Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town

Cape Town sits at the meeting point of mountain and sea, with Table Mountain rising straight out of the city and two oceans converging at the peninsula's tip. Few cities combine wilderness, wine, beaches and history so tightly. Here are ten of the best things to do, and the practical notes that help you plan.

Ten things to do

1. Go up Table Mountain. Take the rotating cableway or hike one of the trails for a radial view over the city and coast. The mountain closes in high wind, so go on a clear, calm morning.
2. Drive to Cape Point. The Cape of Good Hope reserve, at the tip of the peninsula, has dramatic cliffs, walking trails and wildlife.
3. Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach. A protected colony of African penguins near Simon's Town, reached on boardwalks.
4. Tour the Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia rank among the world's great wine regions, all within an hour of the city.
5. Take the ferry to Robben Island. A sobering tour of the prison where Nelson Mandela was held, often led by former inmates.
6. Explore the V&A Waterfront. The working harbour precinct, with dining, the Zeitz MOCAA museum and the departure point for Robben Island.
7. Walk through Bo-Kaap. The historic Cape Malay quarter, known for its painted houses and Cape Malay cooking.
8. Whale watch at Hermanus. From roughly June to November, southern right whales gather close to shore, sometimes visible from land.
9. Spend time at the beaches. Camps Bay and Clifton on the Atlantic seaboard, with the Twelve Apostles as a backdrop.
10. Drive Chapman's Peak. One of the world's great coastal roads, carved into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek.

How to plan it

Cape Town pairs naturally with the Winelands and a safari elsewhere in South Africa, since the city is a comfortable base and internal flights are short. Four to five days lets you cover the peninsula, the mountain and a day or two in the wine country.

When to visit

Summer, November to March, is warm and dry and best for beaches and the peninsula, though the southeasterly wind known as the Cape Doctor can blow hard. Whale season runs June to November. The shoulder months of April, May and September often bring the most settled conditions.