10 Must-Do Activities Around Cape Town – Our Top Picks (2025 Update)

You’ve booked your trip to Cape Town – great! But now the challenge begins: what are you going to do? Cape Town has so much to offer that making choices can be difficult. And believe us, we totally get it. It’s not for nothing that we come back here so often ;-) To help you get started, we’re sharing our favorite activities here – things we’ve done ourselves and can really recommend!

360 degree views of Cape Town from Lion's Head

Most people put Table Mountain at the top of their hiking list, but honestly? We think Lion’s Head is even more fun and have climbed it 5 times already. The hike is easy to do (about 60 minutes to the top, although we did it in 45 minutes the last time). What makes the climb so much fun is that you are essentially walking around the mountain in circles, giving you 360-degree views of the city, the ocean and Table Mountain. Perfect for a workout and a magical sunset!

What to expect:

• A tough but doable hike with steep sections

• Breathtaking views of Cape Town and its surroundings

• A serene atmosphere at sunset

Our tips:

• Wear sturdy shoes, as some sections are quite steep

• Start early or go around sunset to avoid the heat

• Bring plenty of water and a headlamp if you are going later in the day

Take a Helicopter Flight over the City

This might not be something you do every day, but that's exactly why: what an experience! From the air you can see how impressive the city and its coastline actually are. The flight is not necessarily cheap, but it will give you an experience you will never forget. Prices vary depending on the duration of your flight and provider. We chose a 12-minute flight via Get Your Guide and that length was more than sufficient for us

What to expect:

• A unique perspective on the city and surrounding landscape

• A quiet and comfortable flight with spectacular views

• An unforgettable experience

Our tips:

• Book early to be sure of a spot

• Go in clear weather for the best view (although flights in bad weather will not take place anyway)

Outdoor Cinema Underneath the Stars

Looking for a fun date night? Then a visit to an open air cinema is definitely recommended. At The Galileo Open Air Cinema you can enjoy a cozy evening with blankets and a glass of wine. Please note that they often show older (family) films. So it is really more about the experience and the romantic setting, than about watching the latest films here.

There are several locations, but we went to Kirstenbosch Garden. Every Wednesday evening there is an open air film night here. Check their official website for their movie schedules.

What to expect:

• A cozy open-air cinema experience

• A cozy atmosphere with a community of locals and tourists

• Beautiful starry sky and fresh air

Our tips:

• Bring an extra layer of clothing, because it can sometimes be quite cold

• Book your tickets in advance

• There are food trucks, but you can also bring your own snacks

Swimming with Penguins at Boulders Beach

Penguins in Africa? Yes, you can! At Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town you can admire these cute animals up close and even swim with them. Definitely a special experience. Also great to go with children, if you are travelling with children. There is an entrance fee of R190 per adult, so bring your debit card or cash!

What to expect:

• An idyllic beach setting with curious penguins

• Guided walking trails along the colonies

• Opportunity to swim with the penguins

Our tips:

• Go early to avoid the crowds

• Bring your swimwear

• There are two entrances. Navigate to the entrance on Bellevue Road.

• When you enter you will immediately see a beach. At the end of the beach, climb between the rocks to the second part of Boulders Beach. Here you will spot more penguins.

• Do not pet the penguins, as they can bite.

Fine Dining – Luxury dining with a view

All gourmets will be more than satisfied in Cape Town. However, sometimes it is nice to go all out and have a fine-dining experience. Perhaps a bit on the expensive side, but realize that you will pay a lot more for the same quality in Europe. So if you want to eat out in luxury, definitely do so in Cape Town. You will not be disappointed!

These are our top recommendations:

• Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic or Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia – Both locations offer delicious shared dining dishes with a matching wine arrangement. In our opinion, Tintswalo stood out because of the fantastic view. Check our TikTok channel for videos about these restaurants.

• FYN, PIER, La Colombe – For those who really want to go next-level, these are top choices (we haven't been there ourselves, but hear from friends that it's great!)

What to expect:

• Exquisite dishes with local ingredients

• Beautiful views (at least at Chefs Warehouse)

• Intimate and refined atmosphere

Our tips:

• Make a reservation well in advance. These restaurants are often fully booked months in advance. However, our waiter gave us the tip that it is smart to call in the morning to see if there is a cancellation, so that you can still dine last minute.

• A service charge (tip) of 10% - 15% is often included in the bill. So check your receipt carefully and avoid giving double tips. This can quickly add up, especially at such expensive restaurants.

• Check dress codes; some restaurants expect neat clothing

Wine Tasting with the Franschhoek Wine Tram

Wine tasting without worrying about transport? The Franschhoek Wine Tram is the solution. The Wine Tram is a hop-on, hop-off system that takes you between different wine farms around Franschhoek on a charming tram and bus. You choose a route and then decide at which and how many stops you want to get off. Each route has a selection of wine farms, and you have time to enjoy a tasting, lunch or just the beautiful view.

What to expect:

• Great vineyards and beautiful views

• The opportunity to taste different wines

• A relaxing ride on a charming tram

  
  

Our tips:

• Choose a route in advance (check our other blog article about the orange route and more tips!)

• Start early to enjoy it to the fullest

• Some wineries offer great lunches, so plan accordingly

Chapman’s Peak Drive During Sunset

This iconic coastal route is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the world. It is especially breathtaking at sunset. When we have friends visiting, we always take them along this route, and everyone is always impressed.

What to expect:

• Stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains

• A breathtaking view of the sunset

Our tips:

• There is a small toll fee, so keep this in mind

• The road is closed in bad weather

• Stop at the viewpoints for the best photos

• Drive slowly, the road is narrow and winding

Old Biscuit Mill on Saturday or Sunday

Looking for a fun weekend activity? The Old Biscuit Mill Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock is the place to be for foodies and art lovers. You’ll find many local artists exhibiting and selling their work. The food market offers a wide selection of street food from different cultures. You can often enjoy live music during the market. It’s a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists, and the atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunny day, a tasty lunch and some artistic discoveries.

What to expect:

• Fun market stalls with locally made products

• Flavours of street food from different cultures

• A lively atmosphere with music and art

Our tips:

• Arrive early, it gets busy

• Try different street food dishes

• Parking can be a challenge, so take an Uber instead

Visit a Township

This activity may not be something you would call ‘fun’, but we found it to be one of the most impressive experiences in Cape Town. A tour through a township gives you more insight into the history and community of the city and makes you think about the townships in a completely different way. Since we often stay in Cape Town, we felt it was very important to also immerse ourselves in this side of the city and learn more about how these neighbourhoods came about.

This activity is one that many people are hesitant about, but with a well-organised and responsible tour it can actually have a positive impact. When the tour is led by local guides and the income benefits the community, this can support the local economy and create employment. Make sure you book through a provider that works with the community in a fair and respectful way. We booked this tour and we would definitely recommend this tour. Friends of ours booked this tour and we heard positive stories about this tour as well.

If you are also genuinely interested in this, we definitely recommend this activity. By the way, we felt completely safe with our guide, so don't worry about safety.

What to expect:

• A penetrating and educational experience

• A glimpse into the daily life of the locals

• Educate yourself to the history and culture of the city

Our tips:

• Always go with a local guide

• Be respectful and ask permission for photos

• Go with an open mind and listen to the stories. Ask lots of questions!

• Pro tip: Bring candy bags and/or balloons. The children love this. Make sure you bring things that you can hand out. So with a candy bag with 50 candies you can make 50 children happy. With a bubble blower only one child. The balloons in particular were very popular and we loved seeing how incredibly happy a child can be with one balloon.

Wolfkop Festival – The Ultimate Experience If You Are Here in January

Are you in Cape Town in January and do you like festivals? Then Wolfkop Weekender Festival is an absolute must! Super small-scale, in the middle of nature, and perfect for chilling in the water during the day and dancing in the evening. We slept in a glamping tent, so we didn't have to carry camping gear around ourselves. This was an absolute highlight for us and we will definitely go there more often.

What you can expect:

• An intimate atmosphere with lots of nature around you

• A friendly crowd with a small-scale, but energetic vibe

• A lot of Dutch people (you can decide for yourself whether you find this positive or not 😉)

Our tips:

• Buy your tickets on the official website, because it sells out quickly

• Bring a swimsuit

• Buy a waterproof phone case so you can take your phone out on the water

• Buy inflatable beds or tubes so you can float around in the water with a drink in your hand during the day

• Bring a cooler, fill it with two bags of ice cubes and then fill it with drinks. Our drinks stayed cold for 3 days!