The Ultimate Cape Town Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Restaurants, Tours, Safaris & Things to Do
- Abby
- 16 hours ago
- 10 min read
If Cape Town is not on your bucket list you need to add it, from incredible scenery to world-class restaurants and spectacular wildlife viewings. We spent time exploring the city, visiting some of its most famous attractions and discovering a few of the experiences that made our trip so memorable.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan a trip to Cape Town, including where to stay, how to get around, the best things to do, where to eat, the wine regions worth visiting and the best safari options nearby.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (any links marked with * are affiliate links). If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arriving in South Africa
The main airport serving Cape Town is Cape Town international airport, which is a major hub with direct flights from cities including London, Frankfurt, New York and Dubai. I’d highly recommend arranging a transfer with a reputable company in advance when you arrive. Your hotel should be able to recommend a transfer company, ours recommended Jarvis, which we thought were incredible.
Where to stay
Cape Town is full of iconic luxury hotels; we chose to stay at The One&Only Cape Town*, and we were not disappointed. I highly recommend this hotel. If you'd like to learn more, you can read my full review here, or check current rates and availability here*.
Some other luxury Cape Town hotels include:
Silo Hotel* - an ultra-luxury boutique hotel set atop a converted historic grain silo on Cape Town’s waterfront.
Mount Nelson* - a hotel with an iconic pink facade and old-world elegance.
Ellerman House * - a boutique hotel with beautiful ocean views, set above Bantry Bay.
The Marly *- boutique hotel set right on the lively Camps Bay.
How to get around
I’d suggest using taxis to get around Cape Town. We went with a company recommended by our hotel (Jarvis). Although it was a bit more expensive, the service was excellent and felt very luxurious. That said, while researching our trip, many other travellers recommended Uber as a reliable, more affordable option.
Things to do in Cape Town
V & A Waterfront
This harbour is home to excellent shops and restaurants, sunbathing seals, and stunning views of Table Mountain. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours strolling, shopping and soaking up the atmosphere.
Table Mountain
Exploring the iconic Table Mountain, a must-do on any Cape Town Itinerary. You can either walk up to Table Mountain or, like us, take the cable car.
The views on Table Mountain are incredible, and you can spend a few hours walking around and taking in the sights. There is also a restaurant, a shop and a café to eat at once you are up there.
We booked our tickets through the official website and had no issues.
Top Tip - Visit at the start of the trip. Due to the wind and occasional fires, the cable car may have to close. If you plan this early, you’ll have another chance later in the week if needed.
Top Tip- Understand there is going to be a queue. When we turned up, the queue was huge, and we got there before 10. We got the VIP tickets as I had heard how long the queue was, and even then, we waited 45 minutes to an hour to get up. The standard queue was around three hours long.
Cape Peninsula Tour
On your trip make sure you go on a Cape Peninsula Tour, to see some of Cape Town’s most spectacular sports.
There are loads of tours you can choose from, just check they do all the places you want to see. I have linked a private tour that looks good here* and a group tour here*
On our tour, we visited:
The Penguin Colony - see the famous penguins who reside on the beach,
Cape of Good Hope - see ostriches and walk up to the lighthouse for amazing views.
Viewpoints of the Twelve Apostles mountain range
Clifton and Camps Bay
Chapman's Peak Drive
We also went for a late lunch at a lovely restaurant, but I can’t remember the name, unfortunately
Visit Kirstenbosch Garden
Acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens, Kirstenbosch is home to a variety of plants including some endangered species. Take a walk around and enjoy the plants and incredible surroundings.
Tour Robben Island
Robben Island is home to the former maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
To reach the island, you will take a 20 to 30 minute ferry ride. Once there a knowledgeable guide will take you around the island and explain to you the history. The tour lasts around 5 hours and provides a meaningful insight into the country’s past.
Kayak Tour
An experience I wish I had done during my time in Cape Town is a kayak tour, they look incredible.
These tours allow you to explore the coastline from sea level offering incredible views of Table Mountain, the Sea Point Lighthouse and much more.
If you are lucky you also may see some local wildlife along the way including dolphins, seals, penguins and, depending on the season, whales. It looks like a fantastic way to see Cape Town from a different perspective.
I have linked one of the most popular tours here. *
Go on a hike
Cape Town is a great hiking destination, with trails offering incredible views including coastal scenery and dramatic mountain views. However, conditions can change quickly, so always research your route and make sure you are properly prepared.
A few notable hikes include:
Lion’s Head - A 1.5 - 3 hour round trip and one of Cape Town’s most popular hikes. It offers 360 degree views of the city, Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. It is meant to be particularly incredible at sunrise.
Table Mountain Hike - Around 2 - 3.5 and a half hours to ascend, depending on pace. There are loads of different routes you can take that vary in difficulty.
Devil’s Peak - A more challenging hike with spectacular panoramic views of Cape Town, Table Mountain and the surrounding coastline. Allow several hours for the full hike and take extra care with weather conditions.
Top tip - Start early, take plenty of water, wear suitable footwear and avoid hiking alone. Some routes are more technical than they initially appear, so check trail conditions and difficulty before setting off.
Atlantis Sand Dunes
Located just 45 minutes outside Cape Town, the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve is home to spectacular pure-white sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy a range of exciting outdoor activities, including:
Quad biking
Sandboarding
4x4 off-road driving
Cape Town Wine Region
Cape Town is one of the best wine destinations in the word. Within a 30-60 minute drive from the city you will find dramatic scenery, historic estates, incredible restaurants and wineries producing incredible wines.
The main wine regions are:
Stellenbosch – A 45–60-minute drive from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is a historic town renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture, prestigious wine estates, and beautiful oak-lined streets.
Franschhoek – Approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek is a picturesque town famous for its world-class vineyards, exceptional wine estates, and stunning mountain scenery. It is also home to the popular Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Constantia – Just a 20–30-minute drive from Cape Town, Constantia is a beautiful wine-growing region known for its historic estates, award-winning wines, and lush green landscapes.
Paarl – Around a 50-minute drive from Cape Town, Paarl is a charming town surrounded by dramatic mountains and renowned for its scenic wine farms, exceptional wines, and rich history.
You can visit most of these places on a day trip, however, you can also stay for a few nights. If I had enough time I definitely would have stayed in one of the areas even though I am not a wine fan as the region is beautiful.
A few of the most famous hotels are:
A day in Cape Town’s Wine Region
If you have only one day to explore the wine region, I recommend going to the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
This service makes it super easy to visit a range of wineries at your own pace, with tram and bus transportation.
We booked our tickets directly on their official website, which was easy to use and confirmed everything instantly.
There are numerous lines you can choose from; we chose the Pink Line, but definitely do your research to find the best one for you. The stops we chose to get off at on the tram were:
Rickety Bridge - We got the wine pairing and the non-alcoholic pairing (a selection of iced teas), the views were stunning, and the wine was lovely. We even brought a bottle home with us.
Grand Provence - famous for its sparkling wine with oyster pairings, which was delicious.
Chamonix - We came to the restaurant here for lunch, Arkeste. You can get here on the bus and the foot and setting are both incredible. We sat outside and enjoyed the peaceful setting. I got the pork belly, which was super tender.
Unfortunately, we had then run out of time, but I wish we had gone to Pigcasso as it is a farm sanctuary.
Top Tip - the Franschhoek wine tram is quite far out so a taxi/transfer will cost quite a bit.
Restaurants
Lunch
The Foodbarn
This is where we visited on our Cape Point tour for lunch. It is located in Noordhoek Farm Village, which is a lovely place to visit anyway and do some shopping. The restaurant had a country barn setting and the food was incredible and delicious. I highly recommend stopping here.
Time Out Market
Located in the V & A waterfront, this market offers a variety of different cuisines from some of the city’s best chefs. Each stall serves a different range of dishes, from local Cape Malay to Greek and Japanese, making it the perfect lunch spot.
Dinner
Bo Vine
This laid-back steakhouse along Camps Bay Beach is the perfect spot for dinner. For starters, we went for the deep-fried avocado, which was incredible (I would genuinely go back just for this dish). For the main, we had steak which was equally delicious.
Bo Vine also has a cocktail bar called The Attic, located in Camps Bay. The cocktail menu is extensive, and it’s a great place to go for a drink before or after your meal.
La Colombe
La Colombe was a highlight of our trip. Set in the beautiful Constantia Wine Valley, it is an incredible restaurant offering a set tasting menu, with choices available for certain courses.
Every course we had was exceptional and incredibly inventive. From a tomato dish to tuna, everything was beautifully presented and full of flavour, and I would love to go back.
It is quite expensive (we paid around £108 per person), but I do think it is worth it for the exceptionally high standard of food and the overall experience.
A few other food sports I would have loved to try if we had more time:
Gold - A restaurant offering a fourteen-course menu featuring authentic African cuisine. The evening also includes live performances such as live drumming and Mali puppetry. I really regret not making it to this restaurant.
Belly of the beast - A small, 30 seater restaurant offering an intimate tasting-menu experience. There are no traditional menus, instead the chefs choose based on seasonal ingredients.
The Potluck Club - A restaurant located on the top floor of the Silo at the Old Biscuit Mill, offering impressive views across Cape Town and a menu of creative, modern global small plates designed to be shared.
The Best Safaris Near Cape Town
Cape Town isn’t typically known as a safari destination. When most people think of going on safari in South Africa, Johannesburg is usually the first place that comes to mind as the gateway to some of the country’s best reserves.
However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Johannesburg to experience a safari. Cape Town has some fantastic options within driving distance, and after spending hours researching the different reserves, I narrowed it down to two of the most popular destinations: Aquila Private Game Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Located less than two hours from Cape Town, Aquila is one of the most convenient safari options if you are short on time. You can visit for the day or stay overnight.
Aquila offers typical game drives, as well as more unique experiences such as quad bike safaris and horseback safaris. They also offer rooms and cottages, for if you want to stay overnight.
I haven’t personally visited Aquila, but after researching I came across many positive reviews, however, please note the main criticism is it can be busy and feel very commercial. The safari vehicles accommodate up to 22 people. It is also a managed reserved rather than a completely wild environment.
That said, if you’re looking for a convenient day safari from Cape Town and want to see some incredible wildlife, without spending several days away Aquila is a great option.
You can book your Aquila Safari here.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
If you have more time and are looking for a more immersive safari experience, I would highly recommend Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.*
Located iin the Karoo, around a 3.5-hour drive from Cape Town, Sanbona is a privately owned nature reserve offering a more secluded and authentic safari feel.
The reserve offers three accommodation options: Dwyka Tented Lodge, Tilney Manor, and Gondwana Family Lodge. We stayed at Dwyka Tented Lodge, and it completely exceeded our expectations.
Staying at Sanbona gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Safari experience with multiple quality game drives.
If you have the time, I would highly recommend Sanbona. The encounters were incredible and it is a convenient location from Cape Town.
I have a written review here which gives you all the information about this wildlife reserve.
You can also view availability or book your stay, use our affiliate link here.
Final Thoughts
Cape Town is an incredible destination, and I highly recommend adding it to your travel list. It truly has something for everyone, from breathtaking natural beauty and unforgettable adventures to incredible wildlife, world-class wine and exceptional food. Whether you’re exploring the iconic Table Mountain, discovering the stunning Cape Peninsula or experiencing an unforgettable safari, there is so much to see and do.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Cape Town and would like more information, check out my 7-Day Cape Town Itinerary, The One&Only Cape Town Hotel Review, and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Review for more inspiration and tips to help you plan your trip.
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