cape Town itinerary, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! I love staying in Cape Town because you can have those luxury water-front resorts, trendy city stays, or something closer to nature.
There are also a lot of great options for a range of budgets, so I’ve listed three great options for a luxury, mid-range, or budget hotel.
Luxury – $$$
The Glen Boutique Hotel & Spa will give you a luxury stay, no matter if you book a double room or a penthouse suite (the choice is yours!). The entire hotel is trendy and modern, and you can enjoy views of the pool, mountains, or ocean from your balcony. Located in Sea Point, you’ll be close to the beach and not far from Cape Town’s best sights.
Room prices fluctuate but can start as low as $200 or $400, so I recommend booking early to secure the best price. Book this stay on Booking.com!
Mid-range – $$
The Onyx Apartment Hotel is an excellent mid-range pick, located in Central Cape Town. These apartment-style rooms offer everything you need for a comfortable stay, including stylish furnishings, rooms with balconies, two onsite pools, and a restaurant.
Prices start around $180 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Budget – $
I love the MOY Guesthouse & Backpackers for a budget option because you can choose between a boutique private room, or a well-kept dorm room! Regardless of which you choose, you can enjoy the shared lounge, ensuite bathrooms, or enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, or hiking – all of which are nearby!
You can get a shared dorm room for about $23 USD or a private room starting at $75 USD. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
For more options, see all of Cape Town’s hotels here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Cape Town is full of adventure, whether you’re in the city, in the mountains, or on a safari! We loved exploring this vibrant city and are already looking forward to our next trip. Even if you only check off one or two of the things on this list, you’re guaranteed to have a good time!
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve been all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and top travel tips. I’ll leave a few blogs below to encourage your travel inspiration – cheers!
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