With its marvellous mountain backdrop at the tip of the continent, this fascinating city belies cliché and truly melds cultures, cuisines and landscapes.
Whether taking it all in from on top of Table Mountain or visiting the historic Robben Island prison, it’s hard to ignore Cape Town’s connection to past, present and future. Visit this southern African city to create lasting memories of architectural styles, natural wonders and diverse experiences.
Things to do in Cape Town
Immerse yourself in nature at the Cape of Good Hope, an expansive area of deserted beaches, walking trails, great birdwatching and more in Table Mountain National Park. Pick up a map at the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre before starting your explorations. Look for the more than 250 species of bird that have been spotted here, take a hike or a bike ride, or hop on the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the 19th-century lighthouse and a spectacular ridgeway path to the point’s new lighthouse.
Gardeners can’t miss the world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens. Start at the main entrance at the Newlands end of the gardens to pick up a map at the information centre and visit the conservatory. Walk the popular Tree Canopy, or Boomslang, through the trees, join a free guided tour, explore the elevated fragrance garden and sculpture garden and hike up to Skeleton Gorge or Nursery Ravine on Table Mountain. If you’re visiting Cape Town in summer, attend a weekly Summer Sunset Concert in the gardens between November and April.
For an afternoon of shopping, visit Canal Walk, Greenmarket Square or the Pan African Market, where you can browse an array of African crafts, beadwork and wood carvings reflecting the region’s diverse cultural influences.
Cape Town’s history and culture
Start your tour of Cape Town’s past at the Castle of Good Hope in the city’s Central Business District. One of South Africa’s oldest historical landmarks, the castle is also considered one of the world’s best-preserved examples of 17th-century architecture. Notice the symmetrical layout, rounded gables and thick whitewashed walls that give the castle a timeless appeal.
For an entirely different look, visit Bo-Kaap, a predominantly Muslim Cape Malay neighbourhood known for its vibrantly coloured, flat-roofed houses set along cobblestone roads. The Cape Dutch- and Georgian-style homes date back to the 1760s when the residences were built and leased to slaves and political exiles.
Cape Town’s history and culture
If you’re a history buff, take a tour of Robben Island, used as a prison as far back as the days of the Dutch East India Company and until as recently as 1996. The UNESCO World Heritage Site contains Nelson Mandela’s cell, the lime quarry where he and others worked and the house where Robert Sobukwe, leader of the Pan-Africanist Congress, was held in solitary confinement.
Make your way to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the first-ever large-scale institution that exclusively showcases artists from the African continent and diaspora. Architecturally stunning, the museum, a former abandoned grain silo, sits on the popular V&A Waterfront. Look for art by France Goodman, Cyrus Kabiru, Julien Sinzogan and countless others, including Kehinde Wiley, who was commissioned to do Barack Obama’s presidential portrait.
Dining and nightlife in Cape Town
Shop alongside local residents at the Neighbourgoods Market on Saturdays, set in and around an old mill and offering artisan products and gourmet foods. The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is another weekend favourite, frequented by independent local farmers who sell their produce and other goods every Saturday in Granger Bay.
Savour traditional Cape Malay curry and bilton at restaurants in the Camps Bay and Woodstock neighbourhoods, sticking around for cocktails as the sun sets beyond the beach, and along Long and Kloof streets, known for their eclectic cafes. Go wine tasting in the Cape Winelands, and seek out traditional braii, the classic South African barbecue experience.
Those seeking after-dinner theatre can attend one of the numerous shows at the Artscape Theatre Centre or Baxter Theatre, cultural epicentres with everything from comedy acts to ballet. The former is within walking distance of the vibrant Rodenbosch neighbourhood, frequented by students for shopping and dining.
Getting around Cape Town
Fly into Cape Town International Airport, then use MyCiTi buses, share-ride services and rental cars to get around. While compact and navigable on foot, many of the city’s highlights lie outside its limits and there is a high crime rate, so driving or taking public transportation is suggested.
