Cape Town is one of the best backpacking cities in the world with its stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, amazing landscapes, natural wonders, world-class restaurants and wines, vibrant city life and excellent accommodation. There is an endless list of activities to do and adventures to take. You’ll definitely won’t run out of things to do in Cape Town. Here are the top 10 backpacking activities in Cape Town.
Go Up the Table Mountain
A backpacking trip to Cape Town is not complete without going up the Table Mountain. This flat-topped mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town and is known for being one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The Table Mountain is a great destination for adventurous individuals and nature lovers. Among the many activities that you can enjoy in Table Mountain are hiking, rock climbing, caving and mountain biking. You can hike your way up the mountain as it is known to be a hiker’s paradise with its numerous trails and amazing views. If you don’t feel like hiking, you can also ride the cable car going up and down the mountain.
Hiking in Lion’s Head
The Lion’s head is a mountain between the Table Mountain and Signal Hill. It resembles a proud lion overlooking the city of Cape Town. It offers a panoramic view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. This mountain is a popular destination for those who want to see the incredibly beautiful sunrise and sunset of Cape Town. Hiking to the peak of Lion’s Head which is 700 meters above sea level takes more than an hour of a relatively easy hike. You can also try the full moon hike which is also a popular activity for both locals and tourists alike.
Take a Tour on Robben Island
Between the 17th and 20th centuries, Robben Island has been used as a prison, a hospital for lepers and a military base. The island is accessible to visitors through tours that depart from the V&A Waterfront. The tour consists of various historical sites on the island including the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. The tour usually ends with a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell.
Learn Kitesurfing
Another backpacking activity that you should try is Kitesurfing. If you love the beach and adventure, this water sport is for you. Cape Town is one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world with its combination of beautiful beaches and consistent winds. Whether you are a beginner or advanced kitesurfer, you will surely enjoy kitesurfing in Cape Town.
Meet the Penguins of Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is home to a colony of thousands of African penguins. In fact, it is the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins, making Boulder Beach as one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches. Although during the mating season which is from December to February is the best time to see the penguins, you should be able to see them throughout the year in Boulders Beach.
Go Shark Cage Diving
Cape Town offers some of the best sites in the world to experience a close encounter with the Great White Shark. While often a little pricey, the Great White Shark cage diving is an adventure anyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Take Some Amazing Shots at Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is a vibrant and bright neighborhood within a walking distance from Cape Town’s city center. This colorful area with quaint houses painted in a variety of shades is a must-visit to take some Instagramable shots.
Stroll down the Sea Point Promenade
Another worthwhile activity you can do in Cape Town is to stroll, jog, or cycle along Sea Point’s most famous landmark, the Sea Point Promenade. It is one of the city’s lively attractions. It is also one of the best places to watch the beautiful Cape Town sunset.
Visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the most impressive botanical gardens on the planet. This botanical garden shows off a large conservator exhibiting plants from a number of different regions, including savanna, fynbos, karoo and many others. You can also see spectacular collections of proteas and plenty of other local flora including an impressive group of aloes and other semi-arid plants.
Join Cape Town Wine tours
South African offers some of the best wines in the world. There are a good number of wine tours in and around Cape Town that offers wine tasting. Most vineyards offer tours of the land where the winemakers will explain the grape to glass process. You can hop on the Constantia wine bus which will take you to three wine stops: Groot Constantia, Eagles’ Nest and Beau Constantia.
Cape Town is definitely on top of the list of must-visit backpacking cities. So, go pack your backpacks and head to South Africa’s most vibrant city.