Choose from 64 Fun Things to Do in Cape Town
ShowingFilter 21-40 of 64 listings.
Lion's Head
This iconic peak in Table Mountain National Park stretches some 2,000 feet above sea level and its Lion-shaped apex is visible from almost anywhere in Cape Town. Visitors can make the challenging hour-long climb to the top and enjoy epic views of Table Mountain and the city skyline, and those seeking a high adventure can use the slopes of Lion’s Head as a launching point for paragliding.
Practical Info
It’s possible to walk to Lion’s Head from downtown, but it’s most accessible by taxi. Remember to get the driver’s number on the way up if you want to avoid a long walk home.
Address: Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 64
Iziko Slave Lodge Museum
The Slave Lodge Museum, housed in one of the city’s oldest buildings, is today an informational capsule and memorial dedicated to the difficult history of slavery in Cape Town and around the world.
The refurbished two-story edifice once described as a “shameless fortress of human misery,” was formerly owned by the Dutch East India Company and housed hundreds of slaves between 1679 and 1811. They worked in the adjacent Company’s Gardens, awaited auction on nearby Spin Street, and, some – as many as 20 percent – also died here.
Visitors to the museum learn about the routes that brought slaves to Cape Town via Indonesia, India-Ceylon, Madagascar and Mozambique and the slaving era through exhibits of period artifacts, audio-visual shows, maps depicting the uses of the building’s rooms, and other experiential displays like a reconstruction of the cramped conditions of a slaving ship. A light-infused memorial lists names of known slaves held here. Traveling exhibits on global human and civil rights issues occasionally appear and in the past have put a spotlight on segregation in schools in the United States and the role of women during the South African apartheid.
Also worth visiting: The building’s interior courtyard, which houses the tombstones of the city’s founder Jan van Riebeeck and his wife. Though the museum is expansive, many visitors find even a short visit of an hour or two to be both enlightening and emotional.
Practical Info
The Slave Lodge Museum is located on the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets in Cape Town’s City Center. It’s open from 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. Mon. through Sat. Admission is R 30 for adults and R 15 for children. There is limited dedicated parking, but the building is accessible by taxi or via the Groote Kerk bus.
Address: Corner of Adderley and Wale Streets, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Hours: Open from 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. Mon. through Sat
Admission: Adults: R 30; Children: R 15
From $ 44
Imizamo Yethu Township
Set near Cape Town, the Imizamo Yethu Township in Hout Bay Valley is relatively small when compared to some other South African townships, with just over 33,000 people calling it home. Living conditions are slightly better than they were under apartheid, but not as much as one might think.
Many of the houses in the township are simple metal shacks, little changed since the apartheid era, and certainly not ideal as housing. Others are new and sturdy homes, built by Irish volunteers in 2002.
Practical Info
It's a relatively short half-hour drive from Cape Town to Imizamo Yethu. Residents of the township give tours a few times a day for a fee. If you're lucky, you'll have a chance to let a sangoma read your future.
Address: Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 18
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Modern medical advances are remarkable things – so much so that there is a museum in Cape Town at the site of the first human heart transplant, Groote Schuur Hospital.
The Heart of Cape Town Museum is in the still-working hospital, in the actual rooms where that heart transplant took place in December 1967. Exhibits in the museum including features on the man who received the heart transplant, the woman whose heart was donated, and the doctor who performed the historic surgery. The guided tour of the museum lasts about two hours.
Practical Info
The museum is open daily, with guided tours leaving at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Tickets are SAR100 for South Africans, SAR 200 for non-South Africans, and SAR50 for students.
Address: Groote Schuur Hospital, Groote Schuur Dr, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
Admission: South Africans: SAR100; Non-South Africans: SAR200
From $ 22
Khayelitsha Township
Khayelitsha is thought to be not only the largest township in South Africa but also the fastest-growing. It was established in 1985 as part of a 1950 law assigning difference racial groups to different residential areas, when black residents were forcibly moved to the new township, sometimes violently.
Today, Khayelitsha has a population of more than 390,000 people. Living conditions in the township have improved a great deal since the fall of apartheid, but even as recently as 2001 most of the residents still lived in shacks and did not have easy access to fresh water. Tourism to Khayelitsha is increasing, with visits to the craft market and township tours on offer.
Practical Info
Khayelitsha is about 15.5 miles southeast of Cape Town. As with any township, it's best to visit with an official guided tour, as navigating townships can be extremely confusing if you aren't familiar with the layout.
Address: Khayelitsha, South Africa
From $ 46
Groot Constantia
South Africa is increasingly well-known for its wines, with the wine country near Cape Town being a particularly popular stop with oenophiles and foodies alike. One highlight of any wine tasting trip near Cape Town is to the oldest wine estate in South Africa at Groot Constantia.
The property in Constantia was given to Simon van der Stel in 1685 by the Dutch East India Company, which had an outpost at the Cape of Good Hope. At the time, van der Stel was the Dutch East India Company’s Governor of this area, and it’s his name that later was used at Simon’s Town south of Cape Town. He built a manor house and began farming grapes for wine production.
In 1779, a wine-making family purchased the part of the Groot Constantia estate that included van der Stel’s manor house. It’s that family, the Cloetes, who is to thank for making Groot Constantia one of the area’s top wine estates, especially noted for its Constantia dessert wine. A fire in 1925 destroyed van der Stel’s original manor house, but it was rebuilt according to the original design.
Today, visitors to Groot Constantia can tour the wine-making facilities as well as the historic manor house (now a part of the Iziko South African Museum with rotating exhibits on display), the beautiful grounds, and enjoy a meal at one of the estate’s on-site restaurants. Groot Constantia is part of the scenic Constantia wine route, and the winery is also producing dessert wine again (it had stopped for more than 100 years) along with highly-rated red wines.
The property in Constantia was given to Simon van der Stel in 1685 by the Dutch East India Company, which had an outpost at the Cape of Good Hope. At the time, van der Stel was the Dutch East India Company’s Governor of this area, and it’s his name that later was used at Simon’s Town south of Cape Town. He built a manor house and began farming grapes for wine production.
In 1779, a wine-making family purchased the part of the Groot Constantia estate that included van der Stel’s manor house. It’s that family, the Cloetes, who is to thank for making Groot Constantia one of the area’s top wine estates, especially noted for its Constantia dessert wine. A fire in 1925 destroyed van der Stel’s original manor house, but it was rebuilt according to the original design.
Today, visitors to Groot Constantia can tour the wine-making facilities as well as the historic manor house (now a part of the Iziko South African Museum with rotating exhibits on display), the beautiful grounds, and enjoy a meal at one of the estate’s on-site restaurants. Groot Constantia is part of the scenic Constantia wine route, and the winery is also producing dessert wine again (it had stopped for more than 100 years) along with highly-rated red wines.
Address: Private Bag X1 Constantia, Groot Constantia Rd, Cape Town 7848, South Africa
Hours: Open daily. Wine tasting: 9am - 5:30pm; cellar tours: hourly 10am - 4pm.
Admission: Tasting: R30; Tasting and tour: R40
From $ 52
Hout Bay
This quaint harbor on the western side of the Cape Peninsula has a seaside charm that attracts both travelers and locals to its sheltered shores. Whether it’s sampling ocean-fresh seafood from one of the restaurants lining its harbor or exploring the shelves of world-class antique shops, Hout Bay has proved itself a worthy destination despite its small size. Visitors love wandering along the bustling docks where commercial fishing boats unload their daily catch, and its close proximity to Seal Island and World of Birds makes it a perfect lunch stop on a tour of the Cape.
Practical Info
Hout Bay is a 20-minute drive from the center of Cape Town, halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point. A number of tours stop at the Bay as they travel along the Cape Peninsula, but there’s also plenty of parking in the harbor, too.
Address: Hout Bay, South Africa
From $ 16
Diamond Works
Cape Town's Diamond Works offers a glimpse at South Africa's diamond mining industry through the eyes of a custom jewelry maker. Yes, Diamond Works is essentially a jewelry store, and you can certainly visit with the intention of buying some custom-made diamond jewelry. Even if you're not in the market for diamonds, however, a visit to Diamond Works is worth it to learn more about this fascinating industry.
Diamond Works offers what it calls a “Sparkling Tour,” during which you'll see diamond cutters and jewelry designers at work, you'll learn about the history of diamonds, and find out what to look for when evaluating a diamond.
Practical Info
Diamond Works is in Cape Town's city center, and they'll even transport you to and from your accommodation for free. The 15-minute Sparkling Tour (which must be booked in advance) is also free, and the facilities are open to visitors daily from 9am-7:30pm.
Address: Metropolitan Building Coen Steytler Avenue, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 40
Dyer Island
Dyer Island sits just off the coast of Gansbaai, a town in South Africa's Western Cape. The largest island off Gansbaai's coast, Dyer Island sits roughly five miles from shore. It was originally called Ilha de Fera, Portuguese for “Island of Wild Creatures,” which makes sense given that the island is home to hundreds of African penguins.
Another nearby island has thousands of resident Cape fur seals, and the channel between the two islands is known as “Shark Alley” for the high numbers of great white sharks found there. As you might guess, the sharks like feeding on the seals.
Practical Info
Dyer Island is only accessible via boat tours, since it's a bird sanctuary that is not open to the general public. There are frequent tours, however, for whale-watching and shark cage diving. Gansbaai is just over 100 miles from Cape Town.
Address: South Africa
From $ 183
Duiker Island
Duiker Island is very small, sitting in Hout Bay, home to an abundant variety of wildlife. The island is sometimes known as Seal Island due to the large population of fur seals that is often found there, and the area is also home to sea birds.
The island itself isn't even one acre, so visits are not usually very long. There are several daily cruises out to the island, however, so you can see the seals and birds up close—either from the boat or from the island. Hout Bay is also known for diving.
Practical Info
Duiker Island is roughly 13 miles from Cape Town. Don't confuse this Seal Island with the other Seal Island in False Bay.
Address: South Africa
From $ 249
Iziko South African Museum
One of the oldest museums in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Iziko South African Museum is home to more than half a million unique artifacts. Visitors can explore the halls of this historic place, which was founded in 1897, and learn more about the history and the people of the continent’s most-southern country.
Fossils dating some 700 million years back and tools fashioned by natives more than 120,000 years ago are just some of the unique—and archaic—items that make Iziko a destination for history lovers.
Fossils dating some 700 million years back and tools fashioned by natives more than 120,000 years ago are just some of the unique—and archaic—items that make Iziko a destination for history lovers.
Practical Info
The museum is located at 25 Queen Victoria Street. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is R30 for adults, R15 for children, seniors and students.
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Cape Town, South Africa
Hours: Daily 10am - 5pm
Admission: Adult: R30; Child: R15
From $ 52
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, established in 1913 to protect indigenous flora, were the first of their kind in the world. The main garden covers five of the six South African biomes, most of which are found inside an indoor greenhouse. The Kirstenbosch gardens are also home to various exhibitions of sculpture ranging from Zimbabwean stone sculptures to the world-famous bronze animals of Dylan Lewis.
Nature lovers and hikers both enjoy the gardens, as there is series of nearby trails that lead to Table Mountain and the pass at Constantia Nek, the site of the oldest restaurant in Cape Town. From Constantia Nek, hikers can reach the mountain of Constantiaberg, the back table reservoirs of Table Mountain and Cecilia Forest. Following the same path north leads to the Rhodes Memorial and the slopes of Devil's Peak.
Practical Info
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are regularly visited on tours of the Cape Peninsula. The site often host concerts and other outdoor performances, many of which are part of art and performance camps for children. By car, the gardens are about about 13 miles (21 km) from Cape Town's city center, where travelers can take De Waal Drive (M3) in the direction of Muizenberg, hang a right at Rhodes Drive (M63) toward the mountain and follow the signs to Kirstenbosch. There is free parking at gates 1, 2 and 3.
Address: Cape Town, South Africa
Hours: Daily 8am–7pm (until 6pm April–Aug)
Admission: R37
From $ 16
Old Biscuit Mill
Housed in a Victorian-era biscuit factory in the middle of Woodstock, Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill now houses day and night markets where local and traveling foodies flock to sample some of the city’s best bites.
On any given day, the market teems with diners and shoppers enjoying the mill’s many restaurants and designer shops, but it’s on Saturdays that things really get lively. Each Saturday the Neighbourgoods Market takes over the Old Biscuit Mill, with more than 100 local vendors selling craft food, organic produce, artisanal chocolate, beer, cheese, clothes and crafts, all to the sounds of live music.
Hungry travelers will find one of the world’s best restaurants, the Test Kitchen, inside the Old Biscuit Mill, as well as the slightly more budget-friendly Pot Luck Club.
Practical Info
While the Old Biscuit Mill is closed on Sundays, some of the restaurants within remain open. The Saturday Neighbourgoods Market is open from 9am to 2pm.
Address: 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 64
Greenmarket Square
Greenmarket Square in Cape Town's city center is an historic square which has served many purposes over the years. The square was built in 1696 in front of a burgher watch house. Today, the square is overlooked by the Old Town House, built on the site of the burgher house in 1761, which once served as the city hall. In different years, the square has been home to a slave market, a produce market, and even a parking lot.
Today, Greenmarket Square is the setting for a popular craft and flea market, including a wide variety of African art, clothing, music, and jewelry. There is a nice selection of restaurants, cafes, and hotels lining the square.
Practical Info
The market in Greenmarket Square is operational all year long, Monday-Saturday from about 9am-4pm.
Address: Burg Street, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
From $ 55
District Six Museum
A former Cape Town neighborhood is remembered in the District Six Museum, built in the neighborhood itself.
District Six was created in the 1860s, but by the mid-1960s the government began forcibly removing the non-white residents to a slum-like township miles away in order to make the neighborhood whites-only. In all, some 60,000 people were relocated, and their homes destroyed. Very little development was ever started in the area, however, and post-apartheid the government said they would recognize property rights of former residents.
The District Six Museum was founded in 1994 to honor those who were forcibly removed from their homes. Some fragments of the former neighborhood are on display, and there is a district map on the floor where former residents have noted where their houses once were. The museum and District Six Foundation also exist to help people moving back to the neighborhood develop the area into a thriving community again.
If the District Six relocation sounds familiar, it served as the inspiration for the 2009 movie, “District 9.”
Practical Info
The District Six Museum is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sundays it's open by appointment only). Tickets are 30Rand for adults on a self-guided visit, or 45Rand for adults with an ex-resident as your guide. Students are 15R.
Address: 25 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Sunday by appointment only
Admission: Adult self-guided tour R30, Adult guided tour R45
From $ 3
Delaire Graff Estate
The Delaire Graff Wine Estate, near Stellenbosch, is a beautiful winery destination in the Cape Winelands region
Laurence Graff, a diamond dealer of many years, bought the Delaire Estate in the early 2000s. The estate was re-opened as Delaire Graff in 2009, and now features not only the winery but also world-class dining, luxury lodges, a spa, an excellent art collection, a diamond boutique, and picturesque botanic gardens.
Delaire Graff Estate is a luxury destination where you're tempted to stay for a few days, but you can also visit for a day to sample the estate's wines. Sip Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, rose and sparkling wines, and both white and red blends.
Practical Info
Wine tastings occur in the Wine Lounge at Delaire Graff, which is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm, Sundays from 10am-4pm. Tasting fees are SAR50 for 5 wines, SAR40 for 4, SAR30 for 3.
Address: Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Hours: Wine lounge Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Admission: Tasting fees: SAR50 for 5 wines, SAR40 for 4, SAR30 for 3
From $ 54
Long Street
Long Street is a major, buzzing thoroughfare located in the City Bowl part of Cape Town. Both commercial yet bohemian, Long Street is lined with secondhand bookstores, antique shops, and independent boutiques, which give way to a lively party scene of bars, clubs, and various international restaurants come nightfall.
Along with this heady mix of commercial stores and nightlife options is the Palm Tree Mosque, which dates back to the end of the 18th century. There’s also the oldest Mission church in South Africa, as well as Cape Town’s newest public art installation, the Open House.
The buildings themselves are Victorian in style, many featuring traditional wrought-iron balconies. The most attractive part of the road can be found between the junction with Buitensingel Street, running north to Strand Street. During the 1970s and 1980s, there were a number of theaters showing anti-apartheid productions situated along Long Street, although most were closed to be replaced by restaurants or stores by the 1990s.
Practical Info
Long Street lies between Loop and Adderley Streets in Cape Town’s city center. If not staying in the area, the easiest way to reach it is by taking a taxi.
Address: Long Street, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 18
Noon Gun
The Noon Gun, as you might guess from the name, is a signal gun fired every day at noon in Cape Town. The gun is perched atop Signal Hill, not far from the city center, and it has been marking the time since 1806. The two cannons (one is a back-up) on the hill date from the late 18th century, brought on a British ship and once used in warfare. The firing of the gun at noon was meant to give ships in the harbor a chance to synchronize their chronometers.
Even after the gun was no longer needed to establish chronometer accuracy, it was still fired each day at exactly noon – as it still is today. The only days the Noon Gun does not fire are Sundays and public holidays.
Practical Info
The Noon Gun is on Signal Hill, which is reached via Military Road in the historic Bo-Kaap neighborhood. It's open 24 hours a day, and is free to visit.
Address: Military Road, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 49
Klein Karoo (Little Karoo)
On a coastal travel route filled with spectacular scenery, outdoor adventure and unique cultural experiences, the tiny and sparsely populated Klein Karoo region offers visitors the opportunity to experience some true South African wonder. From ostrich riding to photography this easily accessible destination is a perfect place to pull off the road, relax, unwind and explore.
Whether it’s taking a ride atop one of Outdshoorn’s native ostriches, venturing out into the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, sipping a glass of port on the Little Karoo Wine Route or trekking through the Congo Caves, Klein Karoo has something for almost every traveler.
Practical Info
The town of George is home to plenty of accommodation options and serves as an ideal jump point for travelers looking to explore the region. The National Art Festival takes place in early April and showcases live music, dance and theater performances that are worth checking out.
Address: Klein Karoo, South Africa
From $ 30
Langa Township
Settled in the mid-1920s as a designated area for black Africans, Langa Township is Cape Town’s oldest and largest township. This lively community, which was established pre-apartheid, is steeped in history of the Xhosa people. Even its name pays homage to a famous tribe member who rebelled against the government in the late 1800s and was later imprisoned at Robben Island.
Visitors can tour the community with local Xhosa guides and explore the streets of Joe Slovo, the largest informal settlement in the township. A monument recognizing those who lost their lives in anti-pass campaign protests during apartheid stands at the community’s center, as well as a newly opened craft market stocked with local handmade items and a recently renovated cultural and multi-purpose center.
Visitors can tour the community with local Xhosa guides and explore the streets of Joe Slovo, the largest informal settlement in the township. A monument recognizing those who lost their lives in anti-pass campaign protests during apartheid stands at the community’s center, as well as a newly opened craft market stocked with local handmade items and a recently renovated cultural and multi-purpose center.
Practical Info
Langa Township is located off the N2 Highway at exit 12. It is also accessibly by the Langa Railway Station. Visitors should allot several hours to explore the neighborhood to gain a real feel for the community, life and culture.
Address: Langa, Cape Town, South Africa
From $ 46