5 Unbeatable Activities For Solo Travellers In Cape Town

6 min read

We’ve convinced you that Island Club Hotel and Apartments is the best choice of accommodation for your solo trip, especially seeing as we’re in one of the safest neighbourhoods in Cape Town. But what do you do while you’re staying in the lovely Cape Town? Solo travelling can be a daunting experience, but we’re here to make it easy, confidence-boosting, and enjoyable! Cape Town is an ideal location for solo travellers, and figuring out what to do can be overwhelming. Whittling down what to do and what to see was a challenge, but here are 5 unbeatable activities you have to do while solo travelling in Cape Town.

1. Explore The City…

While in Cape Town, you simply have to explore the city itself and there are many ways you can do this while travelling by yourself!

… By Bus

Every tourist city has its sightseeing bus, and Cape Town is no different. City Sightseeing has multiple routes and attractions which are ideal if you are exploring solo. The hop-on, hop-off buses have 3 different routes with commentary in 15 languages. They also offer wine tours in the Cape Wine regions that depart from the V&A Waterfront – an excellent and safe option if you want to go wine tasting while solo travelling!

Public transport is also a brilliant option if you want to travel around Cape Town and further afield while remaining budget friendly. Simply find your nearest MyCiTi bus station (Century City has multiple bus stops – simply ask for directions at reception) and go explore!

… On Foot
… On Foot

Cape Town’s city centre can easily be explored on foot, with loads of museums, galleries, and cultural sites within walking distance of each other. Read here about why we are the best choice for a cultural holiday – from museums and galleries to traditional restaurants and events, Island Club is brilliantly located to access all Cape Town has to offer. We recommend heading to the Company’s Gardens, where you can relax in the sun. The lovely gardens are also home to the Iziko Museum Complex, where you can spend the day enjoying art or learning about South Africa’s natural history. The Bo-Kaap is also a must, with its colourful streets and rich history.

… By Boat

Cape Town is a harbour city, with great boat trips leaving from all over the cape. The V&A Waterfront is the starting point for many of the tourist boat tours. Catch the ferry from Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, where you can explore the island that has been used for 500 years, most notably as the place Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his opposition to Apartheid. Sunset cruises also embark from the V&A Waterfront and is a stunning way to experience a gorgeous Cape Town sunset. If you enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitat, there are numerous seal watching trips, as well as cruises to see other animals.

… By Scooter Or Bike

If you want to feel like a local, you have to go for a walk, jog, or bike on the Sea Point Promenade. Most popular times are sunrise and sunset, but feel free to visit at any time of the day. A fun way to explore the 7-kilometre route that stretches from Mouille Point through Sea Point is to hire an electric scooter or a bicycle. Discover the restaurants, stores, parks, and beaches with ease and speed.

2. Visit Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Table Mountain National Park was previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park and is the perfect place to explore the fauna and flora Cape Town has to offer. The park covers a large area, including Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, parts of Kirstenbosch, and stretches right to the tip of the Cape Peninsula. There are countless hiking routes, with a favourite being the hike up to Lion’s Head (for safety, hike at a time when there are other people around or, for a more fun experience, join a local hiking group for the time you’re here), numerous beaches to explore (more on that later!), and of course the iconic Table Mountain.

3. Laze The Day Away On The Beach
3. Laze The Day Away On The Beach

Cape Town is situated along the West Coast of South Africa and has countless beautiful beaches to explore. Popular ones include Boulders Beach, where you can swim with the penguins, Clifton, which has four beaches to discover, and Camps Bay, with its famous beach strip of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Going north of Cape Town, there is Blouberg and Melkbos, both with breath-taking views of Table Mountain and only a 20-minute drive from Century City. Finish the day off with a gorgeous sunset at the beach or any of these locations.

4. Find Your Next Favourite Art Piece And Great Local Produce At The Market

Cape Town has a whole lot of great markets to explore, which serves as a fantastic way to learn all about local art and produce, as well as meet some lovely locals who run independent businesses. Visit Century City’s own markets, the Natural Goods Market and the night markets. Or go a bit further afield and visit the great markets dotted across Cape Town, like the Neighbourgoods Market or the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. Mojo Market is a great stop if you want to try a variety of food with a great view.

5. Enjoy The Local Cuisine And Do A Cooking Class

Lastly, doing a cooking class as a solo traveller is a great way to get to know other people while trying out the local cuisine. There are a bunch of authentic Cape Malay and African cooking classes and experiences to sink your teeth into, as well as cooking classes with different cuisines from all over the world to try.

There is also much more to Cape Town than these 5 activities – why not come find out for yourself? Feel free to ask our friendly staff at reception for their recommendations and favourite spots in the wonderful Mother City. Another great tip for solo travellers is to let reception know where you’ll be heading for the day and when they can expect you back. Our staff will make note of this and keep an eye out for your return, to ensure that you arrive back safely after your day of adventures.

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