The best things to do in Cape Town are Table Mountain by cableway, the ferry to Robben Island, the drive to Cape Point and the penguin colony at Boulders. Give the city 4 to 5 days, come between March and May or September and November, and hire a car: the best of the peninsula sits outside the bus network.
Cape Town holds a national park, two coastlines and a wine valley planted in the 1680s inside one set of city limits. Below are the ten experiences worth your time (each mapped, with a Wimup video guide), plus the dates, fares and bookings to sort before you land.
The cableway has run since 4 October 1929 and its cars turn a full circle on the five-minute climb, so everyone gets the same view. Wind closes it without warning: check the status on the day, go early, and walk the Dassie or Agama trail along the top rather than stopping at the upper station.
Three and a half hours, including the half-hour crossing each way, through the prison where Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27 years. A former political prisoner guides part of the tour. Departures run at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, and they sell out well ahead.
The southwestern corner of the peninsula, reached on one of the great coastal drives. A funicular runs to the old lighthouse and a path drops to the Cape of Good Hope sign. Baboons work the car park, so leave nothing on the seats and keep windows up.
Founded in 1913 on Table Mountain's eastern slopes and planted almost entirely with South African species. The Boomslang canopy walkway is the set piece. From late November to March the Summer Sunset Concerts run on the lawns, which is the best reason to come late in the day.
A breeding colony of African penguins on a sheltered stretch of False Bay, inside Table Mountain National Park. Boardwalks keep you above the nests at Foxy Beach. The swimming beach next door is a separate entrance, and the birds are protected: watching, not touching.
Still a working harbour, which is what saves it. The Watershed market carries craft worth carrying home, the Robben Island ferries leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway here, and Zeitz MOCAA sits at the far end of the Silo District.
The historic Cape Malay quarter on Signal Hill's slope, its cobbled streets lined with painted houses and the oldest mosque in the country. The Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street sets the history straight. People live here, so ask before you photograph a doorstep.
Thomas Heatherwick cut a cathedral out of a 1920s grain silo, and it opened in 2017 as the largest museum of contemporary African art on the continent. The atrium alone justifies the ticket. Open Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
A spiral path around the peak, roughly two hours return, with a short chain-and-ladder section near the top that can be bypassed. The reward is Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Full moon nights draw a crowd carrying head torches.
Nine kilometres of toll road cut into the cliff between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with laybys at the points worth stopping for. It closes for weather and rockfall, so confirm it is open before you commit to the loop around the peninsula.
Tapas for two on a deck over the Constantia vines. Book ahead; only the outside terrace is first come, first served.
Warmer False Bay water, gentle break and the row of Victorian bathing boxes. Where the city learns to surf.
The postcard angle on Table Mountain across the bay, and the city's kitesurfing water.
The direct route up Table Mountain. Relentless steps, no shade, roughly two hours.
The Smuts Track climbs through forest out of Kirstenbosch, wet and slippery in winter.
Drive or walk to the lookout for the flattest sunset in the city, and the Noon Gun below it.
The Table's eastern buttress, usually taken from Tafelberg Road past the blockhouse.
South Africa's oldest wine estate, planted in 1685, with a cellar museum and two restaurants.
Home of Vin de Constance, the sweet wine that made the valley's name in Europe.
Warehouses turned into galleries and the Old Biscuit Mill. Best by day, and worth a guided walk for the street art.
A three-kilometre promenade, tidal pools and the city's most walkable restaurant strip on Main Road.
A working fishing harbour on the False Bay line, with antique shops and the train stopping at the water.
Cobbled lanes of restored Cape Georgian cottages between the CBD and the Waterfront.
Oak-lined streets, a university town core and the densest concentration of wine farms in the country, an hour east.
Kaapse Klopse. Thousands of costumed minstrel troupes parade from the Bo-Kaap through the city centre.
Floats, dancers and drum lines down the Green Point Fan Walk after dark.
The world's largest individually timed cycle race, 109 km around the peninsula. Roads close for the day.
Two nights at the CTICC, and the largest jazz festival on the continent.
A 56 km ultra on a Saturday in April, half marathon the next morning, both over Chapman's Peak country.
A flat, fast city-centre course, now run in the southern autumn rather than spring.
Sunday evenings on the Kirstenbosch lawns, gates from 16:00. Bring a blanket and a picnic.
Galleries around Bree and Loop Streets stay open into the evening on the first Thursday of the month.
About 20 km east of the centre. The MyCiTi A01 bus runs to the Civic Centre station in around 30 minutes; metered taxis and e-hailing pick up outside arrivals.
The city's bus rapid transit, covering the airport route, the Atlantic Seaboard and the City Bowl. Fares load onto a myconnect card bought at any station.
The coastal line to Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Simon's Town, one of the best train rides in the country. Service has been restored in stages and does not run on Sundays or public holidays.
Chapman's Peak, Cape Point and the Winelands sit outside the bus network, so most visitors hire a car for at least two days. Uber and Bolt cover the city and are the standard way home at night.
Spiced mince under a set egg custard, the dish most often called the country's national plate.
A foot-long roll packed with chips, masala steak and sauce. Cape Town's own, and built to share.
Line fish from the cold Atlantic, braaied over coals and basted with apricot jam.
A slow Cape Malay stew, tomato or waterblommetjie depending on the season.
Skewered lamb marinated with dried apricot and curry spice, then grilled.
Coriander-heavy farm sausage, coiled on the braai and served in a roll.
Plaited dough fried and drowned in cold syrup. The Cape Malay version is spiced and rolled in coconut.
Warm apricot sponge soaked in cream, and the default South African dessert.
Get our one-page Cape Town cheat sheet plus a fresh destination every Thursday.
South Africa 
