It’s no secret that Cape Town is (possibly) my favourite city in the world! Not only is it a great place for solo travellers but it’s an amazing city for couples to explore as well. From incredible hikes and sunset lookouts to local markets, outdoor cinemas and more, you’ll never run out of activities in Cape Town for couples to do!
Best Activities in Cape Town for Couples
You can certainly do all of these activities alone or with a friend but they make for great date ideas in and around Cape Town.
Outdoor Activities in Cape Town for Couples
There is no shortage of outdoor activities to do in Cape Town – in fact, they might be my favourite!
1. Take Surf Lessons in Muizenberg
I don’t know about you but I love a good activity date!
And why not try out surfing while you’re in Cape Town?
Muizenberg is about a 30-minute drive out of Cape Town (and a fairly cheap Uber or Bolt ride). Once you get there, you’ll see plenty of surf schools on the main strip of shops and restaurants.
They all charge roughly the same price for surfboard rentals and/or lessons! If you’ve surfed before you can go out together with a surfboard for a couple of hours. It won’t cost you more than around $10 USD for the board hire and wetsuits (trust me, you’ll mostly likely need one!!).
Otherwise, you’ll pay a little extra for lessons and make a day of it.
After surfing, replenish your energy with some food and a coffee from Harvest Cafe!
If you have time to spare, head down the. coastal trail until you get to St. James Tidal Pool, Dalebrook Tidal Pool and explore Kalk Bay. Once in Kalk Bay, you can grab a couple of drinks from Cape to Cuba to round out the day.
2. Explore Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
A trip to Kirstenbosch is another one of the best activities in Cape Town for couples!
Here you’ll find countless species of plants that you’ve likely never encountered before. There are also many trails throughout the park and it’s a massive area so you can spend hours here.
Entrance is R230 at the time of writing this post for tourists and R100 for locals (South African citizens/residents). You’ll find the pricing will vary like this everywhere you go, with a higher price point for visitors, as many locals wouldn’t be able to afford that price.
In the summer months, Kirstenbosch is home to many outdoor concerts as well so keep an eye on their Instagram page for upcoming events!
3. Enjoy a Beach Day
Cape Town is fillleddddd with some of the most incredible beaches I’ve ever been to!
You can’t really go wrong when it comes to enjoying a beach day in Cape Town.
Make sure you have a good beach towel with you and an umbrella if you have one. Some beaches will have places to hire umbrellas for the day which is great because the sun can be really strong.
If you’re visiting Clifton Beach, you’ll often find people playing volleyball or sometimes last-minute raves/parties happen which can be a lot of fun. Make sure you stick around for sunset because it’s usually a great spot to see one.
4. Catch an Incredible Sunset
Another reason I love Cape Town so much is because of all the places you can see a beautiful sunset!
A sunset or sundowners date is so much fun.
Choose one of these 13 sunset spots in Cape Town for your date and bring some snacks and drinks along with you.
5. Check Out Table Mountain
Table Mountain is one of the most famous sites in Cape Town and one you can’t miss during a visit to this city!
Depending on how active you want to be, there are a few different hiking routes you can take to the top of Table Mountain. If you’re not feeling like a hike, you can also take the cable car to the top of the mountain and back down after you’re done exploring.
Table Mountain is renowned for having the best views in the city so it’s a great spot to check out for a date.
In the past, I’ve hiked up to the top and taken the cable car down for time’s sake!
6. Hike Kloof Corner
This is probably the easiest hike in Cape Town with jaw-dropping views throughout as a nice reward!
I will say, you have to check the weather before you go because I’ve gone on a cloudy day and got to the top with nothing but clouds in sight, blocking the entire view.
Otherwise, it’s one of the best places for a sunset in Cape Town and it’s also fun to do during the day if you have nothing going on! It only takes about 30 minutes at a very relaxed pace to get to the top.
7. Visit the Penguins
A trip to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach!
The penguin colony is found at this beach in Simons Town and you can buy tickets at the gate. There are a few different booking options and I highly recommend you choose the beach access.
Walk all the way down to the very end of the beach through boulders and you’ll skip over a lot of the crowds of people and can have some time with the penguins with you and your partner!
Bring a camera because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Don’t have a car?
Book this tour from Cape Town to see the penguins!
8. Go to a Festival Together
This is a fun way to spend time with your partner in a way you typically wouldn’t!
If you’re visiting Cape Town in the summer, there are a ridiculous number of festivals that take place an hour or two drive out of the city.
Some are day festivals and some take place over a weekend. The festivals usually offer tent hire, drives to and from the festivals, etc as an add-on to make your experience seamless!
If. you don’t want to leave the city, you’ll find some street festivals that pop up around the city centre in the summer.
Some of the most popular festivals happening throughout the summer are:
- Rumours By The Lake
- Up The Creek Music Festival
- Origin Festival
- Pangea Festival
- Bazique Festival
- Wolfkop Weekender
9. Galileo Open Air Cinema
This is such a fun and unique date idea for summers in Cape Town!
This open-air cinema takes place in Kirstenbosch (but there are some other locations as well). I’d highly recommend showing up at least 1 hour before the movie because you can enter the park with your movie ticket at no additional cost!
When the sun goes down and the movie begins, you’ll enjoy a mountainous backdrop as well. It’s a super romantic spot!
Book your open-air cinema tickets here!
Pro tip: pre-order an Uber or Bolt about 10 minutes before the movie ends so you don’t get stranded in the car park.
Romantic Things to Do in Cape Town
Surprise your special someone with one of these romantic activities in Cape Town for couples!
10. Visit the Clay Cafe
Try something new for date night!
The Clay Cafe on Bree Street is a great option if you’ve never done something like this before.
How it works: You pay a R45 studio fee for use of their equipment + the price of the item you’re painting! Then you paint your chosen mug, pot, plate, etc while enjoying some drinks and food. When you’re done, the team at Clay Cafe will take it off to have it fired and glazed. Your item will be ready for pickup within 5 weeks after that.
They also have a Wednesday date night special of R300 which includes a welcome treat, pizza/pasta as your main, a dessert and a bottle of wine to share! That’s less than $17 USD for all of that food and then you’d pay extra for the clay painting.
11. Take the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Another one of my fave activities in Cape Town for couples is a day trip to the wineries!
Franschhoek is one of the few areas where you can taste the local wine for such a reasonable price. Grab a ticket for the wine tram and go to 3-4 wineries during the day before heading back to the city.
Don’t want to drive there?
Check the Wine Tram timetable here.
12. Oranjezicht City Farm Market
You’ll also find that Cape Town is home to lots of different markets!
The Oranjezicht market is by far one of the biggest and most popular ones to visit.
It’s located near the V&A Waterfront and they’re open every weekend! They also host a night market in the summer on Wednesday evenings that has more of a focus on the food & drinks vendors.
There’s a local shop that makes handmade clothing and it’s where I’ve gotten one of my favourite white dresses from! I don’t know the name but they’re one of the first clothing stalls on the left-hand side when you enter the market.
Browse the local produce, buy some fresh flowers of have a couple of snacks from the vendors!
13. The Neighbourgoods Market at Old Biscuit Mill
Head over to Woodstock to see another side of Cape Town and another incredible market!
The Neighbourgoods Market takes place every single Saturday and Sunday (rain or shine).
Similarly to both previous markets mentioned, there is LOTS of food options!
There are also different shops within the Old Biscuit Mill and stands to look for souvenirs to bring home, as well as live music happening on a stage. You can’t forget about the great vintage shops you can browse through as well.
The Neighbourgoods Market feels more like a mini party because of the crowd there and I’d highly recommend a visit!
14. Drive Through Chapman’s Peak
A drive through Chapman’s Peak is one of the most romantic activities you can do in Cape Town.
This stunning scenic drive is a must and a memory you’ll never forget!
Don’t have a car?
Take this tour to explore Chapman’s Peak and the Cape of Good Hope!
15. Romantic Picnic at the Signal Hill Bunkers
I got this idea when I went to the Signal Hill bunkers on my own one day a few hours before sunset.
I saw a couple having a picnic on one of the bunkers and it looked so cute!
The bunkers are one of my favourite spots for a sunset but they can get busy so if you want the spot to yourself, go during the day instead.
16. Wander Through Bo-Kaap
Funnily enough, I actually lived in Bo-Kaap for a few months!
It’s a colourful neighbourhood that’s an interesting spot to explore and get some photos.
I will say, it can be a little sketchy if you’re on your own but with another person or in a group, you should be fine!
Want to spice up this date?
17. Go Paragliding Together
Paragliding is a must if you’re in Cape Town!
Face your fears with your partner and go paragliding together. I honestly didn’t find it scary at all and really enjoyed the entire experience. You take off from Signal Hill or Lion’s Head depending on the weather and because it’s so weather-dependent, make sure you book well in advance and have more than a day or two available to go.
Book your paragliding experience here!
Cheap Things to Do in Cape Town for Couples
Looking for an affordable date, try these out!
18. Have Brunch at Our Local
There is no shortage of brunch spots in Cape Town and honestly, it can be a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to choose a place!
Our Local is located just a few minutes up from Kloof St. and will transport you into another world. The ambience of the place is unique with hanging plants and antique furniture throughout the venue.
They have an extensive menu with lots of options to choose from as well!
19. Go Thrifting/Vintage Shopping
Cape Town has SUCH good vintage shops and places to thrift!
The main spot is in Observatory which is a neighbourhood not far from the city centre. Grab an Uber or Bolt there and walk down the main strip of shops. Grab a coffee at one of the cute cafes in the area as well and you might see some interesting street art too.
20. Cozy Drinks at The Athletic Club & Social or The House of Machines
Similarly, there are MANY bars around Cape Town that are a lot of fun for a couple of drinks out.
Two of my faves for a date night are The Athletic Club & Social and The House of Machines. Both do live music but I’d opt for House of Machines (The Athletic Club & Social has some jazz nights though which is cool)!
They’re both very close to each other (a few minutes walk) so you could easily visit both in one night!
21. Go Out for First Thursdays
Have you heard of First Thursdays?
It takes place on the first Thursday of every month (as you might have guessed!) and is essentially an excuse to go out on a Thursday night!
Lots of art galleries are free to enter and some of them even give away free drinks as well.
It takes place around Bree St. but there are many spots around the city that host First Thursday events so keep an eye on their Instagram for updates!
22. Live Music at Mojo Market
Mojo Market is another popular market in Cape Town, located in Sea Point.
The food vendors are there every single day of the week from 8am -12am so it’s a great spot to go if you’re not quite sure what to do!
They also host free live music events, with karaoke on Mondays from 7pm and other live music on Saturdays and Sundays. I love trying new foods whenever I’m there because they have just about any cuisine you could hope for.
23. Catch a Movie at the Labia Theatre
If you want to catch a movie on a rainy day or in the winter, the Labia Theatre is a must!
It’s a small theatre right behind Kloof St and is a different experience to big commercial theatres.
Don’t forget to grab some popcorn before the show!
Find a movie & grab tickets at the Labia Theatre here!
Anniversary Ideas Cape Town
Anniversaries are a special occasion that call for something a little different than your typical date!
24. Spend a Night on the KraalBaai House Boats
Of all the activities in Cape Town for couples, this might be the most romantic!
I first heard about these floating houseboats from a Danish couple from my hostel who had just gotten engaged there.
It’s about a 1.5 hr drive from Cape Town and you have to enter through the West Coast National Park to get to the area. You take a small boat over to the floating houses for the night and have a braai (BBQ) to use to cook your food, as well as a fully equipped kitchen!
NOTE: These book up MONTHS in advance so book ahead of time to ensure a spot!
25. Take a Sunset Cruise
There’s nothing more romantic than a sunset cruise so it’s a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion.
Just hop down to the V&A waterfront and you’ll find many different sunset cruise options to book.
Or if you want to plan your special date ahead of time, I’d highly recommend this tour in particular:
This Luxury Champagne Cruise & 3 Course Dinner is a great option!
For only $60 per person you’ll get:
- A 90-minute cruise from Cape Town
- 2 glasses of sparkling wine
- A delicious 3-course meal aboard at sunset
26. Road Trip Along the Garden Route
And finally, we can’t forget about an epic road trip along the Garden Route!
The Garden Route is a classic road trip and one of the best activities in Cape Town for couples! It’s filled with unique landscapes and so much natural beauty. You can spend a few days or a few weeks driving this route, depending on the pace you want to travel.
Don’t want to hire a car?
Book this garden route tour to see all of the highlights during your time in Cape Town!
Best Places to Stay in Cape Town for Couples
Book a romantic stay in Cape Town for you and your partner!
1. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
Found between the majestic Twelve Apostles Mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, this luxurious hotel offers couples breathtaking views, world-class service, and a serene spa.
Perfect for sunset drinks or romantic dinners on their terrace.
Price range: $340-400 USD per night.
2. Tintswalo Atlantic
This exclusive boutique lodge, tucked away at the base of Table Mountain National Park, features luxurious suites with private decks overlooking the ocean. Its intimate setting makes it ideal for romantic getaways!
Price range: $390-470 USD per night.
3. POD Camps Bay
Located steps from the beach, POD Camps Bay is a modern, sleek hotel offering couples a chic and intimate escape. Enjoy private plunge pools and views of Camps Bay and the ocean.
Price range: $200-320 USD per night.
4. Kensington Place
This boutique hotel in the heart of Cape Town combines contemporary luxury with lush, private surroundings. The stylish rooms and tranquil gardens make it a haven for couples and the price point isn’t too bad either!
Price range: $175-215 USD per night.
5. Cape Grace Hotel
Set on the vibrant V&A Waterfront, Cape Grace blends elegance and sophistication with warm, personalized service. This is a place for couples to splurge on romantic packages and enjoy waterfront views.
Price range: $750+ USD per night.
Secret Romantic Spots in Cape Town
Looking for romantic hidden gems others won’t know about?
Try these!
- Wally’s Cave – I’ve only been here once with some friends but thought it would be such a romantic spot for an adventurous date!
- Boomslang Canopy Walkway (Kirstenbosch) – Nicknamed the “Tree Snake,” this elevated pathway provides breathtaking views of the gardens and Table Mountain, especially during golden hour, making it a dreamy spot for couples.
- Grub & Vine’s Chef’s Table – Tucked in a cozy corner of the city is an intimate setting and a menu curated by a top local chef – an ideal way to end your romantic day!
Where to Watch Sunrise and Sunset in Cape Town
I’ve already listed some of my favourite sunset spots in Cape Town but here a few extras, as well as the best places to catch a sunrise!
Sunrise
Lion’s Head
Start your day with a sunrise hike up Lion’s Head. The panoramic views of the city, Table Mountain, and Camps Bay at first light are unforgettable, making it a must-visit spot for early risers.
Bloubergstrand Beach
This beach offers a calming sunrise experience with the iconic Table Mountain as the backdrop. The soft hues of morning light reflecting on the water create a picture-perfect moment.
Sunset
Signal Hill
Drive up to Signal Hill for a classic Cape Town sunset. Bring a picnic, settle in, and watch as the sun sets over the Atlantic, casting golden light over the city.
Clifton Beach
For a beachside sunset, Clifton 1st Beach is unparalleled. Relax on the soft sand as the sky transforms into vibrant shades of orange and pink. There are also volleyball games that happen weekly and sometimes sunset parties which are such a fun vibe!
Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
For a luxurious sunset experience, visit the terrace bar at the Twelve Apostles Hotel. Sip on cocktails while enjoying panoramic ocean views as the sun dips below the horizon.
Planning a Trip to Cape Town?
Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you leave!
I’ve been in some sticky situations during my travels so now I make sure I always have it. I’ve been using SafetyWing for 2.5 years now and love them.
Get SafetyWing travel insurance now.
What Do You Think of These Activities in Cape Town for Couples?
So … what did you think?
I hope you give these activities in Cape Town for couples a try with your special someone and let me know how it went!
I’ll be back shortly with a new blog but in the meantime, you can follow my adventures as a full-time traveller and digital nomad on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!
Cheers,
Amy xx