Things to Visit in Cape Town: Table Mountain and Coastline
Cape Town sits between a flat-topped mountain and two oceans, and the city makes the most of both. This guide covers the big-ticket landmarks, coastal drives, penguin colonies, wine country side trips, and the food scene that keeps pulling people back.
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Table Mountain and City Center
Ride the cable car up Table Mountain
The rotating cable car holds 65 people and takes 5 minutes to reach the 1,085-meter summit. Return tickets cost R440 ($24) for adults. Buy online to skip the ticket queue — on clear days, the cable car line can reach 2 hours by mid-morning. First car goes up at 8 AM.
Walk the Platteklip Gorge trail if you prefer to hike up (2-3 hours, steep)
Explore the summit paths — the full loop takes about 45 minutes
Walk through the Bo-Kaap neighborhood
The brightly painted houses date back to the 1760s, built for the Cape Malay community. The Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street is open Monday-Saturday, entry R40 ($2). The neighborhood covers about 6 blocks — start at the corner of Chiappini and Wale streets for the most photographed row.
Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum to learn about Cape Malay history
Try Cape Malay cooking — several residents run home-based cooking classes (R600-R900 per person)
Browse the V&A Waterfront
The waterfront complex gets over 24 million visitors per year. The Watershed market building has 150+ stalls selling local crafts and is open daily 9 AM-6 PM. The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art is housed in converted grain silos and costs R230 ($13) entry.
Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Take the free harbour cruise that departs every 20 minutes
Hike up Lion's Head at sunrise or sunset
The trail is 2.5 km each way with 300 meters of elevation gain — allow 60-90 minutes up. The summit gives 360-degree views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic coast, and the city bowl. Full-moon hikes are popular but bring a headlamp; the final section has chain ladders.
Explore the Company's Garden and surroundings
Founded in 1652 as a vegetable garden for passing ships, this park sits in the city center and is free to enter. The South African National Gallery and South African Museum are both on its edges, with entry around R40-R60 each.
Cape Peninsula and Coastline
Drive Chapman's Peak Drive
This 9-km coastal road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek has 114 curves carved into the cliff face. Toll is R57 ($3) per car. The route takes 20 minutes without stops, but plan 60-90 minutes to pull over at the viewpoints. Closed during high winds — check status before going.
Stop at the Chapman's Peak viewpoint near the Hout Bay end
Continue to Noordhoek Beach — a 6-km stretch of empty sand
Visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
Entry to the Table Mountain National Park section costs R376 ($21) per adult. The old lighthouse sits at 238 meters above sea level — you can take the Flying Dutchman funicular (R90 return) or walk up in 15 minutes. Cape Point is not the southernmost tip of Africa (that's Cape Agulhas, 170 km east), but the views are better.
Walk the 1.5 km path to the Cape of Good Hope sign for the photo
Watch for baboons in the parking lot — keep windows up and food hidden
See the penguins at Boulders Beach
The African penguin colony has around 2,500 birds. Entry is R176 ($10) per adult. The boardwalk path is about 500 meters. Mornings before 10 AM and late afternoons after 3 PM are best — midday penguins tend to hide in their burrows. Swimming with penguins is possible at the adjacent public beach (free, no boardwalk).
Walk the boardwalk to the main viewing platform
Swim at the public beach section next to the colony
Spend time in Kalk Bay fishing village
This strip along the False Bay coast is about 1 km long and packed with antique shops, cafés, and a working harbour. The fishing boats come in around noon — you can buy fresh snoek (local fish) directly from the boats for R30-R50 per fish.
History and Culture
Take the ferry to Robben Island
The ferry departs from the V&A Waterfront and the full tour takes 3.5 hours (30-minute boat ride each way). Tickets are R600 ($33) and sell out days in advance — book at least 1 week ahead online. Tours are led by former political prisoners and include the cell block where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27 years.
Visit the maximum security prison and Mandela's cell (cell number 5)
See the lime quarry where prisoners did hard labor
Visit the District Six Museum
District Six was a vibrant mixed-race neighborhood until the apartheid government forcibly removed over 60,000 residents starting in 1966. The museum on Buitenkant Street is open Monday-Saturday, entry R60 ($3). Allow 90 minutes — the floor map showing destroyed streets is the most powerful exhibit.
Walk through the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill
Open Saturdays only, 9 AM-2 PM, in the Woodstock neighborhood. Entry is free. About 100 food and craft vendors set up each week. Arrive before 10 AM — by noon the food lines can run 20-30 minutes. The pulled pork and Ethiopian injera stalls draw the longest queues.
Wine Regions
Day trip to Stellenbosch for wine tasting
Stellenbosch is 50 km east of Cape Town (45 minutes by car). The town has over 200 wine estates within a 20-km radius. Tastings cost R50-R150 ($3-$8) per flight of 5-6 wines. The Stellenbosch Wine Route runs a hop-on-hop-off bus for R300 per day that stops at 6 estates.
Visit 2-3 estates along the R44 between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
Walk through the town's oak-lined Dorp Street with Cape Dutch architecture
Visit Franschhoek for food and wine pairing
Franschhoek is 75 km from Cape Town (about 1 hour by car). The Franschhoek Wine Tram runs a hop-on-hop-off route through 8 estates for R280 per person — book online as it sells out in peak season (November-March). The town's main street has some of South Africa's top-rated restaurants.
Ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram through the valley
Try a wine-and-chocolate pairing (offered at several estates)
Explore the Constantia wine valley without leaving Cape Town
Constantia is a suburb just 20 minutes from the city center with 9 wine estates. The oldest farm dates to 1685. Tastings run R80-R120, and most estates have on-site restaurants with vineyard views. This is the easiest wine outing if you only have half a day.
Nature and Gardens
Spend a morning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
The garden covers 528 hectares on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Entry is R250 ($14) for international visitors. The Tree Canopy Walkway (free with entry) is a 130-meter curved steel bridge that rises 12 meters above the forest floor. Summer sunset concerts run November-March on Sunday evenings.
Walk the Tree Canopy Walkway (Boomslang)
Hike the Skeleton Gorge trail from the garden to the Table Mountain plateau (2.5 hours up)
Watch the sunset from Signal Hill
The road to the summit is paved and you can drive up or take a short 10-minute walk from the parking area. Elevation is 350 meters — lower than Lion's Head but with no hiking required. The noon gun has been fired from Signal Hill every day except Sundays since 1806.
Spot whales from Hermanus (seasonal)
Hermanus is 120 km east of Cape Town (90 minutes by car). Southern right whales visit Walker Bay from June to November, with peak season in September-October. The 12-km cliff path offers free land-based whale watching — whales come within 50 meters of shore. A boat-based whale watching trip costs R1,200-R1,800 ($65-$100).
Practical Tips
Plan for Cape Town's wind and weather patterns
The 'Cape Doctor' southeaster wind blows strongest from November to March and can shut down the Table Mountain cable car for days. Check the webcam at the lower station before heading up. Winter (June-August) brings rain but fewer crowds and green landscapes.
Arrange transport in advance for the Cape Peninsula
The full Cape Peninsula loop (city to Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and back via the M3) is about 150 km and takes a full day. Rental cars start at R350 ($19) per day. Shared day tours run R800-R1,200 per person. There is no reliable public transport on the peninsula route.
Stay aware of safety basics in the city
Tourist areas (V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, City Bowl) are generally safe during the day. Avoid walking alone after dark in quiet streets or on the mountain trails. Keep phones and cameras out of sight on public transit. Uber and Bolt rides are affordable — a trip from the airport to the city center costs R200-R350 ($11-$19).
Budget for park entry fees if visiting multiple reserves
Table Mountain National Park (which includes Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and several trails) charges separate entry fees per section. A WildCard annual pass costs R1,355 ($75) and covers unlimited entry to all South African National Parks — it pays for itself in 3-4 visits within the Cape Town area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including table mountain and city center, cape peninsula and coastline, history and culture at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Cape Town?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Cape Town?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Cape Town?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Cape Town?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.