51 Best Sights in Cape Town, South Africa

On a more than 300-year-old wine estate amid the dramatic and jagged Jonkershoek Mountains, the large Lanzerac Spa makes for a charming retreat, with a warm, distinctly Afrikaans atmosphere. Among the innovative hydrotherapy treatments is the Dr. Fish Spa Therapy, in which the Garra rufa obtusa fish exfoliates and micro-massages the skin. On arrival you're offered a beverage and a foot soak in warm Epsom-salted water. Treatments use the popular TheraVine range of products; the grapeseed full-body exfoliation and incredibly relaxing new wave massage (employing a series of rolling motion movements) are highly recommended. From the glassed-in relaxation room you can enjoy spectacular post-treatment views of the mountains and a Jacuzzi, indoor pool, and complimentary beverages. Yoga, Pilates, and personal training sessions are also available.

Body Treatments Massage: Avocado and shea butter; deep tissue; kahuna; hair and scalp; back, neck, and shoulder; reflexology; hot stone; new wave massage. Exfoliation: grapeseed body polish. Wraps/baths: body cocoon (using a heated blanket), seaweed wrap, pinotage bath, marula body milk bath, hammam merlot experience, rasul ritual. Beauty: Facials, lash/brow tinting, waxing, manicure, pedicure, special occasion makeup, haircut, hair color.Other: Dr. Fish Spa Therapy.

Prices Body treatments: R280–R760. Facials: R425–R740. Manicure/pedicure: R245–R335.

The prominent peak to the right of Table Mountain is Lion's Head, a favorite hiking spot for locals. The hike takes about 1½ hours (each way), with 360-degree views of the city unfolding as you spiral up the "lion" as well as from the top. The trail is gorgeous and well marked; unfortunately its charms have made it so popular that on nice days you can find yourself in a hiker-jam. That said, it's a great hike, and though easier than climbing Table Mountain, the last quarter will earn you a post-hike beer or malva pudding (a baked sponge cake sauced with orange juice, apricot jam, and vinegar). As always, don't hike alone, and keep alert, especially as sunset approaches. For those less inclined to sweat, Signal Hill is the smaller flat-topped hill extending from the northern lower slopes of Lion's Head, also sometimes called the "Lion's Rump." Once the location for signal flags communicating weather warnings to ships visiting the bay, Signal Hill is also the home of the Noon Gun, still operated by the South African Navy and South African Astronomical Observatory. Both Lion's Head and Signal Hill are accessed by Signal Hill Road, which ends at the Signal Hill parking lot. The lot has spectacular views of Sea Point and Table Bay.  Be careful especially after hours and/or if it's deserted. There have been incidents of violent crime.

The section of Long between Orange and Strand streets is lined with magnificently restored Georgian and Victorian buildings. Wrought-iron balconies and fancy curlicues on these colorful houses evoke the French Quarter in New Orleans. Today antique dealers, backpackers' lodges, the Pan-African Market, funky clothing outlets, and a plethora of cafes, bars, and restaurants make this one of the best browsing streets in the city; by night, it can live up to some of its older reputation—a place for debauchery. At the mountain end is the Long Street Baths, an indoor swimming pool, and an old Turkish hammam (steam bath).

Noon Gun Tearoom and Restaurant up the very steep slope of Signal Hill is a good place to stop for a breather and some traditional, home-cooked Malay food. Your entertaining hostess (and TV chef) Zaine Misbach cooks up a mean curry and biryani (a spicy rice-based dish). And her samosas are to die for. The menu is limited, but Zaine's repertoire is anything but; she's chatty and engaging and also offers cooking lessons.

Rhodes served as prime minister of the Cape from 1890 to 1896. He made his fortune in the Kimberley diamond rush, but his greatest dream was to forge a Cape–Cairo railway, a tangible symbol of British dominion in Africa. The classical-style granite memorial sits high on the slopes of Devil's Peak, on part of Rhodes's old estate, Groote Schuur. A mounted rider symbolizing energy faces north toward the continent for which Rhodes felt such passion. A bust of Rhodes dominates the temple—ironically, he's leaning on one hand as if he's about to nod off.

The Rhodes Memorial Restaurant, tucked under towering pines behind the memorial, is a pleasant spot that serves breakfast, tea, and a light lunch. Unremarkable food, although it is under new management.

San Marco Bistro offers a wide variety of options from sandwiches and salads to pasta, meat, and seafood entrées. Although it's expensive for locals, most visitors find it very affordable. There are hundreds of places to eat at the Waterfront but not many such alfresco locations that are really outdoors in such close proximity to the working harbor. It's a good place to refuel and people-watch while shopping—or waiting to tour one of the naval vessels that occasionally open their doors to the public.

A bit of vibey Ibiza in laid-back Cape Town, this beach club is regarded as a fun and trendy place to hang out, and it's even family-friendly, with a children's play area. You can dine in the oceanfront restaurant, spend a day on the private (man-made) beach, or swim in the pool. At night DJs come on board for a livelier party atmosphere. On days when it's just too hot or raining, there's a covered pool and deck area. The restaurant is busy and a reservations-only spot at night. It sits in an unlikely spot, between two fish-processing warehouses, but there's no odor. Admission to use the beach and facilities is free, but you are expected to buy food and drink.

Housed in the Old Synagogue—South Africa's first synagogue, built in 1863—this museum sits in the same complex as the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and spans 150 years of South African Jewry. The themes of Memories (immigrant experiences), Reality (integration into South Africa), and Dreams (visions for the future) are conveyed with high-tech multimedia and interactive displays, models, and artifacts. The complex also includes the Great Synagogue (built in 1905), an active place of worship, a temporary gallery for changing exhibits, an auditorium, and a museum restaurant and shop. The museum also exhibits the extraordinary Isaac Kaplan collection of Japanese netsuke, considered among the world's finest.

Inside the Union-Castle House, this museum explains the Cape's long history with the sea, in particular documenting the history of the Union-Castle shipping line. Before World War II many English-speaking South Africans looked upon England as home, even if they had never been there. The emotional link between the two countries was symbolized most strongly by the mail steamers, carrying both mail and passengers that sailed weekly between South Africa and England. Models of ships are accompanied by memorabilia such as a collection of postcards sold from the ships between 1910 and 1960. A fascinating re-creation of Cape Town harbor as it appeared in 1885, which was built by convicts, is on permanent display, as is a chilling exhibit about the SS Mendi, a cargo vessel turned troopship that was carrying the South African Native Labour Contingent to help with the war effort in France during World War I. She was accidentally rammed by a British cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of 607 Black troops.

This museum houses a good collection of 19th- and 20th-century European art, but its most interesting exhibits are the South African works, many of which reflect the country's traumatic history. The gallery owns an enormous body of work, so exhibitions change regularly, but there's always something provocative—whether it's documentary photographs or a multimedia exhibit chronicling efforts to "disrupt" traditional boundaries. The museum would like to position itself as a leader of contemporary and traditional African art. Free guided tours on Tuesday and Thursday take about an hour.

This stunning cathedral was once the religious seat of one of the most recognizable faces—and voices—in the fight against apartheid, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In his position as the first Black archbishop of Cape Town (he was elected in 1986), he vociferously denounced apartheid and relentlessly pressed for a democratic government. It was from these steps that he led a demonstration of more than 30,000 people and coined the phrase the Rainbow People to describe South Africans in all their glorious diversity. The cathedral continues in its active monitoring role today, holding marches and the new government to account. The Anglican cathedral was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in the Gothic Revival style; construction began in 1901, using sandstone from Table Mountain. The structure contains the largest stained-glass window in the country, some beautiful examples of late-Victorian stained glass, and a 1,000-year-old Coptic cross. If you want to hear the magnificent organ, go to the choral evensong at 6 on Sunday evening.

This pedestrian-only promenade stretches about five blocks from St. George's Cathedral through the city center (passing Greenmarket Square) to the financial district. Shops and cafés line the mall, and street vendors sell everything from T-shirts to African arts and crafts. Street performers and dancers gather daily to entertain crowds of locals and visitors, who rub shoulders on their way to and from work or while sightseeing. The very good "Earthfair" food market is held on the Cathedral end of the mall every Thursday from 11 to 3.

This is a slick operation. Two large, wheelchair-friendly revolving cars that provide spectacular views take three to five minutes to reach the summit. The Lower Cable Station lies on the slope of Table Mountain near its western end. Save your walking energy for the mountain, and take a taxi or MyCiti bus to get to the station.

Operating times vary from month to month according to season, daylight hours, and weather. To avoid disappointment, phone ahead for exact times. In the ever-expanding peak season (December–April), if you arrive at 10 am you could wait for an hour, so it's best to book online beforehand. Several tour operators also include a trip up the mountain in their schedules.  Lines to purchase tickets for the cable car can be crazy in peak/high season, so book online to speed things up. 

The cable car stops operating in strong wind conditions (common in summer), so be sure to factor in that possibility, especially if relying on it to get back down after a tiring hike up and take note of the last one down's time (changes but can be as early as 4 pm).

This is a very popular walking road for locals, especially when the weather is fine and windless, as it's perfectly flat with fabulous views over the City Bowl and Table Bay. The road crosses the northern side of Table Mountain before ending at Devil's Peak, providing access to the lower cable station, as well as trailheads for Platteklip Gorge (easiest ascent of Table Mountain) and Devil's Peak. After the Devil's Peak trailhead, the road is restricted to foot traffic and bicycles. As always, take the usual precautions about walking in groups, sticking to the path, and staying alert.

The Cocktail Bar is situated inside the top station building and dishes up a spectacular view along with cocktails and bar snacks from 12 noon until the last cable car down. As you might expect, the place has a good wine list, with local labels predominating.

The large self-service restaurant called, quite simply, The Restaurant serves good hot breakfasts, light meals, sandwiches, and local wine, and has a salad bar.

This tranquil national forest is planted with hundreds of tree species from all over the world, including Californian redwoods and a variety of oaks. A favorite spot for picnickers and cyclists, the Arboretum also has a simple tea garden that serves hearty home-style meals and delicious cakes. On the way in to the Arboretum is a crumbling Cape Dutch manor. Built in 1795 with a façade designed by famed architect Louis Michel Thibault, the homestead, which is not open to the public, is reputedly haunted. Visitors should take care, as muggings have been reported in the area lately.

The V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront is the culmination of a long-term project undertaken to breathe new life into the city's historical dockland. Although some Capetonians deem the area too "mallish," the Waterfront remains Cape Town's most popular attraction—probably because of the ease and safety of being a pedestrian here, coupled with favorable currency exchange rates for North American and European visitors, and the ever-increasing number of truly worthwhile attractions and activities on offer. Hundreds of shops, movie theaters, restaurants, and bars share quarters in restored warehouses and dock buildings, all connected by pedestrian plazas and promenades. Newer developments like the excellent Watershed craft market and two fantastic food markets have made the V&A more appealing to locals; it's also home to Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art—Africa's first such institution, and the Robben Island ferries.

With its crowds of people, security cameras, and guards, this is one of the safest places to shop and hang out in the city. That said, you should still keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of pickpockets.

If the scattered benches looking out at the harbor activity are full, this open-air space is a good spot to eat your take-away lunch—if there's no performance on. This popular outdoor space mounts performances ranging from concerts by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra to gigs by jazz and rock bands and even variety performances. (Check the Waterfront's website or its branch of the tourism office for a schedule of events.) The amphitheater stands on the site where, in 1860, a teenage Prince Alfred inaugurated the construction of a breakwater to protect ships in the harbor from devastating northwesterly winds.

Amid the dozens of great joints around Long and Loop streets, Zorina's is a hole-in-the-wall that's famous for great Cape Malay curries and samosas.