Cape Town Sightseeing - Our TOP 16 Highlights

Today I’d like to introduce you to the top Cape Town sights and highlights so you can get a first impression of the city and what awaits you here in southern Africa. Cape Town is hip, cool, colorful, and extremely charming. I personally always feel at home in Cape Town. Bolle and Marco have also been to this city several times and are always impressed.

But why is Cape Town such an impressive metropolis? Personally, I think it’s mainly due to the mountains and the sea, the bustling markets, the stunningly beautiful beaches, the hip cafés, the mild climate, the diverse wildlife, and the diverse opportunities. Cape Town skillfully combines all of these components, but see for yourself.

What else you should know

What else you should know Should
Cape Town Attractions
1. Table Mountain
2. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
3. V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
4. Signal Hill
5. Lion’s Head
6. The colorful Bo-Kaap
7. Companies Garden
8. Robben Island
9. Camps Bay & Clifton
10. Neighbourgoods Market
11. Sea Point Promenade
12. Helicopter flight over Cape Town
13. The beautiful Cape Peninsula
14. Wine Route in Constantia
15. Top museums in the city
16. Exploring Woodstock
Cape Town sights by bus
Getting to Cape Town
Best time to visit Cape Town
Accommodation in Cape Town
Travel reading
Short Cape Town FAQ

Cape Town sights

In the following map, I have marked the most important Cape Town sights for you. There is, of course, so much more to discover, but this map should suffice for a first overview. My motto, as always, is: Just go with the flow! Do you know any other Cape Town highlights that you absolutely shouldn’t miss? Let us know in the comments.

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1. Table Mountain

Table Mountain is definitely one of Cape Town’s top attractions and is certainly familiar to everyone. Towering 1,086 meters high, it towers over the city and fascinates visitors every day. Its flat plateau and the occasional overhanging cloud cover have given it its name, as it looks like a table covered with a tablecloth. A table, in fact.

You can either take the cable car up to the plateau or take one of the beautiful hiking trails that start from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and take you up to Table Mountain in several hours. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking; don’t miss it. Here we present 5 routes up Table Mountain.

Tafelberg-Wanderung-Kapstadt

The shortest route is on the front side (Platteklip Gorge) and is very steep. You’ll reach the plateau via this route in about 1.5-2 hours. I personally find the routes on the back side (e.g., Skeleton Gorge Trail) much more pleasant and beautiful.

Once you reach the top, you’ll have breathtaking views of the city, the surrounding mountains, and the sea. A restaurant will provide you with some snacks after your strenuous climb. There’s also a shop and a café there. More information here: Cape Town’s Outdoor Highlights.

Tours of Table Mountain:

Table Mountain: Hike with a local guide*
Table Mountain cable car and hop-on/hop-off bus ticket*
Cape Town: Half-day tour with Table Mountain and city walk*
Table Mountain: Hike via Platteklip Gorge*

2. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

One of the most beautiful places in Cape Town is definitely the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It is located on the back side of Table Mountain and is considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. A wealth of native plants from the Cape region awaits you. There are also huge trees and green meadows that invite you to picnic. You’ll also receive a wealth of information about the plants and the production of tea, coffee, and baskets.

Cape Town Sights Highlights Kirstenbosch Gardens 4

Since 2014, there has also been a 130-meter-long treetop walkway that takes you 11 meters above the ground through the treetops and offers fantastic views. The open-air concerts and movie nights held between November and April are also highly recommended. Bolle and Marco attended the film screening “Into the Wild” with friends. You can book your tickets here: The Galileo.

Address: Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa
Opening hours: Garden 8am – 7pm (until 6pm in winter)
Admission prices: Adults R230, children 6-17 R40, children under 6 free
Guided tours: Mon.-Fri. 10, 11, 12 and 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun. 10 and 11 a.m.)

Cape Town Sights Highlights Botanical Garden Plants

3. V&A Waterfront in Cape Town

One of Cape Town’s biggest tourist attractions is the V&A Waterfront, which still recalls the harbor’s past activities. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is located between Robben Island and Table Mountain, right in the heart of the working harbor, and despite its many tourists, is a charming part of the city.

Many restaurants, craft markets, entertainment venues, food stalls, luxury hotels, museums and a large shopping mall make the waterfront a lively place. From here, you can also take various boat tours and excursions out to sea and to Robben Island, or enjoy the view of Cape Town by helicopter.

Cape Town Sights Highlights Waterfront 1-2

Popular activities at the V&A Waterfront:

Cape Town: Catamaran cruise along the coast*
V&A Waterfront: Seal watching on a harbor cruise*
Cape Town: Robben Island plus Cape Big Wheel tickets*
Sea Kayaking Tour from the V&A Waterfront*

4. Signal Hill

Signal Hill is one of the three famous mountains overlooking the city. It is also called the “Body of the Lion” because it borders Lion’s Head below it, making it appear as if it were the body of the head. Signal Hill is 350 meters high and has a very flat summit. A road leads up to the viewpoint, from where you can see the Waterfront, Camps Bay, Clifton, and of course the city.

Since you can easily drive up there, it’s also worth taking a short trip in the evening to admire the sunset and the city lights. If you plan to see Cape Town from the air, you can also take paragliding flights from Signal Hill (book here*).

5. Lion’s Head

Lions Head is by far my favorite mountain in Cape Town, probably because you can only reach the top on foot, and the hiking trail at the end becomes a bit of a climbing experience. The 669-meter-high Sugarloaf got its name because its shape is reminiscent of a mighty lion’s head.

A circular trail takes you to the summit of Lion’s Head in about 2 hours. By the way, Tine has shared her favorite time of day for a hike up Lion’s Head. Therefore, you’ll have beautiful views of the surrounding beaches, the adjacent Table Mountain, the Waterfront, and the World Cup stadium throughout the entire climb.

The climb is especially worthwhile shortly before sunset, as from up there you’ll have the most beautiful view of Cape Town. Don’t forget your headlamp for the descent, as the path leads back down via small steel rungs and ladders until you reach the more relaxed hiking trail. You can book guided tours here*.

6. The colorful Bo-Kaap

An image you’re sure to recognize from one travel guide or another—the colorful rows of houses in Cape Town. The Bo-Kaap district is one of Cape Town’s top attractions in the city center. Some of the small, colorful houses were built in the mid-18th century and today attract every traveler to Cape Town for a quick photo stop. Rainbow Nation, that’s what Nelson Mandela called South Africa and nowhere in Cape Town is this more evident than in Bo Kaap.

Activities in Bo-Kaap:

Malay cooking class and lunch in Bo-Kaap*
Walking tour of Bo-Kaap and Malaysian cooking class*
3-hour bike tour through the city*
Cape Town: Half-day tour with Table Mountain and city walking tour*

7. Companies Garden

The former vegetable garden, which was once responsible for supplying sailing ships with fresh vegetables, now invites both locals and tourists to escape the summer heat and spend the day in the shade of exotic trees.

The Companies Garden is located directly next to the pedestrian zone and covers approximately 8 hectares. In addition to plenty of greenery, you can also admire many interesting historical buildings, watch little squirrels, have a picnic, or visit the Jewish Museum or the SA National Gallery.

8. Robben Island

An island about 12 km from Cape Town that has a long history to tell. The small island gained its fame through its significant role in South African history, as it was used as a prison for government opponents during the apartheid era. Robben Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Nelson Mandela was arguably the island’s most famous prisoner, who held the island for over 20 years. You can easily book a tour to Robben Island at the Waterfront during the off-season. Boats depart from there several times a day to take you to the world-famous prison island.

9. Camps Bay & Clifton

South Africa’s two most famous beaches are located in Cape Town below Lions Head. Camps Bay and Clifton Beach (1 to 4) are not only popular for sunbathing and swimming, but are also among the most expensive and upscale areas in and around Cape Town. Stylish cafés line the waterfront promenade, where you can enjoy a leisurely cappuccino in the afternoon.

The younger generation, in particular, is drawn to Camps Bay and Clifton to surf and enjoy a bit of luxury. Personally, I think the beaches and the palm-lined waterfront promenade give this area a bit of an LA feel. Many people also treat themselves to a chic Airbnb apartment with a sea view. More about that here: The most beautiful beaches in Cape Town.

10. Neighbourgoods Market

In the heart of the Woodstock district, the famous Neighbourgoods Market takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Old Buscuit Mill. A visit to the market is a must on your Cape Town tour! It’s a good place to combine breakfast and lunch on a Saturday. Enjoy delicious juices, freshly baked bread, local and international dishes, and sweet baked goods.

Your eyes will see a lot, and your palate will have a taste experience. The market also offers numerous great photo opportunities and cozy straw bales for resting. In addition to delicious food, you can also marvel at creative designers in small shops and workshops at the Old Biscuit Mill.

But Cape Town wouldn’t be Cape Town if there weren’t numerous other markets in the city. There’s also the Green Market Square in the city center (open daily), where you can buy many pretty handmade souvenirs (pictures, figurines, bowls, jewelry, etc.).

The Bay Harbour Market, which takes place every Friday through Sunday (location: Hout Bay), is also really cool. More than 100 stalls entice you with numerous delicacies and a super chilled vibe. Also recommended is the Oranjezicht City Farmers Market, where you can buy regional delicacies from the farmers every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

11. Sea Point Promenade

The Sea Point Promenade stretches a full 6 km from the Waterfront via Green Point, along the stadium to Sea Point, where the famous sea pool is located. The route offers you a fantastic view of the sea and the 12 Apostles mountain range.

The promenade is also ideal for jogging or inline skating, especially in the morning and evening hours. Every day between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., you can stop at the numerous food stalls along the palm-lined promenade (Mojo Market) and enjoy the evening with live music from local artists.

12. Helicopter Flight over Cape Town

Want to see Cape Town from above? That was also a dream of Bolle and Marco, which they fulfilled at the end of last year on one of their many trips to South Africa. An experience you shouldn’t miss under any circumstances. Seeing the mountains, the sea, the beaches around Cape Town, and the stadium from a bird’s eye view was an indescribable experience for them. You can find our detailed article here.

You can book a helicopter sightseeing flight online with Cape Town Helicopters* for between R2000 and R5800 and choose between several routes. The staff and pilots are incredibly friendly and everything runs smoothly. Your adventure will then start at the V&A Waterfront and you will be amazed, we promise!

13. The beautiful Cape Peninsula

Cape Town itself is a real eye-catcher, as is the area surrounding the Cape Peninsula. There’s so much to discover around Cape Town, you should allow at least 2 to 3 days for it. Starting with the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world.

Numerous breathtaking viewpoints await you here. The route continues past Llandundo Beach, Hout Bay, and the long Noordhoek Beach to the Cape of Good Hope, where meter-high waves, steep cliffs, strong winds, and a few wild baboons (monkeys) await you.

In the Cape of Good Hope National Park, you can go on a number of hikes, such as the hike along the Shipwreck Trail (starting point: Olifantsbos Beach), or take a swim at Buffels Bay. With a bit of luck, you might even spot whales in False Bay, although they’ll be further away from land.

Then the journey continues to Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, where a huge penguin colony awaits you (cheaper, by the way, in Betty’s Bay). In St. James and the surfer town of Muizenberg, you can explore and photograph the famous colorful beach huts. Grab a surfboard here and throw yourself into the waves.

Tours to the Cape Peninsula:

Cape Town: Private Day Tour to the Cape of Good Hope*
From Cape Town: Cape Point & Boulders Beach – Day Tour*
Cape Point Instagram Tour in a Small Group*
Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point – Shared Tour*

14. Wine Route in Constantia

You don’t have to travel far to sample delicious wines. Right outside Cape Town is Constantia, where you’ll find not only wine-growing regions but also many luxurious villas. Here, on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, wine thrives, and for you, that means visiting several wineries. Tourists especially like the so-called Constantia Wine Route, which takes you to various wineries (Buitenverwachting, Steenberg, Klein Constantia, and many more).

Wine Tours from Cape Town:

From Cape Town: Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour Franschhoek Wine Tram*
Full-Day Group Tour of the Cape Winelands*
Gourmet Tour with Food & Drinks through Cape Town*

15. Top Museums in the City

If you have a little more time, you should definitely visit one of the many museums. Very interesting and at times shocking is the District Six Museum, which gives you an insight into the apartheid era. At the Iziko South African Museum you can learn more about the natural history and anthropology of Cape Town.

The Zeitz Mocaa Museum at the Waterfront is also very popular and is considered one of the largest museums for contemporary African art in the world. More museums can be found here: Tripadvisor – the top museums in Cape Town.

16. Exploring Woodstock

During our last trip (winter 2022/2023), we also visited the Woodstock district as part of a guided tour. We really enjoyed the 2-hour graffiti tour* because we not only discovered tons of street art, but also cool streets and shops.

We strolled leisurely through the alleys of Woodstock with our guide and discovered some truly unique murals. Our guide told us more about the art scene and the artists who immortalized themselves there. Woodstock has become quite a place in recent years and is certainly worth seeing. We thought it was really cool there! Click here for the tour*.

Cape Town Sights by Bus

The tours on the red tourist buses are highly recommended. The buses serve different routes (red, blue, yellow, green, purple) that take you to almost all the highlights, whether it’s the Botanical Gardens, the Waterfront, or Signal Hill. Bolle did this two-day tour (red & blue) many years ago and was absolutely thrilled.

So if you don’t have a rental car, don’t feel like using public transport, and a taxi is too expensive for you, these tourist buses are simply perfect for getting a first impression of Cape Town. Tickets are available here: Cape Town Bus Tours*. Here you can also find a map with the various routes and highlights: Overview map.

Getting to Cape Town

Want to finally visit Cape Town and explore the city itself and the surrounding area? What are you waiting for? Currently, you can fly with Lufthansa and SAA directly from Munich and Frankfurt to Johannesburg or Cape Town. You can also fly with Iberia, KLM, Swiss, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, or Air France with a transfer.

The flight time to Johannesburg is usually around 10 to 11 hours and to Cape Town 12 to 13 hours. Bolle and Marco have already flown to South Africa with Lufthansa, Emirates, SAA, and Ethiopian Airlines and were completely satisfied with all flights.

Best time to visit Cape Town

You can generally visit Cape Town all year round, but the most popular months are December, January, and February. The period from mid-December to mid-January is not recommended, as South Africans themselves are on vacation and it is very crowded in and around Cape Town.

During this time, you can expect summer temperatures, low humidity, and less rainfall. However, the months of October, November, March, and April are also recommended, as you avoid the high season and the climate is no longer as hot.

If you want to explore Cape Town and the surrounding area, we recommend the South African spring and autumn. It gets quite cool and wet in Cape Town and the surrounding area during the winter months between June and September. You can read more about this here: Best time to travel to South Africa.

Accommodation in Cape Town

We love the city and especially the many great Airbnb offers. So far, we’ve always found a really cool little apartment this way. Also browse Booking.com*; you’ll find a huge selection of cool hostels and hotels there.

We never find it easy to decide on any trip because there’s simply an overabundance of accommodations. If you have a recommendation, please feel free to post it in the comments for everyone else. A little further down, we’ve selected and linked a few cool hotels for you.

Travel Reading

We highly recommend the travel guide by Stefan Loose* as well as the guide from Dumont Verlag*. We’ve been extremely happy with both travel guides for years and always enjoy browsing through these books. You can find even more travel guides about Cape Town and the Garden Route here: The best Cape Town travel guides.

Short Cape Town FAQ

Is a trip to Cape Town worth it? How many days should I plan for Cape Town? Is Cape Town a safe city? When is the best time to travel to Cape Town?