Trusted Shops badge

What to Do in Cape Town: A Luxurious Guide to Culture, Coastlines, and Cape Charm

Cape Town is a city that doesn’t just dazzle, but reveals itself slowly, like a well-written novel. Surrounded by oceans, crowned by the majestic Table Mountain, and steeped in centuries of layered history, this is a destination for travellers who value aesthetic beauty as much as cultural substance. If you're a connoisseur of stories, design, and sensory indulgence, working out what to do in Cape Town becomes a delicious dilemma. Here, heritage walks meet high-end wine tastings, design districts rub shoulders with centuries-old townships, and every vista feels curated for your next journal entry or gallery wall.

Begin Your Journey: What to Do in Cape Town for the Culturally Curious

Partner Offer

Top Experiences in Cape Town

Book one of the experiences that other customers have liked and recommended:

Golden Hour to Glittering Night: What to Do in Cape Town at Night

As twilight descends, the question of what to do in Cape Town at night opens up a new chapter. Begin with sundowners at the Silo Hotel Rooftop, where champagne pairs beautifully with Table Mountain views draped in gold. For dinner, book a table at FYN, where African ingredients meet Japanese finesse in one of the most sophisticated tasting menus on the continent.

Later, venture into the hidden speakeasies of Bree Street or catch a jazz set at The Crypt below St George’s Cathedral; the venue doubled as a sanctuary during the apartheid era. If you're seeking both soul and sophistication after dark, Cape Town delivers.


Offbeat Elegance: Unique Things to Do in Cape Town

Looking for unique things to do in Cape Town? Charter a private sidecar motorcycle ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive for the ultimate in windswept, cinematic glamour. Or immerse yourself in history with a curated visit to the District Six Museum, guided by a former resident, whose stories will stay with you long after you've left.

A helicopter flight over the Cape Peninsula reveals the dramatic topography in one sweeping panorama - not just thrilling, but unexpectedly emotional. For something truly special, book a foraging tour along the coast, where chefs teach you to harvest seaweed and shellfish before preparing a shoreline feast.


A City of Contrasts: What to See and Do in Cape Town

The choice of what to see and do in Cape Town is deeply tied to its contrasts: colonial elegance meets indigenous resilience, luxury boutiques sit beside handmade crafts. Visit Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine estate, where a heritage tasting includes a walk through original cellars dating back to 1685. Then contrast this with a visit to Langa Township, where art collectives and culinary tours reveal a different, yet equally vital, expression of the Cape spirit.

For aesthetes, a drive to the Norval Foundation in Steenberg rewards with world-class art, sculpture gardens, and mountain views, leapfrogging this gallery to the top of any list of things to do in Cape Town for lovers of contemporary creativity.


What to Do in Cape Town in One Day: A Perfect Cultural Snapshot

Wondering what to do in Cape Town in one day? Begin with the rotating cable car to the top of Table Mountain, ideally at opening time before the crowds arrive. Descend for coffee in Kloof Street, then explore the Company’s Garden and adjacent Iziko South African Museum.

In the afternoon, walk through Bo-Kaap and pause for Cape Malay cuisine at Biesmiellah, a local institution. End your day at Clifton Beach, where the Atlantic breeze pairs with a chilled glass of Cap Classique as the sun dips into the sea.


Design, History, and the Great Outdoors: What to Do in Cape Town in Two Days

With 48 hours at your disposal, deciding what to do in Cape Town becomes a blend of the curated and the spontaneous. On day one, focus on central cultural highlights — Zeitz MOCAA, Bo-Kaap, District Six, and the V&A Waterfront. In the evening, take in a show at Artscape Theatre or dinner with wine pairings at La Colombe, perched high in Constantia’s leafy hills.

Day two should be dedicated to the Cape Peninsula. Drive the coastline to Cape Point Nature Reserve, with stops at Boulders Beach to see the penguins, and Kalk Bay for antiques and pastries. Wrap up at Muizenberg Beach for postcard-perfect pastel huts and a dose of surfer cool.


Unmissable Moments: The Must‐Sees and Must‐Dos of Cape Town

If you see only one panorama, let it be from Signal Hill at sunset. If you attend only one event, make it First Thursdays, where galleries across the city open their doors late and the streets hum with Cape Town’s creative buzz. And if you include only one immersive experience in your trip, take the ferry to Robben Island — the island prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years. It's a poignant reminder of the country’s journey from division to democracy.

Final Thoughts: A City Worth Savouring