All citiesCape Town Things to do and walking itinerary
South Africa Cape Town travel guide
27 things to do in Cape Town, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Cape Town
- Bo-Kaap — Historic Cape Malay quarter on Signal Hill's slopes, with brightly painted houses and cobbled lanes. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Table Mountain National Park — national park on Cape Peninsula, South Africa, which protects the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Iziko South African Museum — museum in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Two Oceans Aquarium — aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa — museum of contemporary art in South Africa (visit ≈ 120 min)
- South African National Gallery — art museum spread over several locations (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Rhodes Memorial — memorial to English-born, South African politician Cecil John Rhodes (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Auwal Mosque — mosque in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palm Tree Mosque — mosque in South Africa (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Houses of Parliament — Houses of Parliament of South Africa (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Artscape Theatre Centre — performing arts centre in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Nurul Islam Mosque — mosque in South Africa (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Groote Schuur — estate: Dutch East India Company granary → Hester Anna van der Byl / Coetsee → Cecil Rhodes / Sir Herbert Baker → South African President official residence → museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Mary's Cathedral — church in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Company's Garden — park in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 45 min)
- HMS Sceptre — 1781 Inflexible-class third-rate ship of the line (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. George's Cathedral — Anglican cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Slave Lodge — museum in Cape Town (visit ≈ 120 min)
- District Six Museum — memorial in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gardens Shul — Synagogue in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Rondebosch Fountain — historic site in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 15 min)
- De Waal Park — urban park in Cape Town (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Irma Stern Museum — home and studio of Irma Stern, a South African artist. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nobel Square — public square in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Greenmarket Square — place in Western Cape, South Africa (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Baxter Theatre Centre — performing arts centre in Cape Town, South Africa (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Rust en Vreugd — building in Africa (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Cape Town walking itinerary
Starting point: City Bowl. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.0 km · 5,470 steps · 54 min on the way): Houses of Parliament → South African National Gallery → Iziko South African Museum → Palm Tree Mosque → Auwal Mosque → Bo-Kaap
- Day 2 (≈ 5.8 km · 7,820 steps · 1 h 17 min on the way): Two Oceans Aquarium → Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Cape Town
- Lion's Head — Pointed peak beside Table Mountain: a sunset hike with a chained final section and 360-degree views. (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock — Former biscuit factory in Woodstock with a Saturday makers' market, design shops and murals around it. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Boulders Beach — Small cove among huge granite boulders near Simon's Town, home to an African penguin colony seen from boardwalks. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Cape Point — Cliffs and an old lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, visited with the Cape of Good Hope inside the national park. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Chapman's Peak Drive — Road carved into cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, one of the world's most scenic coastal drives. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Where to stay in Cape Town
- City Bowl: Central; near Company’s Garden, museums and Long Street.
- V&A Waterfront: Safe, lively harbour area; Robben Island boats leave from here.
- Gardens / Tamboerskloof: At the foot of Table Mountain; cafés and restaurants on Kloof Street.
- Sea Point: Seafront promenade and good-value hotels.
- Camps Bay: White-sand beach and sunsets; you need a car to the centre.
Getting from the airport to Cape Town
- Cape Town International (CPT): MyCiTi A01 bus to Civic Centre ≈ 30 min; Uber ≈ 20–30 min.
Getting around
MyCiTi buses link the centre, the coast and the airport. Don’t walk at night; call an Uber or Bolt.
Classic places to eat
- Biesmiellah: Cape Malay cooking in Bo-Kaap since the 1970s; bobotie and curry.
- Bo-Kaap Kombuis: Family restaurant with views on the Bo-Kaap slope; Cape Malay dishes.
- Kloof Street House: Stylish restaurant with a garden in a Victorian house.
- Truth Coffee: Famous coffee roaster with steampunk décor.
- Mama Africa: Game meat and local food with live African music on Long Street.
- Gold Restaurant: Pan-African tasting menu with drumming and dance.
- The Codfather: Fresh fish and sushi in Camps Bay; you choose from the counter.
Romantic views
- Signal Hill (Sunset): From the hill the Atlantic, city and Table Mountain meet at sunset.
- Sea Point Promenade (Sunset): The long oceanfront walkway fills with couples at sunset.
- Camps Bay Beach (Sunset): The white beach below the Twelve Apostles is magical at sunset.
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (Early morning): At the foot of Table Mountain the garden has a canopy walkway through the trees.
- Company's Garden (Early morning): The historic garden in the city centre offers a calm, shady break.
Football stadiums in Cape Town
- Cape Town Stadium: Home of Cape Town Spurs F.C.
Good to know before visiting Cape Town
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left.
- Warning: Keep windows up and valuables out of sight at traffic lights.
- Warning: Avoid walking after dark and don't flash valuables or phones.
- Warning: Follow lifeguard flags and shark warnings at beaches.
- Scheduled power cuts (load shedding) can happen.
- Emergency: 112 (police 10111, ambulance 10177)
- Plugs: C/D/M/N, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe in major cities.
- Tipping: Tip 10–15% in restaurants and a few coins to car guards.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: South Africa, Wikivoyage — South Africa, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Cape Town travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Cape Town?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Cape Town?
- Highlights: Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain National Park, Iziko South African Museum, Two Oceans Aquarium and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. The map has 27 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Cape Town?
- City Bowl: Central; near Company’s Garden, museums and Long Street. Other options: V&A Waterfront, Gardens / Tamboerskloof, Sea Point and Camps Bay.
- How do you get from the airport to Cape Town city centre?
- Cape Town International (CPT): MyCiTi A01 bus to Civic Centre ≈ 30 min; Uber ≈ 20–30 min.
- How do you get around Cape Town?
- MyCiTi buses link the centre, the coast and the airport. Don’t walk at night; call an Uber or Bolt.
- What is the emergency number in Cape Town?
- Emergency: 112 (police 10111, ambulance 10177).
- Do you tip in Cape Town?
- Tip 10–15% in restaurants and a few coins to car guards.
Nearby cities
Bloemfontein · Maseru · Gaborone · Windhoek · Pretoria · Lobamba · Mbabane · Maputo
South Africa travel guide: all cities · All cities