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Cape Town Sightseeing: A Self-Guided Cape Town Walking Tour

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Cape Town has a bright and colorful city center that is steeped in history and culture. The city also features  beautiful architecture, nearby nature and a lively entertainment district on the water. Although many of the top attractions are away from the central business district (CBD), we made time to explore the area on a Cape Town Self-Guided Walking Tour.

On our Cape Town city tour, we visited a few of the most historical places as well as some of the cultural attractions in Cape Town. While it’s possible to see many of the sights by simply walking around, Cape Town sightseeing is best done with a plan in mind. We created this useful Self-Guided Cape Town Walking Tour so that we could move at our own pace and get a true feel for the city.

Self-Guided Cape Town Walking Tour

Before you set off on this self-guided free walking tour of Cape Town, be sure to pick up a helpful tourist map from the TI or buy one prior to your trip. You will also want to be sure to have proper shoes , wear a hat (and or sunscreen ) and bring a water bottle with you. Additionally, a great day bag is essential to organize and secure all of your essential, everyday travel items ! Also, you will find our Cape Town Map of Sights at the end of the article.

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Cape Tour Walking Tour to plan your trip to South Africa!

#1 Adderley Flower Market

Start your Cape Town walk at the Adderley Street, Cape Town CBD bus stop and head south to the Adderley Flower Market.

For more than 150 years women have been selling colorful flower bouquets – making it one of the oldest markets in Cape Town. Set up in a dimly lit alley on Trafalgar Place between the Standard Bank and Golden Acre Mall, rows of stalls feature an array of fragrant and unique blossoms. Sellers are happy to create special arrangements. The Adderley Street Flower Market is open daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm. 

#2 Cape Town City Hall and Grand Parade

Turn right (southwest) on Parliament and walk to Darling Street. Turn left (southeast) and walk to City Hall and the Grand Parade.

The City Hall building is used for Cape Town culture events – but it also reigns as one of the top Cape Town historical sites. The building is well-known for the balcony – from which Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison. Constructed in the early 1900s – using mostly materials shipped in from Europe – the grand building stands out from its surroundings. It’s free to go inside, where there are stained-glass windows, marble staircases and pipe organ in the Grand Hall. Note : Cape Town City Hall is open Monday – Friday from 7:45am to 3:00pm.

The main public square on which City Hall stands is called the Grand Parade. It has been used as a marketplace, a site of political rallies and, unfortunately, an oversized, run-down parking lot with random pop-up stalls set up on the fringe. 

#3 Castle of Good Hope

At the east end of the Grand Parade is the Castle of Good Hope.

Built between 1666 and 1679 as a pentagon-shaped fort for the Dutch East India Company, the castle is the oldest building in Cape Town – and in South Africa, for that matter. When the Castle of Good Hope was built, it was at the water’s edge, but land reclamation has moved the coastline to form the Cape Town Harbour.

In 1936, the fort was named a National Monument – and still serves as the center for the Cape Town military. Visitors who are interested in historical buildings in Cape Town and learning more of the Cape Town history should consider visiting the Castle of Good Hope. And, those who really want a better understanding of the history should inquire about the Castle of Good Hope guided tour. Note : Open daily from 9am to 5pm. 

#4 District 6 Cape Town Museum

Walk southwest on Buitenkant Street to the District 6 Museum. 

During Apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s, 60,000 residents who lived in Cape Town District 6 were forced to move from their homes. The District 6 Museum, which opened in 1994, is dedicated to remember the injustices, as well as to help build a multicultural community.

Top Tip: Join a tour to learn more about the history of slavery in Cape Town. 

#5 The Company’s Gardens, Cape Town

Continue walking southwest on Buitenkant Street to Roeland Street. Turn right (northwest) and walk past St. Mary’s Cathedral to the Louis Botha Farmer warrior Statesman Statue on St. Johns Street. Turn left (southwest) and walk to Gallery Lane (right  before the South African National Gallery. Turn right (north) and walk into the Company’s Gardens.

Started by a shipwrecked crew in the 1600s, the Company’s Gardens are now filled with fountains, monuments, museums and even a restaurant. Many of the rare and historic trees and plants include informational plaques and an expansive vegetable garden has been established as a reminder of how the gardens were first used. Museums in the vicinity are the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Center and the Iziko South African Museum. 

#6 Cape Town Parliament  

Walk the length of the Company’s Gardens and on the southeast side, see Parliament.

As one of the three capital cities of South Africa, Cape Town is the legislative capital and home to the country’s Houses of Parliament. Three historic buildings in Cape Town collectively make up the Cape Town Parliament – and date to 1884, the 1920s and the 1980s (the latter two were designed in the Neoclassical Cape Dutch style to match the original building). The Parliament buildings house the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Top Tip : Visitors interested in a Cape Town Parliament Tour and attending a Parliamentary Session should inquire at the Visitors Centre entrance on 120 Plein Street. 

#7 St. George’s Cathedral, Cape Town

At the north end of the Company’s Garden is the St. George’s Cathedral. 

On the north end of the park is St. George’s Cathedral, an Anglican church that was heavily involved in the anti-apartheid movement. Inside, the enormous stained glass windows light up the church and the 6,000 pipe organ. 

#8 Iziko Slave Lodge

To the southeast of St. George’s Cathedral is the Iziko Slave Lodge. 

Built in 1679, the historic Slave Lodge (Cape Town’s second oldest building) was used to house slaves of the Dutch East India Company until the year 1811. Today, the building has been re-purposed as a Cape Town museum documenting the history of slavery in South Africa. 

#9 Bo-Kaap District

Walk northwest on Wale Street to the Bo-Kaap District. 

The brightly painted houses on Wale Street mark the beginning of the colorful Bo-Kaap district.  The Cape Malay Quarter features many mosques and small restaurants serving Malay dishes. Although heavily visited by tourists now, in the residential area it’s common to see kids playing cricket in the street with neighborhood friends. Top points of interest in the neighborhood include the Bo-Kaap Museum and the fragrant Atlas Trading Company spice shop.

Top Tip: For a better understanding of the district, join a guide on a Bo-Kaap Walking Tour – find out more!

#10 V&A Waterfront

From the Bo-Kaap District, it’s possible to walk to V&A Waterfront, but we recommend taking a public bus or getting an Uber ride. 

End your Cape Town city tour itinerary at the entertainment hub of the V&A Waterfront . The 150-year-old working harbor is packed with shops, restaurants, pubs, museums, a clock tower, Ferris wheel, helicopter rides, cruises and street musicians that all compete for the attention of visitors. 

To cool off in the heat of the day, we suggest grabbing a shady spot at Quay 4 Tavern or Mitchell’s Brewery , the largest and oldest microbrewery in South Africa dedicated to making fresh, natural beer minus artificial additives.

Cape Town Walking Map

Use this link to Google for a map of sights on our Free Cape Town Walking Tour

Cape Town Tours

We think our Self-Guided Cape Town Walking Tour is one of the best walks in Cape Town to get just a small taste of the vibrant city. However, joining a Cape Town tour guide would provide more information as well as provide useful tips and helpful recommendations for your trip to Cape Town. There are numerous tour operators in Cape Town and we researched the top-rated ones to help you find the best Cape Town sightseeing tours!

Red Bus Cape Town

The City Sightseeing Cape Town bus is a great way to get an introduction to the city! We don’t usually take tourist bus tours, but we thought the Cape Town city bus tour was fabulous. In addition to the Hop On Hop Off Cape Town bus routes, the company also offers free Cape Town walking tours as part of a multi-day ticket. Find out more about the ticket options for the sightseeing bus in Cape Town. 

Cape Town Private Tours

Hiring a Cape Town private tour guide is a fantastic way to learn more with a Cape Town city walking tour designed specifically for you! Read the reviews on this highly-rated local guide who creates itineraries for Cape Town guided walking tours as well as other nearby locations.

Cape Town Adventures Tours

Looking for adventure activities in Cape Town?  Search now for the best adventure activities – like paragliding, rafting, and rock climbing. 

Bike Tour Cape Town

Follow a local guide on a 3-hour bicycle tour of the best sights in Cape Town – from the V&A Waterfront to the top historic attractions. Learn about this tour!

Cape Town Food Tour

Combine a Bo-Kaap and Cape Town Walking Tour with the local cuisine and feast your way through the city. Book it now! Just looking for a guided Bo-Kaap walking tour? Find it here !

Street Art Cape Town

Join a bicycle street art tour in Cape Town to discover some of the best wall murals and graffiti art in the city. Learn more about this tour !

Cape Town Day Trips

Ready to venture beyond the city center? Cape Town excursions are ideal for seeing more of the surrounding region. There are even Cape Town half-day tours if you are short on time. Search for the best Cape Town tours – from wild penguins to Cape Town wine tastings – on Viator .

Top Tip: Read about our day trip to Boulders Beach and a fun tour of Cape Town Wineries on the City Sightseeing Cape Town Bus!

Tips For Your Trip To Cape Town, South Africa

We have a few final travel tips and packing hacks and then you’re set for your trip to Cape Town!

Where To Stay in Cape Town

During our visit to Cape Town, we stayed in a great Airbnb Apartment in Hout Bay . However, for those who prefer staying in traditional accommodations , there are many hotels to choose from in – or close to – the city center.

Before You Go To Cape Town

• Cape Town is a walkable city…but only if you have the right travel shoes ! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia , Skechers and Reef . Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell and Sanuk .
• We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to SA. Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures, and is a slim and lightweight budget camera ).
• It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city…even Cape Town! Make sure to have a good guidebook before arriving.
• If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, travel protected with World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to South Africa ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

More For Your Trip To Cape Town:  Read our top tips and detailed guides for  Visiting Penguins ,  Best Cape Town Beaches ,  Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens ,  Cape Town Wine Tasting  and the  Best Cape Town Itinerary !

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FREE City Tours

Meet us at the city sightseeing (red bus) stop 5, 81 long street., please note that guide tips are allowed, welcomed and highly appreciated..

Cape Town has a rich diverse past that can be seen and felt across the city. Immerse yourself in fascinating stories about Cape Town, the people who shaped it and its gripping 400-year history with our FREE Cape Town City Walking Tours.

Historical City Tour

Duration: 90 minutes.

• Explore the heart of the Mother City, on foot.
• Immerse yourself in fascinating stories of Cape Town and its 400-year history.
• Visit City Hall, Company Gardens, The Castle of Good Hope, District Six and many more iconic places.

NO BOOKING REQUIRED

guided tour

Bo-Kaap Walking Tour

• Wander through the colourful cobblestoned neighbourhood
• Learn about the culture, traditions and history of the colourful Bo-Kaap.
• If you lucky, you may get a taste of traditional ‘Cape Malay’ food from the residents.

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CAPE TOWN FOR CAPETONIANS

Discover the City’s hidden gems with these walking tours

Cape Town is a place of incredible beauty, history and culture – it’s no wonder the City is a popular destination for travellers worldwide.

One of the best ways to experience the City is on foot, with a walking tour that will take you through the most iconic neighbourhoods, historical sites and natural wonders.

Here are some of the best walking tours in Cape Town:

1. Bo-Kaap Walking Tour

The Bo-Kaap Walking Tour is a popular tour that takes visitors through the colourful and historic neighbourhood also known as the Cape Malay Quarter.

The Bo-Kaap is famous for its brightly painted houses, cobbled streets and rich cultural heritage. During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the narrow streets of Bo-Kaap and learn about the area’s history, people and traditions.

The neighbourhood was once home to the Cape Malay community, who were brought to Cape Town as slaves from Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Today, the area is a vibrant mix of cultures and religions, with a strong Muslim community and a rich culinary heritage.

2. Historic City Tour

The Historic City Tour is a great way to explore the historic heart of the City and learn about its fascinating past.

Our City’s rich history spans over 350 years, and its centre is home to many important landmarks and monuments, which reflect our colonial and apartheid-era past.

The walking tour includes seeing the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, the Castle of Good Hope and the Iziko Slave Lodge.

Also read:   Discovering Cape Malay cuisine and culture: The Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour

3. District Six Walking Tour

District Six is a residential area, once vibrant and diverse, that was forcibly evacuated and demolished during apartheid in the 1960s and 1970s after being declared a “whites-only” area by the government.

Today, the District Six Museum and walking tour serve as a tribute to the former residents of the neighbourhood and their struggle for justice and restitution.

The tour takes visitors through the streets of the area, which is now largely empty, and provides a glimpse into the lives of the former residents and the history of the area.

4. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Walking Tour

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, and a walking tour is a great way to explore this beautiful natural wonder.

Kirstenbosch sits on the slopes of Table Mountain, and is home to a stunning array of plant species. The free walking tour starts at the visitor centre (Gate 1), where visitors can purchase entry tickets and grab a map.

Some of the highlights of the tour include a visit to the Boomslang Walkway, the Fragrance Garden, the Protea Garden, the Succulent Garden, and the Garden of Extinction, which features plants that are critically endangered or extinct in the wild.

5. Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour

Woodstock has become known as one of the City’s vibrant artistic hubs, and the Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour is a great way to explore the area’s many murals and graffiti works.

The tour is usually led by a local guide, who is familiar with the area’s street art scene and can provide insights into the artists and their work. The tour typically starts in the heart of Woodstock and winds through the neighbourhood’s many streets and alleyways, where visitors can discover a wide variety of different styles and techniques.

The tour includes art that showcases the country’s political history and highlights contemporary social issues, giving visitors a chance to learn about the cultural and historical context of Cape Town street art.

Visit Cape Town’s newest street art on a Culture Connect SA tour

Picture:  Cape Town Tourism

Article written by Jules Keohane

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The 13 Best Cape Town Tours – Ultimate City Guide [2024]

• Last Updated: February 6, 2024

Looking for the best tours in Cape Town? From wine-tasting tours, to free walking tours, to day trips around the Cape Peninsula, definitely add these tours to your Cape Town itinerary!

Cape Town is a vibrant city in South Africa packed with cool attractions, and it quickly became one of our favourite cities in the world (which actually means a lot, because we’re not usually fans of cities).

You could easily spend weeks in Cape Town and still not see it all! From the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands, to the colourful streets of Bo Kaap, to the spectacular views of the Cape Of Good Hope, there is so much to do.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to pack in all the best sights and activities for your visit, we’re here to help.

We’ve compiled a list of the best Cape Town tours to help you make the most of your time in this corner of South Africa.

From free walking tours, to guided treks up Table Mountain, to wine-tasting tours through the wine estates of southwest South Africa, there are tours for everyone.

Tours allow you to explore Cape Town with a local guide who knows the area, so you can sightsee and learn about the culture, cuisine, and history all in one go.

Optimize your time in Cape Town with one of these amazing tours!

Find more fun activities with our guide to the best things to do in Cape Town !

Table of Contents

Historic City Tour

Apartheid to freedom tour, bo kaap tour, table mountain city tour, cape of good hope tour, paragliding tour, whale watching tour, woodstock street art tour, robben island tour, cape winelands tour, stellenbosch wine tasting tour, franschhoek wine tour, wrapping up, the best cape town tours.

Our list of the best tours in Cape Town is organised into categories so you can easily filter through the options and pick the best tours for you.

There are so many cool ways to immerse yourself in Cape Town’s excitement and cultural richness.

Whether you’re a budget traveller looking for a Cape Town free historical walking tour, or you’re a wine lover looking to dive into the vineyards and wines of the Western Cape, here are the best tours to choose from!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Free Walking Tours

For budget travellers or those looking to learn as much as possible while walking around the city, there are some incredible Cape Town free walking tours.

These tours focus on different topics, including history, culture, art, and more. Here are our top picks for Cape Town free walking tours!

A free historical walking tour is a fantastic way to learn about the famous “Mother City”.

Stroll through the city centre on this historic city tour as you learn about all the insider knowledge of Cape Town from your guide.

See highlights of Cape Town and significant locations like Green Market Square, Parliament, the Castle of Good Hope, and more.

The history tour departs every day at 11 am or 4:20 pm from Motherland Coffee. Read more about the history walking tour on this website !

This was the very first one we did on our list of tours of Cape Town and it was the perfect introduction to the city.

The Apartheid to Freedom Tour is another one of the best walking tours to try while visiting Cape Town, South Africa.

This tour takes you through the Cape Town city centre and points out all the most significant locations and monuments relating to Nelson Mandela and the history of Apartheid.

You’ll see multiple landmarks that were vital to the history of the city, including the place where Mandela made his first speech as a free man.

This walking tour departs daily at 11 am or 2 pm from Motherland Coffee.

Bo Kaap is one of the most unique locations in the city. Travellers flock to Bo Kaap to take photos of the vibrantly coloured buildings, but the area has a rich history in addition to aesthetic appeal.

Join a Bo Kaap tour where you can walk through the colourful neighbourhood with a great guide who will teach you about the multicultural influences that shaped the area.

This Bo Kaap tour is one of the best walking tours you can do. You’ll tour the oldest mosque in the city, visit a spice trading centre, and more.

The tour departs daily at 2 pm or 4:20 pm from Motherland Coffee.

Best Day Tours For Exploring Cape Town, South Africa

If you’ve completed a walking tour or two, you’ll surely have a great glimpse into the fabric of the Cape Town city centre and what makes it so special.

But Cape Town is huge, and these day tours extend beyond the classic inner city walking tour.

Jump on any of these guided tours to further explore the interesting history, art, wine, and nature around Cape Town.

READ MORE: And while you’re at it, have a read of our latest guide to the best Cape Town day trips .

Table Mountain is an absolute must-see when you visit Cape Town. This majestic, flat-topped mountain stands tall against the backdrop of the city.

You have to make a trip up to the top for the best panoramic views of the city and the Cape Peninsula. Whether you choose to hike or take the cable car is up to you!

For travellers who want to take the cable car, a tour package that includes round-trip cable car tickets plus a guided walking tour and a hop-on-hop-off bus pass is a great idea.

You’ll get a great price on cable car tickets that will whisk you up and down Table Mountain in no time, plus the added bonus of bus passes for traveling around the city and a walking tour.

A guided tour around the Cape Of Good Hope is a fantastic way to soak in the spectacular views and unique wildlife of the Cape Peninsula.

The journey meanders along the breathtaking coastal roads, where rugged cliffs plunge into the azure expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

En route to the fabled Cape Point, visitors are treated to awe-inspiring vistas of pristine beaches, charming fishing villages, and diverse wildlife.

You’ll stop by Simons Town and visit the adorable Penguin Colony on Boulders Beach, and you’ll get to cruise along the scenic Chapmans Peak Drive.

There is so much to see and do on the Cape Peninsula, and a guided tour that hits all of the highlights is the perfect way to optimise your time!

Paragliding is one of the best ways to experience Cape Town! Imagine soaring through the air with a great guide who is well-versed in safety and security, admiring the views of Cape Town below you.

Signal Hill is a hotspot for paragliding in Cape Town.

Meet here and join your paragliding tour where you can see the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, Table Mountain, Lions Head, and more as you glide peacefully through the sky!

The oceans around Cape Town offer incredible conditions for whale watching.

Join a whale-watching tour so you can take to the water and have the amazing chance to see these gentle giants up close!

This day tour takes you from downtown Cape Town to Hermanus, one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

Cruise along the coastline of South Africa and watch Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks, and potentially dolphins or seals as they frolic in the waves.

Animal lovers cannot miss out on an epic whale-watching tour while they are in South Africa!

Check out one of Cape Town’s most captivating corners on a Woodstock Street Art Tour .

This tour can be either private or with a group, and you can join a 60-minute or 90-minute tour.

Either way, this is one of the most insightful walking tours in Cape Town and it’s definitely worth the 400 or 450 rand fee.

You’ll be exploring the Old Biscuit Mill in the Woodstock neighborhood of the city, which is a hub for artistic expression.

earn about the history and culture behind the art and enjoy opening your mind to a fascinating part of Cape Town.

Embarking on a Robben Island day tour from Cape Town is an immersive journey through South Africa’s complex history and triumphs of resilience.

As the ferry glides across the shimmering waters of the Atlantic, passengers are transported to the island’s poignant past, where the notorious prison once held political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.

The guided tour offers a sobering yet enlightening experience as visitors explore the bleak cells, interact with former inmates, and gain profound insights into the country’s struggle for freedom and the indomitable human spirit that prevailed.

Against the backdrop of Cape Town’s stunning skyline, the Robben Island day tour becomes a powerful testament to the pursuit of justice and equality.

Robben Island can only be visited with a guided tour, so make sure you make a booking in advance!

Cape Town Wine Tours

A tour of the Cape Winelands is another one of the best things to do in Cape Town.

Surrounded by lush regions filled with wine estates, vineyards, and local businesses where you can taste local wine, cheese, chocolate, spirits, and more, foodies should absolutely add a wine-tasting tour to their itinerary.

There are a few different Cape Town wine-tasting tours to choose from, so here are our top picks!

This tour offers travelers the chance to visit 3 wine regions around Cape Town: Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. Visit 3 estates and taste 15 different wines throughout the day!

This tour includes all transport and focuses on wine pairing where you’ll get to taste chocolate and cheese with the various wines.

It’s a roller coaster for the palette, and this tour is great for those who want to see as much of the wine regions as possible.

If you want to slow down and focus on just one wine region, this is a great tour option . Visit 4 different Stellenbosch wineries on this full-day tour from Cape Town.

The tour combines vineyard and cellar door walks with wine tasting so you can learn about winemaking while you sample local cured meat, cheese, chocolate, and more.

The Stellenbosch area is one of the oldest parts of the country, so you will have a blast immersing yourself in the wine culture and history here on this day tour.

Another wine-tasting tour option is the Franschhoek Wine Tour. This tour allows you to explore the Franschhoek part of the Cape Winelands by tram, where you can hop on and hop off wherever you choose.

Spend the day cruising through the countryside, taking wines, eating fresh cuisine, and enjoying the best of Cape Town’s wine country.

Tour a historic wine farm, chat with a local winemaker, and just enjoy the scenery.

Between these three different wine-tasting tours, there is sure to be something that suits you!

As you can see, there are so many fun tours you can try while visiting Cape Town.

Learn all about the local history on a Cape Town free walking tour, or dive into the culture of the Mother City with a tour to Robben Island.

Tour a wine farm or go wine tasting with a tour to the Cape Winelands, or get up close with some beautiful whales on a whale watch in the Atlantic.

Cape Town has so much to offer, and a tour with a knowledgeable local guide will help you enhance your experience here!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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Private, tailor-made city walking tours

Heritage city centre.

Historical Waterfront

Castle of Good Hope

Company Gardens

Themed Walking Tours

The Exclusive Choice

• Scenic natural beauty of Table Mountain and Lions Head • Cultural heritage of Bo Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope • Urban gardens at Company’s Garden • Moving history and insights from Robben Island

Downtown, in what is known as the CBD, you’ll delve into Cape Town’s intricate history and culture, visiting the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood, the Castle of Good Hope military fort and the green heart of the city, Company’s Garden.

A ferry ride to the well-known and infamous Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 prison years, is a must for all Cape Town visitors. The emotional and significant experience offers a glimpse into the past and present of South African society that won’t soon be forgotten.

End the day with quiet sundowners from Signal Hill, where the famous African sunset shines over the Atlantic Seaboard and the city’s beaches and coastline are viewed in all their glory.

Table Mountain One of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain forms the iconic backdrop to the city of Cape Town and offers spectacular views from the top. The 1,067 metre ascent is made in the aerial cableway, which rotates 360º to give jaw-dropping views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Once at the top, you can enjoy three easy walks and numerous viewing decks, souvenir shops, and a restaurant and coffee shop.

Bo Kaap/Cape Malay Quarter This colourful city neighbourhood has a rich cultural, religious and architectural heritage, with strong links to Muslim traditions and culture. It is one of Cape Town’s oldest residential areas, originating when the Cape Malay were shipped into the Cape Colony as skilled artisan slaves. Bo Kaap is also home to the oldest mosque in South Africa, the Auwal Mosque, established in 1798, as well as notable shops and cafes serving delicacies including koesisters and bobotie.

Company’s Garden This gorgeous green lung of the city is the oldest garden in the country, established in 1652 by Dutch settlers. Constantly abuzz park activity, the Company’s Garden is a well-known place for a picnic or afternoon stroll, and boasts a beautiful rose garden, Japanese garden, fish pond and bird aviary. It is flanked by important landmarks, including Parliament, the Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium, the South African National Gallery and other historical buildings.

Castle of Good Hope Built as a maritime replenishment station in the late 1600s by the Dutch East India Company, this is the oldest surviving building in Cape Town. It is a fort rather than a castle and has a distinct star shape. The Castle Military Museum highlights military history with an impressive sword collection, while its William Fehr Collection of historical paintings and period furniture have special relevance to the Cape. The Key Ceremony is performed during weekdays, followed by the firing of the Signal Cannon. Horse and carriage rides are also available.

Green Market Square In the heart of the central business district lies this open-air shopping mecca, set on a cobbled square and abuzz with local traders and eccentric characters. Here you can purchase souvenirs and curios, local art, crafts, fabrics and artefacts from almost every African country.

Robben Island One of Cape Town’s most emotionally stirring attractions is Robben Island, whose most famous resident – former President Nelson Mandela – spent much of his 27-year prison sentence. The island was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and is now a museum and conservation area. After a ferry trip from the V&A Waterfront, a bus tour brings visitors around the island before they embark on a guided walking tour of the prison with a former inmate, and visit Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell.

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Spend time exploring Cape Town City including Table Mountain, one of the Natural Wonders of Nature.

Book a private tour of cape town city and table mountain..

Time and time again, Cape Town makes its mark in the media by winning numerous awards as a top world destination, and rightly so.  Nestled between rugged mountains and surrounded by the majestic Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is an extraordinary city with so much to offer.  We recommend a full day private tour with us to truly enjoy and get a good sense of the city.

There are so many different places to see and things to do, and this is where your experienced private Cape Town Tour Guide is well-equipped to be at your service. Whether you are looking for a stunning sunset photo off the top of Table Mountain, a historical artifact or the best cup of coffee in town, we will make it possible.  It is great to start the City tour with a panoramic view across the area.  This can either be from Signal Hill (300 meters above the city) or, weather permitting, from the top of Table Mountain - there is no better way to experience the vistas of Cape Town than from 1063 meters above sea level, right on top of this world-famous landmark. The trip up the modern Swiss-engineered cable car is simply breathtaking and is a highlight of the Cape Town City Private Tour.  If your heart is set on standing on top of Table Mountain but the weather doesn’t favor us on the day of your booking, your guide will endeavor to incorporate this experience into one of your other day tours.

Once you have enjoyed a bird’s-eye view of Cape Town, we make our way around the ‘City Bowl’, as it known, taking in all the main highlights and places of interest including the City Hall, the Castle of Good Hope, District Six and the Bo-Kaap. We also recommend some walking in the city if you are able to; your Cape Town Tour Guide can take you on a guided walk through the Company Gardens, a botanical paradise right in the middle of the city and the site of the original historic vegetable garden that supplied passing ships centuries ago.  You will also pass by the Parliament buildings and the National Library on the way down to St George’s Street and Greenmarket Square, a colorful outdoor market. Shoppers may want to spend some time here before we continue.

For the historically-minded, there are also some very interesting museums in the city. A very popular and informative excursion is a boat ride and visit to the prison museum on Robben Island, and we can easily incorporate this into your Cape Town City Private Tour.  If it is in your interest, or you are of Jewish ancestry, then the Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre, is a must.  For information about Apartheid, we recommend the Slave Museum and the District Six Museum. If you are an art enthusiast, then a visit to the Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is a must and is one of many galleries in Cape Town. 

For an authentic and unforgettable Cape Town City experience, we highly recommend that you book a private tour with one of our experienced Cape Town Tour Guides.

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Private city tour in Cape Town

Steeped in history, iconic landmarks and contemporary eurocentricity, Cape Town is simply spectacular. A fusion of landscapes, culture and cuisine, this world-renowned city is a popular destination and it is easy to see why.

Ascend the iconic Table Mountain in a cable car that promises unparalleled views of the city below, where the sparkling ocean and rugged mountain backdrop truly astonishes. Visit Clifton, the affluent suburb of Cape Town boasting some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa and four sun-kissed beaches and upmarket Camp’s Bay, ideal for people watching, trendy cafes, pristine beaches and views of the Twelve Apostles. Head to Greenmarket Square for some retail therapy at colourful stalls browsing beautifully handcrafted African curious, clothing and jewellery as enthusiastic buskers, drummers, jugglers and mime artists liven up the atmosphere. Stroll through Company Gardens, home to immaculate gardens and parks, impressive buildings, museums, places of worship and an art gallery. Explore the haunted Castle, built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company. Once a replenishment station for ships sailing by the Cape of Good Hope, today it has many a chilling story to tell. Set your watch to watch the Signal Hill’s noon canon firing, followed by an exploration of Cape Town’s colourful Malay quarter Bo-Kaap. This vibrant neighbourhood offers a unique history and culture, and hearty Cape Malay cuisine. Your journey ends in dazzling fashion with an exclusive diamond tour.

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36 Hours in Cape Town

By John Eligon Updated March 21, 2024

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By John Eligon Photographs by Samantha Reinders

John Eligon is the Johannesburg bureau chief for The New York Times.

As far as beauty goes, Cape Town is nothing short of spectacular: a city built on the Atlantic Ocean, around a mountain, allowing for stunning views in every direction. The elephant in the room, though, is the harsh legacy of apartheid, when South Africa’s white-minority government pushed the Black majority to the fringes of the city. Areas where most visitors tend to go still have a largely white population. To this day, navigating Cape Town as a person of color can bring uncomfortable moments. But South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy this year and has, for all of its challenges, tried to embrace the mantra of the “rainbow nation” — a place of racial and ethnic diversity. In that spirit, Cape Town is shedding its Eurocentric identity and emerging as a culturally rich African hub.

Recommendations

• Chapman’s Peak Drive , one of the world’s most beautiful drives, is a 5.5-mile sojourn along a rocky coastline set against the turquoise ocean and mountain views.
• See Langa , one of South Africa’s oldest townships, with a walking tour led by the artist and guide Tozamile Mnapu .
• The African Food and Storytelling Tour , led by the food writer and activist Dennis Molewa, gets you away from the chichi European restaurants and takes you to casual African eateries that will leave your belly full and spices lingering on your tongue.
• Selective Live provides an intimate setting, with a mountain view, to watch music performances from an array of genres that include Afro jazz, African folk and hip-hop.
• Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is the largest contemporary African art museum on the continent, with exhibits spread across a modern building that was once a grain silo.
• Imiso Ceramics has both a small studio and gallery that features large-scale sculptures by its founders, who find inspiration in their Xhosa heritage.
• The Castle of Good Hope is South Africa’s oldest colonial building, a former fort that now houses nine mini-museums that tell a story of the country’s diversity.
• Earthbox is a unique art exhibit that takes you beneath the earth for relaxation and reflection.
• Bailey’s Kloof is a hiking trail that will test your fitness at first, but is worth the coastal views.
• Theater Arts stages plays in an old Methodist church that showcase a range of experiences and backgrounds in South Africa.
• Time Out Market , an upmarket food hall, captures the diverse range of South African foods, from a chef’s take on a traditional barbecue at Mlilo , to Cape Malay cooking with a modern twist at Barakat .
• Therapy , a restaurant run by a pair of D.J.s from the vibrant Black township of Khayelitsha, offers comfort food and a hip vibe.
• Hari Kitchen , set on a vineyard in the town of Franschhoek with mountain views, serves what its self-taught chef and owner calls Afro-fusion cuisine.
• At Klein Goederust , the first fully Black-owned winery in the Franschhoek Valley, you can pair your wine tasting with a hearty Cape Malay buffet featuring spit-roasted lamb.
• Reuben’s Restaurant and Bar in Franschhoek offers creative plates inspired by family traditions.
• The Silo Hotel is perched above the Zeitz Museum, with “pillowed-glass” windows (many triangular panels of glass create a three-dimensional bubble effect), art on the walls and contemporary rooms with traditional décor, like couches with scrolled armrests and studs. Rooms start at 30,100 rand, or $1,589, per night during peak season.
• Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel sits on one of Cape Town’s most historic sites — Church Square, one of the first public plazas in the city, which used to serve as a slave market. It has seven modern suites starting at 13,000 rand per night.
• Kaap Mooi Luxury Guest House is tucked away amid gardens, making you feel as if you’re in an oasis away from the city, even though it is near downtown in the Tamboerskloof neighborhood. There are eight rooms with various South African themes starting at 2,200 rand per night.
• For short-term rentals , there are lots of apartments in the city center, around Bree Street, close to bars, restaurants and street shopping. If you want to be close to the ocean and the city center, try the Sea Point neighborhood, which has a lovely promenade for a run or a stroll. If you want to tuck in near the beach and stay along the stunning coastline, you can book anywhere between Clifton and Camps Bay, though you will pay a premium.
• It’s easiest to use a car in Cape Town. Taking Uber won’t break the bank, though it will cost you a little more to go out to wine country, about 45 minutes outside the city center. Bolt is another ride-hailing app that is widely used and reliable.

A mural by Tozamile Mnapu in Langa

The apartheid government prohibited Black and colored (a multiracial ethnic classification) South Africans from living in cities, instead forcing them to live in established townships in the least desirable areas. But township residents often turned their communities into areas of vibrant resistance and robust arts and culture. Langa, about 30 minutes outside central Cape Town, is one of the nation’s oldest townships. Tozamile Mnapu , a local painter, offers three-hour tours into the community (450 rand, or $24, per person). Starting from iKhaya le Langa , a community center where he also hosts art workshops, Mr. Mnapu takes visitors past street graffiti to a small art gallery above a narrow home, and another one near a gritty town center with a large monument to the resistance that residents put up against the apartheid police. Book directly with him at [email protected] or at +27 73 073 3529.

Time Out Market , the chain of upmarket food halls in several major world cities, opened its first location in Africa last year in an airy, industrial space on the main waterfront promenade. Stop by Mlilo to try the chef Vusi Ndlovu’ s global twists on a traditional “shisanyama,” or South African barbecue. Order the Senegalese lamb (180 rand) or grilled hake with Ghanaian dressing (250 rand). Just across the hall, at Barakat , the wife-and-husband team of Yolani Abrahams and Anwar Abdullatief offers takes on Cape Malay cooking, a cuisine born in the kitchens of Southeast Asians often enslaved by South Africa’s colonizers. You can’t go wrong with the pan-fried kingklip fish (195 rand) or bobotie, a casserole of sweet, curried minced beef topped with egg custard (80 rand). Have a koesister (10 rand), like a doughnut ball, for dessert.

Selective Live

You can stick around at Time Out Market (cocktail specials begin at 4 p.m.), where you can dance to tunes spun by a D.J. until 10 p.m. Or catch a short Uber ride to Selective Live , an intimate performance space and recording studio in the Gardens neighborhood near the city center. Some nights the live music could be African folk, others it could be hip-hop, and still others it could be Afro jazz. Settle into this second-floor space that feels more like someone’s living room — rather than on a stage, artists perform in a nook with a fireplace and a bookshelf. Then step out onto the balcony for fresh air and — what else? — a picturesque mountain view. Tickets start at 60 rand.

The powerful southeasterly winds make Dolphin Beach, in the Blouberg area, one of the world’s most legendary kite-surfing spots.

Trails are aplenty in this mountainous city. The most famous peaks are Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, and indeed trekking up them can provide plenty of exercise and adventure. But to avoid the crowds and get uninterrupted coastal views try Bailey’s Kloof , another scenic trail that starts along the coast about 30 minutes outside downtown. The first half hour or so is steep and moderately intense. But once you make it past that, it’s a delightful roughly two-hour loop through thick vegetation, including colorful irises, mimetes and cape snow flowers. There are detours for a pond, a cave and a rock formation. Stop and take in the delicious ocean views. Before you go, download an offline version of the area in Google Maps (in case cell service is unavailable) to help you navigate as parts of the trail are not well marked.

Cape Town hosts several art fairs annually, but even if you can’t make it to one , there are lots of opportunities to see great art. One obvious stop is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (entry, 250 rand), the largest contemporary African art museum on the continent. Housed in a former grain silo on the waterfront, Zeitz includes an exhibition that offers commentary on African liberation movements and their connection to the Palestinian struggle, as well as photography and film works that explore connections to the spiritual world. For something more intimate, head to the Salt River neighborhood and visit Imiso Ceramics , a studio and gallery that features large-scale sculptures by the founders Zizipho Poswa and Andile Dyalvane. Their works are inspired by their Xhosa heritage, which they share with arguably South Africa’s most famous person, Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town’s dining scene may best be known for high-end restaurants. But there are also plenty of casual eateries serving classical African dishes. Dennis Molewa , who is from Germany but has lived in South Africa for 15 years, offers three-hour-long African food tours (starting at about 1,400 rand per person) through downtown that include interesting stories about the city’s history and culture. He takes you to a Somali restaurant for chapati, spaghetti and beef stew, but also a blunt conversation about anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa. At Nobantu Restaurant you’ll enjoy a traditional hearty Xhosa Sunday lunch, or what locals call a seven-colors meal (named for the array of colors on the plate). You’ll also meet flower vendors descended from enslaved Cape Malay people, sip tea in a Methodist church and indulge in stewed meats at Fatima’s , a pan-African restaurant owned by a couple from Mali.

Chapman’s Peak Drive runs five and a half miles along the winding Atlantic seaboard from Hout Bay to Noordhoek, and it is often heralded as one of the most beautiful drives on the planet. That’s hard to dispute. It’s a mix of rocky coastline and green water as far as the eyes can see. Get entranced by the ocean and mountain backdrops, but be careful not to get blown away by the stiff winds when you step out to take pictures at one of the many viewpoints. At the end of the route, stop at Noordhoek beach and take a walk. It is a vast, flat plain of sand, and almost feels as if you’re in a desert on the ocean. (Note that the road has tolls, starting at 61 rand.)

Kloof Street was once a dirt road leading from the city center to outlying farms. Today, it’s an eclectic and busy mix of clothing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and nightlife. For dinner and drinks, you can’t go wrong with Therapy , a sophisticated space that opened last year with sleek, plush banquettes and marble tabletops. It was founded by two D.J.s, Loyiso Mdebuka and Vincent Mvelase Manzini , who are from Cape Town and were raised in the Black township of Khayelitsha. As young Black creatives, they wanted to create a hip vibe and a therapeutic experience, challenging what they saw as an African taboo against therapy. The menu delivers a range of transformed comfort food, like lamb ribs with couscous salad and harissa mayo. Three courses without drinks, about 550 rand per person.

Housed in an old Methodist church a short drive from downtown, Theater Arts is an intimate venue to see a play. Shows tackle a variety of themes, from South Africa’s regular, frustrating power outages to the efforts of young people trying to achieve success, told through a comical tale of life in Lagos, Nigeria. Built on what it says are “the tenets of affordability, inclusivity and accessibility,” the theater company provides space for emerging artists from various cultural, social, economic and skill backgrounds to develop their craft onstage. Tickets start at 150 rand.

The Twelve Apostles mountain range, visible from Camps Bay, forms the back of Table Mountain.

The Castle of Good Hope was built as a fort starting in 1666 by the colonists of the Dutch East India Company. It now stands as the oldest colonial building in South Africa. It served many purposes over the years, including a military base, a slave port and a government headquarters. Today, the castle houses nine mini-museums that tell the story of the diverse people who shaped the Cape and the nation. The Cape Heritage Museum was created by Igshaan Higgins, a human rights lawyer, during the pandemic. With artifacts that Mr. Higgins assembled over 25 years, the museum tells the stories of settler colonialism and the various groups who struggled through that oppression, including the Indigenous Khoi and San people, the Cape Muslims and the Xhosas. The castle also houses the William Fehr Collection, an assemblage of oil paintings and decorative art created by settlers that reflects on themes including slavery and the wars of dispossession.

Tune out the noise with a subterranean journey. At Earthbox , which opened last year as an immersive art exhibit on the Lourensford Wine Estate in the suburb of Somerset West, visitors walk into a bunker of sorts carved into the ground. The high walls of dirt, changing mood lighting and lulling soundtrack provide a perfect opportunity to relax, meditate or just let your mind go. Tickets range from 170 rand to 250 rand. For an additional 50 rand, you can purchase an audio guide — there’s one for meditation, and another that teaches about the ancient rocks and sediment surrounding you. Earthbox hosts regular music concerts and private dinners with local high-end chefs. After your visit, you can roam the wine estate, which includes restaurants, a wine tasting room and a market with live music, food stalls, and arts and crafts vendors.

Reuben’s Restaurant and Bar

Lose yourself in the serenity of wine country at Hari Kitchen , on the Topiary Wine Estate, with one of the best meals in the Franschhoek Valley. The chef and owner Munashe Kwaramba did not attend culinary school, but learned his style of Afro-fusion cooking by observing high-end chefs and by cooking with his grandmother in Zimbabwe. Another option just down the road is Klein Goederust , the first fully Black-owned winery in Franschhoek. On weekends, you can pair a wine tasting with a Cape Malay buffet (495 rand per person) where spit-roasted lamb is a highlight. Or on Franschhoek’s quaint main street, pop into Reuben’s Restaurant and Bar , where the chef and owner Reuben Riffel serves refined dishes like dukkah-spiced lamb and pickled fish inspired by the culinary traditions of colored families like his own.

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The perfect holiday in Cape Town

An insider guide to Cape Town, the South African city that excels in natural splendour

You really can’t overstate the case for visiting Cape Town . First, there’s the in-your-face beauty of a craggy mountain range that drops precipitously into a glittering sea, its flanks carpeted in greens and delicate florals. Then there’s the pristine white beaches lapped by – it must be said – a chilly Atlantic, their curves defined by giant granite boulders to bake on, and burbling mountain streams in dappled forests. And no visit is complete without at least one full day exploring some of the surrounding vine-carpeted valleys, their rich terroir spawning not only award-winning wines but superb produce.

Yet Cape Town has a cool urban edge, too: excellent art galleries, hip bars, world-rated restaurants, and design-savvy shops. It's also home to many of Africa's innovative artists and designers, drawn by the city's innate beauty, and with MOCAA the city is now home to the biggest repository of contemporary African art. In short, this pulsating city will leave you hungry for more.

For more Cape Town inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels , restaurants , bars and attractions . For further inspiration, read our expert's ultimate two-week holiday in South Africa.

In this guide

How to spend your weekend, insider tips.

When should I visit Cape Town?

Where to stay in Cape Town

What to bring home

Essential information: what to know before you go

Day one: Morning

Schedule Table Mountain for the morning, when the wind is least likely to blow. It’s a relatively easy two-hour walk up along Platteklip Gorge, the oldest, most direct route, following a well-constructed trail up the front face of the mountain, but the five-hour Skeleton Gorge route that starts from Kirstenbosch Gardens is far more scenic albeit challenging.

To ascend by cable car, purchase the ticket online , dated for the day of your arrival; this single-use ticket is valid for one week and can be refunded during that week if the cable car is unable to operate. If you are here during peak season it is definitely worth purchasing a Fast Track ticket for R950 return and skip the queues. Note that the cableway usually closes for maintenance from mid-July to end-August.

The cable car starts running at 8am in summer and 8.30am in winter. How long you spend exploring the top is entirely up to you but it can be done in an hour or you can combine it with several wonderful hikes that include burbling streams and a dam dips – best do this with a seasoned Table Mountain guide like Riaan Voster, owner of who will tailormake the walk around to your interest and fitness level.

If you want to see a different angle on how Table Mountain dwarfs the city, head to the Waterfront to visit Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned. Be sure to get to the Nelson Mandela Gateway , the Robben Island ferry departure point, 30 minutes before departure. Note that it is essential to prebook, and that you must take some form of identification with you. Tours depart 9am, 11am, 1pm and this is a three-hour trip (including an approximate one-hour round-trip by ferry).

Virtually next door to the Nelson Mandela Gateway is the MOCAA , worth a visit just to see how Thomas Heatherwick and his local team repurposed the 1930s grain silo that today houses Africa’s largest contemporary art collection. Great little museum shop too.

A plethora of lunch choices within easy strolling distance – opposite MOCAA is The Yard, or stroll over to Den Anker, with its marvellous view of Table Mountain and Belgian-inspired menu. Or try Cape Town’s new Time Out Market: a selection of 13 food stalls with signature dishes from some of the city’s top chefs – something for everyone, all good enough to consider coming back for more – enjoyed canteen-style at long shared tables in a historic dockyard building.

Freshen up, then head out to Camps Bay to watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean from vibey Chinchilla. Or head directly to Salsify, where Chef Ryan Cole – awarded 2023 Chef of the Year at the Eat Out awards – serves up his delicate and delicious tasting menu in the 18th-century Round House, tucked into Camps Bay Glen, with tree-fringed views of the ocean. As the last rays bathe the walls in pink, sommelier Victor Okolo further delights the senses with an aptly named “gem” wine pairing to match Cole’s layered creations.

To fully grasp the natural splendour of the city, you need to go on a drive that loops around the peninsula, tooling along the west-facing coastal road that hugs the Atlantic to Cape Point, then exploring the village-like suburbs that look across False Bay, with its magnificent backdrop of craggy mountains like cardboard cutouts against a big blue sky. Note that you can choose to do the route described below in reverse, and enjoy new views from a different angle.

Make a start at 8am to get to Cape Point National Park before the crowds, winding your way along the coastal road that connects Camps Bay to Hout Bay. Stop to enjoy the view halfway up Chapman’s Peak Drive before paying the toll and traversing the narrow road carved into the perpendicular cliffs high above the Atlantic Ocean. Cross Noordhoek Valley, skirting Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, to get to Cape Point National Park, also known as the Cape of Good Hope.

Depending on time, take one of the detours, looking out for baboons, antelope and ostrich, or head to one of the beaches like Buffels Bay beach that the coaches can’t reach… or do as most and head straight to the Cape Point lighthouse to enjoy vertiginous views from the most southwesterly point of Africa.

Next stop is at Boulders Beach  to visit the endangered colony of African Penguins – bring a costume and take a dip with the penguins if the weather’s fine.

There are no stand out restaurants in Simonstown, so time allowing push on to Harbour House or Live Bait in Kalk Bay mostly for the fabulous location, right above the sea on the edge of the quay. If you’d prefer something quick and casual, nearby Kalky’s for fish and chips, or Olympia Café on the high street, as popular with the local community as the visitors that flood this seaside village in season.

After lunch, stroll Kalk Bay’s high street, enjoying the village vibe, with quaint galleries – make time for Kalk Bay Modern – and an interesting array of clothing shops, from the eclectic selection at the aptly named Oh So Boho to elegant linens and pretty florals at Jane Valken , authentic African jewellery from Soul Design and statement pieces at Anpa .

End your peninsula tour with a walk around Kirstenbosch , or a winetasting or two in Constantia , the oldest wine-growing region in the New World. With beautiful 17th-century Cape Dutch buildings and a small wine museum, Groot Constantia has the history (it’s vineyards been producing wines for 332 years) but oenophiles should head to Klein Constantia, not least to sample the estate’s Vin De Constance, a dessert wine that Jane Austen described in Sense & Sensibility as a “balm for the broken heart”.

Tonight we serve up an equally stunning view, this time of Constantia’s vineyard-clad slopes from Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia . Executive chef Liam Tomlin elevates the concept of tapas-style sharing plates to fine dining without overly artsy presentation – alongside sister restaurant Chef’s Warehouse Tintswalo (located at the base of Chapmans’s Peak) with super oceanside setting) this is relaxed, unpretentious, delicious. 

For an excellent city centre option, the tasting menu at excellent-value  Belly of the Beast  will not disappoint, nor will sister outlet Galjoen ... or if you prefer a more a la carte experience, book at table (preferably in the courtyard) at Elgr .

End the evening with a drink at  The Athletic . Vintage cool and cosy, this artfully decorated Victorian attracts a wide variety of clientele, with live music or DJ in the basement, an excellent restaurant at street level, and a classy gentleman’s club-style bar on the second floor, with lovely nooks and doors opening onto a lacey wrought-iron balcony.

Neighbourhood watch

The East City – in and around Harrington Street – just gets cooler, mixing old stalwarts such as old-fashioned Portuguese diner-style dive Dias Tavern and Western-themed bar Dust and Dynamite with trendy creperie Swan and fine dining Belly of the Beast and Galjoen .

Panoramic city views

Hike Lion’s Head just before sunset, and you will be rewarded by the most spectacular 360-degree views: the huge horizon deepening to pink, burnishing the ocean, while below the city lights start to twinkle. That said it’s popular, and some days the hike can feel more like an on-foot commute rather than communing with nature – a quieter (and easier!) alternative is to head up to Kloof Corner.

Attractions

There are more plant species on Table Mountain than the entire British Isles, and the easiest introduction to this rich floral kingdom is a visit to Kirstenbosch . With terraced lawns that blend seamlessly into the steep indigenous forests that pelt the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it’s a spectacular botanical garden. Entrance is R220 but this includes access to one of the free guided walking tours, starting from Gate One on weekdays at 10am, 11am and 2pm. I’d also highly recommend arranging a walk with fynbos expert Dominic Chadbon aka the Fynbos Guy, who will tailor a walk somewhere in Table Mountain National Park taking into account your fitness level, the weather, what’s flowering and where you are based (R2400 for half day guiding, including transfers; +27 72 992 5636). 

Restaurants

If you find the choice in restaurants overwhelming, browse the reviews in Eat Out for guidance and star ratings. Eat Out annual restaurant ratings are incidentally sponsored by Woolworths – while the retailer has relations with M&S this is the closest South Africa gets to a Waitrose; great for a one-stop gourmet picnic (fabulous cheese selection) or if you have access to a kitchen.

You can visit Cape Town pretty much any time of year. Summer is the most popular, with peak season falling between mid-December and early January.

Another surge of visitors descends during the hot months of February and March. In April, the temperatures are balmy, the light is softer, the Cape Doctor (the southeasterly wind that howls through the city) is dormant and the sunsets are spectacular.

The temperate winter sometimes starts in May, more often June/July. Sunny days alternate with downpours that bring verdant relief, the mountain streams gushing into rocky gullies and watering the winter-flowering fynbos, including proteas, lilies and aloes. This is the most exhilarating time of year to explore the slopes of Table Mountain on foot.

July to November is the time when the southern right whales migrate to calve and nurse, providing the best land-based whale-watching in the world – but be warned, July and August can be wet. October to November is when the Cape floral kingdom again wows with a new cycle of flowering species, while the beaches, still relatively empty, sparkle in the temperate sun. This is when some of the best deals of the summer season are to be had – especially if you book early.

Where to stay

Luxury living.

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a green oasis right in the centre of the city, with a palm-lined driveway leading to art-strewn lawns, magnificent flower beds, two pools and tennis courts. Cape Town's iconic pink lady originally opened her doors in 1899, and has attracted a well-heeled mix of loyal guests ever since. Service is impeccable, interiors are glamorous and the number of restaurants, bars and city sights within strolling distance of its doorstep are plentiful.

Designer digs

For absolutely jaw-dropping views of Table Mountain and the twinkling city below, fabulously quirky décor and an atmosphere that feels more like a gorgeous home than a hotel, check into Dorp . A Georgian-style compound edged with fairytale gardens, this hotel defies categorization. The work of the late creative maverick Gail Behr, it is both sumptuous salon – designed to attract local reprobates and playful misfits – and private hideaway, with gorgeous en suite rooms and self-catering apartments, and a decadent, impalpable nostalgia. You simply won’t want to leave.

Budget bolthole

For a great location, fantastic hosts and bargain rates, look no further than Hotel Lola . Creatively fashioned from a double-storey Victorian terrace home by owners Russel and Alan, the five en-suite bedrooms are each uniquely decorated; breakfasts are memorable breakfasts and service exceptional. The Waterfront or city are a 15 minutes stroll away (5 minutes by car); Alan and Russel can arrange tailormade trips in and around Cape Town and have their own in-house driver, Lino, at your disposal. Book soon.

Rooibos tea is probably South Africa’s best known export beverage but for a really unique drink, take home a box (or more – makes a great gift!) of loose-leaf Pinotage Rooibos from local tea merchants Enmasse Tea Merchants . Made from dried pinotage skins and Cederberg-picked rooibos, it’s alcohol- and caffeine-free, and utterly delicious, hot or cold.

For exquisite heirloom-quality woven goods (towels, linen, cushions, throws, wraps) made from high-quality natural fibres in stripey colour combinations to rival those of Paul Smith, head over to Mungo .

The South African Print Gallery  specialises in fine art investment prints – so much easier to transport than canvas or sculpture. There is a great selection of celebrated South African artists, from Tinus de Jongh to William Kentridge, as well as selected new talent.

Know before you go

Essential information.

• British High Commission:  Cape Town; 00 27 21 461 7220
• British Consulate:   021 405 2400; gov.uk
• Emergency services:  dial 082 911 or 084 911 (ambulance), 10111 (police and fire). To contact any emergency service from a mobile phone, dial 112
• Medical care:  to find the nearest private clinic, or to contact a specialist, see  netcare.co.za . For travel-specific queries, see travelclinic.co.za
• Tourism offices and information:  Contact the centrally located Cape Town Tourism (0861 322 223) in Darling Street. Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-1pm.

Local laws and etiquette

• As in any large city, crime is an ongoing concern, but note that most incidents occur away from tourist areas. That said, take the usual precautions: don’t flash your wealth, don’t visit no-go zones (your host or concierge will advise), don’t walk when there are no other people around, don’t leave anything in your car (if you leave something in the boot make sure it’s locked), and keep a close eye (and hand) on your belongings.
• Cape Town’s dams have recovered after the 2023 wet winter but visitors are asked to remain mindful of how precious water is to the city.
• Currency: South Africa Rand (R or ZAR)
• Telephone code: From the UK, dial 00 27 for South Africa, followed by 21 for Cape Town. From within South Africa, dial 021 for Cape Town.
• Wi-Fi: All hotels and guest lodges offer free Wi-Fi.
• Time difference: +2 hours or +1 hour depending on time of year
• Flight time: London to Cape Town is under 12 hours direct

About our expert

Pippa has been researching and writing about travel in Southern Africa for 25 years, author of seven editions of Frommer’s South Africa and The Hedonist Guide to Cape Town, and a regular reviewer and contributor on all things travel. 

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