What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
Top picks in Cape Town include Table Mountain cable car, V&A Waterfront, Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point, Boulders Beach penguins. See the full list and itinerary on this Cape Town travel guide.
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Cape Town Travel Guide
Things to do in Cape Town — Explore Cape Town
Photo: Der Berzerker from Washington, DC, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Why visit Cape Town
Cape Town is nicknamed the Mother City within South Africa. Compared to the more business oriented Johannesburg it is known for its relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. Compared to other parts of South Africa, Cape Town is also distinctly more "western". The metropolis of Cape Town is spread over a wide area, from Somerset West and Durbanville in the east to Atlantis in the north and Cape Point in the south. The city centre is situated in a fairly small area between Table Bay and Table (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Cape Town is a stop in South Africa, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Table Mountain cable car, V&A Waterfront, Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–140 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Experiences
Things to do in Cape Town
1
Table Mountain cable car
2
V&A Waterfront
3
Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point
4
Boulders Beach penguins
5
Robben Island
6
Camps Bay beach
7
Stellenbosch wine day trip
8
Bo-Kaap colourful streets
Budget travel
Free things to do in Cape Town
V&A Waterfront
Boulders Beach penguins
Camps Bay beach
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Cape Town itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Castle of Good Hope
- Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Visit Rhodes Memorial
- Eat at Eastern Food Bazaar
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Two Oceans Aquarium
- Visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
- Visit Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain
- Eat at Best Of Asia Green Point
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Climbing Table Mountain
- Eat at Randy Warthog Bar & Grill
Prefer a full 8-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Cape Town itinerary guide.
Budget
Cape Town trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–140
per person / day
Luxury
USD 160–265+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Cape Town, South Africa. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Cape Town
Estimated total (USD)
$2,180
≈ $1,090 per person · $311 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $95/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Cape Town mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–140 · luxury 160–265+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $$$$
The Test Kitchen
Contemporary · Cape Town's most acclaimed kitchen (check status)
- $
Kalk Bay Harbour stalls
Seafood · Fresh fish and chips — locals' weekend pick
- $$
Gold Restaurant
African · Pan-African feast with drumming
- $
Clarke's Bar & Dining Room
Café · Long Street breakfast institution
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Ellerman House
Bantry Bay · Clifftop villa hotel with art collection
- $$$$
One&Only Cape Town
V&A Waterfront · Marina resort with Table Mountain views
- $$$$
The Silo Hotel
V&A Waterfront · Zeitz Museum rooftop hotel
- $$
Daddy Long Legs
City Bowl · Art-hotel favourite for creative travellers
Shopping
- Green Market Square
- Caroline's Fine Wines
- Vaughan Johnson's Wine Shop
- Wine Concepts
- Ultra
- Blue Route Mall
Nightlife
- Bobs Bar
- Club 169
- Foresters Arms
- Marco's African Place
- Mitchells Ale House
- Sandy B
Museums & culture
- Castle of Good Hope
In pictures
Cape Town gallery
Photos: Der Berzerker from Washington, DC, USA, Ranjithsiji, Daniel Case, Discott, Bernard Gagnon — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Cape Town travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
How many days do I need in Cape Town?
Plan at least 3 days in Cape Town for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Cape Town?
Popular stays in Cape Town include Ellerman House, One&Only Cape Town, The Silo Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Cape Town cost?
On the ground in Cape Town (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–140, and luxury about 160–265+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Cape Town, South Africa. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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