TOURISM & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES 

CAPE TOWN TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

Cape Town is a modern, cosmopolitan city surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. Centered around Table Mountain, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Mother City boasts stunning beaches, rich biodiversity, globally acclaimed culinary delights, and a diverse array of experiences.

Many hotels provide opportunities to book day trips and experiences, which can be arranged either online in advance or in person. Below, you’ll find a curated selection of attractions and activities to consider during your visit to Cape Town for Ubuntu 2024. Don’t forget to set aside an extra day to fully immerse yourself in all that Cape Town has to offer!

Please refer to this Tourism Map for an overview of the attractions awaiting you in Cape Town.

Table Mountain Cableway
Table Mountain is a World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. The unique flora and fauna found on the mountain are like nothing else in the world, and there are numerous hiking trails to explore.
The views from the top of Table Mountain are simply unbeatable. You can see for miles in every direction, and on a clear day you can even see all the way to Robben Island. The cable car ride up to the summit is an experience in itself. The state-of-the-art carriages take you up the mountain in style, and the views out over the city are stunning.
We advise you to book your ticket for the cableway on the day of your visit, as the cableway can be closed due to the weather.

Cape Point

Cape Point Nature Reserve is a beautiful place with green hills, a rocky coastline and stunning views. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife including baboons, Cape fur seals and birds.

Within the reserve is the Cape Point lighthouse which was built in 1859. Visitors can take a cable car to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Point is a popular tourist destination and is well worth a visit.

You can look at the day tours that take you to Cape Point.

More info: https://capepoint.co.za/visitor-info/

African Penguins at Boulders Beach
Nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches. Although set in the midst of a residential area, it is one of the few sites where this endangered bird (Spheniscus demersus) can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment.
You can look at the day tours that take you to Cape Point to get to see the African Penguins. More info:

Robben Island
Robben Island is a small island located just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. For centuries it was used as a place of exile and imprisonment, and today it is best known as the site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration.

Today, Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was held, as well as the island’s museum and lighthouse. The island also offers stunning views of Table Mountain and the surrounding ocean.

V&A Waterfront
The Victoria & Albert Waterfront in Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, it offers stunning views, a variety of shops and restaurants, and a busy calendar of events.
This is the area in which the hotels that are recommended are located. It is also where bus pick-up and drop-off will be for the conference.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is a must-see for anyone visiting the waterfront, and the food markets are a great place to find fresh produce and local specialties. For those looking for a more traditional shopping experience, there are a number of shops selling African crafts and souvenirs.
More info: https://www.waterfront.co.za/

Red Bus Tours

City Sightseeing Free Walking Tours: Explore Cape Town by Foot

As a global bucket-list destination, Cape Town attracts tens of thousands of people to its world-famous attractions such as Table Mountain, the Constantia winelands and its pristine beaches.

But no visitor to the Mother City should miss out on its beautiful historic buildings, museums and diverse history. See everything the Cape Town inner city has to offer with our Historic City free walking tour.

The Historic City Walk departs every day, on the hour every hour from 10am – 3pm from our Long Street ticket office. As you explore the city in the 90-minute tour, your guide will highlight buildings and places of relevance and history along the route.

The Vibrant Bo-Kaap Walk departs every day at 10am and 2pm from our Long Street ticket office. See the colorful houses, smell the spices and hear the call to prayer of the local mosque during this 90-minute tour.

Look out for the tour guide in their yellow uniforms with their yellow umbrellas to join the City Sightseeing Free Walking Tours. We recommend that guests first enjoy the full tour and soak up the history and stories from the guide and thereafter return to visit the museums and attractions on the route.

City Sightseeing: Cape Point & Penguin Explorer Tour

Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are often referred to as the romantic meeting place of two mighty oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian. Located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, this Cape Point & Peninsula Tour is the ultimate in covering the most scenic parts easily, conveniently and safely. Join our local enthusiastic, knowledgeable English speaking guide for a unique and memorable day to see Cape Towns very best! You fall in love with the Cape whilst you explore! This tour offers lots of “off the bus” time to explore the Boulders Beach penguins colony, Cape Point Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

More info:

https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/en/cape-town/cape-point-penguin-explorer-tour

City Sightseeing: Red Cape Town City Tour to Table Mountain
Get closer to iconic monuments and famous landmarks on our Cape Town sightseeing bus tours. Our hop-on, hop-off Cape Town tours allow you to explore the best of this city, at your own pace. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to hop off the bus and explore the Cape Town landmarks and attractions that appeal to you most.
This is the Red tour with as the main attraction Table Mountain.
You can buy your ticket at their tour office or online. One ticket allows you access to all 3 bus tour loops on the same day.
More info:
City Sightseeing: Visit 3 of the best Cape Wine regions
This fun wine tour from Cape Town, packed with wine tastings, Cheese & Chocolate pairing, a cellar tour and more. Make new friends, have a laugh and experience the famous Cape Winelands first hand on our wine tour from Cape Town all while learning about and enjoying some of the best wines in the world.
More info:
City Sightseeing: Blue Mini Peninsula Tour

Get closer to iconic monuments and famous landmarks on our Cape Town sightseeing bus tours. Our hop-on, hop-off Cape Town tours allow you to explore the best of this city, at your own pace. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to hop off the bus and explore the Cape Town landmarks and attractions that appeal to you most.
This is the Blue tour with the main attractions being the botanical garden and the world of birds.

You can buy your ticket at their tour office or online. One ticket allows you access to all 3 bus tour loops on the same day.
More info:
City Sightseeing: Purple Constantia Valley Wine Tour

Get closer to iconic monuments and famous landmarks on our Cape Town sightseeing bus tours. Our hop-on, hop-off Cape Town tours allow you to explore the best of this city, at your own pace.  You’ll have plenty of opportunities to hop off the bus and explore the Cape Town landmarks and attractions that appeal to you most.
This is the Purple tour with the main attractions being the wine estates.

You can buy your ticket at their tour office or online. One ticket allows you access to all 3 bus tour loops on the same day.

More info:

https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/en/cape-town/constantia-wine-valley-bus

Day Tours

DAY Tour: Cape Town Full Day Safari

 Get up close and personal with Africa’s famous Big Five and other wild animals on our Full Day Safari Tour, a two and a half hour drive from Cape Town. As the Game Reserve is situated in the Western Cape, you will not need to worry about the risk of malaria. Enjoy some of the Cape’s most unique flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes and wildlife all in one day!

The elephants and lions have all been rescued by the team at the reserve, after encountering a virtual wipe out due to settlement and agricultural development. You will also find the cheetah rescue and rehabilitation center which was founded in 2001, home to numerous cheetahs.

More info: https://www.daytours.co.za/en/tours/cape-town-full-day-safari

DAY Tour: Best of the Cape Full Day
The definitive Cape Town tour, the Best of Cape Town encompasses all of the city’s top attractions and destinations.
 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
  • Boulders Penguin Colony (optional)
  • Stellenbosch orientation
  • Wine tasting
DAY Tour: Explore the Winelands

Attention wine lovers! Tantalise your taste buds and brush up on your wine knowledge on our Full Day Winelands Tour. Enjoy three wine tastings at award-winning wine farms, accompanied by a cheese assortment and cellar tour, an exciting ride on the Franschhoek tram, and a visit to the Drankenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his captivity.

DAY Tour: Cape Peninsula Full Day

The full day Peninsula Tour will take you around the entire Cape peninsula and show you the wonders of Cape Town. From the pristine beaches, to the spectacular sight of Cape Point enjoy a light lunch in Simons Town. Also be sure not to miss the sensational quick visit to the Penguins.

More info:

https://www.daytours.co.za/en/tours/peninsula-full-day-tour

Cape Town Beaches

Clifton Beaches 1-4

Situated in one of Cape Town’s most sought-after and affluent suburbs, Clifton’s beaches are a favourite of locals and tourists alike and are arguably some of the best in the country. Ten minutes from the city centre and comprising four beach coves separated by giant boulders that protect against Cape Town’s unruly ‘south-easter’ wind, the soft white sand and majestic blue water of each of the four beaches are an unofficial playground for those looking to take advantage of those hot summer days and jovial holiday atmosphere.

The four beaches of Clifton (named 1st through 4th) on the Atlantic coastline are impossibly beautiful. Most people can only handle a few minutes in the cold water, but the setting is well worth it. Each beach attracts its own type of crowd: 4th Beach is popular amongst teenagers, 3rd Beach attracts Cape Town’s gay community, 2nd Beach is frequented by models, and 1st Beach is for people with dogs or those wanting to escape the posers standing along the shoreline.

 
African Penguins at Boulders Beach
Nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches. Although set in the midst of a residential area, it is one of the few sites where this endangered bird (Spheniscus demersus) can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment.
You can look at the day tours that take you to Cape Point to get to see the African Penguins.

 

Camps Bay

Camps Bay – the best-known beach on the Cape Town coast. Both locals and visitors flock to this palm-lined strip for people-watching, to play beach bats or volleyball, walk their dogs or catch a tan while gazing up at the dramatic peaks of the Twelve Apostles range, part of Table Mountain.

If the wind picks up, hop onto the Camps Bay strip to one of many trendy restaurants, cafes or fashionable bars where Cape Town’s beautiful people dine on seafood or sip chilled local wine. On peak summer days these restaurants spill out onto the pavements, creating a wonderfully laid-back Mediterranean ambience.