Are you looking to explore Cape Town’s great outdoors? Well with so many incredible options to choose from, it’s a tough decision to choose what to do first!
Cape Town on a sunny day can take your breath away, especially on a rare summer’s day when the cold south-easterly wind, known as the Cape Doctor, takes a day off, or when the clouds decide to part on warm winter’s day. Particularly at this time of year during autumn when you can’t help but seize the day the moment the rain stops. Well, if you want to get into the great outdoors, Cape Town is your oyster!
From chilling with penguins to reaching the summit of one of the 7 natural wonders in the world, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect outdoor activity!
No one knows the ins and outs of Cape Town like the locals. With this local’s guide to outdoor activities to do in Cape Town, you know you’re going to be getting the best of the best, plus some of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets! Here are 15 Cape Town outdoor activities you have to try at least once if you want the full Cape Town experience.
Cape Town has no shortage of mountains to hike. So if you’re wanting to get your legs moving and your hearts pumping, you’re definitely spoilt for choice. Here’s a list of Cape Town’s most famous hikes, plus a few for a new view of the mother city.
In the heart of the city, this natural wonder of the world is definitely the most popular hiking trail in Cape Town, and for good reason. Plus, you have many trails that will get you to the top, including Skeleton’s Gorge through the forest up the back of Table Mountain, Platteklip Gorge right up the front (be careful on a hot day, as you’re directly in the sun), and the infamous India Venster known as the most difficult trail. Additionally, if you’re just looking for a view, you can take the cable car right to the top. And don’t forget to bring your swimming costumes for a dip in one of the dams on top.
Located just next to Table Mountain, Lion’s Head is another very popular hike, especially at sunrise or sunset. While it is a bit of a climb with a steep incline, the top view is worth it where you get a full 360 of the city and the ocean. Just be aware that there are two routes to the top, with one requiring you to climb using metal holds in a rock face. Always take a jacket, the wind can be nippy!
Starting at Silvermine Dam, this hike is a lovely, moderate hike on Constantiaberg mountain that leads you past the elephant’s knee and into the elephant’s eye — a massive cave that makes you feel like you’ve travelled back to prehistoric times., and is the perfect place to picnic with a full view of the southern suburbs all the way to the Drakensberg mountains.
Set in the jungle-like backdrop of Cecilia’s Forest, this is a trail beloved by locals. While there might be a lot of stairs, and your calves might feel it the next morning, the rushing waterfall you reach at the end makes it so worth it, especially after some recent rainfall.
This easy-breezy hike is more like a walk through the serene Cape Point Nature Reserve. The best thing about this trail is the ancient shipwreck washed up on the beach, serving as a reminder of Cape Town’s old nickname of the Cape of Storms.
Explore Cape Town’s gorgeous bays up close and personal with a kayaking adventure, often meeting friends along the way such as seals, dolphins, and penguins.
Here are the details:
Here are some kayaking companies to help you get out there and explore the Atlantic Ocean from the water - Atlantic Outlook, Kayak Adventures, Seal Kayaking, and Gravity Micro Adventures.
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Once you’ve explored the deep from above, why not check it out from below? Snorkelling is a popular activity among both locals and tourists. Especially when you have access to the Great African Sea Forest which is over 1 000 km along the coast from Cape Town to Namibia! With such a diversity of marine life bustling under the waves, there’s no limit to what you might find. Some snorkelling hotspots in Cape Town include:
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Cape Town’s beaches have been voted some of the best in the world with their majestic shorelines and fine white sand. And with a coastline on either side of Cape Town and the endless number of stunning beaches, it’s almost impossible to choose which one you should choose (we say try them all). Here’s a list of the best beaches in Cape Town:
We can’t forget about Cape Town’s famous tidal pools. These are buzzing every morning at sunrise for the Capetonian ritual of a morning swim followed by a coffee and croissant. Here are the best tidal pools in Cape Town:
Cape Town and the Winelands are known for their vines, especially in suburbs like Constantia, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. With wine farms sprinkled all over, their magnificent grounds are best enjoyed on a beautiful day and with a glass of wine in hand.
The best wine farms to visit in Cape Town include:
Franschhoek is famous for its Hop On and Off Wine Tram which is a tram that connects dozens of wine farms that you can visit all in one day. There are 10 different tram lines to choose from which will take you on an excursion of around 8 different wine farms, giving you time to have a tasting at each and allowing the flexibility to stay longer at one if you want. It’s R280 per adult and about an hour's drive out of Cape Town.
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Don't miss the Dassies either when you're in Hermanus!
You better get out your binoculars! It’s time for some whale watching!
Among many of the marine life found in Cape Town, whales are one of the most popular, especially during the peak season of July to December when whale watching becomes a favourite pastime of Cape Townians.
If you’re willing to make the trip 2 hours out of Cape Town, Hermanus is known as the ultimate town for whale watching. However, if you’re looking for some good spots closer to town, False Bay is notorious for its whale watching. This includes areas like Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Strand. Further past Hermanus, you also have famous whale-watching towns like Cape Agulhas, Gansbaai and Witsand.
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Vibrant and lively markets are found across Cape Town and its surrounding areas, adding to the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether it’s a night market, food market, farmer’s market or product market, you’ll find whatever vibe you’re looking for! Here’s a list of the top markets in Cape Town:
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Explore the scenic Sea Point Promenade in style on either an electric scooter or a bicycle. All you have to do is rent a bicycle from Up Cycles or an electric scooter from Elektrek, choose how long you want to ride for — usually between an hour and the full day — and then whizz away!
This can cost between R90 and R400, depending on how long you plan on riding. Bare in that the Sea Point Promenade is quite long with lots of different parks, jungle gyms and art installations to explore. There’s even a game of putt-putt along the way!
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There’s no better way to explore Cape Town’s shoreline than getting whisked away and seeing the city from a whole new perspective. With Cape Town’s endless shoreline, there’s lots to explore. The main harbours to set off on your adventure are the V&A Waterfront, Simon’s Town and Hout Bay. You also get different types of boat rides which vary in price from R130 - 600 per person, including:
The Waterfront is where you’ll find the more up-market boat rides, as well as boats like the Jolly Roger, a pirate-theme ship, and tours to Robben Island. Hout Bay is the perfect location from which to visit seal island. And Simon’s Town’s rich marine diversity makes it the ultimate spot for wildlife discoveries.
If you’re looking for a day immersed in nature, Cape Town’s various gardens have the perfect setting for you!
Acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world, Kirstenbosch’s expansive grounds are really awe-inspiring. Picnic on one of the large lawns, get a view from the tops of the trees on the Boomslang bridge or explore South Africa’s unique flora and fauna. You might even be able to catch a summertime concert in the auditorium!
Located in the city centre, these gardens are a breath of fresh air amid the concrete jungle. It’s the perfect spot to take a break while exploring the bustling city, have lunch, or even feed some squirrels. The gardens are also attached to the Iziko South African Museum among other museums.
While these gardens are located in Franschhoek, quite a drive out of Cape Town, what you witness will immediately take your break away! They have turned one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms into a natural work of art — you really feel like you’ve entered a whole new fantastical world. You can spend hours wandering the mesmerising gardens.
This is definitely one for the bucket list! Experience Cape Town from a whole new perspective — from the sky! Tandem paragliding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you get to glide across Cape Town’s vast landscapes, setting off usually from Signal Hill or Lion’s Head. Prices range from R1 400 - R1 800 and the flight lasts usually between 5 - 20 minutes. As this is very dependent on the weather, you’re going to want to wait for the perfect day!
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One of the many beauties of Cape Town is with an ocean on each side, you can watch the sunrise in the morning over the ocean and watch it set over the ocean later that day. These are frequent rituals for Cape Town locals, often pairing the sunrise with a coffee and breakfast and the sunrise with a picnic. Here are the best spots in Cape Town for sunrise and sunset.
Sunrise:
Sunset:
The Galileo Open Air Cinema is a staple for locals. Enjoy an exquisite evening under the stars enjoying one of their favourite movies with a delicious meal and snacks. They play multiple movies each week at a range of venues across Cape Town and Stellenbosch to ensure there’s always one near you. Some of their venues include:
And loads more! Plus, they offer a range of yummy food from pizza and burgers to shawarmas and movie snacks. It’s the way to spend a summer’s night!
Wanna catch some waves? Hang ten? Cape Town has all the spots for you. Whether you’re wanting to try it out for the first time or surfing is second nature, you can find the perfect surf to match your level. Here are the go-to surf spots in Cape Town:
If you’re looking for another thing to do with a board, why not try Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) at the V&A Waterfront? Rentals cost between R200 - R550 for 30 - 90 minutes. You get to explore the canals that snake through the Waterfront and parts of the city.
While Cape Town does have an array of indoor climbing gyms, it also has the perfect setting to put your climbing and bouldering to the test!
Closer to Cape Town, you can find the perfect settings on Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Paarl Rocks and Silvermine. Additionally, if you’re looking for more of a multi-day excursion, popular rock climbing spots are the Cederberg Mountains, Rocklands, Montagu and Oudtshoorn.
Plus, if you want to take it up a notch, you can also abseil down Table Mountain — an experience you’ll never forget!
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Now you know how to explore Cape Town’s great outdoors like a local! So now when the next sunny day hits, you’ll have plenty to do! The question is — which one do you do first?
Well, maybe you’ll just have to move to Cape Town to do it all! And when you do move, you’ll have the best movers to help you — Wise Move! Whether it’s down the road or across the country, Wise Move is ready to help you take the next step and move to Cape Town — one of the best cities in the world!
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