Last Updated: 8/6/20 | August 6th, 2020
This week, Natasha and Cameron from The World Pursuit share their tips and advice for visiting Cape Town. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world and offers lots of hiking, history, wine, and incredible views!
Dominated by the iconic Table Mountain, which serves as a backdrop everywhere in the city, Cape Town is a mish-mash of cultures. Its appeal was apparent the day we arrived: we had a monthlong apartment rental and a plethora of “must-see” sites, but the laid-back vibe of the city had us in no rush to do so.
After just one hour of exploring, we said to each other, “We are going to love it here.”
After two months of soaking up the sun, enjoying the outdoors, and eating delicious food, we still hadn’t managed to pull away from the city. The magic of Cape Town extends well beyond its beauty; it lies in what it can offer visitors.
Whether it was checking out a weekend market, hiking, attending a jazz concert, canyoneering, or spotting some wildlife, we never ran out of things to do. And you won’t either!
1. Take a Free Walking Tour
Start your visit off with a free walking tour. It’s the best way to introduce yourself to the city and start to get the lay of the land. You’ll see the main sights, learn some history, and get to meet a local expert guide who can answer all your questions.
Free Walking Tours Cape Town offers free daily walking tours. Taking one is the best way to kick your trip off. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end (that’s how they make their living).
2. Enjoy the View from Table Mountain
At over 3,500 feet above sea level, the views from Table Mountain are the best in the city. Taking the famous cablecar up the mountain was one of the first things we did. However, at 330 ZAR (USD $22 USD), it is relatively expensive.
If you want to hike up instead, the shortest trail takes about two hours. On the top, you’ll get to enjoy a 360-degree view of Cape Town, the harbor, the mountains, and the beaches. The best time to visit is during sunset — hike up, bring some snacks, and enjoy the view!
3. Drive Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point
Past Chapman’s Peak southwest of Cape Town is Cape Point National Park, where you can witness the collision of the Atlantic and Indian oceans at the Cape of Good Hope. The national park offers long hikes, coastal birdlife, and a chance to take in the smallest and richest floral kingdom in the world, the fynbos (a small belt of natural shrubland).
You will have to pay a 52 ZAR ($3 USD) toll to drive on the road; however, the scenic drive is well worth the cost! The famous highway snakes along the vertical cliff faces of Table Mountain, leaving you wondering whether your car will end up in the Atlantic.
Expect to spend at least 250 ZAR ($15 USD) per day for a rental car. The entry fee to the Cape Point National Park is 320 ZAR ($18.50 USD).
4. Visit Robben Island
Visiting the former political prison on Robben Island was high on our list of things to do. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here 18 years and the site was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1999.
A former inmate personally guides everyone around the prison. It is both sobering and inspiring to learn first-hand about the first black president of South Africa from people who actually knew him. We were able to hear their stories and sit in the same exact cells where prisoners who fought for their rights were locked away.
It’s hard to think about the victims of political oppression still in prison around the world and remember that, despite what the news may say, we’re a lot further along than just two decades ago.
Ferries operate three times a day, starting at 9am (a fourth ferry operates during the summer). Admission is 320 ZAR ($22 USD) for adults and 200 ZAR ($13.50 USD) for anyone under 18 (tickets include the ferry ride).
5. Explore Hout Bay
On weekends in Hout Bay, artisans and vendors from around the city come to the Bay Harbour Market to sell their goods: everything from fish stew, souvenirs, crêpes, jewelry, art, and even mojitos are available, as are live bands.
You can get just about anything you can crave. We discovered the market by happenstance: we had come to go swimming with the seals in Hout Bay, and just followed the sounds of the buzzing market. We enjoyed it so much we returned multiple times.
The market is open Friday evenings from 5pm-9pm and weekends from 9:30am to 4pm.
The bay and harbor are also home to tons of seals and seabirds. Between June and November, you can also find migrating whales here. Right whales, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and dolphins are here in abundance. If you want to take a whale-watching tour, expect to pay around 900 ZAR ($50 USD) per person.
6. See Kirstenbosch Gardens
On a nice spring day, we headed to the southern suburbs to check out Kirstenbosch Gardens. Set against the slopes of Table Mountain, the beautiful botanical gardens are appropriately dubbed “the most beautiful garden in Africa.”
Kirstenbosch offers visitors a chance to explore the fynbos and various floral kingdoms found across the African continent. Spanning over 1,300 acres, the gardens were actually established over 300 years ago and are home to over 22,000 types of plants. Be sure to do the tree canopy walkway — it offers amazing views.
This was hands-down was one of our best outings and provided a welcome escape from the city. Admission is 70 ZAR ($5 USD).
7. Relax at Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg is a southern suburb of Cape Town famous for its boardwalk and surf. It’s a 30-minute car ride from the city center and the ideal spot to learn how to surf. The laid-back neighborhood is a beach bum’s haven and has a strong multicultural vibe that is refreshing. A one-hour lesson with wetsuit costs only 350 ZAR ($20 USD) and makes for a great way to get active on vacation.
If surfing isn’t your thing, the neighborhood is also home to a number of cultural events and yoga studios. We took a stab at a free yoga class, followed by a healthy wrap and smoothie along the beach. Afterward, we took photos of the famous beach stands that are painted in a rainbow of colors.
8. Hike Lion’s Head
While hiking up Table Mountain may take too long for an evening hike, the adjacent Lion’s Head is only a 45-minute climb to the top. It’s essentially the little sister to Table Mountain.
Make sure to bring a camera on your hike, because it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Cape Town. Rising high above the city skyline, it still provides incredible views of the city, sea, and Table Mountain. The evening we hiked up, we witnessed a rare show as a low blanket of clouds made all trace of man disappear.
Sunrise and sunset can be crowded times, as locals and tourists alike clamber up the mountain to take in the impressive vista. Once on top of the peak be sure to reward yourself with a classic African “sundowner” (a drink while watching the sunset). Our personal drink of choice is the classic gin & tonic; it complements a sunset on Lion’s Head perfectly.
Just remember to bring a flashlight for the hike back down!
9. See the Boulders Beach Penguins
This was at the top of our to-do list in Cape Town. So, we saved it for a special occasion and made our way to see the home of thousands of African penguins (the colony is home to over 3,000 penguins).
Visitors can properly view them from a raised boardwalk, while still giving the massive colony their personal space. You’ll know where the African penguin’s second name, “jackass penguin,” comes from when you hear them call.
Boulders Beach Park costs 152 ZAR ($9 USD) per person to enter, with the fee going to the upkeep of the park and conservation of the penguins. Don’t try to take a photo too close to a penguin — they bite (I’m speaking from experience).
10. Wine and Dine in Stellenbosch
One of the most world-renowned wine regions is only a 45-minute ride outside of Cape Town. There are hundreds of privately owned vineyards in and around Stellenbosch, with tastings typically costing 60-75 ZAR ($4-5 USD) (food pairings are available as well).
If you don’t have a vehicle and want to take a tour, expect to pay at 1,000 ZAR ($68 USD) per person for a half-day tour. Many hostels in the city also run their own tours or have partnerships with local tour guides who can take you as well. Be sure to shop around to find the best price!
Additionally, check out the Vine Hopper, a hop-on, hop-off van with various vineyard routes. If you can only visit one vineyard, we would recommend Lanzerac to taste the origin of the region’s very own Pinotage variety.
11. Wander Bo-Kaap
Walking distance from the city center is the colorful Cape Malay (Muslim) neighborhood of Bo-Kaap, the former quarters of the city’s slave population. However, as time passed, the neighborhood grew, and various communities have called it home.
Nowadays, the Cape Malay population resides in a vibrant neighborhood. Don’t feel shy walking through and taking photos; the residents are friendly and used to having their homes photographed and posted on Instagram. We went to the neighborhood in the morning to catch good light for photos and watch the neighborhood come alive.
We ended up staying for a couple of hours, checking out South Africa’s first mosque, Auwal Mosque, and eating at one of the best Cape Malay restaurants in the neighborhood, Bo-Kaap Kombuis.
Afterward, we had plenty of fun posing for photos in front of the bright orange, green, pink, blue, and yellow houses.
12. Visit Slave Lodge
Slave Lodge was built in 1679 by the Dutch East India Company to house their slaves. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city. Up until 1811, over 60,000 African slaves were brought to the city, with 300 living in the cramped lodge at a time.
Today, the lodge is a museum where you can learn about the hardships slaves faced in their daily lives in Cape Town.
Typical Costs in Cape Town
Compared to other big cities around the world, Cape Town is definitely affordable. Hostels and apartments will offer the best rates on accommodation, buses (albeit slow and inconsistent) are incredibly cheap, and no good meal should cost you more than 120 ZAR ($7 USD) unless it’s at an upscale restaurant.
We were never on an ultra-tight budget so we lived quite comfortably, with great food and entertainment for a quarter of what it cost in NYC. Our only splurge days involved excursions outside of the city, like canyoneering, whale watching, or bungee jumping — which cost between 900-1,400 ZAR ($50-80 USD) per person.
Overall, I would say that you should budget 662-836 ZAR ($38-48 USD) per day if you’re a backpacker. If you’re more of a mid-range traveler who stays at cheap hotels and eats out often, expect to spend between 1,220-1,480 ZAR ($70-85 USD) per day
How to Save Money in Cape Town
To help you save money during your visit, here are a few quick tips that helped us keep our budget intact:
Go in the off-season – Traveling during South Africa’s winter season will help your wallet. During the summer, locals leave the city to the tourists and South Africans from around the country take over.
In the winter, you have the ability to find cheaper apartments on Airbnb since there is less competition. We visited in September and were able to negotiate with a number of apartment owners to find the best deal. It pays to shop around!
Enjoy free activities – If you’re looking for free things to do, then getting active is a great solution. Climbing Lion’s Head, swimming at the beach, and running along the Sea Point promenade are all free activities that provide a good workout. Almost any outdoor activity in Cape Town is sure to offer stunning views of the ocean as well!
Avoid shopping in touristy areas – Shops at the Watershed, in Camps Bay, and downtown offer handmade local products — but they aren’t cheap. These are some of the most visited areas in the city so prices are generally higher. If you’re looking to save money, don’t shop in the tourist areas!
Stay in budget-friendly neighborhoods – Camps Bay, Sea Point, and the Waterfront areas are all real estate hotspots: they are some of the most beautiful areas of Cape Town. Therefore they’re the most expensive areas to stay in.
For more affordable options try Muizenberg, Vredehoek, or Woodstock. We stayed in apartments in each of those neighborhoods, which offered their own sightseeing but we were still only an Uber ride away from the main sights.
Find cheap groceries – Shoprite and Checker’s are the two cheaper supermarket options. If you’re cooking your own meals, shop at either of these two stores.
There is little reason to wonder why so many people are drawn to Cape Town. The city has almost everything to offer: beaches, food, mountains, wildlife, history, culture, wine, and adventure sports.
Exploring Cape Town takes time. Life seems to move a little slower in the Cape. The locals enjoy their city’s very laid-back attitude, and you’ll want to do the same. We stayed for two months and still hear about things that we missed. We’re already plotting our eventual return!
Natasha and Cameron run the blog The World Pursuit, focusing on adventure and cultural travel. You can follow their adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Book Your Trip to Cape Town: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on South Africa?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to South Africa for even more planning tips!
Photo Credit: 13 – David Stanley
Veronika
Wow, you guys got me excited about South Africa! I wouldn’t mind to be hiking towards Cape Point right now 🙂 It looks so beautiful. And the penguins too 🙂
I hope to make it to SA this or next year, fingers crossed 🙂
Natasha
Between the hikes and the penguins, we don’t know what we miss the most!
Carmen Rabbiosi
Hi there!
I’m a Capetonian living in Germany, loved this post 🙂 I wanted to add that the MetroRail southern line is a train line from Cape Town central station to Simon’s Town, and it’s a safe and fun way to get to the beaches in the Southern Suburbs, including Muizenberg 🙂
The train line runs along the coast, and for about 20 min you get amazing sea views if you sit on the left when leaving Cape Town!
There is also a special train that goes to Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, and a regular local train line to Stellenbosch. Travel during the day and be vigilant, and it’s totally safe!
sarayu
Wow!!!! I just loved the penguins there. Looking cool. Wish I would go there right now! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anna Colorista
Cape Town is without a doubt one of the most magical places I have ever been to. I loved the culture there and would love to go back. Thanks for the amazing article, it definitely covers all the spots I have told friends to go to 🙂
Siggi Einarson
Great post with a lot of details! I haven’t added South Africa to my list yet but this has definitely convinced me. I am a sucker for architecture and colorful buildings. Beautiful photographs!
Katie Dundas
Thanks! Great post, have been considering a trip to South Africa for a while, and glad to hear it is also really affordable. Can I ask if you felt safe during your time there?
Natasha
Thanks! We spent three months in South Africa and never had any issues. However, we took the advice of others and never drove or walked around at night and stayed in safe neighborhoods usually with security systems.
Aaron
Great post dudes – congrats on the column!
Michael
The old biscuit mill is a great market, and it is also home to one of the finest restaurants in the world–the test kitchen. Make reservations at the restaurant far in advance, though.
Natasha
We tried to get into the Test Kitchen, but they were booked for two months! 🙁
Karin
I also tried, and even tried to get the reservation 2 months ahead of time, it is not easy!
They also have a sister restaurant at the old biscuit mill called The Pot Luck Club, there you also have to make a reservation a month in advance!
Charles
Great guide – thanks! Visitors should also go on the big red hop-on-hop off sightseeing buses : there are a number of options and combination tickets available which give first-time tourists an excellent introduction to Cape Town – and it is not expensive at all. In the centre of the city the centuries-old Company’s Gardens should also be visited – not only are the gardens very beautiful but some of the most historic buildings in the city as well as museums are found there – and it’s free.
Natasha
Great suggestion! We went on the hop on hop off bus our second day in Cape Town and it certainly gave us a better understanding of the city.
Justin
Great post! Haven’t made the jaunt over to South Africa, but this post definitely makes it look like a “must”. Nice work!
Carrie
Sounds amazing! I’m excited to visit South Africa for the first time in November. I will definitely be taking some of your suggestions.
Natasha
We’re excited for you! Hope you love Cape Town as much as we do!
Jurga
Great list! South Africa is one country we can go back to again and again. And Cape Town and Cape Peninsula are my favourite place in the whole world. Useful tips, definitely checking this before we travel next time.
Shiko
Hey this is awesome, thank you. Am planning a trip to cape town and this really helped. I am hoping to move from Cape town to Namibia,Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and then back to home Kenya, i would appreciate any great tips to help 🙂
Natasha
That’s great! Will you be traveling overland? We went to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and are now in Tanzania. We share our experiences on our site and will be sharing more on Nomadic Matt too!
Anthony Horovitz
I am a fond lover of traveling and after reading this article, I must want to go Cape Town with my family. Also, you have given very useful information about food, transport and accommodation without which we can’t complete our journey. Beautiful pictures of nature.
Keneth
Definitely helpful post. Actually, I am planning a trip to the metropolis and this very helped? I am hoping to maneuver from metropolis to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania and then back to the home Republic of Kenya, I would appreciate any great tips to assist. Whatever, thanks a lot for sharing.
Eli Noah
Hey Keneth
We just finished a trip to Namibia Botswana Zambia and Zim. The border posts can be pretty intimidating and can be a tedious process. Most of them accept CC payments. Zambia was scary. Make sure to take Kwacha since they do not accept CC. When u arrive at the border post about 15 guys will come to the car to extend their help. Their was one with a tag though. He helped us through the process and we paid him 300 Pula. (Had no Kwatcha off course) The paperwork here is very tedious. Also there is NO MONEY in Zim. It was very difficult to try and get cash from an ATM. Thankfully they take cards. Overall was it a great experience. Also the border patrol are pretty friendly however do I think they feel you should know the paperwork they are asking for. After the second crossing will you start getting the hang of what they are looking for. Vehicle clearance, road taxes etc. Good luck and happy travels.
Michelle
I saw a lot of websites offering guides for hiking up Table Mountain. Do you think that is necessary? I enjoy hiking and have never used a guide anywhere before, and would prefer to save money by not using one.
Thanks!
seera lon
looks like a pre tip for going there, so let me 1 thing , is it camping allow at cape tows beaches ? how beaches in captown good for camping?
Rank Glider
Really a great post about Cape Town. So, much of tiny details like cost of food, opening hours, etc. I was thinking of visiting Cape Town at some time in my life but I would now make it like a priority. You are surrounded by nature there- mountains, penguin beaches, parks and the view from Lion’s Head is amazing!
Charley
Looks like you had a great time in Cape Town! Love the photos and the post 🙂
Andrea Crain
Great tips, thank you guys for sharing your experience. I am also planning a trip to Cape Town. This post is going to help me alot to plan things before the trip. I love hiking. Table Mountain and Lion’s head sounds amazing to me. Very excited to see penguins at Boulders Beach and of course to taste some great wine in Stellenbosch 🙂
Tuukka
The article did not mention current underlying crisis in SA, that was predicted already by Siener van Rensburg. The Suidlanders have brought his visions back to public recently.
I was about to make a medical travel section for SA, but I’m not sure if it’s safe anymore.
Jonathan Merage
Beautiful post! Thanks for exploring the beauty of Cape Town with such an informative guide.
Travel Queen
I am a retired USA teacher that loves to travel solo. I am starting to plan a trip to South Africa to celebrate my 75th birthday in May 2018. Many family members are concerned about my safety. I plan to use BAZ BUS and take a 4 day safari to Krueger Park. Any suggestions for places to AVOID?
Sapna Parmar
Wow, you guys got me excited about South Africa! It looks so beautiful. I hope to make it to SA this or next year, fingers crossed.
Jade
This article truly captures the essence of what Cape Town has to offer. It is a stunning place full of adventure and a soulful energy. So many things to do and so many wonderful places to stay as well. One such place I found to be particularly restful and family-friendly was Welgelegen Boutique Hotel.
Kristine
Hi! I am planning to visit Cape town in December! I am super excited! Wanted to know if it was safe for us to drive around on our own?? Driving to Cape Point and Winelands area? The rest of the days we most likely will take uber.
Jade
If you are travelling through South Africa and are staying in Cape Town then you should definitely visit Table Mountain and Robben Island. So many interesting and fun things to do. Welgelgen Boutique Hotel is only a few miles from all that Cape Town has to offer and it is located right in the heart of the CBD.
Nancy
We went to Africa this summer for the first time and loved it. Our three day two night stay in Cape Town was too short, it is a magical city and astounded me with the number of things to do and the quality of the food and experiences there. Thanks for this round up, inspires me and reminds me to keep it on our list of places to return to.
Louise
Great post guys – as a South African myself you covered the basics any tourist should know!
I travel to CPT at least once a year and still find someone new I haven’t done or seen. Just to note, you can get some great b&b’s for a decent rate – booking.com is where I always book my CPT accom if not staying with friends. You can land 4star hotels for under R1000 a night.
One thing to mention: the party street in CPT! Long street ( into Kloof) is where you want to visit for some great night spots with a vibe!
Thor Sverrisson
I just got back from a 10 day trip in Cape Town and it blew me away. Even the most tourist-y attractions like Table Mountain, are incredible and worth experiencing. Great post!
Greg
I fell in love with Cape Town from the first sight and would like to come back to it. It was there that I discovered South African wines and ate dishes with ostrich meat. The first time I did not have time to climb the Lion Head or swim in a cage surrounded by sharks.
Krunal Patel
That’s Tempting me to plan SA asap. Wonderful information and beautiful images. Capetown seems a heaven
fakhar
I have not travelled to this place but i heard about it earlier. The article is really helpful for the one who is planning a trip. Actually, i am travelling to Abu Dhabi this time and once after the trip i will check if i could be able to go to Capetown. Thanks for sharing!
Abdul Kasif
I know it’s great to experience the Cape Town and visited 2 times in 2 years make me collect unforgettable memories with buddies. We travel in a group and it helps us to manage the trip easier. Our next tour will be from Saudi to Singapore that’s for sure going to be the great one.