Cape Town: Attractions You Can't Miss

The iconic mountain that is one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.The views of Table Mountain when you first fly into Cape Town is enough to make a grown man cry...The cable car is weather dependent! KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Call their number to find out if the weather conditions are okay when you want to go. (It is an automated service) You can either pay for 2 tickets and take the cable car up and down the mountain.Or you can hike one way and take the cable car the other way. There are various hikes that will take you to the cable car station.The line can be pretty long on weekends, public holidays and in December. So if you are going during one of these peak periods, a fast track ticket is definitely worth it! The cable car rotates inside so everyone in the car gets amazing views. The restaurants on top of the mountain are okay... I guess.So I would suggest grabbing a beer & an ice cream at the top instead. Travelling in your BIRTHDAY month? You get a free ticket on any day of your birthday month. (South African Citizens only and ID is required)

Want to know the best way to experience the Promenade? See my hidden gem's guide ;)

Take Chapman’s Peak Drive from Cape Town and drive through Noordhoek all the way to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The route is about 2 hours. Spend the day walking and hiking on the many nature walks in the reserve. Take a freezing cold dip on some of the secluded hidden beaches. Take the The Flying Dutchman Funicular to the old lighthouse and save yourself an uphill walk from the car park. The Best Route From Cape Town -> Camps Bay -> Llandudno -> Hout Bay -> Chapman’s Peak Drive -> Noordhoek -> Simon’s Town -> Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Add a stop in Simon’s Town to see the penguins! Or stop in Hout Bay for fresh vis en tjips (fish & chips). This is the best route with the best views!

The Penguin Beach located in Simon’s Town (1 hour outside of Cape Town) There is a small entry fee for visitors that goes towards research and conservation of the African Penguins. Take a stroll along the Boulders Penguin Colony Board Walk. Please do not touch or feed the penguins! Respect them and their home.

A huge shopping center with everything you need. Restaurants, high-end fashion and seals. Yeah… If you find yourself at the V&A Waterfront there are many things for you to do. You can shop, watch movies, eat and drink, all on the harbors edge. Here you can visit the Aquarium, go on an artist journey with Zeittz Mocca and take a ferry to Robben Island. See my Hidden Gem's guide for my favourite places to eat & what to do here. Look out for seals! Head to the aquarium seal platform and or find them lounging around near the Robben Island museum ferry across the bridge from the main mall. Just follow the smell…

You can’t go wrong with a day outing to the aquarium. The exhibits are mind blowing! With my favorites being the shark tunnel and jelly fish exhibit. The aquarium is a must see when in Cape Town. DISCOUNT! If you go to the Aquarium after 15:00 you pay a special discounted price. They close at 18:00. BIRTHDAY? South Africans (with ID) can enjoy free access on their birthday or 6 days after!

An iconic attraction with a new location. BIRTHDAY! South Africans can ride for free on your birthday. Find out more here

A tour of the infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 27 years. Experience an eye-opening extensive tour into South Africa’s dark history. The tour takes 3,5 hours including the ferry trip to and from the Island, departing from the V&A Waterfront. PS- keep an eye out for two of the resident Great White Sharks on the island.

Signal Hill is swarming with tourists during the day, however once the sun goes down, the locals come out to play. Pack a picnic and grab your friends because this is one of the best free things to do in Cape Town. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Remember to bring cups There is a large piece of material on the ground for you to have picnics. And lots of space. You are not allowed to *visibly drink alcohol here. And police often come by to check that people are not openly drinking. Ubers will drop you off, but you may struggle to get an Uber back from the hill. So I suggest: - Driving - Ordering an Uber in advance - Leaving before the end of the sunset :( Alternatively walk down the road and try to order an Uber closer to the main road. For Sunset Views in Cape Town It is #2 on my list For #1 see my hidden gems guide!

Adventure junkie? This one is for you. Fly over Cape Town on a tandem paraglide with experienced guides. Truly one of the best views of Cape Town. Weather dependent.

Spending the day exploring Cape Town? Don’t miss the unique suburb of Bo-Kaap. It is safe to walk and explore this neighborhood. Bo-Kaap is a historic and colorful neighborhood in the heart of Cape Town, famous for its brightly painted houses and rich cultural heritage. Bo-Kaap is colorful because the neighborhood’s houses were traditionally painted bright colors by the Cape Malay people who lived there. According to some accounts, the brightly colored houses were a way for residents to express their identity and individuality during apartheid. Today, the colorful houses of Bo-Kaap have become a symbol of the neighborhood’s unique history and cultural heritage.

If you’re walking around Cape Town at midday and hear a loud gunshot, don’t be alarmed. Although locals are accustomed to it, visitors are often surprised by the sound of the Noon Gun. The Noon Gun is a cannon that has been fired every day at noon since 1806, making it one of the oldest traditions in Cape Town. The tradition of firing the Noon Gun dates back to the early days of Cape Town when ships in the harbor would use it to set their marine chronometers.