15 February 2018 | Carla de Klerk
Are you an adventurous soul yearning for an authentic Cape Town experience?
We have put together the ultimate guide to help you experience the best of Cape Town – one that is both budget-friendly and ensures a unique, once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
If you’re looking for cultural experiences in Cape Town that go beyond sightseeing, start with a visit to the District Six Museum, which honours a community forcibly removed during the apartheid era. Explore the Bo-Kaap for its Cape Malay history, colourful homes, and authentic African experiences rooted in cultural heritage. Join a First Thursdays art walk in the city to discover Cape Town’s vibrant galleries and street culture.
Cape Town is a foodie paradise where you can enjoy braai culture with locals, taste Cape Malay flavours, or join a traditional cooking class. Visit Mzoli’s in Gugulethu for a true African experience, or enjoy a craft coffee sip experience at a local café. For fine local cuisine, head to a boutique hotel restaurant or waterfront eatery overlooking the marina.
Art lovers can visit ZEITZ MOCAA, one of the largest museums of contemporary African art, known for its dramatic architecture and cutting-edge exhibitions. The Castle of Good Hope, built by the Dutch East India Company, is another historical landmark offering scenic city views and heritage experiences worth exploring.
For visitors seeking something untamed and memorable, explore Cape Town’s hidden gems. Visit Stellenbosch for township jazz evenings, historic wineries, and street murals showcasing urban culture. Discover ghostly shipwreck trails along the Cape Peninsula or stroll through Company’s Garden where ancient trees hold centuries of lore.
To truly connect with local culture, choose tours and experiences that include personal storytelling, home visits, or communal meals. Stay in a locally run guesthouse or boutique hotel and shop at community-owned markets that support ethical tourism. A township tour, craft market visit, or cultural storytelling evening will deepen your experience of African hospitality.
Cape Town is a treasure trove of unique attractions. And you don’t have to worry about transport either – our open-top tours stop at all the top attractions and hidden gems across Cape Town.
Want to know the best way to visit Table Mountain? Our City Tour to District Six Museum to learn about Cape Town’s troubled history during apartheid, as well as the Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine estate, is also an attraction to add to your itinerary if you have a passion for wine.
One open-top ticket allows you access to all our hop-on, hop-off tours, making it the best way to experience Cape Town. Book your ticket online and save R20! Have a look at our route timetable to see which route will get you to your destination.
Hardened travellers believe the best way to learn about a city is to explore it on foot. We certainly agree, which is why we offer several walking tours in Cape Town and outlying areas.
Our city walks will appeal to budget-conscious travellers as they are completely free! Yes, you read that correctly – these tours operate on a tip-only basis.
We offer two Historic City Tour and the Vibrant Bo-Kaap Tour. Both tours start at the City Sightseeing ticket office at 81 Long Street (stop 5) – just look out for the bright red umbrellas – and take approximately 90 minutes. Tours depart daily at 10 am, 1 pm and 4 pm and are led by knowledgeable local guides.
On the Historic City Tour, you'll hear interesting stories about the city's rich history and heritage – from slavery to the apartheid era and the present day. Tour highlights include Greenmarket Square (where slaves were once sold), City Hall (where Nelson Mandela made his first speech as a free man) and the Company's Garden (home to the Cape's oldest living "citizen").
The Vibrant Bo-Kaap Tour explores the historical neighbourhood famed for its brightly coloured houses – think pink, green, blue and orange. Other tour highlights include the Auwal Masjid (the first and oldest mosque in South Africa), the Bo-Kaap Museum and the spicy delights of Cape Malay food.
Another off-the-beaten-track experience is our Township Walking Tour of Imizamo Yethu. The tour is unique as you weave in and around the township homes and learn about the history of Hout Bay's informal settlement from its residents.
To experience the Township Walking Tour, simply hop off at stop 23 on our Mini Peninsula Tour. You can buy tickets for the Township Walking Tour either online or from the bus driver. Your guide will meet you at the drop-off point and return you approximately 40 minutes later.
For a truly African, authentic experience, spend time eating and shopping where the locals do. Skip the tourist traps and explore the colourful street markets and local food scenes around Cape Town. Grab a coffee at our newly renovated < a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=kamili+coffee&form=ANNH01&refig=68ff45eca4144857967899d80c2bcc71&pc=HCTS”>Kamili Coffee Shop before wandering through the informal markets filled with crafts and spices.
Visit Kalk Bay for fresh fish straight from the boats and artisan bakeries hidden along the main road. These places show you the real rhythm of Cape Town, far beyond the guidebooks.
If you want to explore Cape Town in a way that connects with its people, history, and environment, choose experiences that go deeper. Visit social upliftment projects and creative hubs where artists and entrepreneurs shape the future of the city. Places like the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront offer handmade goods from local makers – a chance to support fair trade at a gift shop with purpose.
Looking for tranquillity? Escape the crowds with a visit to Silvermine in Table Mountain National Park, a peaceful retreat ideal for a forest hike or a swim in the dam with stunning views. For something unusual, explore the eerie shipwreck trail on the Cape Peninsula or enjoy stargazing from Signal Hill. These lesser-known options reveal why Cape Town is one of the most diverse and soulful destinations on the continent.
Hop on the open top red bus and enjoy the sights of Cape Town – from Table Mountain to the V&A Waterfront, from Camps Bay to Kirstenbosch. The Classic package gives you one full day on the bus covering all hop-on, hop-off tours.
