Are you planning to visit the Mother City soon and have no idea which holiday destination in Cape Town to stay in? Well, you’ve just hit the jackpot. In this list of Cape Town’s best places to visit, you’ll get an in-depth look at the city’s most stunning areas and which hotels to book.
Cape Town is a world-class international city surrounded by azure oceans and a stunning mountainous backdrop. While many people know South Africa’s legislative capital for its soaring Table Mountain and historical Robben Island, there’s much more to explore.
Stick around to discover the most beautiful places in Cape Town. From white-sand beaches to colourful townships, surfing havens and showstopping sunsets.
Tip: Find the cheapest flights to Cape Town and book your ticket using SA-Airline’s easy booking platform.
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Best Places to Visit in Cape Town
Have a look at these gorgeous holiday destinations in Cape Town:
Cape Town Central (The City Bowl)
The City Bowl is the beating heart of Cape Town. Getting its name from the natural amphitheatre shape created by the slopes of Table Mountain and the surrounding peaks. City Bowl is vibrant and a melting pot of diversity and culture.
You can access several of the city’s main attractions from here, like the V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Signal Hill, and Lions Head. This part of town is known as the party hub, boasting a lively nightlife and a unique cultural flair.
Avenues like Long Street are dotted with plenty of Victorian houses, ethnic restaurants, quirky bookshops, and museums. Visitors especially love this street, along with Bree and Loop streets, for its popular bar-hopping escapes.
Tip: Looking to explore the city on a budget, check out Boulders Beach, Iziko Cape Town Planetarium, or visit Mojo Market at Sea Point. These are all things you can do in Cape Town under R200.
Where to Stay:
Bo-Kaap
If you’re looking for a picturesque getaway to one of the most scenic places in Cape Town, look no further than the kaleidoscopic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood. Nestled at the foothills of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is an ideal place to stay to explore the city’s landmarks, like Table Mountain.
The area is known for its stunning and brightly coloured houses and maze-like cobblestone streets. Bo-Kaap is abundant with restaurants serving traditional Bo-Kaap dishes, like bredie stew, sosaties and koeksisters.
The highlight and historical hub of this neighbourhood is the Bo-Kaap Museum, one of the earliest homes built in the area. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, Bo-Kaap became home to formerly enslaved people and many Muslims after the abolition of slavery.
Where to Stay:
Camps Bay
Boasting incredible azure waters and backdrops of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, Camps Bay is arguably the best place to visit in Cape Town. The bay’s namesake beach draws in thousands of visitors annually with its fine white sands, casual cafes, and cocktail bars along its vibrant promenade.
This village-like suburb draws in more than enthusiastic beach-goers; it’s also a hotspot for celebrity sightings and luxury hotels. So while the beach might be a bit crowded when you visit, you’ll experience the best of Cape Town’s beaches.
Where to Stay:
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A for short) is one of Africa’s most visited places, with about 24 million annual visitors. With epic views of Table Mountain, this vibrant port is dotted with waterside restaurants, quaint craft shops, and some of the city’s most luxurious hotels.
Some things you can do in V&A Waterfront include casual strolls along the lively promenade, cruising along the Atlantic Ocean, and shopping for local art and fashion at The Watershed.
Where to Stay:
Gordon’s Bay
If you’re looking for a tranquil beachside oasis away from the crowds, you cannot go wrong with Gordon’s Bay. Dating back 350 years, Gordon’s Bay offers black rock beaches with white sands and plenty of seaside cafes and restaurants.
With stunning backdrops of Helderberg Mountain and sophisticated cliffside homes, Gordon’s Bay is known for its scenic natural beauty, watersports and wildlife. You can enjoy activities like shark cave diving, ride a bike along the bayfront, and sunbathe on the beach.
Where to Stay:
Strand
Settled at the foothills of Hottentots Holland Mountains, Strand is a former fishing village with sweeping views of False Bay. The charming beachside paradise is ideal for nature walks, beach and water sports, and gives you access to the Helderberg Wine Route.
Apart from swimming or laying out on the expansive beachside, you can enjoy fishing, visiting vibrant farmer’s markets or eating at the local cafes and restaurants. If you’re travelling with kids, the Waterworld Strand offers epic water slides.
Tip: If you’re not keen on visiting the beach (or it’s too crowded for your liking), go swimming at the Olympic-size pools next to the Strand Pavilion.
Where to Stay:
Muizenberg
Learn about the Cape’s colonial past, visit a picturesque bird-watching reserve or surf at this gorgeous suburban beach area. Known for its iconic colourful beach huts, Muizenberg is one of the best holiday destinations in Western Cape.
The area’s reliable surf breaks attract thousands of surfers worldwide. If you’re a history buff or simply curious, visit the Muizenberg Historical Mile to spot some attractive colonial houses, including the Rhodes Cottage Museum and Het Posthuys.
Note: The water here is much warmer than in the Atlantic Ocean, making the surfing spots like Surfer’s Corner calm waters that are excellent for beginners.
Where to Stay:
Final Thoughts on Holiday Destinations, Cape Town
There you have it, the best holiday places in Cape Town, complete with suggestions of where to stay. From the hustle and bustle of the City Bowl to the Instagrammable colourful beach huts dotted along Muizenberg beach, you’ll have plenty of things to do in Cape Town.