Things to Do in Cape Town

The Garden Route offers visitors one of the most smooth and scenic drives in all of South Africa. The well-paved road winds through rolling hills, densely populated towns and small, subsistent farms. It’s a look at African life in the vast open countryside, with plenty of stopping options for destinations off the beaten path—like Wilderness National Park.

The rivers, lakes and beaches of this popular spot are protected by thick forests marked by hiking trails and nature paths. As its name suggests, this rugged town attracts mostly outdoor enthusiasts eager to enjoy the unspoiled coast. Spend an afternoon canoeing Dolphin Point, where the playful mammals and massive whales come to play, trek through overgrown wetland trails, paraglide from nearby mountain tops or rent a bike and explore the area on two wheels instead.

Once known as “Lion’s Rump,” Signal Hill is a relatively flat peak next to Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. The summit of this landmark once flew flags to signal changing weather and anchoring directions for ships that came to port. A well-paved road takes visitors to the top of Signal Hill, where spectacular Cape Town views await.

Along the way, travelers can stop at the impressive tombs of several Muslim missionaries or spend the night at Appleton Scout Campsite. Those venturing to Signal Hill for a mid-day trip will likely hear the Noon Gun—two massive cannons signaling the strike of twelve—fire, too.

In addition to its incredible views, Signal Hill is home to the last bit of the endangered Peninsula Shale Renosterveld vegetation in Cape Town, which means it is one of the few places nature lovers can find the extremely rare Moraea aristata flower and Medusa’s Head succulents in the wild.

Table Mountain National Park is one of the region’s most-visited attractions—with good reason. This vast world heritage site stretches from Signal hill to Cape Point, and includes some of the area’s best hikes and most scenic views.

Despite its proximity to the ever-popular Long Street, Table Mountain feels far removed from the hustle of Cape Town. Hop a taxi from the main drag, or walk the short—but very vertical—distance to the bottom of the hill. Travelers looking to stretch their legs can take one of the short (but challenging) hikes to Table Mountain’s peak, or ride the popular cable car to the top for picturesque views of the city and sea.

The nearby rocky cliffs of Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope, another much-visited attraction in the national park, overlook clear blue seas where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Paved paths and a well-kept boardwalk wind through the southern-most point on the continent and lead to impressive heights. The surrounding area is also home to the world’s smallest—and most diverse—floral kingdom, making it the perfect spot for an easy bike ride.

Originally a jetty built in 1654 to refresh sailors for the Dutch East India Company, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is now one of the most-visited attractions for foreigners in South Africa. The area is a development consisting of two harbors, retail shops and museums, seascapes and mountain views, and plenty of places to bed down, drink up or eat away.

The V&A Waterfront describes itself as a "Haven for Sailing Enthusiasts" and offers full amenities alongside historical charm. Walking and bus tours, sports and mind-blowing boats are sure to cast a hook for visitors of all types.

In 1964, an anti-apartheid revolutionary named Nelson Mandela was arrested and brought to South Africa’s Robben Island, just west of Cape Town. He would spend the next 18 years imprisoned in an 8x7-foot cell, forced to do hard labor, and permitted only one visitor a year. Even so, Mandela went on to become his country’s first black president, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and known globally for his significant contributions to human rights and social justice.

Robben Island—where most of Mandela’s 27-year prison sentence was served—was a place of isolation for nearly 300 years, housing many political prisoners and serving as both a lunatic asylum and leper colony. Today, the island remains a tangible symbol of political freedom and a reminder of the difficult road to South African democracy. Read on to learn more about how to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Basics

Most tours depart from Cape Town and include transport from city hotels, the boat trip to the island, and time at the former maximum security prison. Upon arrival on Robben Island, general tours start aboard a bus. Oftentimes, island tour guides are former political prisoners who can share information about South Africa’s history, as well as their own firsthand experiences. Custom and private tours are also available, while others combine a trip to the island with a Cape Town city tour or Table Mountain visit.

Best Things to Do When Visiting Robben Island

Once on the island, you’ll be able to see human rights activist and former prisoner Robert Sobukwe’s house; a 17th-century limestone quarry where Mandela and others were put to work; a leper colony cemetery; and the Robben Island Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory and contributions of the freedom fighters once held within its walls. Some tours also include access to Mandela’s cell.

Insider Tips

• The 30-minute boat or ferry rides to the island can be choppy at times depending on the weather. If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s a smart idea to come prepared.

• If you need a snack, food and drink are available for purchase on the island.

Just beyond the peaks of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, lies the Twelve Apostles, a range of rocky cliffs that line the coast of the Cape Peninsula. Travelers can enjoy the views during a scenic drive from Cape Town, or while relaxing on the sandy shores of Camps Bay. Grab lunch along the bustling promenade and then head to the trails, since a climb to the top of the Twelve Apostles offers an unmatched view of Clifton and the bay. Afterwards, relax with a sundowner at the Leopard Lounge, known for extensive collection of South African wines and its famous Twelve Apostles cocktail.

Cecil Rhodes' wealth, influence and fervent championing of the British Empire were integral in the formation of modern-day South Africa. He died in 1902, and a decade later, the Rhodes Memorial was built and dedicated at the start of the Cape-to-Cairo road he envisioned would unify British influence across Africa. Modeled after the Greek temple at Segesta, the memorial features 49 massive granite steps, quarried at nearby Table Mountain. Flanking them are eight bronze lions, and at the bottom of the stairs is the world-famous equestrian statue, Energy, dedicated to his memory.

Found within the Table Mountain National Park, the Rhodes Memorial offers sightseers breathtaking panoramic views of Cape Town, Cape Flats and Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountain range. Hikers can reach it on a 3-hour walk from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It is also accessible by car.