Cape Town is without a doubt the kind of city that you can visit a thousand times over & ALWAYS find something new and exciting to do and see, the Mother City really is that good! But even though each visit to Cape Town promises to be unique, thrilling and oh so memorable, nothing comes close to the first time you get to truly see, explore and experience everything the glorious Mother City has to offer. It truly is magical! Jam-packed with some of the most incredible landmarks, exciting adventures and beautiful landscapes in the world, you’ll never run out of things to do and see in Cape Town. But here are the 15 most essential things to do on your first visit to Cape Town that you’re guaranteed to never forget:
Things to do on Your First Visit to Cape Town
1) Witness the most iconic landmark of the Cape Town skyline, Table Mountain – Hike or cable car, you decide!
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Of course you should start your very first visit to Cape Town off with a trip to the most iconic Cape Town landmark of them all – Table Mountain. While the Mother City has no shortage of incredible things to do and see, boasting some of the most spectacular sights in the world, there is just something so magical and truly inspiring about seeing Table Mountain for the very first time. Inaugurated as one of the New7Wonders of Nature and declared by Nelson Mandela as a gift to the earth, Table Mountain is one Mother City gem that holds a very special place in every Capetonians heart’s and after seeing it for the first time, it will definitely have a prime spot in yours too! Whether you choose to witness it’s glory from below, take an exciting hike up, take the ultimate Paraglide plunge down or enjoy a scenic Aerial Cable way cable car ride up, it promises to be everything you can imagine and more.
2) Take a scenic sunset drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive – Witness the beauty of the Mother City’s beloved ‘Chappies’ first hand
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The renowned Chapman’s Peak Drive, or ‘Chappies’ as it’s affectionately known by Cape Town locals, is one of those sights that will continue to take your breath away even if you’ve seen it a thousand times before. Ask any Cape Town first timer and we bet they’ll remember the very first time they got to bear witness to the truly spectacular views Chapman’s Peak has to offer. This magnificent stretch of road connecting Noordhoek and Hout Bay is not only a great engineering feat, but also one of the most scenic drives not only in Cape Town, but the world. Plunging cliffs, towering peaks and a sensational sea view that stretches as far as the eye can see is what this incredible Cape Town experience has in store for you. But if you’re in the mood for something truly special, a sunset Chapman’s Peak drive is guaranteed to steal your heart in a matter of seconds.
3) Visit, swim, kayak or chill on the beach with the African Penguins – The ultimate Cape Town cool kids!
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Your first visit to Cape Town absolutely must include a trip to see these adorable and beloved ocean mammals and their fun-loving nature. Boulder Beach in Simonstown and Stony Point in Betty’s Bay are two Penguin viewing sites in the Western Cape that allow you to get up close and personal with these tuxedo cuties. But Cape Town allows you to do way more than just witness them from a far, Boulders Beach is home to a family-friendly paying beach where you can lounge on the beach and even take a dip in the Atlantic with these beloved Cape Town gems by your side. And in Simonstown you can even enjoy a thrilling kayak ride with the African Penguins, how exciting is that?
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4) Escape to the beautiful Cape Winelands for a day – Explore and taste your way through Some of Cape Town’s most picturesque Wine Routes
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The Western Cape is home to some of the most beautiful and unique wine producing region in Africa, you can therefore absolutely not pay a visit to Cape Town without taking a trip to one, or even a few, of it’s incredible Wine Estates! And if you in any way want to call yourself an ‘honorary Capetonian’ you have to be able to talk a big ‘wine game’, because Capetonians LOVE their wine! And the very best way to do it is by visiting as many wine farms and tasting as much of their wine as possible! Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Helderburg, Durbanville and the Constantia Wine Route are merely 5 of the Western Cape’s wine routes that absolutely should be on your wine tasting journey through Cape Town.
5) Lounge on one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches & maybe take a dip in the Atlantic too!
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Maybe it’s the fact that Cape Town boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in the world, or perhaps it’s the beautiful beachy weather, but there’s just something special about being sun-kissed, salty-haired and beached-out when in Cape Town. Your visit to the Mother City therefore wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a good ol’ proper Cape Town beach day! The only problem you’ll have is deciding which beach to visit first! Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, Muizenberg, Bloubergstrand, Oudekraal, Boulders Beach and Long Beach are merely a few favourites!
6) Enjoy every bite of some ‘lekker’ local Cape Town fish and chips!
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Sitting amongst the seagulls at the ocean’s edge, sipping an ice-cold Coke and piling on the endless amounts of salt and vinegar on your fried hake, calamari and chips is a delicious Cape Town past time and an absolute must-do on your first visit to Cape Town. And while every Capetonian has their personal favourite fish and chips spot, here are a couple of fan-favourites that absolutely won’t disappoint – Kalky’s (Kalk Bay), The Salty Sea Dog (Simonstown), Fish on the Rocks (Hout Bay), Fish Hoek Fisheries (Fish Hoek).
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7) Pay a visit to the vibrant Bo-Kaap – Experience the most colourful part of Cape Town
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The lively, charismatic and community-centred region of Bo-Kaap is an absolute must for any Cape Town first timer and promises to be well worth it! Known as the most colourful part of Cape Town due to its iconic and world-renowned colourful houses that line the streets, Bo-Kaap has without a doubt earned itself a top spot on countless Instagram feeds, postcards and travel magazines. Bo-Kaap is also known as the heart and soul of Cape Malay cuisine, thereby offering you another authentic taste of one of Cape Town’s most traditional cuisines and cultures.
8) See Cape Point in all its scenic glory – Beauty, beaches, hiking trails and 360 degree panoramic views!
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Cape Point is without a doubt any nature lover’s dream come true! Boasting some of the most sensational 360-degree scenic views you have every seen, beautiful secret beaches that are largely untouched and unspoilt, an extensive range of fun and adventurous activities to enjoy, exciting hiking trail and walking routes and so much more, Cape Point promises a jam-packed day out for the whole family.
9) Explore one of the great botanic gardens of the world, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
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Known as the Cape’s flower kingdom and situated right at the foot of the glorious Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is without a doubt one of the most beautiful displays of Mother Nature at her best. Boasting a truly extensive range of fauna and flora, 125 species of birds, walking trials, hiking routes, picnic spots, restaurants, waterfalls and so much more, Kirstenbosch is one Cape Town natural gem that will make your visit to Cape Tow that much more fulfilling. The newly introduced Tree Top Canopy Walk is a real exciting treat for the whole family!
10) Go on a hike – Because when in doubt, hike it out, especially when in Cape Town!
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The Mother City is the ultimate hiking mecca, boasting some of the most spectacular scenery and landscapes in the world it comes as no surprise that Cape Town is filled with some of the most incredible walking routes, hiking trails and scenic strolls there is. Whether you’re in the mood for something low-key and chilled, family-friendly and fun or exciting, thrilling and maybe even a little daring, Cape Town has the hiking trail for you! Table Mountain, Lions Head, Kloof Nek, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Pipe Track, Silvermine Nature Reserve and the Constantia Green Belts are merely just a few for you to enjoy!
11) Witness the beauty of the 12 Apostles Mountain Range in all its tall standing glory
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The striking and renowned 12 Apostles mountain range is an iconic flagship of the Cape Town skyline that’s known to draw people from all corners of the globe. It runs roughly from Kloof Nek to Hout Bay and towers over one of the most picturesque coastlines in the whole world. Seeing it for the first time will stop you dead in your tracks and has been known to leave even the best of us spell-bound, it really is that good! And getting to witness this Cape Tow gem at sunset is one sensational sight you absolutely cannot miss on your first visit to Cape Town.
12) Enjoy an evening exploring Cape Town’s inner city – Wine, dine and have a good time!
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Cape Town’s inner city is home to some of the liveliest nightlife hotspots, renowned 5-star dining spots, rooftop hangouts and trendiest cocktail, wine or gin drinking spots, making it the perfect destination for an eventful night out on the Mother City. Besides all of this, Cape Town’s inner city boasts a certain electricity and vibrant ambiance that’s hard to ignore and has been known to keep even the best of us dancing well into the morning hours. So, prepare yourself for a Cape Town night out you’re guaranteed to never forget!
13) Experience everything the V&A Waterfront has to offer
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Situated right in the heart and soul of Cape Town is the beautiful and thriving V&A Waterfront. Boasting a variety of restaurants, hangout spots, retail shops, exclusive boutiques, hotels, theatres, music and entertainment, nightclubs, an aquarium and a spectacular harbour, the V&A Waterfront has everything you could ever need. It also acts as the point of departure for a variety of boat tours and scenic helicopter flights around the city.
14) Visit one of the Mother City’s vibrant markets – Because Cape Town is at the very top of it’s market game!
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The Cape Town market scene is alive and kicking and you’re sure to love every second of exploring and tasting your way through it! Fresh local produce, tasty treats, home-baked delights, crafts, arts, thrifts and so much more is what you can expect. The Noordhoek Community Market, The Neighbourgoods Market, Bay Harbour Market, Mojo Market, Root 44 Market, V&A Food Market and The Slow Market are some of the fan-favourites.
15) Watch a Cape Town sunset – Because there’s no sunset quite like a Cape Town sunset!
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Some call it magical, some call it life-changing, we just call it a classic Cape Town sunset! This is one Cape Town sight you will never get tired of seeing, and whether you choose to watch the sun go down while sitting on the beach, granite boulder, hill-top, rooftop bar or a balcony overlooking the Atlantic, it promises to capture your heart. It’s been said that there’s no sunset quite like a Cape Town sunset, and your first trip to Cape Town will allow you to experience that first hand. Get ready to be amazed, it truly is magical!
By enjoying every second of the 15 most essential things to do on your first trip to Cape Town, the Mother City promises you a truly spectacular trip you won’t soon forget! Jam-packed with beautiful sights, exciting adventures, delicious local treats and truly unforgettable moments, your first trip to Cape Town will have you falling head-over-heels in love with one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And every trip after that promises to be just as unique as the one before! Because one can never get enough of the beauty and uniqueness that is Cape Town!
