Things to Do in Cape Town – A Hunter’s Travel Guide

Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Surrounded by mountains and oceans, the city offers visitors an incredible mix of Ocean views, history, scenery and world-class food.

Many of our clients choose to spend 3–5 days in Cape Town before or after their African safari, and it is easy to see why. From penguins on the beach to spectacular mountain views and historic landmarks, Cape Town offers unforgettable experiences for every traveller.

After spending your days exploring Cape Town’s incredible scenery, historic landmarks and world-class restaurants, choosing the right place to stay becomes an important part of the experience. Fortunately, the city offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit every traveller, from luxury hotels with breathtaking ocean views to comfortable guesthouses and modern Airbnb apartments. Whether you prefer to stay near the vibrant waterfront, along the famous Atlantic beaches, or in a quiet leafy suburb near the wine farms, Cape Town has excellent options that make it easy to relax and enjoy everything this beautiful city has to offer.

V&A Waterfront – Best for First-Time Visitors

The V&A Waterfront is one of the most popular places to stay in Cape Town. Located in the harbour with spectacular views of Table Mountain, it offers a safe, walkable area with restaurants, shops, museums and easy access to many attractions.

The area has excellent security and is especially convenient for visitors who want to explore the city without renting a car.

Recommended Hotels

The Silo Hotel
One of the most luxurious hotels in Africa, located above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art. It offers incredible views over the harbour and Table Mountain.

One&Only Cape Town
A five-star resort known for its world-class spa, beautiful waterfront setting and excellent restaurants.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel
A more affordable option directly on the harbour with excellent views and easy access to the waterfront.

Average Hotel Prices

Mid-range hotels: R2,000 – R4,000 per night
Luxury hotels: R5,000 – R15,000+ per night

Camps Bay – Luxury Beachfront Living

For visitors who want beautiful beaches and incredible sunsets, Camps Bay is one of the best places to stay in Cape Town. The area sits along the Atlantic Ocean with the dramatic Twelve Apostles mountains rising behind it.

Camps Bay is home to many luxury hotels, beachfront restaurants and cocktail bars.

Recommended Hotels

The Bay Hotel
A stylish beachfront hotel with four swimming pools and views of the ocean.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Located just outside Camps Bay, this luxury hotel offers spectacular ocean views and a world-class spa.

Average Prices

Boutique hotels: R2,500 – R4,500 per night
Luxury hotels: R5,000 – R8,000+ per night

Sea Point & Green Point – Great for Apartments and Airbnb’s

For travellers who prefer more space and flexibility, Sea Point and Green Point are excellent areas to book an Airbnb or apartment.

These neighbourhoods are lively, central and located just minutes from the V&A Waterfront and the city centre. They are also close to the Sea Point Promenade, a beautiful oceanfront walkway popular for walking, jogging and sunset views.

Why These Areas Are Popular

Close to restaurants and cafes
Safe and well-lit streets
Great ocean views
Short Uber ride to most attractions

Airbnb apartments in these areas typically cost between R1,200 and R3,000 per night, depending on the size and location.

Constantia – Quiet Luxury Near the Wine Farms

For visitors looking for a quieter stay surrounded by nature, Constantia is a beautiful option. This leafy suburb lies just outside the city and is famous for its historic wine estates.

Luxury boutique hotels and guesthouses are common in the area, making it ideal for couples or families who want a peaceful environment.

One excellent example is The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, a historic property located in the Constantia Valley with beautiful gardens and nearby wine farms.

Getting Around Cape Town

Getting around Cape Town is easy, and most visitors either rent a car at the airport or use Uber as their main form of transportation.

Uber is widely available throughout the city and is generally considered one of the safest and most convenient ways to travel between attractions, restaurants and hotels.

Many locals recommend taking an Uber rather than walking at night, even for short distances.

Typical Uber Prices

Short trips in the city: R60 – R120
Airport to city centre: around R250 – R350

Uber also allows visitors to pay using international credit cards and provides GPS tracking and driver verification for added safety.

Below is our guide to the best places to visit in Cape Town, including approximate prices and travel tips. (2026)

Table Mountain – Cape Town’s Most Iconic Landmark

No visit to Cape Town is complete without seeing Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The flat-topped mountain towers above the city and offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean, Robben Island, and the city skyline.

The easiest way to reach the top is by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, which takes visitors to the summit in about five minutes. The cable car rotates during the ascent, allowing everyone inside to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.

Ticket Prices (approx.)

Adult return ticket: about R450 – R490
Children: about R225 – R250
One-way ticket: about R295

At the top of the mountain visitors can explore walking paths, enjoy scenic viewpoints, and spot wildlife such as rock hyrax (dassies) and various bird species.

Tip: Go early in the morning to avoid long queues and strong afternoon winds.

Robben Island – South Africa’s Historic Prison

Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most important historical landmarks. Located just off the coast of Cape Town, it is best known as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years during the apartheid era.

Tours depart from the V&A Waterfront and include a ferry ride across Table Bay and a guided tour of the prison led by former inmates.

Ticket Prices

Children: about R210
International visitors: around R600

The experience offers a powerful insight into South Africa’s history and is highly recommended for visitors interested in the country’s cultural heritage.

Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope

Cape Point lies within Table Mountain National Park and is one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Africa. Rugged cliffs rise high above the ocean, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are often said to meet.

Visitors can explore hiking trails, view historic lighthouses, and enjoy spectacular ocean scenery. We recommend doing such a trip with either a rental vehicle or any one of the experienced tour guides.

Entry Fees (approx.)

International visitors: about R515 per adult
Children: about R250

Once inside the park, many visitors take the Flying Dutchman Funicular, a short railway that travels up the steep hill to the lighthouse viewpoint.

Funicular Prices

Adult return: about R115
Children: about R60

This scenic drive to Cape Point is often combined with stops at Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay and Boulders Beach.

Boulders Beach – African Penguins

Boulders Beach is one of the only places in the world where you can see African penguins up close in their natural habitat.

The boardwalks allow visitors to observe these charming birds without disturbing the colony.

Entry Fees

International visitors: about R245

The beach itself is also beautiful, with white sand and large granite boulders forming natural swimming pools.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is considered one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world.

Visitors can enjoy peaceful walking trails, picnic areas, and the famous Boomslang canopy walkway, which provides stunning views over the gardens and mountains.

Entry Prices

International visitors: about R210 – R220

In summer the gardens host outdoor concerts, making it a wonderful place to relax after a day of sightseeing.

V&A Waterfront – Restaurants, Shopping and Ocean Views

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is Cape Town’s most popular tourist hub. Located in a working harbour with views of Table Mountain, the area offers excellent restaurants, shops, museums and entertainment.

Visitors can enjoy:

Fresh seafood restaurants
Boat cruises around the harbour
Luxury shopping
The Two Oceans Aquarium
Street performances and markets

It is also the departure point for the Robben Island ferry and many sightseeing tours.

Dining prices vary widely, but most restaurants offer meals between R150 and R400 per person depending on the venue.

Cape Winelands – Stellenbosch & Franschhoek

Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town lies the famous Cape Winelands, home to some of the best wine estates in the world.

The towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer beautiful mountain scenery, historic Cape Dutch architecture and exceptional wine tasting experiences.

Typical wine tasting fees range between:

R75 – R150 per person

Many estates also offer gourmet restaurants and cellar tours.

A unique way of experiencing various different wine farms, is the Franschhoek Wine Tram.

Located in the historic wine valley town of Franschhoek, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the Wine Tram offers a relaxed and scenic way to explore some of the region’s best wine estates. Visitors travel between vineyards using a combination of open-air trams and buses, stopping at multiple wineries along the route to enjoy wine tastings, cellar tours and excellent restaurants.

There are several different tram lines, each visiting a selection of renowned wine farms in the valley. Guests can hop on and off throughout the day, spending as much time as they like at each estate. Standard tickets typically cost around R300 – R350 per person, which includes transport on the tram and buses, while wine tastings at the individual estates usually range between R75 and R150 per tasting. The experience offers spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful vineyards and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a perfect day trip for visitors wanting to experience the famous Cape Winelands.

Camps Bay & Clifton Beaches

Cape Town is famous for its spectacular beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Camps Bay is one of the most popular, with white sand beaches and views of the dramatic Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Visitors can enjoy:

Beachside restaurants and cafes
Sunset cocktails
Swimming and sunbathing

Entry to the beaches is free, making it one of the best ways to experience Cape Town’s natural beauty.

Shark Cage Diving

For visitors looking for a truly unique adventure, shark cage diving is one of the most exciting activities available near Cape Town. Most shark diving trips take place in the small coastal town of Gans Baai, about a 2–2.5 hour scenic drive from Cape Town. Gans Baai is often referred to as the “Great White Shark Capital of the World”, with tours launching from Klein Baai Harbour and heading out to the famous Shark Alley between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock.

A typical shark cage diving trip lasts around 4–6 hours, with roughly 2–3 hours spent on the ocean searching for sharks. No diving experience is required, as participants breathe at the surface while holding onto the cage as sharks swim past. Prices usually range from R2,200 to R2,700 per person for international visitors depending on the operator, with breakfast, lunch and equipment often included. Many tour companies also offer transport from Cape Town for an additional R500–R800, making it easy to experience this incredible marine adventure during your stay.

Deep Sea Fishing

Cape Town is also an outstanding destination for deep sea fishing, with experienced charter operators launching from harbours such as Hout Bay, Simon’s Town and the V&A Waterfront. The waters around the Cape Peninsula and Cape Point are rich in marine life, and anglers regularly catch species such as Yellowfin tuna, Cape yellowtail, snoek and various reef fish.

Most fishing charters run half-day or full-day trips, with experienced skippers and all fishing equipment included. Prices generally range between R3,000 and R8,000 per person, depending on the distance travelled offshore and the type of fishing being targeted. These trips are suitable for beginners as well as experienced anglers, and many charters also provide refreshments and assistance with cleaning and preparing the catch. For visitors who enjoy the outdoors and the ocean, a day out on the water fishing around Cape Town can be a fantastic addition to any South African safari itinerary.

We hope this article helps make the planning of your visit a little easier and gives you some inspiration for your time in the city. Cape Town is an unforgettable destination, and we wish you a wonderful trip filled with great experiences and lasting memories during your time in South Africa.