Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Cape Town, located on South Africa’s southwest coast, is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and dramatic landscapes. The city’s mix of natural and historical sites offers a variety of experiences, from hiking up Table Mountain to learning about the past at Robben Island. The places to visit in Cape Town are coastal drives, historic neighbourhoods, and lively waterfront areas. Some locations reflect the city’s complex history, while others highlight its outdoor appeal. In this guide, we will explore some of the best tourist attractions in Cape Town for your next trip to this South African city.
15 Best Places To Visit In Cape Town
Here’s a list of the top 15 must-visit spots in Cape Town with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and exciting adventures.
1. Table Mountain
Photo: PHParsons / Wikimedia Commons
Table Mountain is one of Cape Town’s most recognised landmarks, offering panoramic views of the city and ocean. Visitors can hike up through various trails or take the cable car, which rotates to provide a 360-degree view. Once at the top, there are several paths to explore, each providing different perspectives of the city below. It’s a great way to see Cape Town from above and appreciate its scale.
Location: Table Mountain (Nature Reserve), Cape Town, South Africa
Timings: 8.30 AM – 6 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Take the cable car ride for a wide-reaching view of Cape Town
Suggested Read: Table Mountain National Park South Africa
2. Robben Island
Photo: South African Tourism / Wikimedia Commons
Robben Island is the place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years, as a prisoner. Guided tours, often led by former prisoners, provide a firsthand account of the harsh conditions and the struggle against apartheid. The tour includes a visit to Mandela’s cell, a drive around the island, and a museum with exhibits on its history.
Location: Nelson Mandela Gateway, PO Box 51806, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Visit Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell
3. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Photo: Bryan / Wikimedia Commons
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a shoppers’ and entertainers’ hot spot. Merging old buildings with new architectural designs, it’s a dynamic area where visitors can browse upmarket boutiques, tour museums, and experience restaurants along the water. The harbour is a departure point for boat tours in the form of sunset cruises and excursions to Robben Island. Street performers and live entertainment contribute to the ambience, and the Two Oceans Aquarium is an excellent place to visit for marine life enthusiasts.
Location: Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Take a sunset cruise from the harbour
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In South Africa
4. Cape Of Good Hope
Photo: Zaian / Wikimedia Commons
The Cape of Good Hope is a rugged coastal reserve known for its dramatic cliffs and natural beauty. Located at the southwestern tip of Africa, it is part of Table Mountain National Park and home to diverse wildlife, including baboons and antelope. Visitors can hike along scenic trails leading to breathtaking ocean views or take a funicular ride to the Cape Point lighthouse. The drive to the reserve offers equally spectacular views of the coastline.
Location: Cape Point Rd, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Timings: 9.30 AM – 5.30 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Simon’s Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Hike to the lighthouse for a far-reaching ocean view
5. Boulders Beach
Photo: Joe Ross / Wikimedia Commons
Boulders Beach is famous for its colony of African penguins, with which penguins walk about on the sand and swim in the transparent water. It is one of the best Cape Town Beaches, and the wooden boardwalk enables people to get close to the penguins without disturbing them. The beach itself, with its large granite boulders, provides a sheltered spot for swimming. The nearby visitor centre offers insights into the conservation efforts that protect these endangered birds.
Location: Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Simon’s Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Watch the penguins from the boardwalks
Suggested Read: Beaches In South Africa
6. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Photo: Didier B / Wikimedia Commons
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens, showcasing South Africa’s rich plant life. It is set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, offering walking trails, themed gardens, and a canopy walkway that provides views over the gardens and city. The collection includes indigenous species like proteas, cycads, and fynbos. Seasonal concerts and picnicking areas make it a relaxing place to spend time outdoors while learning about native flora.
Location: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Timings: 8.30 AM – 5.30 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Newlands Station
Must-Have Experience: Walk along the Tree Canopy Walkway for a high-up view of the garden
7. Bo-Kaap
Photo: Hyundai Motor Group / Pexels
Bo-Kaap is a district which is known for its colourful houses and cobblestone streets. It was once home to Malaysia, Indonesia, and other African countries’ freed slaves, and it has maintained its cultural heritage to rank among the top places to see in Cape Town. The local heritage can be learnt about at the Bo-Kaap Museum, while Cape Malay eateries provide dishes that showcase the neighbourhood’s multicultural influences.
Location: Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Take a walking tour to learn about Bo-Kaap’s history and culture
Suggested Read: Shopping In Cape Town
8. Chapman’s Peak Drive
Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons
Chapman’s Peak Drive is a coastal road that stretches for about 9 kilometres, connecting Hout Bay with Noordhoek. Known for its dramatic cliffs and views of the Atlantic Ocean, the drive features several lookout points perfect for taking photos. The winding road has 114 curves, making it an exciting route for both drivers and cyclists. Sunsets along Chapman’s Peak are particularly scenic, with the sky casting deep orange and purple hues over the water.
Location: 1 Chapmans Peak Dr, Hout Bay Harbour, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa
Timings: 24*7
Nearest Railway Station: Fish Hoek Station
Must-Have Experience: Stop at one of the viewpoints for a panoramic ocean view
9. District Six Museum
Photo: Mike Peel / Wikimedia Commons
The District Six Museum is a story of a community that was forcibly removed under apartheid. The museum features photographs, personal testimonies, and artefacts that tell the history of the place and its people’s resilience. Guided walking tours conducted by former residents offer a deeper insight into the effects of removal and the continuing struggles for land restitution.
Location: 25A Buitenkant St, District Six, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Join a guided tour with a former District Six resident
Suggested Read: Nelson Mandela National Museum
10. Lion’s Head
Photo: Simisa / Wikimedia Commons
Lion’s Head is a popular hiking destination that offers one of the best views of Cape Town. The trail is moderately challenging, with sections requiring the use of chains and ladders. The summit provides 360-degree views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the city below. Many visitors choose to hike at sunrise or sunset for cooler temperatures and dramatic lighting, making it one of the tourist attractions in Cape Town.
Location: Signal Hill Road, Cape Town Central
Timings: 24*7
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Station
Must-Have Experience: Hike up for sunrise or sunset views
11. Zeitz MOCAA
Photo: Axxter99 / Wikimedia Commons
Zeitz MOCAA is an NPO organisation which is home to the largest collection of 21st-century African art, featuring bold works on identity, heritage, and social change. It is one of the best Cape Town tourist places, known for its iconic architecture and repurposed grain silo, with a dramatic atrium and rooftop sculpture garden offering mountain and harbor views. You can explore multiple exhibitions here, as they keep rotating across Africa and the diaspora, covering various media including video, installation, and photography. On the list of tourist places in Cape Town, explore art education rooms, viewing lounges.
Location: S Arm Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Timings: 10 AM – 5.30 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Railway Station
Must-Have Experience: Art exhibitions of multiple artists and cultures
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit Near South Africa
12. Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Photo: Andresdewet / Wikimedia Commons
The Canal Walk Shopping Centre offers a cultural experience in the city, along with the hustle and bustle of marketplaces. The Canal Walk is one of the famous Tourist attractions in Cape Town for its wide variety of consumer goods and souvenirs. It is undoubtedly one of the Cape Town attractions for scenic surroundings, offering birdwatching and eco-tours. Not only for shopping, it is one of the best places for savouring delicious Street Food In Cape Town. It is one of the best places for Cape Town Nightlife.
Location: 490 Century Blvd, Century City, Cape Town, 7446, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Century City Station
Must-Have Experience: Enjoy luxury retail shopping, a variety of global cuisines
13. Clifton Beaches
Photo: Warren Rohner / Wikimedia Commons
The Clifton Beaches are a cluster of 4 beaches, each with a unique vibe, offering the best experiences. It is one of the best places to visit in Cape Town for clear water and White Sand, perfect for sunbathing and romantic walks with breathtaking ocean views. You can swim in its majestic waters and catch the most scenic sunsets of all time over the beach horizon. It is one of the places to visit in Cape Town for a fun picnic experience, relaxing and socialising with locals.
Location: Fourth Beach Promenade, Clifton, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Timings: 24*7
Nearest Railway Station: Clifton 2nd
Must-Have Experience: Relax on pristine white sand beaches, admire Atlantic Ocean views
Suggested Read: Beaches In Durban
14. Twelve Apostles
Photo: Pavel Špindler / Wikimedia Commons
The Twelve Apostles is a spectacular mountain range with rugged peaks offering dramatic views of the scenery over the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the best Cape Town tourist places list for its scenic hiking trails and panoramic views along the route. You can stay at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, perched on the top of the mountain. What makes it the top Cape Town tourist attractions is its wide biodiversity and rock formations, which make it a home to fynbos vegetation and unique geological formations. From here, you can catch mesmerising sunsets and fabulous views.
Location: Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Timings: 24*7
Nearest Railway Station: Cape Town Railway Station
Must-Have Experience: Hike in the scenic landscapes, enjoy luxurious experiences
15. Tandem Skydiving
Photo: Kamil Pietrzak / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Tandem Skydiving is one of the best places to visit in Cape Town for unforgettable experiences. It is one of the highest points in the city, where you go above Table Mountain. It is also one of the best places for skydiving in Cape Town. It is one of the best things to do in Cape Town for majestic views. Get the best aerial views of the city from high in the mountains. It is one of the best tourist places in Cape Town for an unforgettable experience. It is one of the must-visit places for Cape Town trip
Location: 41 Lochiel Rd, Masiphumelele, Cape Town, 7975, South Africa
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Nearest Railway Station: Malmesbury Station
Must-Have Experience: Scenic panoramic mountain views
Suggested Read: Skydiving In South Africa
Each of the places to visit in Cape Town provides insights into the city’s past and natural surroundings. From learning about apartheid at Robben Island to exploring outdoor trails and historic sites, there’s a lot to take in. Walking through Bo-Kaap, hiking up Table Mountain, or watching penguins at Boulders Beach allows you to experience the city in different ways. Plan a trip with TripXL and explore everything Cape Town has to offer.
Cover Photo: Sixolelo Ngcobo / Pexels
