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Top Romantic Things to Do in Cape Town

Updated: Aug 6

If you are in South Africa for your honeymoon or just a romantic getaway, then you will find plenty of romantic things to do in Cape Town! Cape Town is a beautiful city located at the southern tip of Africa in a region known as the Western Cape. It's the perfect city for all different types of romantic experiences.


We researched romantic things to do in Cape Town for months to find the best things to do on our honeymoon, so I feel confident bringing this list to you! We spent five days in Cape Town exploring all the best things the city offers after a three day safari in Kruger National Park. There's not a single thing we did in Cape Town I wouldn't recommend, but these, in particular, are romantic experiences.


PS My very favorite one is the last one on this list.



Stroll Along the Beach at Camps Bay or Clifton Beach


Grab a coffee from Mynt Cafe and take a walk along one of the best beach neighborhoods in Cape Town. The white sand, beautiful blue water, and background of the mountains make for a beautiful walk!


We loved going earlier, around 9 am, before many people were out and about to have the area all to ourselves.


I recommend walking from Mynt Cafe to Maiden's Cove for a great view of Camps Bay. If you want a longer walk, keep walking to The Rock.



Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens


Walking through beautiful gardens full of different plants and flowers year-round... it's very romantic! We did this on our last day, and I'm glad we found a way to fit it into our busy schedule. We spent about an hour and a half here but did not see everything. You could definitely spend longer here!


The Cape region of South Africa is its own biodome, and the best place to learn about the flora and fauna of the region is by visiting Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We enjoyed the Tree Canopy Walkway, Proteas, and Cycads the most.


They also have concerts and events in the evenings, so check the schedule for things that might be happening. Picnics are allowed in the gardens, which could be an additional way to make your visit even more romantic.


Standard Adult tickets are R210 and can easily be bought when you arrive or online. We chose to take an Uber to get there. Uber is an easy way to get around Cape Town.



Cable Car Up to Table Mountain


This is a must for anyone visiting; the views are breathtaking, and to experience it with your special person is even better! There are so many different beautiful views at the top. There are also several different trails to walk along the top. The longest trail is about 45 minutes. There's a gift shop and cafe that offers food and alcohol as well.


There are several ways of getting to the Table Mountain Cableway. If you're using public transport, you'll get dropped off at the Lower Tafelberg Road stop. If you're using Uber, Bolt, or City Sightseeing Hop on Hop Off Bus, you can hop off at the Upper Tafelberg Road stop.


There are morning and afternoon tickets available. Both are great options depending on when you'd like to visit. I always think that sunset is more romantic and would offer fabulous views!


I'd recommend planning in advance for this since it is a popular attraction in Cape Town, and changes can happen due to weather. Cape Town can get extremely windy, so you'll want to check the chance for strong winds before going and know that even if you are up there, the cable car could close, and you may have to walk down or wait at the top.


Tickets are R60 - R1050 and can be combined with the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, so if you decide to do this as well, I recommend getting the combo ticket to save some money and enjoy both!



Have a Beach Day at Muizenberg Beach


Located in False Bay, Muizenberg Beach is a famous surfer beach, and you can take in the beautiful view, watch the surfers, and even surf yourself! Bring a blanket to relax on the beach, or plan ahead and book a surfing lesson for some fun!


While the little houses on the beach are cute, most were falling apart when we visited, so I would not recommend trying to go inside one. They add a nice, colorful, and fun vibe to this beach!


There's also a long beach walkway above the beach if you are in the mood for a nice walk without being in the sand.



Explore on a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour


We had tickets to the Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour combined with Table Mountain, which we were thrilled with! We cuddled up on the top deck of the bus and enjoyed listening to commentary as we took in the views.


Cape Town is the perfect city for this because there's so much to see and so much history that you might not have time to do everything on your trip. The bus lets you see more places around the city in less time.


There are a few starting points for the bus, and they have several different routes you can choose from. We chose the city route, but the beaches and Cape route looked great too. This could be an option if you do not want to rent a car but want to see more of what the Cape offers.


They also offer tours and other things as well. Check them out here for options.



Roof Top Drinks at Park Inn by Radisson Foreshore


We stayed at this hotel in Cape Town and really enjoyed staying there. But our favorite part? The rooftop bar with great views of Cape Town! It has couches, seating areas, and a small indoor area, but you want to sit outside for the view! They had a massive menu of mojitos and other drinks with a view which was fun to enjoy after a day in Cape Town.


I'd also suggest staying at this hotel while in Cape Town for an affordable but comfortable option for your stay. It is also a great location with easy access to different neighborhoods and was safe.


You do not have to be a guest to visit the rooftop.



Spend an Afternoon in Kalk's Bay


Of all the towns along False Bay, Kalk's Bay was our favorite! It's home to many cute boutiques, shops, and fishing boats. You can easily spend an afternoon shopping and strolling through the cute streets of this small fishing town. There are a lot of vintage shops and antique stores here as well.


Kalk's Bay is also known for its fish and chips. There are several different options available in the harbor, so stop in for a fancy or quick option at one of the spots along the water! After grabbing some food, stop at Cape to Cuba for great Mojitos and vibes along the water.


I recommend getting lunch here and then walking around because most things in town start to close by 5 pm. We struggled to find any shops and things open after 5!



Hang with Penguins at Boulder Beach


Did you know penguins choose a mate for life? How sweet is that? If we're being honest, penguins may be the most romantic in Cape Town, and Boulder Beach is where to find them.


Boulder Beach is also in False Bay. These African penguins are only found on the coastlines of Southern Africa (South Africa & Namibia). These penguins are currently on the verge of extinction. As a result, the penguins are under the protection of the Cape Nature Conservation and part of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).


The Boulders section of TMNP consists of 3 pristine beaches, one penguin viewing area, and three boardwalks. The boardwalks were built to allow for the viewing of these wonderful birds while keeping them safe from poking fingers, so please be sure to stay on the boardwalks at all times within the viewing area.


Nearby, Folly Beach offers a space to swim and get close to the penguins. These are endangered animals, and you must always stay 6 meters away (about 20 feet).


Boulders Gates is a cash-free environment and only accepts payments via debit and credit cards. It costs R176 per adult per day to visit. More on the TMNP website here.


Take a Day Trip or Overnight Trip to the Wine Region


Wine has a long tradition in Cape Town, with wine farms beginning production in the 1600s. The wine regions are stunning and offer many unique and romantic experiences near Cape Town.


There are six main areas near Cape Town. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, and Wellington are the most popular. We chose to stay in Franschhoek for our visit, and a few of the experiences we found most romantic are below.



Franschhoek Wine Tram


The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on-hop-off tour and is the best way to explore Franschhoek Valley's vineyards. You can choose from eight different lines and spend as much time as you'd like at each stop. We loved using this to get around to the different wineries. Our overnight stay picked us up and dropped us off from Vrede en Lust, making it even easier!


You can also get a transfer from Cape Town to the wine tram for an additional fee. It was an easy way to get around and enjoy the wineries at our own pace.



Wine Tasting on the Deck at Vrede en Lust


This winery had the best view of the Franschhoek Valley of all the wineries we visited! Sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view with some outstanding wine.



Picnic at Boschendal


Boschendal is one of the Franschhoekoldest and largest wine farms in Franschhoek. They have several different enjoying, but we loved getting a picnic and restaurant lunch there. Stop by their wine-tasting room and shop for handmade goods at their store!



Charcuterie at Babylonstoren


The prettiest charcuterie board I've ever seen was at Babylonstoren! They offer a variety of boards along with their wine tasting in their tasting room right when you arrive. Do a tasting, and enjoy a charcuterie with farm made goods, the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Their wine farm also has many beautiful gardens and spaces to walk through.



Overnight Stay at Angala


Angala is a boutique hotel located right by Vrede en Lust that offers beautiful views, luxury rooms, multiple pools, a sauna, a steam room, delicious meals, and more. This is such a romantic place to stay and offers many amenities that make your stay even more romantic.


When we checked in, we were greeted with champagne and had people bring our bags to our room. The spa and hot tub lead to a romantic and relaxing start to our evening. We added on dinner at sunset to add to the romance, which we also loved!


This is a very romantic hotel, and we recommend staying here!



Sunset on Chapman's Peak Drive


Chapman's Peak is a famous drive road located between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast on the southwestern tip of South Africa. It's now a toll road, so bring some cash with you. It's a beautiful 30 minute drive without stops, but you will want to stop along the way!


This drive is best done at sunset when the views along the cliffs and ocean are just amazing. You'll see many people stopped along the road here before sunset in anticipation of the sun slipping over the ocean.


Most vehicles are R 57R; buses and larger vehicles cost more.



Boat Cruise from V&A Waterfront


V&A Waterfront is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Cape Town. It's where you'll find lots of high-end and famous brands here. One of the best things about this neighborhood, though, in addition to the shopping, is the view of Table Mountain and the proximity to different bays along the ocean.


Several different boat cruises leave from V&A Waterfront, and it can be very romantic to take a boat out of the harbor and enjoy the views! There are sunset cruises, dinner cruises, whale-watching tours, and more.



Sunset Dinner at V&A Waterfront


If you want a sunset view of Table Mountain, dinner in V&A Waterfront is a great option! There are several different great seafood restaurants there with views overlooking Table Mountain. We ate at Baia Seafood Restaurant and enjoyed our local Sea Bass dish.


This is a more touristy and popular area to visit, so plan ahead and book a reservation if you want dinner during sunset.



Couples Massage at Twelve Apostles Hotel


This was the most romantic thing we did in Cape Town. Twelve Apostles Hotel is a luxury hotel located near Hout Bay along the ocean. Consider staying here as well for a romantic place to stay!


The views from this hotel are incredible, and the service is fantastic. We booked an experience through the spa called the Outdoor Bliss Package. It included a 90-minute massage in a gazebo overlooking the ocean and lunch with champagne at the cafe in the hotel.


When I tell you, this was the best massage of my life... It was amazing!


We also had the best french fries at the restaurant. We loved them so much that we asked for the spices that were on the fries so we could make them later on our own.






I hope these romantic things to do in Cape Town inspire you for your trip, and you can experience the best that South Africa has to offer!






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