Few cities reward curiosity like Cape Town. Within an hour of the city centre you can stand on a mountaintop, swim with the spray of two oceans, sip award-winning wine and watch penguins on a beach. This is our local team's definitive list of the best things to do in Cape Town in 2026 — organised so you can build the perfect itinerary, whatever your style.
The absolute must-dos
- Summit Table Mountain by rotating cableway for 360° views over the city and sea.
- Drive to Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope, the dramatic south-western tip of Africa.
- Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach, a protected colony of African penguins near Simon's Town.
- Tour the Cape Winelands through Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
- Visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, by ferry from the V&A Waterfront.
The fastest way to tick off the first three is our full-day Cape Peninsula sightseeing tour, or the all-in-one Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point tour.
Outdoor & adventure
- Hike Lion's Head at sunrise or full moon for the best photos in the city.
- Drive Chapman's Peak, one of the world's most scenic coastal roads.
- Paraglide off Signal Hill and land near the beach.
- Go great white shark cage diving in Gansbaai — see our shark cage diving guide.
- Surf or stand-up paddle at Muizenberg's colourful beach huts.
- Abseil off the top of Table Mountain for a serious adrenaline hit.
Wildlife & nature
- Take a Big Five safari day trip to a malaria-free reserve — details in our safari day trips guide.
- Whale watch in Hermanus between June and November — read the Hermanus whale watching guide.
- Cruise to Duiker Island from Hout Bay to see the Cape fur seal colony.
- Wander Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden beneath Table Mountain.
- Spot dassies and bird life along the peninsula's coastal reserves.
Food, wine & nightlife
- Tour the estates of the Cape Winelands with a gourmet lunch.
- Ride the Franschhoek wine tram between cellar doors.
- Sample the V&A Waterfront's restaurants and the Food Market.
- Take a Cape Malay cooking class or food tour through Bo-Kaap.
- Toast the sunset on a champagne sunset cruise.
Culture & history
- Photograph the candy-coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap.
- Take a township cultural tour in Langa or Khayelitsha.
- Reflect at the District Six Museum.
- Explore the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa's oldest colonial building.
- Browse the Zeitz MOCAA contemporary art museum at the Silo District.
Beaches & relaxation
- Sunbathe at glamorous Camps Bay beneath the Twelve Apostles.
- Brave the icy, crystal-clear water at Clifton's four beaches.
- Picnic on the lawns at Signal Hill for sunset.
- Catch the sunset over the Atlantic from Sea Point Promenade.
How to fit it all in
Cluster your activities by area so you're not zig-zagging across the peninsula. A great starting framework is our 3-day Cape Town itinerary, and for the complete overview of every tour format and price, see the Cape Town tours and activities guide. Travelling with children? Our family activities guide has you covered.
Let us plan it for you
Overwhelmed by choice? That's what we're here for. Browse every Cape Town tour, fill in the booking form, message us on WhatsApp, or contact our local team to build a custom itinerary around your dates and interests.
