THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Cape Town Central
Things to Do in Cape Town Central
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, V&a Waterfront, Safaris, Flea & Street Markets. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, V&a Waterfront, Safaris, Flea & Street Markets. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Cape Town Central.
- fromper adultC$118
- fromper adultC$373
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$98
Overnight Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$420- fromper adultC$141
- fromper adultC$261
Overnight Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$631
Culinary Toursfromper adultC$161
Private and Luxuryfromper adultC$69
Likely To Sell Outfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$96
Summit accessible by a revolving cable car provides panoramic views, dining amidst nature, and serene walking paths for a tranquil escape. Enjoy the diverse flora and fauna.
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Marinas
Lively waterfront district with relaxed ambience, scenic mountain views, diverse shopping, dining, cultural performances, and attractions like a Ferris wheel and harbor cruises.
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Mountains
Rugged hike through Table Mountain's paths presents panoramic city and ocean vistas, with steep ascents, challenging terrain, and diverse flora in bloom seasonally.
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Nature & Wildlife Areas
Admission tickets from C$7
Rugged coastal landmark featuring panoramic ocean views, diverse wildlife, and a historic lighthouse. Provides scenic photo spots and trails, including a funicular option.
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Historic Sites
Admission tickets from C$115
Historical island tour led by ex-political prisoners, showcasing the harsh realities of the anti-apartheid movement and wildlife, with a ferry ride offering scenic views.
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Aquariums
Aquarium by the waterfront with interactive penguin encounters, diverse marine exhibits, and the thrill of scuba diving in a large tank.
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Mountains
Panoramic hilltop providing serene ambience and stunning sunset views. Popular for paragliding and picnics, with ample seating to admire coastal and mountain scenery.
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Neighbourhoods
Vibrant Long Street neighborhood displays colorful houses and a rich cultural tapestry, ideal for exploring on foot with a knowledgeable guide to unveil its history.
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Speciality Museums
Bodies of Water
Coastal town known for its seafood and charming market amidst scenic views. Offers strolls along the mariner's wharf and drives on coastal roads with observation platforms.
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Speciality Museums
Admission tickets from C$5
Historical museum with engaging exhibits on resilience and displacement, including personal narratives and guided narratives by former residents.
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Other Top Attractions around Cape Town Central
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Andrew KAyrshire, UK632 contributionsThere are a number of ways to get here, from the hop on hop off service, standard bus service taxi and car.
We came by car.
Tip 1: use the public free parking below the cable car station. There is a free shuttle service that drops you outside the ticket booth. The alternative is to look for on road parking near the station and an inevitable long walk.
Tickets.
Fast track is usually a waste of time and money, but not here. Even early morning, mid week and the queues are long. Each cable car takes 60 people every 4/5 minutes. The fast track is almost twice the price but there’s no queueing. Literally go to the front of the queue for the next car.
Tip 2: if you have a problem with stairs tell the guide. Fast track is 5 flights of stairs but there is a lift.
Being first in the queue means you’re first in the cable car. I opted for an open window at the front. As the car leaves the station it starts rotating giving all passengers a 360 view of the journey.
At the top station everything is more or less in the flat. The views on a clear day are stunning.
Tip 3: be prepared for rapid changes in the weather. One minute it can be baking hot and in no time cloud rolls in and it’s freezing. This is where the fast track pays again. Straight to the front of the queue versus a very long wait.
There are free guides to answer questions / talk about the history of the mountain.
There is the inevitable gift shop, a refreshment facility selling hot and cold food, snacks, hot and cold drinks including beer and ice cream.
Again declaring a disability on the way down avoids stairs and 3.5 minutes later you are getting off the car.
A terrific, must do experience in Cape Town.Written March 20, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BeentoallthecountriesBogota, Colombia11,031 contributionsi had been here 9 times
the victoria and alfred waterfront is lovely
a postcard
the food the music
the aquarium is a must
south áfrica only has a problem
very european mind setup there are most friendly destinations like bali, thailand , colombia , mexico , usa
so they have to work on thatWritten March 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - HoneyBadgerBexPlymouth, United Kingdom336 contributionsWe started the hike early in the morning as the sun was coming up, which was much cooler - it's very exposed when the sun is up.
The path is initially easy but towards the top is more steep, requiring clambering up over rocks and using chains and ladders. The drops are sheer, so I wouldn't say it would be a good hike to do if you're very afraid of heights, but the incredible views at the top are absolutely worth it!
We didn't find it particularly challenging in terms of technicality but you should wear proper trainers or hiking shoes for this one.Written March 9, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - rosiem17Loughton, UK121 contributionsAmazing experience. We never imagined we would get here, and what an experience. Trip via Boulders beach for the penguins and the wind was howling but it was wild and wonderful!Written March 14, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Navigator06742335445326 contributionsLuckily for us, we were on the first trip of the day, all others were cancelled due to a ‘technical issue?!’
Because of this, the on-site shop selling beverages was not open even tho there were 6 full tour buses!
The first part of the tour we remained on our bus which took us about the island complex.
Our next tour guide, an ex political prisoner, was obviously very informative, having experienced being confined at this awfully inhumane prison for 5 years! Vuyani was very descriptive & happy to answer all questions.
We were able to see Nelson Mandelas prison cell & the garden where he hid manuscripts for his book, Long walk to freedom!
A powerful piece of SA history & its atrocities all explained by a man, our guide, who was just fighting for freedom.Written March 2, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BellaFella82Union City, NJ218 contributionsThe beaches are pretty clean with white sandy beaches. The water however is like an ice bath year round. A few people are brave enough to get in past their toes thoughWritten February 13, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dean FSouth Africa2 contributionsGreat place to see aquatic animals!
I love the penguin feeding and my favourite animal (shark) were so many!
Totally recommended to kids and even adult who have hobby of adoring aquatic animals.Written January 20, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Francesca MCape Town Central, South Africa8 contributionsA great afternoon hike for sure. Wonderful views, well established trails. Strong recommendation. Just don't go too late in day.Written February 6, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Departure203751515582 contributionsTour around Bo Kaap area with tour guide Sheldon (Cooper!). Great insights about the city history and many colorful places shown around,Written January 11, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lynnette M1 contributionA very interesting museum, David was our well informed guide and we learnt much about the fascinating history of the diamond mining industry.Written March 22, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eileen1 contributionLovely little fishing town - well worth making a stop to walk around the shops, the beach and also the harbour area. Lots of good restaurants, we only visited two, but both were really good. We had no problem with safety, parked and walked to a restaurant one time, and had to ask for directions. Never felt unsafe.
Interesting point - because it is on the other side of the mountain from Cape Town, the weather may be completely different! We woke up on a cloudy, overcast day in Llandudno, drove to Hout Bay and it was blue skies and sunny!Written April 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BobN06Avondale, PA777 contributionsA small museum that requires a lot of reading to get the full story but is worth it for the sense of culture and the historical photographs. The museum contains a number of photographs and testimonials that describe the people and culture of the area. The area was neglected by the government for a number of years and had degraded to a bit of a crowded slum. The government essentially leveled the area over a number of years – dismantling the neighborhood and sending the population to different townships. To this day the area is mostly open space and considered “salted earth”.Written May 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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