Walking through the Company’s Garden, you feel a palpable warmth where history lingers in every cobblestone, yet the city breathes with an open, welcoming energy that defies its complex legacy. It is not just a scenic backdrop but a living, breathing community where art, nature, and human connection intertwine seamlessly, inviting you to slow down and truly listen to its stories rather than just see them.
Do Cape Town the way locals do: start slow at Cape Point Nature Reserve, eat where the regulars do at Eastern Food Bazaar, let the evening run long at Asoka Restaurant, Bar and Lounge.
Top things to do in Cape Town Ranked by rating and review volume. These earn their hype. Booking links may earn Roam a commission, at no cost to you.
1
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden · ★ 4.8 (34,270 reviews)
Hillside garden & nature reserve with rare plant species, walking trails & mountain views.
Check tours & tickets 2
Boulders Beach
nature_preserve, tourist_attraction · ★ 4.6 (28,637 reviews)
Sheltered public bay with a sandy beach & boardwalk, plus free-roaming colony of African penguins.
Check tours & tickets 3
Two Oceans Aquarium
Aquarium · ★ 4.6 (25,098 reviews)
Modern indoor aquarium & conservation center offering close encounters with sharks & penguins.
Check tours & tickets 5
The Cape Wheel
Ferris wheel · ★ 4.5 (10,566 reviews)
40-meter observation wheel featuring 30 air-conditioned, enclosed cabins for sweeping views.
Check tours & tickets 6
Castle of Good Hope
Castle · ★ 4.3 (13,040 reviews)
Expansive, 17th-century, colonial castle housing military & historical art museums.
Check tours & tickets 7
Toboggan Family Park (Pty) Ltd., t/a Cool Runnings
Amusement Center · ★ 4.6 (5,731 reviews)
Wheeled toboggan rides down a twisting steel track with a tunnel, plus a cable haul.
Check tours & tickets 9
The Nelson Mandela Gateway To Robben Island
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.4 (6,017 reviews)
Multilevel glass museum on V&A Waterfront housing exhibitions tracing local political history.
Check tours & tickets 10
Robben Island Museum
History Museum · ★ 4.5 (4,921 reviews)
Guided tours of the island's prison including lime quarry where prisoners labored & Mandela's cell.
Check tours & tickets Where to eat Local favorites, not tourist traps.
11
Eastern Food Bazaar
Indian Restaurant · ★ 4.3 (9,814 reviews)
Regional Indian, Chinese and Turkish street food from a string of bustling stalls with seating area.
Website 12
The Dog's Bollocks at YARD
Hamburger Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (3,523 reviews)
Burgers & beer turned out in industrial, brick-lined digs with quirky accents & a small patio.
Website 13
Kloof Street House
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (5,609 reviews)
Richly furnished dining rooms in Victorian house with bar and leafy gardens, for eclectic cuisine.
Website 14
GOLD Restaurant
African Restaurant · ★ 4.5 (4,303 reviews)
African 14-course menu with live drumming and Mali puppets.
Website 15
The Pot Luck Club
Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (2,284 reviews)
Sophisticated tapas served in a chic, buzzy locale with glass walls & views of Table Mountain.
Website 16
Bo-Vine Wine & Grill House Camps Bay
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (1,605 reviews)
Website 17
Utopia Cape Town
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (2,650 reviews)
Chic rooftop eatery with a la carte & set menus highlighting seafood, meat & plant-based provisions.
Website 18
The Woodlands Eatery
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (1,463 reviews)
Website Hungry for more? Book a food tour or tasting in Cape Town
Tours worth booking ahead These sell out, so lock them in early.
19
City Sightseeing Cape Town | Official Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Tour Agency · ★ 4.7 (5,498 reviews)
Check tours & tickets 20
Waterfront Charters - Daily Boat Trips & Private Tours on a choice of luxury sail and motor boats
Tour Agency · ★ 4.7 (2,629 reviews)
Check tours & tickets 21
City Sightseeing Downtown Tour Office
Transportation Service · ★ 4.7 (1,721 reviews)
Check tours & tickets Get outside 25
Cape Point Nature Reserve
National Park · ★ 4.7 (10,672 reviews)
Website 26
Lion's Head Hiking Trail
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (3,107 reviews)
Popular, screw-top hiking trail boasting panoramic views of the city alongside coastal views.
Website 27
Alphen Trail
Hiking Area · ★ 4.7 (2,147 reviews)
28
Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Nature Preserve · ★ 4.5 (2,641 reviews)
Hilly haven for birds & tortoises, known for nature walks, trail running & views of Cape Town.
Website 29
Majik Forest
Garden · ★ 4.6 (1,583 reviews)
After dark 30
Asoka Restaurant, Bar and Lounge
Restaurant · ★ 4.3 (2,753 reviews)
Victorian townhouse bar with open-roof candlelit courtyard, Asian fusion tapas and cocktails.
Website 31
The Gin Bar
Bar · ★ 4.6 (1,540 reviews)
Website 32
Roxy Late Night
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (1,402 reviews)
Website 33
Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge
Lounge bar · ★ 4.4 (1,024 reviews)
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