8 Things to Do in Cape Town: A Personal Travel Guide
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I remembering flying into Cape Town like it was yesterday. Seeing the majestic Table Mountain from above was absolutely breathtaking. Cape Town is a city full of beauty, culture, and history, with no shortage of things to do. During my stay, I explored everything from the local markets, to the beaches, to all of the amazing landscapes. In this guide, I have curated a list of the best things to do in Cape Town from my personal experiences that I feel like you need to add to your Cape Town itinerary. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Introduction: Things to do in Cape Town
Cape Town is a city that has tons of things to do. This city has something for the solo traveler, the adventure seeker, the history enthusiast, and the foodie. In this guide, I will dive into all of the best things to do in Cape Town based on my personal experiences. These insider tips and anecdotes will hopefully make your trip to Cape Town as memorable as mine was.
1. Hike Table Mountain or Take the Table Mountain Cable Car
If you don’t take the cable car up to Table Mountain, did you even visit Cape Town? Table Mountain has some of the best views of the city that you’ll find. Now, the weather has to be perfect and there can’t be any wind in order for these cable cars to go up, but if you get a great day, the views are absolutely spectacular. From the city to the mountains, to the ocean, I really felt like I was on top of the world. IF you are visiting Cape Town, then Table Mountain should be on your must-see list.
2. Bo-Kaap Cape Town
Bo-Kaap is one of those places that you will instantly recognize. The houses are colorful and bright, and it’s just a fun local area. When I was here, I opted to do a local cooking class in the area (I actually try to do one of these everywhere I go), and this was a great way to try some local dishes and is always one of my favorite excursions to do. I was able to make and try Cape Malay dishes which was absolutely incredible. I was also able to learn about the neighborhood’s history and gave me such a deeper meaning and appreciation for the colorful houses and their meaning.
Insider Tip: The colorful houses are a powerful symbol of their freedom, identify, and cultural pride.
So, as you walk through this incredible neighborhood, it is so much more then colorful pretty houses. You are a part of their expression of history, resistance, pride and culture, and is incredibly meaningful and authentic.
3. Robben Island
One of the most moving experiences I had on this trip was visiting Robben Island, which is where Nelson Mandela spent being imprisoned. What made this experience even better was the tour that I took, the guide was a former political prisoner himself. All of his commentary was from first-hand expereince, which made this tour even better than I could imagine. It was an emotional and educational experience, that I think everyone visiting Cape Town needs to experience.
4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Another must-see in Cape Town is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. These are actually some of the prettiest gardens I have seen and was a great way to spend an afternoon. Just walking around and getting lost in the plants and flowers, and soaking in all the smells, it was absolutely amazing. My favorite part of these gardens was the Tree Canopy Walkway. It literally makes you feel like you are floating above the forest.
5. V&A Waterfront
If you are looking for a fun and lively spot full of shops and dinning, then the V&A is the spot for you. This was a great spot to walk around, see live entertainment, and do some hopping, all in a very safe area. I spent the later afternoon here, had dinner outside on the waterfront, and did some shopping, while taking in some entertainment, and people watching. It’s a great outdoor shopping experience, and a great place to visit any time of day.
Insider Tip: There are probably more tourists here than locals, but I still highly recommend the visit.
6. Boulders Beaches
Ironically, when I planned my trip to Cape Town, I had missed Boulders Beach, and honestly didn’t even know it existed. Once I was there and I heard people talking about it, I was super excited to go. Here, I thought penguins only lived in the cold. Nope! They are here on the warm beach in Cape Town, running around and splashing in the water. They were so cute, and it was such a unique experience to see them in their natural habitat on a beach. I was honestly so shocked they could live in warm weather!
7. Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope
One of my favorite drives on this trip was the drive to Cape Point. You are literally headed to the edge of the world for this one. The drive was a scenic as the destination. Between the cliff and the waves from the ocean, I literally just stared out of the window my entire journey here.
Once we got to Cape Point, I stood in line for 30 mins to capture my photo (below), because if you didn’t take a photo in front of the sign, then were you even really there? You can also hike up to an old lighthouse, which I didn’t do only due to timing.
A very short drive from Cape Point is Cape of Good Hope which is known for where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Being surrounded by the rugged coastline, the wind and the ocean smell, just instantly makes you feel at ease. I hear there are wild ostriches and baboons that make an appearance, but I didn’t see either.
8. Experience Local Markets
If you happen to be in Cape Town on a Saturday, then you should add the local market at the Old Biscuit Mill to your itinerary. This is such a great local market where locals and tourists come and listen to music and sample different foods. It’s a great opportunity to interact with some of the locals and feel even more connected to the country. This wasn’t actually something I planned on doing but stumbled upon it since I was there on a Saturday. I was so happy I get to experience it. I left feeling 10lbs heavier!!!
Conclusion: Best Things to do in Cape Town
Visiting Cape Town is more than just visiting a new city in a new country. It’s an experience and a memory that will last a lifetime. From its incredible landscapes, beaches, people, and culture, you will leave with lasting memories. I am hopefully that this guide of all the things to do in Cape Town has helped you plan your itinerary and left you excited to visit some places you may have known about or allowed you to add some hidden gems you didn’t know about. Regardless of what you do in Cape Town, you will for sure have an unforgettable experience. I know I did!