Cape Town is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, overlooked by flat-topped Table Mountain. It is an excellent destination for families and a great starting point for exploring more of South Africa. We spent almost a week in this vibrant city, before travelling around the rest of South Africa for a month. Here are our top ten things to do in Cape Town with kids.
READ: Twelve Reasons to Visit South Africa with Kids
THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN WITH KIDS
1. HIKE UP TABLE MOUNTAIN VIA PLATTEKLIP GORGE
This should be a must for anybody fit enough to do the hike. There are a number of ways to summit Table Mountain. We hiked Platteklip Gorge, a steep two hour climb, up a gorge on the front of Table Mountain. It is a tough climb but rewarding for its spectacular views over Cape Town. The boys thought it was like climbing steps in the hot sun for two hours!
But the views on the climb and from the top are spectacular.
We opted to take the cable car back down the mountain.
READ: Climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town with Kids
2. TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY
Take the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain for memorable views over Cape Town. Tickets should be booked in advance if possible, as queues can be very long, particularly at peak times. The cable car rotates 360 degrees so everybody gets spectacular views on the journey. You can take the Cableway round trip, or hike up as we did and take the cable car down. There are no queues at the top to take the cable car down, so this is a great way to ride the cable car without having to stand in line!
3. VICTORIA & ALBERT WATERFRONT (V&A)
This historic working harbour has a spectacular setting with views across to Table Mountain. There are masses of shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas, busy at all times of the day. The Alfred and Victoria Basins date from 1860 and are named after Queen Victoria and her son Alfred. We spent many an evening at the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, enjoying dinner with a spectacular view.
4. KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
These beautiful gardens have Table Mountain as a backdrop. It is worth spending a couple of hours here wandering the various gardens. A very quiet and peaceful place.
5. ENJOY EXCELLENT FOOD
We had some great meals in Cape Town, particularly down at the waterfront. You can dine at top quality restaurants for a fraction of the cost of Europe. Eating out is a pleasure in South Africa, food quality is excellent and amazing value.
6. ROBBEN ISLAND
Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for eighteen years, along with many other political leaders. Catch a ferry from the V&A Waterfront out to Robben Island, where you will take a tour of the island and prison. The tour gives an excellent insight into apartheid. The prison guides are people who themselves were imprisoned at Robben Island. You can only go here on a tour which lasts about four hours.
The views from Robben Island across to Table Mountain on the mainland are spectacular.
READ: Infamous Robben Island
7. BO-KAAP
This colourful area of vividly painted low-roofed houses, strung along cobbled streets, in downtown, is worth a visit for a splash of colour. Initially a garrison for soldiers in the eighteenth century, this area of town was where freed slaves started to settle after emancipation in the 1830’s. Perfect for a wander.
8. CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE
Located south of Cape Town, this scenic drive is stunning. The road links Hout Bay with Nordhoek and is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastal highway in the world. We drove back along this road on our way back from the Cape of Good Hope.
9. BOULDERS BEACH
This beautiful beach, about forty five minutes from Cape Town, is home to a large colony of African penguins. You can wander amongst the penguins on the beach or even swim with them in the sea if you brave the cold water. This makes a great addition when driving from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope.
10. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
The Cape of Good Hope is a beautiful and wild place to visit from Cape Town. It can be combined with a trip to Boulders Beach to see the penguins.
READ: How to Visit the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach from Cape Town
Check out our video of our time in Cape Town…
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed in an Airbnb apartment, with stunning views of Table Mountain. It was located in the heart of Cape Town with several bars and restaurants nearby. We loved our apartment. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen with a washing machine, a living/dining room, and a balcony with those amazing views. There was also secure parking underground.
SAFETY IN CAPE TOWN
Unfortunately, crime is part of daily life in South Africa, particularly in the big cities. The most common crimes are break-ins, car-jackings and muggings, but there are ways to stay safe. Keep your doors locked and your windows rolled up while driving. Do not talk on your cell phone while you are in your car. Always keep your valuables hidden. Never leave anything in a parked car. Don’t walk the streets at night. We loved Cape Town, always being careful, and thus not feeling threatened.
Have you visited Cape Town? What were your favourite things to do?
FOR MORE ON SOUTH AFRICA READ:
Road Trip Along the Garden Route with Kids
The Best of St Lucia with Kids (St Lucia in South Africa!)
Family Safari in Kruger National Park
Swimming with Oceanic Black Tip Sharks
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46 Comments.
It looks so cool with so much to do, my sister and brother in law love South Africa and swear it is the perfect holiday, and with adventurous kids it just sounds perfect, thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes x
South Africa is really family friendly and perfect for adventurous kids.
I love Cape Town and these would be my highlights too! Such a fantastic place with so much variety- culture, history, nature, wildlife and stunning scenery all wrapped up in one city. #MondayEscapes
I’ve not visited South Africa but would love to as I have friends who rave about it juts like you. I’d particularly like to see the penguins and ride the cable car #MondayEscapes
It’s a fantastic country and really family friendly.
A fantastic list! Cape Town is high on our family bucket list. I was actually pregnant with our first in Cape Town and managed to (just about!) hike up Table Mountain for those spectacular views. Very keen to take the boys back. I know they will love those penguins! #citytripping
Cape Town us on our radar for October, thank you for this! Pinning and Stumbling for later #CityTripping
I am just dying to go to Cape Town! Love this post! I especially like the looks of Bo Kapp, and your hiking pics are awesome. Saving this for later! #citytripping
This is great! We are headed to Cape Town later this year and even though my son won’t be going, I would love to do all of these things as an adult! Especially the penguins! #citytripping
Wow! Your photos are incredible. What a beautiful city. I’ve never been but looking forward to going one day with the kids so this post is brilliant. Well done on the hike up table mountains! I love the look of Bo Kapp and we’d love to see all the Penguins! Thanks for linking #citytripping
Penguins are awesome aren’t they? Just love how they are hanging out on the beach. This is a very useful post as we are considering a trip to Africa next year. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
We went to Cape Town a couple of times- when we lived a little closer – and I loved it, so reading this post brought all my happy memories back. I’d love to take my children there some day, and even if just to photo them next to those cute colourful houses! #farawayfiles
It’s a great city and so family friendly.
We fly to Cape Town in about 10 days. We have been there before and have done most of the things on your list – but not all. It is one of the world’s most under-rated destinations. I can’t say that we ever felt unsafe.
Enjoy Cape Town. We loved our time in the city.
That’s a really great selection of things to do on holiday. I like the idea of climbing Table Mountain and that drive looks beautiful. #farawayfiles
Oh, this post is bringing it all back to me! I spent four months in Capetown, back when I was 22. It’s good to know it can be njoyed just as much with children. #FarawayFiles
Lucky you to spend four months in such a fantastic city.
We would love to take our family to Cape Town – what a beautiful place. Living in flat, flat Denmark – I’m game to try a hike up a hill most places! I love colorful Bo-Kaap and the penguins look so fun for kids to see up close. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Cape Town has become one of our favourite cities in the world.It has a spectacular location.
When I read these posts, I realise just how much of the world I have yet to explore! Bo-Kapp looks stunning, and of course, no trip would be the same without saying hello to the Boulders Beach penguins. Thanks for linking up with #CULTUREDKIDS
South Africa is such a family friendly destination. Can’t beat some cute penguins!
I hear such goof things about South Africa and the scenery looks just stunning. #CulturedKids
South Africa is super family friendly. Where else in the world do you find playgrounds at wineries?
This post bought back so many memories. We went on a family holiday to South Africa a couple of years ago. One of our best #CulturedKids
Definitely one of the most family friendly countries out there. We had an amazing month exploring all it had to offer.
Boulders Beach looks stunning as do the views from the top of Table Mountain, fantastic photos Nicky! #mondayescapes
Thanks Annabel. Loved Cape Town!
Hoping to hit SA next year (if funds allow) and this is a great post on some fabulous activities whilst in the city. Hoping to get away from Cape Town too but definitely want to spend some time there. #MondayEscapes
We spent just over a month in South Africa so plenty on the blog! You must do the Garden Route and spend time on a safari.
Brilliant list and yes please to it all! Good points at the end about safety, I was going to ask if you felt safe enough to drive around. #mondayescapes
We did although you do need to be cautious. We didn’t for example leave anything in our car while parked up and kept everything out of sight while driving around.
We’re contemplating going here, and your post is very persuasive. Very colourful, great outdoors activities, and an adventure.
#culturedkids
A real place for a family adventure. There’s so much to do in CApe Town.
It looks like an amazing trip! My husband visits at least once a year for work and we really should join him one year! He did the Platteklip Gorge last visit and he too said it was tough but worth it for the views. He got the cable car down too!
Some great recommendations for families here – Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes
You really should! The trek was steep…as my sons said ‘like climbing stairs in the hot sun for two hours’ but worth it for the views and the snese of achievement. Thanks for having me.
I would love to visit Robben Island one day, it must be a really moving place. Penguins, beaches and mountains – what a great combination for a family holiday! (Although I suspect we’d have to join the long cable car queues at the bottom of Table Mountain! #MondayEscapes
Cape Town definitely has a bit of everything and suits people of all ages! You never know, you might do that climb!
oh wow Cape Town was on our list when we visited Kruger National Park but we couldn’t make the travel work as we were also heading to Mauritius, so we never visited definitely somewhere we want to go though, and Boulders beach looks incredible! Thanks for linking up to Monday Escapes
I’m sure you’ll get there one day Katy…and Mauritius is a fantastic destination too.
I totally agree with all of these! I LOVE Cape Town and can’t wait to return with the kids… and these are exactly the things that I’d choose to do! #fearlessfamtrav
Thank you…glad to be in agreement with a fellow blogger. We loved our time in Cape Town…it’s an amazing city in a perfect location. Cities next to the sea are my favourites!
Great suggestions Nicky. I know Cape Town and South Africa are high on Mr TB’s travel bucket list. It wouldn’t surprise me if we end up going in the next few years. Good tips on safety too #FearlessFamTrav
Thanks Claire. Hope you get there very soon. It’s an amazing country, perfect for family travel.
Oh we love Cape Town! Didn’t make it with the boys on our last Africa trip though. Will definitely be bookmarking this post for when we do head back though. #fearlessfamtrav
I feel another trip to Africa coming on for you guys…. One of my favourite cities around the world.