Cape Town Bucket List

Cape Town is arguably South Africa’s number one tourist destination and regularly wins international awards as best city and top tourist destination. These Top Ten lists will help you understand why – besides the spectacular natural beauty that the city and its surrounds boast! In no way are these lists complete, just some of our top picks!

* Please note that some of these activities might not be possible/open during the lock downs.

Top 10 Touristy things to do

1. Take the Cableway to the top of iconic Table Mountain, one of the Natural Wonders of the World  
2. Learn about the culture and history of Cape Town on a city walking tour, or do this by bicycle!
3. Go wine tasting in the neighbouring Cape Winelands of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, or only 20 minutes from the city in Constantia
4. Visit the quirky African Penguins of Boulders Beach
5. Take a boat trip to the Cape Fur Seals of Duiker Island from Hout Bay Harbour
6. Spend a day at the V&A Waterfront and include a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium, a ride on the Cape Wheel and a trip to Robben Island
7. Walk to the two lighthouses at Cape Point and stand at the most South Western point of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope
8. Drive over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most scenic drives, and stop at the many viewpoints – great for a picnic or sundowner
9. Visit the Bo Kaap, one of the most instgram-ed spots in the city with its colourful houses, and enjoy a traditional Cape Malay meal or just a koeksister
10. Hang out on the beach or at the trendy bars and restaurants in Camps Bay

Top 10 Things to do like a local

1. Eat at a food market for the freshest produce and coolest vibes – some of the more popular ones being the Neighbourgoods market at the Old Biscuit Mill, the Oranjezicht City Farm market near the Waterfront and the Cape Point Vineyards Market near Noordhoek
2. Go surfing, or learn to surf, at Muizenberg (famous for its colourful beach huts) and take a walk on the coastal path to St James beach
3. Enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the many tidal pools along the coastlines – some of the more popular ones include Dalebrook between St James and Kalk Bay, Camps Bay Tidal Pool and Buffels Bay in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.
4. Walk, jog, cycle or roller blade on the Sea Point Promenade
5. Hike up Lions Head… or even better do this at full moon to watch the sun set and moon rise
6. Spend the morning or afternoon in Kalk Bay, browse the boutique, antique, art and book shops, have fish and chips at legendary Kalkies and an ice cream from Ice Café
7. Attend a Summer Sunset Concert in Kirstenbosch Gardens
8. Meet a friend for coffee, the Mother City has some of the best and most trendy coffee shops – Truth, Bootlegger and Origin are notable
9. Indulge in a Gatsby - the most popular spots are Mariam’s Kitchen in the CBD, Golden Dish in Rylands and Aneesa’s in Wynberg
10. Spend a Sunday evening at a shisa nyama joint in Langa, Gugulethu or Khayalitsha for the delicious braai meat and party atmosphere

Top 10 Adventures to get the heart racing

1. Tandem paraglide from Signal Hill / Lions Head (depending on the wind)
2. Sky Dive in the Winelands or up the West Coast
3. Hot Air Ballooning in the Winelands
4. Abseil off Table Mountain
5. Snorkel with seals
6. Kayak with penguins
7. Shark cage diving from Gansbaai (2.5 hours away) or in winter from Simonstown
8. Ziplining in Constantia or Elgin
9. Sand boarding on the Betty’s Bay or Atlantis Dunes
10. Windsurfing or kiteboarding – there’s plenty of wind for it!

Top 10 ways to go sightseeing a little differently

1. E-bike tours of the city, winelands, Chapman’s Peak, a West Coast wildlife and nature reserve
2. Cycle or Mountain bike – the city, the vineyards or nature reserves
3. Sidecar tour of the peninsula or winelands
4. Explore the scenic peninsula in a classic Cobra convertible
5. Kayak the Atlantic Seaboard and look out for dolphins and whales
6. Stand Up Paddle (SUP) the canals of the V&A Waterfront
7. Quad biking through vineyards and surrounding nature reserve in Paarl
8. Franschhoek Wine Tram or Tuk Tuks for a wine tour in the Franschhoek and surrounding vineyards
9. Horse riding – along deserted beaches or through the vineyards  
10. A wine farm tour by Segway – Spier in the Stellenbosch wine region  

Top 10 Things to do in the Cape Winelands

1. Wine tasting (obviously!)
2. Enjoy a wine pairing – cheese, chocolate, pizza, ice-cream, nougat, marshmallow, candy floss, biscotti, cheesecake, doughnut, cupcake, macaroon, toffee, quiche, pie, biltong, charcuterie, artisanal salt… the list is endless and ever growing!
3. Gin, whiskey, brandy and craft beer tasting or for those who don’t drink - fruit juice, non-alcoholic wine, tea, chocolate, cheese, ice-cream, olive oil and vinegar tastings
4. Have a gourmet picnic on a wine estate
5. Eat at one of the country’s top rated restaurants
6. Attend a food and wine festival or a music concert
7. Go Chocolate tasting at a small Belgian chocolate factory in Franschhoek
8. Visit art galleries, museums, monuments, craft markets, boutique shops and book stores
9. Have a bite to eat at a food market – Route 44 and Slow Food Market in Stellenbosch are great
10. Get your animal fix - Duck Parade, Eagle Encounters, Cheetah Outreach, Butterfly World, Giraffe House, Crocodile and Snake Park, Alpaca Loom