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Bored? Here are the 7 best things to do in Cape Town this weekend!

| Last Updated: July 2025

Cape Town is one of the most populated cities in South Africa and one of the most jam-packed tourist destinations the country has to offer. With striking, Cape Dutch-style architecture even in its most modern areas, the Mother City is sure to leave an impression on you. 

As a Cape Town local myself, I know just how special and enriching a trip to Cape Town can be. Here are some of the best attractions to visit on your next trip to the South African metropolis. 

Ride a cable train and tour Table Mountain National Park

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table-mountain

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGvCdiYtctYGxtuP6 

Phone: +27 21 712 7471

Park: $ 

A natural heritage site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Table Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in South Africa. 

Home to the astonishing, iconic flat-topped Table Mountain, this park is the site of many different attractions and places to visit, such as the Cape of Good Hope, Boulder’s Beach, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. 

There are simply too many things to do here, from water sports to hiking to rock climbing and fishing. My personal recommendation, though, and what I think helps the park stand out, are the cable train cars. 

The Table Mountain Cableway offers a cable car trip throughout Table Mountain, allowing riders to see scenic, breathtaking views of the mountain. I’ve ridden the cable cars a bunch of times, and the sight of the Table Mountain and everything surrounding it never gets old!

Pro tip: Table Mountain National Park is one of the few pet-friendly parks in South Africa, so it’s the perfect place to take your pets for a trip! 

Learn about South African history with the Robben Island Tour

Media from: myadventuresacrosstheworld

Website: https://www.robben-island.org.za/

Address: Nelson Mandela Gateway, PO Box 51806, V&A Waterfront

Phone: +27 (0)21 413 4200

Price: $ 

Visiting Robben Island is a must for history buffs and tourists who want to learn more about South African History. 

With a museum and tour offering an informative, urgent look into the country’s history of apartheid, visitors are sure to have a much deeper understanding of the struggles that have led us to this point in history. 

A former political prison for anti-apartheid activists, such as former president Nelson Mandela, the island has been recognised as a South African National Heritage Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Guided tours are spearheaded by the Robben Island Museum, the institution which has taken to conserving the island’s natural and cultural heritage. 

I first visited Robben Island as a child on a field trip, and even after all these years, the tour guides remain informative, kind, and attentive. Some of them were even former political prisoners, and they gave inspiring, first-hand insights into life on the island. 

The main points of interest during the tour included the Lime Quarry, which is where political prisoners would gather for their punishment of breaking rocks in the sun, and Nelson Mandela’s tiny prison cell. 

Other notable areas included the Church, which is where prisoners would gather for prayer, and the home of anti-apartheid revolutionary Robert Sobukwe. 

Pro tip: The Robben Island Museum often hosts lectures and speeches by esteemed academics and political figures. If you’re interested in attending one, sign-ups are usually open on their website! 

Marvel at gems in the Cape Town Diamond Museum

Media from: ctdiamondmuseum

Website: https://www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org/

Address: Level 1 Clock Tower, Clock Tower District, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Phone: +27 21 421 2788

Price: $$

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is a one-of-a-kind attraction, with some of the rarest diamonds on the planet, such as the Eureka, the Cullinan, and the Hope Diamond. 

They also have exhibits dedicated to the history of South African diamond mining, including its pioneers. 

I visited it with some friends visiting Cape Town, and they were thoroughly dazzled by the diamonds on display.

The in-museum tour guides were also friendly and gave engaging, interesting discussions on the history of diamonds and how they’re made. 

Pro tip: Most tours end in a showroom where visitors can purchase jewellery. If you can afford it, it’s a great place to buy a new piece! 

Drink world-renowned South African wine at the Constantia Wine Valley Tour

Media from: constantiawineroute

Website: https://wineinthecape.co.za/listings/half-day-constantia-wine-tour/

A country known for its intoxicatingly good wines, South Africa has no shortage of famous, world-renowned wineries and vineyards. 

Cape Town, though, offers a trip through three of the oldest, most prestigious wineries in the country through the Constantia Wine Valley Tour. 

It takes visitors on a scenic trip through the affluent, peaceful Constantia suburbs on a hop-on, hop-off bus. The main points of interest here are the three wineries: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Beau Constantia Wine Estate, and Silvermist Organic Wine Estate. 

I booked the half-day wine tour and really enjoyed seeing another side of Cape Town I don’t usually get to visit. 

Groot Constantia, the oldest winery in South Africa, is housed in an old colonial house which has been maintained over centuries to include a museum. Wine tastings here were R150, and we were given 5 wines to try.

Beau Constantia, located atop Constantia’s hills, prides itself on its stunning view of the suburbs and the vineyards as you try out their delicious wines. 

Silvermist, on the other hand, is the only organic wine farm in the country, offering a unique, memorable take on classic South African wine. 

Pro tip: Silvermist is closed during the winter, so make sure to plan your trip during the summer! 

Encounter unique sea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Media from: aquariumfoundation

Website: https://www.aquarium.co.za

Address: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Phone: +27 21 418 3823

Price: $ 

Located at the intersection of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Two Oceans Aquarium offers a glimpse into the vast, beautiful world of marine life in South Africa. 

With a wide array of exotic fish, sharks, turtles, and other kinds of aquatic species, as well as different exhibits and activities, this aquarium is fun for the whole family. 

I took my nephews here, and they had a blast! Some of our highlights were the serene Ocean Exhibit full of manta rays and indigenous fish, the penguin exhibit, and the shark exhibit. 

Apart from its many marine exhibits, Two Oceans also offers other experiences such as feedings, puppet shows, and lectures on marine wildlife. They even have a diving school and a tour of the coast for more outdoorsy visitors!

Pro tip: Check out the aquarium’s gift shop for fun, affordable souvenirs and gift ideas! 

Enjoy South Africa’s premier entertainment district at the V&A Waterfront 

Media from: lovecapetown

Website: https://www.waterfront.co.za/

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f4uvqLC6yw9bX7TPA

Phone: +27 21 408 7600

Price: $$ 

One of the busiest areas in Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront offers an extensive array of restaurants, stores, and attractions for all visitors. 

Let me walk you through some of my favourite things to do here. A clear highlight of the area, in my opinion, is the considerable number of food stalls and restaurants serving different cuisines. 

My culinary standouts include Gibson’s Gourmet Burger and Ribs, the seaside fine dining restaurant PIER, and the seafood restaurant Belthazar. There are also food markets, including the Cape Town Fish Market. 

Speaking of markets, V&A is home to the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping malls in Cape Town.

Another personal favourite is The Cape Wheel, an air-conditioned Ferris wheel located along the harbour that offers a breathtaking view of the waterfront as well as other areas, including Robben Island. 

Pro tip: Be sure to visit Maker’s Landing, a restaurant and shared kitchen space which specialises in authentic food from Cape Town and all over South Africa! 

Experience a unique side of South Africa at Bo Kaap 

Media from: culturetrip

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FgBVxncAiXsFzLYs6

Phone: +27 21 481 3938 

Price: $ 

Formerly known as “the Malay Quarter,” Bo Kaap is a vibrant town and tourist destination that offers a rarely seen side of South Africa. A multicultural, dominantly Muslim town, it’s the oldest surviving neighbourhood in South Africa.

With free walking tours offered alongside self-guided audio tours, there are tons of ways to experience the town’s colourful locales and cultural history. My personal favourite, though, is visiting the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum. 

Housed in one of the oldest homes in the Bo-Kaap area, the museum tells the story of the Bo-Kaap community and its struggles through slavery and apartheid. 

Visitors are sure to learn more about how the Cape Muslims survived and endured through centuries of oppression. 

Furthermore, Bo-Kaap has some unique, tasty culinary offerings, such as the Bo-Kaap Deli. Focusing on traditional, Muslim South African food such as veggie bobotie and prawn curry, the deli is one of the more unique food places around Cape Town.

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