Top 10 Things To Do In Cape Town South Africa

Cape Town, the capital of South Africa and is famous for being one of the world's most beautiful cities and because of its geography, Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism. With a population of over 3 million people and a land area of 2,499 square kilometers (965 square miles) Cape Town is the largest South African city, resulting in a comparatively lower population density of 1,158 people per square kilometer (2,999/sq mi).

Because of its good climate, natural setting, and relatively well-developed infrastructure, Cape Town is the most popular tourist destination is South Africa, as approximately 1.5 million tourists visited in Cape Town during 2004, bringing in a total of R10 billion in revenue. Due to the city's unique geography, it is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere. Table Mountain is also another natural feature attracting tourists. The city also has several notable cultural attractions and historic reminders of its three centuries as the sea link between Europe and the East.

Cape Town's unique coastal position between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans means that it enjoys a Mediterranean type climate. Temperatures range between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius in winter (June - August) and can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius in summer (November - March) - although the Cape Doctor, a south easterly wind, generally keeps things bearable. This makes a trip to the Cape worthwhile at any time or season during the year.

The architecture of Cape Town is mostly a combination of French, Dutch and German architectural traditions, as the city has the highest density of Cape Dutch style buildings in the world.

The unit of currency is the rand, and is divided into 100 cents. Rands come in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 notes. Since the exchange rate does fluctuate constantly, it is advisable that you check a currency converter for the latest rates. Banking hours vary, but banks in Cape Town are usually open from 9am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday.

The public transport in Cape Town can be an interesting experience. The cheapest option are the so called minibus taxis, but rail links also exist connecting the major Cape Town destinations, although this is not always the safest option, especially after dark. Probably the best option is to rent a car.

Some say that there is so much to do in Cape Town that you'll just end up wanting to stay a year. Indeed, it is very difficult to make the list, but read the lines bellow for the top then things to do in Cape Town.

1. Walk around the city

Cape Town is a very “walk-able” city and as usual walking across town is the best way of getting to know it and feeling the atmosphere of the place. Find a map of the city centre from any hotel or information booth. Use Table Mountain as a landmark so that you don’t get lost. Take in the Company's Gardens, Castle of Good Hope, District Six Museum, the Bo-Kaap, and other historical highlights. For lunch, eat at one of the outside restaurants at the V&A Waterfront if the weather's good, inside if it's not. Visit the various waterfront attractions, including the Two Oceans Aquarium, especially if you have children.

Stroll downhill along the Government Avenue and view the Houses of Parliament. At the bottom you will find St George's Cathedral on the left. Cross the road and walk down St George's Mall, the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare.

2. Head for Table Mountain

Table Mountain is the symbol of Cape Town and the city's most defining characteristic. The mountain is named for its flat top which is often covered by cloud, forming the "table cloth". A visit to Table Mountain is an absolute must, but if possible go there on a clear and sunny day to make the whole experience even better.

There are many trails which lead up and tours are arranged specifically for tourists. Take the cable car and your camera, because the view is splendid. The cable car will bring you to the very top of the mountain, where you will find an information centre and a cafe. There are a few trails on the mountain and there are spots where (on a clear day) you can actually see the Cape of Good Hope laid out before you. The whole trip to Table Mountain does not cost much and is well worth the views.

You can hire a mountain bike and set off on a thrilling mountain-bike ride down from the lower cable car station on Table. Alternatively, you can hook up with one of the companies that arrange more adventurous cycling trips.

3. Exploring Wine Routes

The winelands region is very close to the city and frankly, no visit to the Mother City is complete without having taken the time to explore at least one of the three major wine routes. Wine is one of Cape's greatest exports and at the winelands you can purchase bottles, even cases, of many labels.

The best way to reach them is to rent a car and it takes on more than 30 to 45 minutes' drive to get there. There are also special day trip tours or you can go by train. A good advice is to get a range of wine route maps and brochures from the Cape Town Tourism offices or from information offices along the way.

In addition to a sublime selection of wines, the region boasts an extraordinary culinary repertoire, its many fine restaurants attracting a loyal following from near and far.

4. Shopping, the V & A Waterfront

Cape Town offers a sheer variety of goodies to be purchased. The best part of it is that you get to enjoy the browsing itself, as you go by the city's intricate streets, enticing markets and cool, glamorous malls.

Shopping in the city is essentially on foot, but, if you don't have a car at your disposal, getting to any of the malls or larger centers is as easy as hopping onto a taxi, bus or train. Don't miss the Heritage Square, where you can buy wide range of bargain items, original curios and collectables, jewelry, ostrich leather goods, clothes and food.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options to visitors. With more than 400 shops and extended shopping hours (until 9pm daily), the V&A Waterfront is undoubtedly the best place to do your shopping.

5. Cape Town’s best beaches

Cape Town's beaches on both the Atlantic and False Bay sides are legendary. In season you can see seagulls, dolphins, penguins, and whales. Fish Hoek is calm beach, with not too many people, clear water and some say it is the safest bathing beach in the Cape. There is a pathway running across the coastline, called the Jager's walk that begins at the beach's southern end and runs along the rocky coastline.

Camps Bay is a long, sandy beach that slopes gently to the water from a grassy verge. Here you can relax or get involved in some of the popular sporting activities here like beach volleyball, surfing or even Frisbee. One drawback is the wind, which can blow hard here, but of course, this great news for all surf fans.

Long Beach is probably the most impressive beach, stretching 4 miles from the he base of Chapman's Peak to Kommetjie. It's also one of the wildest and least populated, backed by a lagoon and private nature reserve. But have in mind that there are no lifeguards here and no bus service.

Hout Bay is one of those beaches that simply has it all - a knockout view of the mountains, gentle surf, and easy access to the restaurants and bars of Mariner's Wharf.

6. Surfing

All you need for windsurfing or kitesurfing is a nice stretch of water and some wind, and you'll find that in dozens of places all along the coast. Cape Town has all of thise and more. In fact, in Cape Town, kitesurfing is the fastest growing sport, because this is one of the best locations in the world. The reasons for this are quite simple, Cape Town's beaches are massive, with a long coastline and a regular wind blowing from the perfect direction. The town has a great kitesurfing operator and retail centre, while the local guest houses are geared up for kite surfers, some even having gear drying areas in the rooms.

There are windsurfing and kitesurfing schools in almost all the main coastal centres, so you can arrive in South Africa never having tried that before and it will still be an amazing experience. If you want to learn it is best to drive north for an hour to Langebaan a shallow lagoon which gets the same wind, but no waves.

Bloubergstrand is one of the best locations for surfers. Situated on the opposite side of Table Bay from Cape Town, it has great conditions and best of all a the classic view of Table Mountain as a backdrop.

7. Scuba diving

Cape Town offers a number of excellent locations with corals, kelp beds, wrecks, caves and drop-offs, seals and a wide variety of fish being just some of the attractions. The best time for this activity is from June to November, because then the water on False Bay is warmer and the visibility is much better. The strategic position of Cape of Good Hope between two major ocean currents, ensures a rich diversity of marine life making scuba diving an absolute 'must-do' when visiting Cape Town.

You can also sign up for the PADI Open Water Diver course, an excellent way to discover the world of scuba diving. The duration of the course is five days at the price of $750.

The wonderful thing about diving in Cape Town is that you have two oceans to choose from. If the conditions aren't good on the one, you can always try the other.

8. Bungy, Swings & Slides

Cape Town is regarded as the world’s capital for extreme sports so if think you have what it takes don’t miss out on the chance to load yourself with adrenaline. Most people are getting horrified just when thinking about it, but in fact bungy jumping is the safest sport there is. The rush is incredible, gravity is bringing you down and you know you are going to die, just to find out you were wrong.

In Cape Town, there is a company called Face Adrenaline organizing bunge jumping off the Cable Car that otherwise is used to take tourists up and down Table Mountain. Well motivated and entertaining bungee crew make it a snip for the price of 500 Rands (110 USD). Video of your jump is also available.

Those who are braver can go to the Blouwkraantz Bridge on the eastern edge of the Garden Route. It is the highest bridge in the world at 216m. An amazing jump that will give you the rush of your live for just a hundred us dollars.

Bridge swinging or gorge swinging is equally popular and equally terrifying. This can only be done when there are two convenient bridges next to each other – and closer apart than they are high. You jump from one bridge while tied in to climbing ropes suspended from an adjacent bridge. The best place in the world for this is the Gouritz Bridge.

In theory slides are less extreme, because you don't have a free fall. Slides are organized at the same venues as the gorge swings.

9. Visit Robben Island

A trip to Cape Town is not complete without touring this emotionally stirring site. Robben Island is located 12 kilometers off the coast of Cape Town, in Table Bay. For centuries, Robben island was used to house prisoners, but today, it is a popular tourist destination. Tours of the island depart from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront Clocktower.

10. Enjoy Cape Town’s nightlife

Cape Town has a very attractive nightlife with numerous nightclubs, discotheques , wine-bars, music pubs, cocktail lounges to choose from. You will find the best discos in the center of town, with names like Rhythm Divine, The Fez, Studio 47, and Rhodes House. Entry fees range from R10 to R40, and each place is well worth its price.