Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. With the deep-blue (and not to mention, ice-cold) Atlantic Ocean, the landmark that is Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands, harbors and so much more – this truly is a bucket list destination.
If you do visit Cape Town, even just for a weekend getaway, we strongly suggest bringing along a camera to document your adventures. Here are some of the best cameras for travel.
Weekend Getaway in Cape Town | Things to Do
The stunning city of Cape Town offers endless possibilities of adventure. There are hundreds and thousands of activities to do and things to see when visiting the Mother City of South Africa.
If you are planning a quick Cape Town getaway sometime soon, here are some of our top things for you to do while you’re in town.
And once you’re done exploring the Mother City, head to Johannesburg for a casino vacation right on your doorstep.
The Top of Table Mountain
First things first, you simply cannot travel to Cape Town without visiting the famous Table Mountain. This prominent landmark is so exquisitely large and beautiful that it is now officially recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
To give you the ultimate tour of this spectacular city and its mountain, we advise joining a hop-on hop-off bus ride where you can also take a cable car up to the top of the mountain. There you can enjoy breathtaking views of Cape Town.
Hike Up Lions Head
If you wake up wanting to move your body and embrace all the city has to offer, then a hike up Lions Head is an absolute must. Whether you prefer sunrise or sunset, we can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the beautiful views.
This hike is completely free and can be done without a guide, but if you’re not yet a hiking natural, then you can also opt for paid hiking tours of Lions Head.
Sunsets on Signal Hill
Another one of Cape Town’s smaller landmarks is Signal Hill. Although this one isn’t much of a hike, we suggest packing some snacks and taking a drive up to the summit where you can watch some truly spectacular sunsets.
And if you are feeling extra adventurous and wouldn’t mind a taste of adrenaline, you can tandem paraglide off of Signal Hill and get the best views of all that Cape Town has to offer.
Visit the V&A Waterfront
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is home to one of South Africa’s most popular shopping malls, as well as Table Bay Harbor. With hundreds of stores and restaurants, a day spent at the V&A is never a day wasted.
Here you can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, take a SUP ride around the waterfront marina or ride the Cape Wheel. You can even spend the day at the Oranjezicht Family Market close by, where you can enjoy good food, culture and community.
Spend the Day in Sea Point
Sea Point, Cape Town has everything from the hustle and bustle, to the refreshing sound of the waves. Whether you want to go for a kayak tour along the shorefront or cycle along the promenade, there is so much to do in Sea Point.
If you are in the area, we highly recommend paying a visit to the Mojo Market which offers food stalls for any and all cravings.
Take a Ride to Robben Island
South Africa is widely known for being home to one of the greatest revolutionaries in the world, Nelson Mandela. And Robben Island is famed for being the prison where he spent more than 27 years of his life.
Explore the history of Madiba and so much more when you visit Robben Island. You can take a tour of the island, and its township, either by ferry or by helicopter.
Bounce Between Beaches
Whether you want some peace and quiet or the whole summer vacation vibe, there are so many gorgeous beaches to visit in Cape Town. No matter where you stop along the coast of the Western Cape, you are bound to find a beautiful beach.
You can visit Clifton for a typical sunny South African beach day with umbrellas and ice-lollies. You can learn to surf at Muizenberg and even take pics with the line-up of cute colorful beach boxes that line the seashore. You can even check out the penguins at Boulders Beach.
Picnic at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
There are ten national botanical gardens in South Africa, and Kirstenbosch is truly one of the prettiest. Pack a picnic basket and bring your friends and family, to enjoy a gorgeous day in nature.
If you’re lucky, they might even be hosting a concert the weekend you come to visit and you can buy tickets to enjoy that as well.
Another treat that is often hosted at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is the Galileo Open Air Cinema. Be sure to check out what movies are showing before you book your ticket.
Wander the Wine Farms
Another thing that the Western Cape is incredibly well-known for is their delicious wines. With hundreds of wine farms to visit, you will never get bored of sipping on a new taste.
If you really want to embrace all that the winelands have to offer, without any of the worry, then there is even a Franschhoek Wine Tram that lets you hop on and off as you visit as many of the farms and taste as many of the wines as possible.
Final Thoughts on a Weekend Getaway to Cape Town
Well, there you have it – and that’s not even half of it! There is so much more to do and see in the windy city of Cape Town, South Africa. But at least we’ve given you enough adventures to occupy a quick weekend getaway to the Western Cape.
Speaking of windy cities, if you are looking for a similar experience a little closer to home, a trip to Chicago might be just what you’re looking for.
