Want to tour Cape Town like a local? Skip all the guesswork and follow this Cape Town City Itinerary! Find out what to do and see in the city centre (along with safety tips) from locals who have actually lived there.
When most travelers think of Cape Town, they picture its stunning beaches, world-famous wine farms, and charming, affluent neighborhoods. But the city’s vibrant heart – the city centre or ‘City Bowl’ as we locals call it – often gets skipped largely due to safety concerns.
Fair enough.
But here’s the thing: This is where you’ll find most of Cape Town’s historical landmarks and monuments, like the Castle of Good Hope, St. George’s Cathedral, and the colorful Bo-Kaap (just to name a few). So if you truly want a holistic and authentic experience of the Mother City, exploring its city centre is a must!
And that’s exactly what inspired us to craft this custom Cape Town City Tour Itinerary. We want to give you a true taste of Cape Town’s culture and history whilst exploring it safely and confidently.
We’re both locals who have lived in South Africa for over 20+ years, so we know the city centre (and how to stay safe) like the back of our hands!
This self-guided walking tour will take you through not only the city centre’s top attractions, but also hidden gems you’ve probably not heard of.
Put on your most comfortable shoes and let’s get walking!
Related Post: Planning an epic vacation in Cape Town? Skip all the research and planning with our ridiculous detailed Cape Town Itinerary. We’ve shared what to see and do in the city for 3 to 14 days from the best beaches, epic hiking trails, to wine tasting and seeing South Africa’s unique wildlife in and around Cape Town.
Safety Tips To Know
Before setting off on our Cape Town city walking tour, make sure you read our South Africa Safety Tips guide. We’ve listed some important do’s and don’ts to travel safely and confidently in Cape Town.
Unlike Europe, the city centres (or CBD) in South Africa aren’t really safe to walk around. You have to be vigilant.
The good news though, is that the Cape Town city centre is considered safer than CBDs in other major South African cities like Johannesburg, Durban, etc.
If you follow our safety tips, avoid looking flashy and walking around at night, you should be good!
Guided Cape Town City Tours
Otherwise, you could go on a guided Cape Town city tour with a local if you don’t want to risk it. Here are some options:
Cape Town City Walking Itinerary
There are plenty of things to do and see in the city centre of Cape Town. Start your day early (between 9AM and 10AM is good) because most businesses, cafes and restaurants are open. Safety in numbers, remember?
Avoid bringing your handbag, or backpacks, wearing flashy jewellery, or hanging cameras or phones out in the open. And most importantly, wear your most comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking A LOT.
All these places are pinned in our Cape Town Itinerary map to make it easier for you to follow.
Save Me For Later
Castle of Good Hope
Our first stop is the Castle of Good Hope—the oldest surviving building in South Africa! It was built in the late 1600s by the Dutch East India Company.
This 350+ year-old castle has seen it all. It’s been a military fortress, the seat of government, and a residence for governors in its heyday, to a prison and slave trading hub during its darkest time.
Later, it was also used as a ship signaling station and an army base.
Today, the Castle of Good Hope is a National Heritage Site, a museum as well as a ceremonial and cultural venue for locals.
Entrance tickets cost R50 (€2.60) for adults and R25 (€1.30) for children.
District Six Museum
From the Castle, it’s a short 6 minute walk to the District Six Museum.
This small yet powerful museum tells the heartbreaking stories of residents who were evicted from their homes during apartheid. Their personal stories and artifacts offer a sobering but important glimpse into South Africa’s history and why the country is the way it is today.
We highly recommend going on a guided tour at the District Six Museum. It’s really worth having an ex-resident from the area personally take you through the museum and share some of their own stories with you.
This guided tour needs to be booked in advance, but here’s the catch – the ticketing system on the museum’s website doesn’t work… We’d recommend giving them a call or reaching out on Facebook to book the tour.
Bonus Tip: Get a local eSIM so you can easily (and cheaply) find your way around Cape Town! Check out GlobalYo and SIMLocal to find the best eSIM deals.
Eastern Food Bazaar
By now, you’re probably getting hungry… In that case, head over to the Eastern Food Bazaar for an authentic taste of Cape Town’s diverse culinary scene.
This casual yet vibrant food hall offers everything from fragrant curries and biryanis, to mouth-watering shawarmas and samosas, all at affordable prices!
If you’re a spicy food lover, make sure to try the local Cape Malay curry. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a bunny chow (a Durban favourite).
The Company’s Garden
Next on the itinerary – a stroll through The Company’s Garden.
Back in the day, this garden was created to supply fresh produce to passing ships. Today, it’s a beautiful public park in the heart of the city filled with historic statues, art installations, and friendly squirrels.
St George’s Cathedral
Right next to the Company’s Garden is St George’s Cathedral.
Now, I know you didn’t travel all the way to South Africa to see a cathedral. But this one is special! It was here that Archbishop Desmond Tutu led the protests against apartheid and gave people hope.
Step inside to admire the cathedral’s stained glass windows and take a moment to reflect on its powerful history.
Green Market Square
From the cathedral, it’s a short 4 minute walk to our next stop – Greenmarket Square.
This is one of the oldest public squares in Cape Town. So old in fact, that the cobblestones here are over 200 years old!
Historically, it began as a fresh produce market where local farmers would sell their goods. Over time, it became an important gathering place for anti-apartheid protests, a refuge for Italian prisoners of war, and a haven for Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution.
Today, this historic square hosts a lively flea market (open Monday to Saturday). It’s the perfect place to pick up local crafts, beaded jewelry and African art.
Bonus Tip: If someone approaches you asking for money or even what the time is, just respond with ‘sorry’ politely and that you can’t help. Sadly, tactics like these are sometimes used to distract and pickpocket unsuspecting tourists.
Long Street
A Cape Town city tour would not be complete without wandering down Long Street – the city’s buzzing hub for nightlife, second-hand bookstores and vintage shops.
During the day, it’s a great place to explore quirky stores or stop for coffee at one of its eclectic cafes. By night, the street transforms into a vibrant spot for nightlife.
Whether you’re looking for a chilled lounge, laidback bar, live music venue, or a nightclub to dance the night away, Long Street has them all. Just be mindful of safety and don’t pub crawl whilst inebriated.
Again, it’s not safe to walk around at night and please, please, PLEASE do not walk down narrow, deserted alleyways like you would in Europe. Lurking criminals are always on the lookout for easy targets.
Bree Street
Then there’s Bree Street if nightlife isn’t really your thing.
Just a hop and a skip away, Bree Street offers a more sophisticated vibe. So if you’re more into trendy bars, chic bistros, and artisanal eateries, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re in the mood for wine tasting or a light bite, you’ll find something for every palate.
Noon Gun
We added this as a bonus stop in the itinerary. Not because it isn’t interesting. Not at all! But rather the fact that you’ll have to manage your time REALLY well to see this historic Noon Gun in action.
Like the name suggests, the Noon Gun goes off at… noon. So 12:00PM to be exact.
And yes, it goes off every single day (except Sundays and public holidays) without fail and has been doing so for over 210 plus years (since 1806). It’s one of the oldest traditions in Cape Town and worth experiencing if you love all things history.
Make sure to arrive a bit early to watch the ceremony and enjoy the stunning views of the city and harbor.
Bonus Tip: It’s a little bit of a walk from Bree Street to the Noon Gun. If you’re not comfortable walking in the city centre, you could always get a Uber to drop you off. You’ll find the exact location for the Noon Gun in our custom map.
Bo-Kaap
You’ve probably seen photos of Bo-Kaap’s colorful houses on Instagram (they’re hard to miss!). But there’s so much more to this neighborhood than its rainbow facades.
Bo-Kaap has been the heart of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community for centuries, and its history dates back to the days of Dutch colonial rule. Originally a slave quarter, this area was home to people brought to the Cape from Southeast Asia, East Africa and beyond.
Believe it or not, these houses weren’t always vibrant and colorful. They were actually painted white before slavery was abolished.
The tradition of painting these houses in bold, bright shades started as a celebration of freedom to mark the end of slavery, rejoice in their newfound liberation and reclaim their homes.
Today, Bo-Kaap remains a living piece of history, full of culture, tradition and stories that continue to shape Cape Town’s identity. It’s not just beautiful to admire, but also deeply meaningful too.
Now, I know this is a famous photo spot in Cape Town. But please be mindful of the residents who live there and respect their homes.
There are security guards in the area for safety reasons. But even so, we wouldn’t recommend using expensive tripods and camera equipment here (or anywhere in the city) just for the perfect Instagram photo. It’s not worth it.
If you want to learn more history, head over to the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum for more.
Otherwise, we’d HIGHLY recommend going to Biesmiellah Restaurant to try some authentic Cape Malay food. This place is an institution. It’s been around since I can remember it and is as local as it gets!
And if you’re feeling extra fancy, we’d highly recommend going for high tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel near Kloof Street – our next stop.
Kloof Street
Next on the itinerary – Kloof Street. But first, if you’re in desperate need of a mid-afternoon boost, head to Origin Coffee for some of the best coffee in Cape Town. It’s a short walk away from Bo-Kaap.
Now, if Long Street is Cape Town’s nightlife hub, then Kloof Street is its trendy, laid-back cousin.
Kloof Street is famous for its vibrant mix of cafes, bars and restaurants. Here, you’ll find everything from cozy coffee spots to unforgettable fine dining experiences – all whilst enjoying breathtaking views of Table Mountain…
But it’s not all about food though. Kloof Street is also a local favourite for boutique shopping. So if you’re looking for unique souvenirs to buy for friends and family back home, this is it!
Bonus Tip: Grab a short Uber ride from the Bo-Kaap or Origin Coffee to Kloof Street to save yourselves a long walk uphill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The honest answer? Yes – and no. Like any major city, Cape Town has areas that are safe and others you should avoid. The key is to stay street-smart. Stick to well-trodden tourist spots, avoid flashing valuables, and don’t wander around after dark, especially in quiet areas. Use reputable transport services (like Uber) instead of walking in unfamiliar places, and if you’re still unsure about where to go, ask locals for advice. Read our South Africa Safety Tips guide for our local insider tips.
Cape Town’s city centre? Absolutely walkable! You can easily explore the historical landmarks, colorful Bo-Kaap, and vibrant streets on foot. But Cape Town as a whole? Not so much. The city’s sprawled out, with beaches, wine farms, and mountain trails scattered across a wide area. You’ll need some form of transport—whether it’s a rental car, rideshare service (Uber or Bolt), or guided tour—to see it all.
Unfortunately no – there are no sightseeing buses that follows our exact Cape Town City Tour Itinerary. However, there is one guided bus tour that stops at a few of the highlights we mentioned, like Bo-Kaap, The Company’s Gardens, and the Iziko South African Museum. It’s a great alternative if you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride than explore the city on foot.
Wrapping Things Up
Cape Town is more than just beautiful beaches, world-renowned wine farms, and vibey neighborhoods. There’s so much rich history, colorful culture, and hidden gems to uncover if you know where to look.
I hope this itinerary helps you explore the vibrant Cape Town city centre with a fresh perspective. If you’re craving more adventure, check out our other South Africa travel guides.
And as always, if you have any questions or just want to share your experience, drop us a message on social media or via e-mail – we’d love to hear from you.
