Cape Town is such a diverse city, with scenic splendour, natural beauty, historic culture, and fabulous food. One would think you need days to discover all the city has to offer, and that you could not cover a wide span of the Mother City in just one day. Well, City Sightseeing can help you do this, as we offer over 30 stops, and can take you to over 50 of Cape Town’s top attractions. Now is the time to explore Cape Town and join us on board for the day on our red bus and spend time on the red route, the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour or the Purple Route.
Start the day off strong with breakfast or coffee at one of the many restaurants and cafes in the V&A Waterfront, one of Cape Town’s most visited attractions and the door to Cape Town’s working harbour. Whether you enjoy a hearty Full English breakfast, a Cape Malay pastry, or a quick takeaway muffin and coffee, you will find something to suit every taste. You might even spot the Cape Town flag flying proudly over the harbour as you watch boats come and go from the South Atlantic Ocean.
If you have just arrived in South Africa’s Mother City and are looking for things to do in Cape Town without wasting time, this is the perfect starting point. The area is home to world-class shopping, local South African craft markets, and cultural highlights like the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which showcases artists from across the continent. It also offers some of Cape Town’s famous photo spots with views of Cape Town and Table Mountain as your backdrop.
Once you are ready, jump on board at Stop 1 and begin your adventure with City Sightseeing. This hop-on, hop-off journey is one of the best tours in Cape Town and the ideal way to spend your 24 hours in the city. Relax on the open-top bus as you enjoy a scenic safari through one of the world’s most beautiful cities. This is the start of a perfect day exploring Cape Town and the South Atlantic coastline at your own pace.
V&A Waterfront
Start your day with the Urban Safaris, which is valid for one full day from first use and forms part of the Premium + Urban Safaris ticket. Hop off at Stop 5 in Long Street, where you can also join one of our free walking tours. With many stops across Cape Town to choose from, this experience gives you flexibility and plenty of chances for great photo opportunities with iconic views or local street art. Our knowledgeable guides will give you insight into the inner city, the culture of the Bo-Kaap, or the history and beauty of the Company’s Garden. Touring the city on foot gives you a closer look at the heartbeat of Cape Town and sets the tone for a full day of discovery.
Bo-Kaap Walking Tour
There is no more spectacular view of the city centre and surrounds than that from the top of the iconic landmark that is Table Mountain. Hop off at Stop 7 and take the cable car to the summit to enjoy a birds-eye 360-degree view of the city. If you’re needing a second coffee or a mid-morning snack, visit their café on the mountain to refuel for the excitement that awaits. Enjoy a free walking tour with their audio channel that takes you on a loop around the plateau of the mountain.
Table Mountain View
Having had some fresh air on the mountain, and lunchtime is calling, head down to Stop 5, and join our Blue Route and continue onto the Constantia Winelands. Hop off at Stop 21 and join our Purple Route. Enjoy a wine tasting at Groot Constantia (Stop 26). There is even time for another wine tasting before hopping back on board.
Wine Tasting
Continue on our Blue Route and head towards Hout Bay. Hop off at Stop 24 and enjoy the hustle of the Hout Bay harbour. Enjoy a boat trip to Seal Island or grab a coffee and watch the seals playing around in the water or sunbathing on the docks. If you’re visiting on the weekend, take a stroll through the Hout Bay Harbour Market, before jumping back on board. Then continue to our newly launched stop 25 at Sentinel Precinct in Hout Bay.
Hout Bay
Jumping back on board, enjoy the last of the scenic route which takes you through Three Anchor Bay, Green Point, Mouille Point and finally returning you to the V&A Waterfront. If you’re feeling like a nightcap, visit one of the many bars at the Waterfront. A few even have entertainment and bands to while away the last hours of the evening.
What a day it has been. From scenic splendour and natural beauty to indulgent tastings of South Africa’s famous wines and a golden sunset over the South Atlantic Ocean, you will have created unforgettable memories in one of the world’s most breathtaking cities. One day in Cape Town is enough to experience Cape Town’s best attractions, vibrant neighbourhoods and rich culture. Whether you are visiting Cape Town for the first time or rediscovering the heart of Cape Town as a local, City Sightseeing makes it easy to get around Cape Town and explore at your own pace. Jump on board and spend a day being a tourist in your own city. It’s time to explore more of South Africa’s iconic Mother City.
Book Tickets Now!Here’s how we’d spend 24 hours in Cape Town: start at the V&A Waterfront, one of the city’s must-see spots, then head up Table Mountain for 360-degree views over Cape Town. Continue along the scenic coast on a Cape Peninsula tour, visit Camps Bay and Hout Bay, and explore the historic streets of Bo-Kaap before ending with a sunset at Signal Hill. With City Sightseeing, you can spend 24 hours in one unforgettable journey without needing to plan transport.
Yes. City Sightseeing makes it easy to see Cape Town’s famous landmarks in a single day trip. You can explore Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Sea Point, and the V&A Waterfront while enjoying degree views over Cape Town from the open-top bus. The routes are designed to help you make the most of your time in the city without rushing or wasting time waiting for transport.
Cape Town offers rich cultural experiences even in 24 hours. Visit the colourful Bo-Kaap for Cape Malay heritage, explore the District Six Museum for insight into South Africa’s new democracy, or stop at the South African National Gallery. These cultural highlights are all accessible on our routes and show the unique styles that make Cape Town such a meaningful destination.
Yes, the Cape Peninsula tour is one of South Africa’s most scenic experiences. You can head to Cape Point or Simon’s Town to see penguins, dramatic coastlines, and charming harbour towns. It is easy to include this adventure as part of a day trip using City Sightseeing’s flexible ticket options.
A great place to start is the V&A Waterfront, home to cafés, local markets, and restaurants next door to Cape Town’s harbour views. From Stop 1, you can choose from several routes and explore different sides of Cape Town, including the city, the coastline, and the mountains. It’s the easiest way to start your adventure and make Cape Town a destination you will always remember.
