Connect with Cape Town

Cape Town is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Our city is home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain. Our blue flag beaches like Clifton, world class cuisine, wines and Robben Island,a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just some of the attractions that's on offer.

Take some time to visit and enjoy everything your hometown has to offer.  As the oldest city in South Africa, we affectionately refer to it as the Mother City. And its past can be seen through its architecture. Nestled between the modern towering skyscrapers, are Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Its popularity can be credited to its perfect summer weather, picturesque beaches, and the endless activities available for everyone.

3 must do things in Cape Town

Robben Island

Robben Island is situated in Table Bay. The name is Dutch for seal. Throughout its history, the island has been primarily used to isolate political prisoners, its most notable prisoner being Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 year prison sentence on the island.

After its eventual closure in 1996, the island became a museum, and in 1999 it was officially made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To visit the island you can board a ferry at the V&A Waterfront and, after a 20 minute boat ride, will meet your tour guide who is also a former prisoner on the island. The tour gives you the opportunity to visit Mandela’s cell and you will get to hear testimonials by former prisoners, which will give you a sense of what it was like to be a political prisoner on the island during apartheid.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. The flat topped mountain, which is flanked by Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head, towers over the city of Cape Town and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. If you who would like to get to the top of the mountain, you can use the cableway or hike up. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park that is home to a large variety of endemic fauna and flora.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a cultivated garden that sits along the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Visitors get the chance to marvel at the colour display of our native plants. The centre includes a tea room, restaurant, and long stretches of open grass where one can picnic. The gardens are also a starting point for many hiking trails, as well as the Kirstenbosch Canopy Walkway for those who want the views without the challenge.

Do you even know what your city has to offer? Be a tourist in your hometown and visit some of the places below!

Food

Cape Town has an endless amount of restaurants to choose from:

• Whether it’s fine dining,
• or casual eating,
• or our favourite, a Gatsby.

Family Fun

Cape Town offers many opportunities for you and your family:

• Take the kids tobogganing at Cool Runnings in Tygervalley.
• Explore the entire city using the CitySightSeeing. CitySightSeeing gives you the opportunity to view Cape Town, by land, sea and even air.
• Take the kids for a game of cave golf.

Adventure

Cape Town is the perfect fix for an adrenaline junkie:

• See Cape Town from the air and go skydiving or paragliding.
• Go abseiling along the high cliffs of Table Mountain.
• Go kayaking in the open ocean.

Budget Ideas

Cape Town has a reputation for being expensive. But that should not deter you from enjoying this beautiful city.

• Take your family out for a braai at Oudekraal.
• Visit one of the Iziko Museums.
• Go hippo spotting, eland viewing and bird watching in Rondevlei Nature Reserve.

More ideas for things to do on a budget in Cape Town.