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Solo & YOLO: 10 Things to Do in Cape Town for Singles
- What do single people do in Cape Town?
- Surf at Big Bay
- Hike up the Table Mountain
- Paint and sip at Artichoc Creative Café
- Learn salsa at SACATO
- Explore the Iziko Museum Mile
- Visit Two Oceans Aquarium
- Watch a feel-good film at the Labia Theatre
- Shop around Greenmarket Square
- Check out Boulders Beach
- Stroll around Sea Point Promenade
Looking for some fun things to do or try in Cape Town? Traveling solo or with a bunch of friends?
Lucky for you, there are lots of things you can do in Cape Town (Is Pretoria better than Cape Town?) whether you’re by yourself or with some of your best mates. Here are the top ten things singles do for fun in the city!
What do single people do in Cape Town?
1. Surf at Big Bay
Address: Otto Du Plessis Drive, Big Bay, Cape Town, 7441, SA
Operating hours: Always open
Price: Free entry
Dubbed one of the best beaches in Cape Town, Big Bay is one of the must-visit surfing spots you would love checking out, even if you’re by yourself.
It’s a white sand beach offering a majestic view of Table Mountain and has grand waves that’ll be perfect for all adrenaline junkies.
It’s only 30 minutes away from the city centre so you’ll get here easily after a fun road trip.
By the way, if it’s your first time, no need to worry because there are lots of trusted guides ready to help and friendly locals to cheer you on so you’ll be able to overcome the challenge.
| Pro tip: Check the weather beforehand for the best time to surf. Ideally, you should do it when the easterly or south-easterly wind picks up for bigger and better waves that’ll give you the adrenaline kick you need. |
2. Hike up the Table Mountain
Website: https://tablemountain.net/
Address: Maclear’s Beacon, Cape Town, SA
Operating hours: Always open
Price: Free entry
Hiking up Table Mountain should be on everyone’s bucket list because it’s considered one of the most challenging trails in the country. If no one’s able to come along with you, dare yourself to do it alone and it’ll surely be a core memory for you.
Taking around 4 hours in total, this activity is not for the faint of heart – but we can definitely say it’s worth it once you reach the peak. The panoramic view of the city from above will leave you gasping for air… literally and figuratively.
You can join group hikes if you’re interested in meeting new people and enjoying the experience along with them.
By the way, if it’s your first time and you’d prefer an easier hiking trail, consider the Lions Head trail instead. It’s less physically demanding with a zigzag hike compared to the vertical incline to reach the top of Table Mountain.
Plus, it only takes around 90 minutes to reach the top. Be warned though, there’s no cableway on this route so you’ll have to hike both going up and down this trail.
| Pro tip: Start your hike as early as 6:00 in the morning to avoid the scorching weather, especially during summer. Also, you should check the weather beforehand to ensure you’ll have a good hiking experience – you wouldn’t want to trek on wet and slippery grounds. |
3. Paint and sip at Artichoc Creative Café
Website: artichoc.co.za
Address: R310, Baden Powell Drive, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, SA
Contact details: +27 21-881-8054
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday to Thursday – 9 AM – 5 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 8 AM – 6 PM
Price: starts at R100 per person
You can let your creativity shine as you join Artichoc’s Paint & Sip classes. Here, you can paint anything that comes to mind on your canvas while sipping on some excellent wine produced by the Stellenbosch Vineyards.
Plus, if you have a sweet tooth, you can also try their chocolate treats that match perfectly with tea, coffee and of course, wine.
| Pro tip: Visit their Facebook Page to get the latest update about their workshops to ensure a slot since they have limited availability. |
4. Learn salsa at SACATO
Website: http://www.sacato.co.za/
Address: Cape Town, SA (*class venues vary)
Contact details: 0741-700-780
Price: starts at R480 for one-month dance membership
Salsa Cape Town, better known as SACATO, is a dance studio that’s popular in the Mother City (why is cape town called the mother city) for teaching salsa, bachata and kizomba. Venues of classes vary throughout the week, from Kloof Street Hotel on Mondays to MOJO Market on Sundays.
Learning salsa is a great way to let off some steam – and you don’t need a partner to join in! The experience is a great chance to go outside of your comfort zone so grab the chance now – who knows, you’ll meet someone special along the way too.
| Pro tip: Visit SACATO’s website or Facebook often to see the latest updates of their dance classes and festivals – you wouldn’t want to miss their weekly salsa parties! |
5. Explore the Iziko Museum Mile
Website: https://www.iziko.org.za/
Address: 25 Queen Victoria St., Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, SA
Contact details: +27 21-481-3800
Operating hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily
Price:
- Standard entrance fee – R60
- Adults with valid SA ID presented – R40
- Children aged 5-10 with valid SA ID presented – R20
- South African pensioners and students with valid IDs presented – R20 (*free entry on Fridays)
- School groups – R15
- Free entry on commemorative days
Found in the City Bowl, the Iziko Museums of Cape Town (What do I need to know before going to Cape Town South Africa?) or also known as the Museum Mile is a great place to explore during your ‘me’ time.
It’s a treasure trove of social history museums showcasing the country’s most significant artworks that have passed the test of time.
Apart from beautiful masterpieces from paintings to sculptures, you can also find ancient artefacts from preserved animals to traditional clothes that go back over a century ago.
| Pro tip: Start your tour as early as the first opening hour so you’ll be able to maximise the time and look at all through the museums in the area. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes too since you’ll be walking around a lot. |
6. Visit Two Oceans Aquarium
Website: https://www.aquarium.co.za/
Address: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002, SA
Contact details: +27 21 418 3823
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9 AM – 6 PM
Price:
- Adults – R235
- SA Pensioners with ID presented – R175
- SA Students with ID presented – R175
- Children aged 14-17 – R175
- Children aged 4-13 – R110
- Children under 4 – Free
Housing over 3,000 sea creatures, you’re in for an underwater adventure when you go to Two Oceans Aquarium. Even if you’re going solo for the day, your attention will be reeled in by the beauty of various species like sharks, turtles, penguins and more.
You can even learn to scuba dive while you’re here with their PADI-Certified guides to help you out.
If you’re interested to dig in further, you can even join their behind-the-scenes tours where you’ll see how the animals are being fed and taken care of.
| Pro tip: Buy your ticket online to skip the long queues and have more time exploring the aquarium. |
7. Watch a feel-good film at the Labia Theatre
Website: https://www.thelabia.co.za/
Address: 68 Orange St., Gardens, Cape Town, 8000, SA
Contact details: +27 21-424-5927
Operating hours:
- Monday, Thursday to Friday, Sunday – 11 AM – 10:30 PM
- Tuesday and Saturday – 10 AM – 10:30 PM
Price:
- Adults – R70
- Students, senior citizens and children – R50
- Exclusive Books Fanatics – R50
Founded in 1949, the Labia Theatre is the oldest independent cinema in the country which showcases various local and international films.
Watching a movie by yourself is more fun than you think because you won’t just enjoy the film genre of your choice – you get to hog all the popcorn, too!
Plus, it’s a good way to unwind after a long week as you see your favourite stars on the big screen while you lounge comfortably in your seat.
| Pro tip: You can’t reserve seats, so come early as you can to get the spot you want. |
8. Shop around Greenmarket Square
Address: Burg St., Corner Longmarket St., Cape Town City Centre, 8000, SA
Operating hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily
Going shopping is one of the best ways to have fun while you’re in Cape Town, given Mother City’s bustling market life.
You’ll enjoy walking around Greenmarket Square because of the various stalls selling different pieces of clothing and trinkets.
You can even grab a bite as you relish the place’s lively atmosphere. If you’re interested in learning more about this second-oldest public space in the city, you can try a free day tour to find out all the history behind this cobbled square.
| Pro tip: Be on the lookout for street performances in the area because these musicians showcase their amazing talents every late afternoon to evening for free. |
9. Check out Boulders Beach
Address: Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995, SA
Contact details: +27 21-786-2329
Operating hours: 8 AM – 6:30 PM daily
Price:
- Adults – R76
- Children – R41
Boulders Beach is mainly popular for being one of the best spots to see a colony of African penguins. But it’s also a great swimming area with a white sand coastline and clean surroundings.
In fact, the area is strictly patrolled since it’s part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area so you’ll feel safe walking around by yourself.
By the way, you can take photos of the penguins – but don’t get too close because they might try to poke you with their sharp beaks.
| Pro tip: Visit around January to see lots of penguins up close. Ideally, go there early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the birds are most likely wandering around the area. |
10. Stroll around Sea Point Promenade
Address: Cape Town, 8005, SA
Operating hours: Always open
Price: Free entry
Getting your much-needed ‘me’ time doesn’t have to be expensive while you’re in the Mother City. You can unwind and meditate as you stroll around the Sea Point Promenade, fondly called “the Prom” by locals.
It has a stunning view of the beachfront spanning 7 kilometres and a great angle of Table Mountain. Whether you want to walk (Is it safe to walk around Cape Town?/ Is Cape Town a walkable city?), jog or bike, it’s completely up to you (and your stamina on that day!).
| Pro tip: Wait until sunset to witness the most beautiful golden light casting over the ocean. It’s a picture-perfect moment you shouldn’t miss! |
