7 Best Tours in Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town, where diversity and excitement intertwine for the best things to do and see in Cape Town.

Explore Cape Town's coastal marine life, tour the city on foot or from the air with unforgettable helicopter city-tours and pedal through its colourful scene. From thrilling boat rides to adrenaline-filled flyovers, find out the prices, pros and cons of the best tours in Cape Town and reserve space in your itinerary for these activities.

Fly over Maclean's Beacon, South Africa's natural landmark better known as Table Mountain. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and the white beaches of Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Cross over to the Indian Ocean, look down on the killer whales and great white sharks at False Bay, and admire Signal Hill, Camps Bay and Clifton. This tour is a visual treat.

See the luxurious residences and marvel at the imposing Twelve Apostles mountain range as well as the iconic Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for almost 30 years. By the way, did you know that when you fly over this island you will have a World Heritage Site at your feet? The 360° view allows you to enjoy this spectacle, as well as the Cape Town Stadium, venue of the 2010 World Cup, and the beaches of Muizenberg.

This type of helicopter flight in Cape Town is a thrilling ride of about 12-25 minutes and gives you the opportunity to see the city from one end to the other. At the end you may decide to explore in detail some of the sights by perhaps taking the Table Mountain cable car and then the Cape Town sightseeing bus.

Details of interest

• Price: from €227 per person.
• Duration: the flight lasts approximately 12 - 25 minutes depending on the option you choose, however, the full activity often lasts 60-90 minutes.
• What you should know: the activity is often offered on a shared basis, so up to 12 people would be flying over the city in the helicopter. Not recommended for pregnant women.
• What the tour may include: transfer service to and from your accommodation. Helicopter ride over Cape Town. Professional pilot service with live commentary. Tour guide service.

One of the best Cape Town tours is the tour through the heart of the city. Follow South Africa's Atlantic Coast route, wander through sanctuaries, harbours, legendary mountains such as Table Mountain National Park and lose yourself in its architectural fusion of art deco and neoclassicism. This isAfrica's Finisterre. And, if you're wondering, how can you do your tour? You have several options:

2.1 Tour on the tourist bus

Hop aboard Cape Town's City Sightseeing bus to explore the city in 24 or 48 hours.

This is one of the best bus tours from Cape Town thanks to its flexibility and over 20 strategic stops, from the bohemian charm of Long Street to the mighty Table Mountain, every nook and cranny becomes an opportunity for discovery.

Enjoy the multilingual commentary - including English - as you tour the city in an open top double-decker bus. Visit places like the exclusive Camps Bay area, stroll around the Clock Tower, buy your tickets for The World of Birds & Money Jungle sanctuary. Discover Cape Town in comfort and style on this must-see tour.

Details of interest

• Price: from £16 per person.
• Duration: 24 - 48 hours depending on the ticket you choose.
• What you need to know: On board the bus you will hear commentary in several languages including English, Afrikaner, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. If you are travelling with your little ones, there is also a special audio guide for children.
• What the tour may include: Hop on Hop Off transport service for one or two days. Headphones. A short walking tour of Cape Town.

2.2 Cape Town Walking Tour

Another way to get to know the city in a more intimate and personalised way is by walking or cycling tour of Cape Town. The Waterfront Promenade and Table Mountain are classic Cape Town sightseeing, but getting to know Cape Town's must-see sights is only possible if you get into the heart of the capital.

Visiting places such as the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, St Georges Cathedral; Company's Gardens, the area where the Parliament, the City Hall, the National Library and the art gallery of the same category are located; the entrance to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, or visiting the neighbourhoods of Woodstock and Bo Kaap (also known as the Muslim or Malay neighbourhood) are just some of the stops to make. These sights are part of a good guided tour of Cape Town and can be done on foot or by bicycle.

Interesting details

• Price: from €40 per person.
• Duration: from 3 hours and upwards.
• What you need to know: this type of tour is flexible, often destinations can be adapted. Also, the tour can be done on foot or by bike. Another important point is that in cases where the activity is listed as one of the things to do in Cape Town at night, wine tasting and sampling is often included.
• What the tour may include: professional guide service. Bike and helmet. Bottled water. Gastronomic tasting. Wine tasting. Transport service to the hotel.

Cruise along South Africa's paradisiacal coastline by choosing a boat tour of the Waterfront, Cape Town's main harbour. This type of tour starts in front of the entrance to the Two Oceans Aquarium and from that point you make your way past prominent historical landmarks such as the Bascule Bridge, Table Mountain, Nelson Mandela Gate and the iconic Clock Tower.

Immerse yourself in Cape Town' s rich history as you explore the Chavonnes Battery Museum, appreciate the Milnerton Lighthouse, or Clifton Beach. And much more. This type of tour can be done all day long, however sunset cruises in Cape Town are advised, when glasses of local wine are served with a dolphin-lined imprint and some cetaceans.

Interesting details

• Price: from €30 per person.
• Duration: from 30 minutes onwards.
• What you should know: with this type of tour you can see the main icons of the city from the sea, as well as many others that are only accessible by sea.
• What the tour may include: boat or catamaran captain service. One glass of wine per person. Live commentary.

Feel the thrill of taking to the skies with a tandem paragliding tour in Cape Town. Depending on the wind direction, the activity will start at either Signal Hill or Lions Head. You will enjoy a unique view of Table Mountain, as well as Cape Town's Miami Beach, the beaches of Camp's Bay or the long white sandy beaches of Clifton.

Before take-off, meet your expert instructors, who will give you a short briefing on the flight. With safety equipment securely fastened, let the two-seater tandem soar as unforgettable 360° views unfold before your eyes. During the approximately 25 minute flight, your instructor will be at your side pointing out points of interest or clarifying any questions you may have live.

Details of interest

• Price: from 76 € per person.
• Duration: approximately one hour.
• What you should know: you can enjoy the activity all day long, subject to weather conditions.
• What the tour may include: rental of all flight equipment, including helmet and safety harness. Flight briefing. Professional instructor service. Shuttle service to and from the hotel.

Hop on an ATV and ride down the white sand dunes at the Atlantis Nature Reserve, the star of the Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve

It's an hour of adrenaline and fun during which you can cover around 32 km² on an ATV tour of the Atlantis Sand Dunes in Cape Town. Marvel at the panoramic views of the desert landscape and the iconic Table Mountain on the horizon.

Accompanied by an experienced instructor you will learn the techniques to climb up and down these dunes up to 50 metres high. Capture unforgettable moments with your camera as you walk along the crest of the dunes and admire the rich native flora and fauna. Get ready for a thrilling hour as you immerse yourself in this exciting Cape Town dune tour - adventure awaits!

Details of interest

• Price: from €55 per person.
• Duration: from 2 hours and upwards.
• What you need to know: this kind of tour is one of our favourite things to do in Cape Town with kids, especially if you combine it with sandboarding. Throwing yourself around the dunes at your leisure is priceless, only rewarding smiles.
• What the tour may include: Professional guide service. Bottled water. Quad bike hire. Safety equipment.

Explore the seabed with a snorkelling experience in South Africa. Of the tours you have at least a couple of interesting alternatives.

On the one hand, the team of marine biologists at the Great African Sea Forest, incidentally the location of the award-winning series My Master the Octopus, take you to explore hidden spots where sea urchins wear flirty 'natural hats', and sharks come to hunt octopus and other species, all while keeping you sheltered in a shark cage boat in Cape Town with this day-long activity.

On the other hand, you have the opportunity to sign up for a sea lion snorkelling experience in Cape Town's Hout Bay. The activity takes approximately 2 hours where you are transported to the beautiful Duiker Island to swim through the 0.4 hectares of land filled with sea lions. Keep an eye out, you might even spot an elephant seal, an endangered species that occasionally pops up on the island to greet visitors.

Details of interest

• Price: from €53 per person.
• Duration: approximately one hour.
• What you need to know: the experience is enriching, South Africa's marine life is home to a rich marine fauna and for the protection of the environment, marine biologists are required to accompany you. You will be surrounded by experts
• What the tour may include: Professional guide service. Bottled water. Refreshments. Snorkel rental. Transfer service to and from accommodation. Briefing. Cruise. Shark cage dive.