Discover Cape Town: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Icon Share

SHARE

Advisor - Courtney Wallace
Curated By

Courtney Wallace

  • Cape Town

  • Beaches

  • Food & Wine

  • Luxury Travel

  • South Africa

  • Active Travel

  • Sightseeing

Courtney in a blue dress and sun hat sitting on the edge of a blue Cobra sports car overlooking a lake with mountains in the distance.
Curator’s statement

Cape Town is a remarkable travel destination renowned for its stunning natural beauty, featuring iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain and pristine beaches. The city offers a diverse range of experiences, from exploring scenic wine farms to enjoying the serene ocean views. With its rich cultural heritage and an array of outdoor activities, there is always something exciting to see and do in Cape Town. This dynamic city promises an unforgettable experience for every traveler.

The Fora Difference

Book with Courtney to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.

[object Object]
Killer perks

Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you

[object Object]
Personalized recs

Customized travel planning for your style

[object Object]
Insider knowledge

Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there

Where to stay in Cape Town

Unlock perks by contacting Courtney to book your trip.

Things to do in Cape Town

A lake surrounded by green trees and Table Mountain.
  • Hike up or catch the cable car up Table Mountain, one of the seven wonders of the natural world! (Why I recommend: absolute bucket list experience!)

  • Experience the sunrise with an early hike up Lion’s Head, one of the most “Instagrammable spots” in Cape Town! (Why I recommend: Get the perfect Instagram shot!)

  • Hire an AC Cobra and drive the scenic Cape Peninsula route (pop into a few wine farms on the way!) (Why I recommend: absolutely breathtaking scenic route — check out Chapman’s Peak Drive!)

  • Go wine tasting in the gorgeous winelands — Stellenbosch or Franschhoek are only an hour away from Cape Town. (Why I recommend: I love wine, and South Africa has some of the best wines in the world.)

  • If you’d like to do a wine-tasting day trip only, consider the Franschhoek Wine Tram, a train that picks you up from a central location in Franschhoek and allows you to visit up to six wine farms in one day — you can choose your route from their list of options. (Why I recommend: a fun activity to do as a group!)

  • Savor the sunshine on the picturesque Camps Bay Beach. If beach hopping is your thing, Clifton 1, 2, 3 and 4 are within 10 to 20 minutes walking distance. (Why I recommend: Cape Town beaches are unparalleled!)

  • Explore Cape Town beachfront in a unique way on e-scooter or e-bike (or old-school normal bicycle). The beachfront runs from Camps Bay all the way to the V&A Waterfront. (Why I recommend: Beautiful ocean and scenic views.)

  • Experience the finest shopping at V&A Waterfront — enjoy some live music or a show at their open-air amphitheater. (Why I recommend: Who doesn’t love shopping?)

  • If nature and the outdoors is your thing, you can explore the beauty of Kirstenbosch Gardens. In the summer months, they also host outdoor concerts. (Why I recommend: music and a picnic — what more could you ask for?)

  • Experience outdoor cinema at its best with The Galileo Open Air Cinema — they have a number of venues and dates available with great movies on show (only available during summer months). (Why I recommend: DATE NIGHT!)

Day trips

  • Franschhoek wine route

  • Franschhoek Motor Museum

  • Stellenbosch wine route

  • Constantia wine route

  • Paarl wine route

  • Golf at Boschenmeer (Paarl)

  • Golf at Val De Via (Paarl)

Places to eat & drink in Cape Town

An elegant dining set-up at Grand Africa Cafe & Beach with tables and wooden chairs underneath umbrellas.
  • Il Leone: Dinner (Italian)

  • Grand Africa Cafe: Lunch or dinner (restaurant and bar on the beach with occasional live music and/or DJ — pizzas, burgers, pasta)

  • Cafe Caprice: Breakfast, lunch or dinner (restaurant and bar on the Camps Bay strip with a weekly DJ and a fun party — pizzas, burgers, nachos, sushi)

  • Kloof Street House: Dinner (romantic vibes! Think fairy lights and fireplace — steak, fish)

  • Sotano: Breakfast (best breakfast in Cape Town!)

  • Villa 47: Lunch or dinner (Italian)

  • Hussar Grill: Lunch, dinner (steakhouse)

  • The Butcher Shop and Grill: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (steakhouse)

  • Between Us: Breakfast (vegetarian and vegan options available)

  • Nourish’d: Breakfast, lunch (vegan and vegetarian only but their smoothie bowls are one of a kind!)

Advisor - Courtney Wallace

Travel Advisor

Courtney Wallace

Get in touch with Courtney

Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

You can normally expect a response from Courtney within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).

This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Cape Town. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Michelle Hollenbeck’s guide, Curated Cape Town.