Cape Town Things To Do – Attractions & Must See

Cape Town Things To Do

From the fantastic vistas of Table Mountain to marvelous coastal beaches complete with penguins, this is one of the most exciting cities in Africa.

Table Mountain

Perhaps the city’s number one attraction, Table Mountain offers marvelous vistas at every turn. It dominates the skyline of the city. Getting there is just as exciting as being there. The cable car that brings people to the top has a 360 degrees rotating floor. While you can walk, the cable car is inexpensive and runs very frequently. At the top you’ll can see for miles, will find several hiking trails, and a national park. You can take the cable car back down but many people choose to hike home. Bring good walking shoes if you are planning a hike as parts can be steep. Along the way, stop by Kirstenbosch Gardens. The gardens feature over 20,000 species of native plants. If you’re here during the summer, you can drive here as the park is the site of many cultural events including summer music concerts and the Galileo Open Air Cinema that has movies at night.

Cape Point

Another must-see attraction is Cape Point. This is the South Westernmost point in the entire country. This is where you can see the cold Benguela current on the West Coast directly hit the warm Agulhas current along the East Coast.The two are different colors so the difference is immediately apparent.  Cape Point has a park that allows you to drive to the entrance point and then park. From there you can hike up the point to see the lighthouse or you can take the funicular. You can see the  Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The Reserve is home to many kinds of animals including baboons, ostriches, the Cape mountain zebra and a local species of antelope called the bontebok that is recognizable by the dark coat with purplish sheen to it. There’s a lighthouse you can climb for even more incredible views.

The Cape Peninsula

Take a drive around the Cape Peninsula. Along the way, you must stop at Boulders Beach. Just south of Simon’s Town, it’s home to a huge colony of local penguins. The beach is part of Table Mountain National Park so you will have to pay an admission fee. Once you’re inside, you can see Foxy Beach and Bolder Beach. They are linked by a boardwalk you can stroll. You can actually get in the water and swim with the penguins. While you shouldn’t touch them, you can get really close to them in a natural setting.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Cape Town.