The Best Things to Do in Cape Town

Cape Town consistently ranks among the most beautiful cities in the world — and rightly so. A dramatic flat-topped mountain rising above a sparkling ocean, white sand beaches, world-class wine estates, and one of the most turbulent and fascinating histories in Africa. Cape Town is a city that stays with you long after you leave.

Table Mountain & the Peninsula

Table Mountain is Cape Town's defining landmark and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The cable car to the top takes 5 minutes and delivers a 360-degree view that extends across the Cape Peninsula to the ocean horizon. The hike up Platteklip Gorge takes 2 hours and is accessible to most fit adults. The Cape Peninsula drive south along Chapman's Peak to Cape Point is one of the world's great road trips.

Robben Island & History

Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, is one of the most important historical sites in the world. Ferries depart from the V&A Waterfront and the tour is led by former political prisoners. The District Six Museum tells the story of the forced removals of Cape Town's coloured community under apartheid — an essential and moving experience.

Beaches, Wine & Wildlife

Clifton and Camps Bay beaches are among the most glamorous in Africa — white sand, turquoise water, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range as backdrop. The Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch, Franschhoek) are 45 minutes from the city — among the world's finest wine regions. Boulders Beach at Simon's Town hosts a colony of 3,000 African penguins — unforgettable.