With a stunning location between the mountains and the sea, Cape Town is a city that stands out with its natural beauty.. Towering above the city, Table Mountain is the perfect place for panoramic views out to the sparkling Atlantic.. The city’s long yellow beaches, backed by soaring peaks, are considered to be among the best in South Africa.
There are surfing, hiking, cycling, paragliding, whale watching excursions, and sharks and cage dives. In this city, which offers a variety of activities and entertainment, you can easily spend 4-5 days without getting bored.
The leading touristic activities in Cape Town are cage dives with sharks and Climbing Table Mountain is coming. Table mountain is the best place to watch Cape Town and its surroundings. You can climb this mountain either by long walks or by cable cars.
Cape Town is loved not for its city center, but for its natural beauties and activities to do.
Cape Town List of Places to Visit
There are many places to visit in Cape Town.. Especially outside the city center. But it’s home to the most beautiful views of the city, Table Mountain, the hill known as Signal Hill, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Point and famous for its penguins. Boulders Beach is one of the must-see places in this city. Below, you can create a sightseeing itinerary based on your time in the city by browsing the top attractions with short day trips from the city center and Cape Town.
1.The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The port area, also known as Victoria and Alfred Wharf, is the busiest place in the city. Once a fishing port, this redesigned waterfront area is now one of the city’s top tourist attractions.. Most of the historical buildings here have been preserved until today.. Some of them have been restored and turned into boutiques, restaurants and cafes.
Because it is an extremely touristic place, you can find the most important touristic activities in the city here.. If you wish, you can even take a helicopter tour or watch the shows and concerts held here.
This region, which is also popular with its shopping centers and restaurants, is the address where you can find the most exclusive and most expensive European dishes.. Another feature of this port is that it is the starting point for excursions to Robben Island.
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2 .TABLE MOUNTAIN
One of the first places that comes to mind when Cape Town is mentioned, Table Mountain is known as the most popular touristic place of the city thanks to its unique view.. When you reach the top, you can either sit in a restaurant famous for African cuisine and enjoy the view, or take short walks and watch the magnificent view of the mountain.
Composed of large sandstone and slate beds, Table Mountain forms the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and Located in Table Mountain National Park. Known for hosting close to 1500 plant diversity, the mountain is generally cold, so don’t forget to bring a jacket with you.
The best part of climbing this mountain is the cable cars.. It is also possible to find cable cars that move every half hour.. Buy your tickets for the ascents of this mountain as round-trip. Also, ticket prices change in the morning and in the afternoon.. Since the tickets in the afternoon are a little more affordable, it is also possible to go up the mountain in the afternoon (especially for the sunset view).
The cable car ride takes 7 minutes and in a cafe at the top station of the cable car, you can also see a small viewing terrace. This is one of the places where you can have a breathtaking view of the mountain. You can also use the free shuttles departing from the city center to reach the cable car.
You can also walk to Table Mountain if you wish.. Since there are many different hiking routes, you can get a route map for climbing the mountain from the tourism office or your hotel.. The journey takes 3-4 hours on average.
3.Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
part of Cape Floristic Area and UNESCO World Heritage Site Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. More than 20 thousand native South African plant species are grown and studied in these gardens, which were established in 1913 to protect the country’s indigenous flora. You can climb to the top of the mountain, or you can easily reach here from Table Mountain by using the same pass.
Boomslang is one of the places that hosts the most beautiful scenery in the garden.. Finally, be sure to see the protea garden, dedicated to Africa’s national flower.
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4.Signal Hill
Another beautiful hill you can add to your Cape Town list of places to visit is the place called Signal Hill. Although Signal Hill and Lions Hill are on the same hill, you drive to Signal Hill.
Signal Hill, Cape Town, Table Bay and 5 minutes’ drive west of the city centre. Famous for hosting magnificent views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. If you are planning to visit this hill, go at sunset as many tourists do and wait until it gets dark in the evening.. You can watch a much more beautiful view from here, especially in the evening, after the lights of the city are on.
Signal Hill got its name because of the hanging of flags here in order to send messages and signs to ships in history.
5 .BO-KAAP
One of the city’s most colorful and beautiful sights is Bo-Kaap. Famous for its colorful walls and cobblestone streets, the area is located exactly at the foot of Signal Hill.. This is the region with the most Muslim population (Cape Malay) in Cape Town.. For this reason, it is known as one of the most cultural areas of the city.
The oldest mosque in the Southern Hemisphere, the Auwal Mosque (1793) is one of the most important historical buildings in the region.. The area is filled with many restaurants and cafes that serve ”Cape Malay” dishes that combine local and Malaysian delicacies.
Bo-Kaap residents are descended from Dutch settlers from Malaysia, Indonesia and many African countries. descendants of “Cape Malay” slaves brought. ”Bo-Kaap Museum”, where you can get much more detailed information about the residents of the neighborhood in this area, is also one of the places worth seeing.
Although there is not much to do in the region, it is possible to see the old and colorful buildings. and a place to visit to explore the cultural makeup of the region. Since it is located in the heart of the city, you can easily reach it.
6.Long Street
This street, known as the entertainment district of tourists, is also named after its name. quite long as you can see. Although this place, which every tourist wants to visit, does not reflect the Cape Town culture, it is one of the places you can take a look at while you are here.. You can find beautiful cafes, shops and boutiques on the street.. I can say that it is a street that can be considered for a nice afternoon trip.
Most of the restaurants on the street are among the leading popular venues of the city.. Don’t forget to take a look at the restaurants near this street on Tripadvisor.
NOTE : If you plan to visit the street, which is said to be a bit dangerous later in the night, in the evening, you should be a little more careful.
7.Robben Island
Make sure to stop by this island that is home to the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years. You can visit the island, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, by boats departing from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
While on the island, you can see the maximum security prison, Mandela’s old cell and the limestone quarry. Telling the troubled history of South Africa, Robben Island is among the must-see places of Cape Town.. While the island is more famous for the prison where South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela was held captive for 18 years, the island itself is well worth a visit.
Tour Tip ; Robben Island Ferry & Prison Tour
8.Camps Bay
Famous for a wide stretch of soft sand surrounded by quaint cafes and lively bars Camps Bay is home to the city’s favorite beach, with its windless climate and family-friendly atmosphere.. This beach, which is also a favorite of tourists with its beautiful beachside restaurants, is located just south of Clifton Beach (Clifton Beach is also among the popular beaches that can be preferred with families in Cape Town)
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You can get here very easily by car from the center of Cape Town via Victoria Road (M6 motorway) or Camps Bay Drive (M62 motorway). area comes to mind this famous beach. The most popular aspect of this beach, located in the inner parts of the city, is the sunset view.. Do not forget to take a look at this beach, which is one of the first places visited by tourists in Cape Town.
If you do not have a car, you can also use the buses departing from the city center to go to this beach.
9 .Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head is loved for its breathtaking scenery. Although this mountain, located between Table Mountain and Signal Hill, attracts the attention of tourists with its sunset views, it offers a magnificent view at any time of the day.
Prefer morning hours to climb the mountain.. If you go to the mountain at noon, you will sweat on the way and get cold after going up.. In the morning the exit will be a little cooler. Again, do not forget that you can get cold here as well as on every hill of the city and you may need jackets.
We reached the top in 1 hour and 15 minutes.. But we rested in 15-20 minutes. It’s not too tiring but the heat is killing you. That’s why I say go here towards evening, that is towards sunset, instead of noon.
Is it worth going to all this trouble and climbing this mountain? Definitely worth it if you ask.. Cape Town can be viewed from here with a 360 degree angle. In addition, you have crossed this path, which has been chosen as one of the best places in the world as a hiking route.
10.Castle of Good Hope
Good Will or Castle of Good Hope, also known as Cape Town Castle, is among the most important and most touristic historical structures of the city.
This castle, which has an interesting architectural structure, was built in 1666 and is located in South Africa. It is known as one of the oldest structures of . This building, which draws attention with its star-shaped architectural structure, is located in a museum where you can see many porcelain, ceramic and glass works.. Today, it serves as the military stronghold of the region, but is open to visitors.. Also, watching the changing of the guard is one of the best things to do here.
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11.Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach, a place where you can see the natural life of penguins, is an average of 50 minutes’ drive from the center of Cape Town.. Boulders Beach, located in ”Simon’s Town”, is home to a breeding colony of more than 2,000 endangered African Penguins.
Boulders, a sheltered, white-sand beach, is located in Table Mountain National Park. Belongs to the Marine Protected Area and is subject to an entrance fee. If you don’t have a car, you can go to this beach with tours.. As a tour recommendation, you can take a look at the tour named “Visiting Cape Point and Penguins: Full-Day Tour from Cape Town”.
12.Cape Point
Cape Cape Point, which is approximately 60 km from Town city centre, is also one of the most popular points of interest in the city.. Located at the southernmost tip of the Table Mountain National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cape Point is one of the richest flora areas in the world.
Cycling around Cape Point National Park is one of the best things to do in the city.. During the bike ride, you can enjoy ocean views and see a few animals, including ostriches, baboons and even zebras.
You can also visit this area with Boulders Beach combined tours.. If you have a car, you can go on your own.
13.District Six Museum
established in 1994, 6. Although the regional museum is a commemorative and educational museum about the region, it is very popular with tourists.. The museum, which hosts valuable exhibits about Cape Town’s history, is located in the city center and is easily accessible.
In 1966, when the South African government decided that the community was white, the multi-ethnic Six Six Local residents displaced. This museum also honors the people of the now extinct region.. Add this museum to your list, where you can find a lot of information both about the inhabitants of the region and about the turbulent history of the city.
14th Greenmarket Square
Victoria and Alfred A short walk from the Wharf, Greenmarket Square is one of Cape Town’s liveliest and busiest.. The square’s reputation as one of the oldest squares in South Africa attracts even more attention.
Originally a slave market, the square is now home to local locals selling everything from fabrics to handmade trinkets. full of vendors. You can find the Flea Market serving between 09:00 and 16:00 in this square between Monday and Saturday.
15.Diving Tours
With the video above you can get a better idea of cage diving with sharks.
Diving tours in South Africa are really cheap to do. If you have asked about the prices of diving courses in Asia or Turkey, or if you know more or less about the prices, you can better understand what I mean.
Diving tours here show variety.. For example, if you have a license (Open Water or Advanced) you can dive for a small fee.. Even if you do not have a license, you can get your license here at much more affordable prices than in other countries.. Open-Water takes 4-5 days on average.
Of course, there is also cage diving.. So you can dive in a cage and be super close to sharks.. The ideal season for these diving tours is the end of April and the beginning of October.
The ideal places I can recommend for these tours are Seal Island, Gansbaai and Mossel Bay.. No license is required for these shark diving tours either. Since you are already in a cage, all you have to do is breathe
Where to Stay Close to Attractions in Cape Town ?
It is a good idea to do research by region for accommodation in Cape Town.. Because you can pay a lot of fees by staying in the city center in Cape Town.. However, if you are not interested in the touristic spots outside the city center and you only have 1-2 days in the city, it is also useful not to go out of the center.
The most ideal areas to choose for accommodation in Cape Town are the Waterfront, that is, near the port, called the City Bowl. region or Bo-Kaap region. In these regions, you can easily find accommodation with the taste and budget you are looking for.
As a Hotel Recommendation;
Taj Cape Town – 5 Stars ; If you are planning to stay in a luxury resort in Cape Town, you must first visit this property, which is one of the most luxurious and most preferred hotels in the city. you can browse. The hotel is located in the heart of the city. It is located in a very safe place as it is 3 minutes’ walk from Cape Town Parliament.
Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore – 4 Stars ; The most popular and most central in the city Park Inn, one of the hotels, has Panoramic views of Table Mountain.. Located 2 minutes’ walk from Cape Town International Convention Center, the property is 10 minutes’ walk from the heart of the city.
Cape Town Lodge Hotel ; This 4-star hotel, which is 5 minutes’ walk from the very center of the city, is famous for its rooftop terrace.. It is one of the facilities that those looking for a little more luxury accommodation can browse.
For a much more detailed accommodation article in Cape Town, you can check our article titled Where to stay in Cape Town?.
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It is possible to mention a few more places that you can add to your list of places to visit in Cape Town.. But I say spare time for touristic activities in this city.. Especially if you plan to stay in Cape Town for 4-5 days and if you don’t have a budget problem, don’t forget to do cage dives and watch dolphins.
