{"id":3033,"date":"2022-12-12T19:46:06","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T19:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/?p=3033"},"modified":"2023-10-18T15:51:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:51:00","slug":"cape-town-tours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wandercapetown.com\/tips\/cape-town-tours\/","title":{"rendered":"Local’s guide to the best Cape Town tours & experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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There is so much to do in Cape Town<\/a>, for so many different interests and travel styles, that it\u2019s really impossible to condense it into one article! But if you\u2019re looking for guided tours and experiences, this is the place to find them.<\/p>

I\u2019ve put together all the best tourist activities in Cape Town \u2013 from a local\u2019s perspective. This means, which did I love doing best, and what experiences do I recommend to get to know our city and all that we have to offer?<\/p>

Whether you\u2019re looking for outdoor adventures (both peaceful and high-energy), cultural experiences, or food tours, these are the best ways to experience Cape Town.<\/p>

Cape Town\u2019s best outdoor tours & adventures<\/h2>

If you\u2019re visiting Cape Town because of its incredible biodiversity and the fact that we have mountains, oceans (plural!), and endless opportunities for adventure, then this is your section. There\u2019s so much to do, the activities below are guided experiences that bring you into contact with some of it!<\/p>

Sailing from the V&A Waterfront<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R350 (~$21)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Stunning views of Table Mountain<\/a> and the city<\/p>

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One of the best ways to see the city is from the water \u2013 particularly the sunset cruise, as there\u2019s nothing quite like golden hour and the pinkening clouds moving over Table Mountain!<\/p>

You\u2019ll head out on a catamaran, through the lovely harbor and out onto open waters. Tours usually pass this little red dinghy with seals lazing on it, and stop to watch the sunset dip past the horizon. Depending on the season, you might also spot a few dolphins.<\/p>

I love the sailing tour as a way to see the city in a really peaceful, striking way \u2013 and with some sparkling wine, too! It\u2019s also well-priced, making it popular among locals as well as tourists.<\/p>

Read more about our experience of the Waterfront sailing trip<\/a> or <\/b>check sunset cruise timetable and prices<\/a>!<\/p>

Seal snorkeling in Hout Bay<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R950 (~$57)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> You get to see these amazing creatures twirl and race in their natural habitat<\/p>

\"Cape<\/p>

Off the coast of Hout Bay<\/a> is Duiker Island, a rocky islet covered top to toe in Cape Fur Seals<\/a>! They pay the Hout Bay harbor daily visits, but this is their breeding ground and colony, with hundreds of juvenile and adult seals raucously living their at-home lifestyles.<\/p>

There are regular tours that take people to snorkel with these \u2018dogs of the sea\u2019. They\u2019re done carefully, switching off boat engines and avoiding coming too near the actual island. But you\u2019ll be able to watch the lumbering animals plop into the water and become graceful acrobats. The juveniles like to show off a bit, and often stare you right in the eyes as they twist and leap and dart about. It\u2019s a really special, unique experience, and one I\u2019d recommend any day!<\/p>

I got a bit seasick en route, so if you\u2019re prone to seasickness, keep in mind that it\u2019s a possibility, and keep your heavy, hot gear off till you reach the island.<\/p>

Read more about our experience snorkeling with the seals<\/a> or <\/b>check prices and timetables<\/a>!<\/p>

Ocean kayaking in Hout bay<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R450 (~$27)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> It\u2019s lovely to be right on the water, exploring our vibrant coastline and spotting marine animals<\/p>

\"kayaking<\/p>

Another great Hout Bay activity! This little seaside suburb of Cape Town is one of the best places in the city to find not only seals but dolphins too. Families of dolphins have started using the wide harbor as a little haven, and can often be spotted here.<\/p>

It\u2019s also a lovely way to explore the coastline, learn a bit about this part of the city, and get active. The kayaks are all tandem, so you\u2019ll be practicing a bit of teamwork.<\/p>

I recommend doing this trip on the weekend, when you can follow it up with a stroll through Bay Harbour Market. There you\u2019ll find incredible food, impeccable coffee, and the work of a lot of local artisans.<\/p>

While the Hout Bay kayaking is my favorite, there are also kayaking trips from the V&A Waterfront, from Green Point, and from various parts of False Bay!<\/p>

Read more about what to do in Hout Bay<\/a> or <\/b>check prices and timetables<\/a>!<\/p>

Boulders Beach & Peninsula tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R750 (~$45)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Opportunity to meet penguins without journeying to the poles! And an incredibly beautiful full-day trip<\/p>

\"boulders<\/p>

Boulders Beach is home to one of Cape Town\u2019s most surprising animals \u2013 the African Penguin! These tiny suited-up little creatures nest on and near the beach, and go for swims in the icy water. You can join them for a swim (but no touching!), explore the beach, and observe them in their natural habitat from walkways and viewpoints.<\/p>

Continue along the coast to Cape Point, the very tip of Africa! This is a stunning day trip<\/a>, and you\u2019ll see so much of our rocky coastline, curious animals, and native plant life. It\u2019s one of the best ways to see the natural side of Cape Town in just one day. You can rent a car and do the trip on your own, or join a tour.<\/p>

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Read more about Boulders Beach<\/a> and Cape Point<\/a>.<\/p>

Or check prices for the full-day Cape Peninsula tour<\/a>!<\/p>

Table mountain hiking tour<\/h3>

Price:<\/b> Starting at R1,400 (~$78)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Hiking up the iconic Table Mountain is must-do (and free) \u2013 this is just the guided, informative version<\/p>

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No one should visit Cape Town without seeing Table Mountain! If you don\u2019t have the fitness required to hike it, catch the cable car up \u2013 ideally during a weekday, otherwise you may be standing in a queue for an hour.<\/p>

If you do <\/i>want to tackle the challenge, it is so worthwhile! You\u2019ll see vegetation that grows nowhere else \u2013 plants endemic to Table Mountain alone \u2013 and such fantastic views. I recommend Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine as two of the absolute best routes. Just don\u2019t go alone \u2013 number one safety tip for Cape Town is to always do things in a group.<\/p>

If you\u2019d prefer a tour guide so that you don\u2019t have to worry about group sizes and navigation, and can learn more as you go, check prices for this hike up and cable car down<\/a> or this hike up India Venster<\/a> (another Table Mountain trail)!<\/p>

Kelp foraging workshop in Scarborough<\/h3>

Price: <\/strong>R850 (~$45)<\/p>

Why it’s great: <\/strong>You get to learn so much and discover just how amazing and delicious kelp is!<\/p>

\"Lindy<\/p>

The coastal foraging workshop<\/a> is such a unique and fun experience! It includes foraging for seaweeds and kelp along the coastline, followed by a five-course meal prepared using the same seaweeds, coastal plants, and home-grown vegetables.<\/p>

Lindy Taverner, the facilitator, teaches about the diverse seaweeds and small species that kelp forests<\/a> protect alongside how to forage and process seaweeds as a nutritious food source. You learn how to identify different oceanic plants and their optimal methods of preparation, while Lindy emphasized the importance of sustainable foraging practices, including only picking half the seaweed and leaving the stem intact for regrowth.<\/p>

After foraging, we were treated to a feast at Lindy’s home. The dishes included nori chips, caramelised seaweed candy, kelp lasagna, and miso soup with kelp noodles.<\/p>

The RE Wild workshop<\/a> offers a unique experience that not only broadens culinary horizons but also strengthens your connection with nature and your understanding of sustainable foraging practices.<\/p>

Safari and game drive<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R4,400 (~$260)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> With game drives and on-foot wildlife tracking, this is an amazing way to see more of our nature \u2013 and explore beyond Cape Town<\/p>

\"elephants<\/p>

Many who visit South Africa have the Big Five in mind \u2013 but they\u2019re not actually that easy to find near Cape Town. You can visit Aquila<\/a>, the closest game reserve, or do a multi-day trip to the Garden Route. Both are good options and will show you more of the country\u2019s wild side!<\/p>

My top recommendation is the multi-day tour, because it takes you to my old hometown of Oudtshoorn<\/a> and introduces you to the entirely unique Klein Karoo<\/i>. You\u2019ll do 4×4 safari game drives and track wildlife on foot with a local ranger, and explore the area.<\/p>

If you want to get really into it, you can even do a 5-day safari<\/a> and throw in a trip to Addo Elephant Park!<\/p>

Check prices for the 2-day Wildlife Safari<\/a>!<\/p>

City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R292 (~$16)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> You can see so much of the city in one day<\/p>

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The hop-on-hop-off bus tour is an easy, convenient way to explore Cape Town. You\u2019ve likely done the same tour in other cities around the world!<\/p>

The bus stops at our city\u2019s most popular tourist attractions, including Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Camps Bay and Long Street. There are different routes, and you can choose between a focus on the outdoors, the winelands, and history.<\/p>

Read more about the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour<\/a>, or check ticket prices and timetables<\/a>!<\/p>

Food tours, vineyard-hopping & cooking classes<\/h2>

If your vision of the perfect vacation includes a lot of wine, unique and delicious food, and fun foodie experiences, these Cape Town tours are for you!<\/p>

Franschhoek wine tram<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R680 (~$37)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Award-winning wine and beautiful views<\/p>

\"franschhoek<\/p>

My husband and I did this for our anniversary and absolutely loved it. You\u2019re driven from Cape Town to Franschhoek, a town with 300 years of history in winemaking.<\/p>

There, you\u2019ll hop on the old tram, which takes you past stunning rolling hills and stops at the area\u2019s most popular wine estates.<\/p>

Depending on how slow you like to take it, you\u2019ll be able to do tastings at three to seven estates \u2013 we did three, languidly, but I know friends who\u2019ve sprinted through all seven and had a very good time of it! The wine is some of the best you\u2019ll find in the world, and the charcuterie boards are made to match. In other words, it\u2019s a wine-lovers paradise and the perfect day trip.<\/p>

Read more about the Franschhoek wine tram and our experience of it<\/a>.<\/p>

Or check timetables and prices for the tram<\/a>!<\/p>

Constantia wine tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R292 (~$16) plus wine tastings<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Brilliant wines, lovely wine estates, and easy transportation<\/p>

\"Eagles<\/p>

Speaking of wine! If you want to go vineyard-hopping but don\u2019t have the time or will to do a whole day tour out of the city, no worries. We have wine estates right at the foot of Table Mountain in the leafy suburb of Constantia.<\/p>

A brilliant, cheap option is to take the purple line of the hop-on-hop-off tour. This line stops at some of the best wine estates in the region, and it\u2019s cheaper than Ubering from one estate to the next \u2013 at least if you\u2019re wanting to explore a few.<\/p>

Do some wine tastings, share a charcuterie board, and explore the centuries-old vineyards. It\u2019s one of us locals favorite Saturday activities (particularly in summer) and a great way to experience the laid-back, somewhat boozy Cape Town lifestyle.<\/p>

Read more about wine tasting in Constantia<\/a> or check ticket prices and timetables for the hop-on-hop-off<\/a>!<\/p>

Cape Malay cooking class<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R600 (~$36)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> You\u2019ll learn to cook fantastic local dishes and learn more about Cape Town\u2019s food culture<\/p>

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The Cape Malay cooking class is a really wonderful way to learn more about Cape Malay culture \u2013 a culture unique to Cape Town \u2013 through cooking. Faldela is an excellent chef and teacher and shows you how to make some of her community\u2019s most iconic dishes, including samosas and curry.<\/p>

In the 3-hour experience, you\u2019ll cook in her home kitchen in Bo Kaap, and then share the meal together. It\u2019s ideal for those who like to experience a culture through their food \u2013 particularly since it\u2019s strangely hard to find a restaurant in Cape Town that does Cape Malay food.<\/p>

Just note that the meals are heavy and involve a fair bit of oil, so it\u2019s not for everyone. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, though, as long as you let her know beforehand!<\/p>

Check prices and times for Faldela\u2019s Cape Malay cooking class<\/a>!<\/p>

Cape Town food tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R1,550 (~$90)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Food and alcohol tastings, fun walking tour and a knowledgeable guide<\/p>

Guided food tours are a really great way to be introduced to Cape Town food culture, try some of our best and most unique dishes, and explore the city center.<\/p>

If you\u2019re spending a month in Cape Town, I\u2019d recommend giving this a skip and exploring on your own, because you\u2019ve got time to make mistakes and get some hot local tips! But for shorter trips, this food tour is really perfect. In one half day, you\u2019ll learn so much, with a knowledgeable local guide and an enthusiastic walking group.<\/p>

This tour also includes four alcohol tastings, which is great, as Cape Town has some truly fantastic small-batch beers, gins, wines, and brandies!<\/p>

Check prices and times for the food tour<\/a>!<\/p>

Cultural & historic tours in Cape Town<\/h2>

If you\u2019d like to learn more about Cape Town and South Africa\u2019s history, these tours are the perfect place to start. There are only two on the list, but I\u2019d count the food tour and the ecooking class above as cultural tours too!<\/p>

Robben Island tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>R800 (~$48)<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> Unique opportunity to learn about our history of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela\u2019s long imprisonment<\/p>

If you want to learn more about Cape Town and South Africa\u2019s history, Robben Island is the best place to start. This island off the coast of Cape Town is where Nelson Mandela<\/a> spent 18 years of his 27-year imprisonment during Apartheid<\/a>.<\/p>

This trip includes a ferry to the island and a tour of the old prison \u2013 given by one of the old inmates, who talks about life during apartheid and on Robben Island during those long years. It is a difficult, important tour.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tEighteen of the twenty-seven plus years that Nelson Mandela spent incarcerated were on Robben Island, which was a maximum-security prison. Robben Island has now been transformed into a museum. \n\nA visit to the museum will give visitors an idea of how isolated it was, and the challenges it posed to the family of those serving time in going to visit. But it also tells the story of resilience and survival where the prisoners forged bonds, fought the authorities for better conditions and organised themselves teaching each other sports, games and school. As Mandela said it is also a \u201ccelebration of the human spirit\u201d.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRazia Saleh, Head of Archive and Research at the Nelson Mandela Foundation<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To learn more about our history of Apartheid, you can also visit the Apartheid Museum<\/a> and the District Six Museum<\/a>.<\/p>

Check prices for the Robben Island Tour<\/a>.<\/p>

Free historic walking tour<\/h3>

Price: <\/b>Free<\/p>

Why it’s great:<\/b> The local guides are really passionate about Cape Town\u2019s history, and make it engaging and consistently interesting<\/p>

\"Bo<\/p>

One of the absolute best free things to do in Cape Town<\/a>, these walking tours offer a look at Cape Town\u2019s history and culture. They run on tips alone, and you\u2019ll learn so much about the city from a local guide. Very fun and interesting, it\u2019s an ideal option for anyone on a budget, and locals often take part to learn more about our city! Bookings are not required, you just pitch up at the meeting point.<\/p>

They currently have three tours running at different times \u2013 the Historic City Tour, the Apartheid to Freedom Tour, and the Bo Kaap Tour. All come highly recommended!<\/p>

Check walking tour times and options here<\/a>!<\/p>

Explore Cape Town\u2019s best tourist attractions & activities<\/h2>

There you have it, the best tours in Cape Town \u2013 from a local perspective. I\u2019ve done most of these while exploring my city, and the ones I haven\u2019t are tours covering places and activities I loved exploring in a more private capacity!<\/p>

Which tour or adventure is best really depends on your traveling style and interests. As a general starting point, I’d recommend the sightseeing bus and a trip up Table Mountain \u2013 on foot or via cable car.<\/p>

If you\u2019re keen to explore more of Cape Town without a tour guide, check out these favorites:<\/p>