by SkyPixels [format changed] / CC BY-SA 4.0

A. About Cape Town

Nickname: The Mother City

Cape Town's most distinctive feature is, without doubt, its stunning setting: the legislative capital of South Africa lies at the foot of the flat-topped Table Mountain, sheltered by a bay with long sandy beaches (and always icy waters) of the Atlantic Ocean in the southernmost corner of the African continent.

You can either hike up to the top of the iconic Table Mountain on various routes or take the rotating cableway for the most breathtaking views.

Best Things to do in Cape Town

The Good: 

Apart from the scenic location, Cape Town is known for its appealing year-round climate, very friendly people, and reasonable prices.

The Not-So-Good:

Despite being a popular tourist destination, the city is battling against some of the highest crime rates on earth.

Public Transport exists but isn't as well developed as in most other cities in our top fifty.

 

B. Best Things to Do in Cape Town in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifteen sights in Cape Town. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.35/10 in this most important category: 

# TABLE MOUNTAIN 9 4.6 out of 5 stars

Renowned worldwide for its unique, flat-topped shape, this iconic mountain with a height of 1,087 m (3,563 ft) is by far the most photographed landmark in South Africa.

A 10-minute cable car trip to the summit offers incredible panoramic views over Cape Town and the impressive Table Mountain National Park.

Mountain and National Park Natural World Heritage Site: since 2004

by Pavel Ĺ pindler / CC BY-SA 3.0  

# Lion's Head and Signal Hill 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

For spectacular panoramic views of Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park and the Atlantic Seaboard take an hour-long hike up the 669 m-high (2,195 ft) Lion’s Head.

Situated right next to Lion’s Head is the smaller, 350 meters high flat-topped Signal Hill.

Mountain and Hill | Viewpoint Elevation: 669 m / 2,195 ft

by Hilton1949 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain this beautiful 89 acres (5.2 km2) botanical garden, which was founded in 1913, is home to more than 5,000 indigenous plant species including fynbos, karoo, and a giant baobab tree.

In 2013 a spectacular 130 meters long tree-top canopy walkway made of steel and wood was added to the gardens, providing wonderful views.

Botanical Garden Land Area: 89 acres, 5.2 km2 | Opened: 1913

Best Things to do in Cape Town | Best Cities | Cape Town | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

by Axxter99/ CC BY-SA 3.0

# Victoria & Alfred Waterfront 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

The always lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a hotspot for tourists, culture, and business with more than 450 shops, restaurants, pubs, jazz venues, hotels, and cafés.

Furthermore, this area offers breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the ocean and is the jumping-off place for whale-watching tours and excursions to Robben Island. One of the most remarkable landmarks on the waterfront is the beautiful Clock Tower from 1882 and the Giant Ferris wheel.

Waterfront

by Damien du Toit / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Castle of Good Hope 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1666, this pentagon-shaped fortress is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa.

Originally it was located on the coastline of Table Bay but following land reclamation, the fort is now situated inland.

Castle and Museum

Best Things to do in Cape Town | Best Cities | Cape Town | Castle of Good Hope

by Nkansahrexford / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located in a former grain silo complex at the V&A Waterfront, this museum displays contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora over nine floors.

Modern Art Museum Gallery Space: 6000 m2 | Galleries: 100 | Opened: 2017

Best Things to do in Cape Town

by Johan Jönsson (Julle) / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Iziko South African National Gallery 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

The South African National Gallery features mainly Dutch, French and British works from the 17th to the 19th century as well as contemporary South African art.

Fine Arts Museum

Best Things to do in Cape Town

by I, PhilippN / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Iziko South African Museum 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Situated in the beautiful and historic Company’s Garden, this museum houses important African zoology, paleontology, and archaeology collections.

National History Museum

Best Things to do in Cape Town

by Olga Ernst / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Two Oceans Aquarium 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Located on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront this aquarium contains 3,000 marine animals from the Atlantic and Indian oceans, including sharks, sea turtles, and a colony of penguins. The aquarium is not ranked among the thirty best aquariums in the world, but still worth a visit.

Aquarium Biggest Tank: 2 million liters | Panel Size: 11 m wide and 4 m high | Tunnel: 10 m | Established: 1995 | Rank in Our List of the Best Aquariums in the World: None

Best Cities in the World | No. 48: Cape Town | Best Things to do in Cape Town | Two Oceans Aquarium

by Vberger / public domain  

# South African Parliament 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This beautifully designed historic building with Corinthian porticos and a huge dome was inaugurated in 1885. Free tours of Parliament take place from Monday-Friday.

Parliament Building ⚠️ Prebooking required

Best Cities in the World | No. 48: Cape Town | Things to do in Cape Town | South African Parliament

by PhilippN / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion


C. Other Notable Sights in Cape Town

    • The Heart of Cape Town Museum 5
    • Greenmarket Square 5
    • City Hall 5
    • Slave Lodge Museum 5
    • District Six Museum 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Cape Town

ROBBEN ISLAND (World Heritage Site since 1999, 6.9 km from Cape Town) 6

Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point, 69 km from Cape Town) 5.5

Groot Constantia (Wine Estate, 17 km from Cape Town) 5.5

Cape Whale Coast (120 km from Cape Town) 5.5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Cape Town (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Cape Town for at least three entire days:

 TABLE MOUNTAIN (with cableway) 9

 ROBBEN ISLAND (6.9 km from Cape Town) 6

Lion's Head and Signal Hill 6

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden 6

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront 5.5

Castle of Good Hope 5.5

City Hall 5.5

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa 5.5

South African National Gallery 5.5

South African Museum 5.5