This September, during Heritage Month and Tourism Month, there’s a chance to discover some of the stories behind six of the city’s most recognisable attractions: the Cape Town Big 6.
Six Cape Town Icons, Six Stories Worth Discovering
There are some places you visit because you’ve seen the photos. Like the view from Table Mountain. The lighthouse at Cape Point. A glass of wine among the Constantia vineyards. A walk through Kirstenbosch. The unique experience of visiting Robben Island. An afternoon at the V&A Waterfront.
These are the places that tend to make it onto the “must-see” list when you’re planning a trip to Cape Town. But here’s the thing about Cape Town: quite often, what stays with you isn’t the photo you came for. It’s the unexpected little things.
If you’re looking for things to do in Cape Town, the city’s famous landmarks are a pretty good place to start. This September, during Heritage Month and Tourism Month, there’s a chance to discover some of the stories behind six of the city’s most recognisable attractions: the Cape Town Big 6.
Come for the views. Stay for the fynbos.
It’s hard to visit Cape Town without looking up at Table Mountain. Take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway or hike up, and you’ll get the view you’ve been promised: the city, ocean and mountains stretching out below you. But look down at the ground you’re walking on too. The mountain is home to an extraordinary variety of fynbos, plants, and wildlife, all of which contribute to what makes Cape Town so unique. And don’t forget to check the weather before you go. Table Mountain can have a mind of its own.
September visit: The Table Mountain Cableway operates from 08h30, with the last cable car up at 18h00 and the last car down at 19h00. Operating times can change with weather conditions, so check before setting off.
Come for the coastline. Stay for the stories of the sea.
Cape Point is made for dramatic photographs that will definitely make it on your Instagram photo dump. But this coastline has stories that go far beyond the view. For centuries, the meeting of land and sea has shaped journeys, livelihoods and legends around the southern tip of Africa. Take a walk, visit the lighthouse and give yourself time to simply look out to sea.
September visit: Cape Point operates on its winter hours, with the reserve open for entry from 07h00 to 17h00. The Flying Dutchman funicular operates from 09h00 to 17h00 but is currently closed for maintenance and is scheduled to reopen soon.
Come for the flowers. Stay for the biodiversity.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of those places where it’s easy to lose track of time. Explore the garden, capture the views of the garden from above as you cross the Boomslang canopy walkway and find a spot for a picnic. Then take a closer look at what’s growing around you. Kirstenbosch is home to an incredible collection of South Africa’s indigenous plants and plays an important role in conserving the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region. That’s why this month we celebrate the people, places and biodiversity that make this South African national garden so special, through the #WeAreSANBI campaign.
September visit: Kirstenbosch is open daily from 08h00 to 19h00, giving you a little extra daylight to explore the gardens.
Come for the wine. Stay for the history.
A wine tasting and lunch in the Constantia Valley are already pretty good reasons to visit Groot Constantia. Then you realise there’s more than three centuries of history behind that glass. Established in 1685, Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm. Explore the historic buildings and Manor House Museum alongside the vineyards and tasting rooms for a glimpse into Cape Town’s wine heritage.
September visit: The Wine & Gift Shop is open daily from 09h00 to 18h00, with the last tasting ticket at 17h00. The Production Cellar, Cloete Cellar and Manor House are open from 10h00 to 17h00, with the last tasting ticket for these experiences at 16h00.
Come for the experience. Stay for the history.
The journey to Robben Island Museum begins with a ferry across Table Bay. Then you arrive at a place connected to some of the most important and difficult chapters in South Africa’s history. The former prison and island are deeply connected to the country’s apartheid past and its journey towards democracy. Hearing those stories in the place where they unfolded makes history feel much more immediate. Allow several hours for the ferry and tour, which depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. Robben Island Museum currently lists tour departures at 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00, with visitors advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
September visit: The Robben Island Museum is open 08h00 to 17h00 daily, although your visit will be determined by your booked ferry and tour time.
Come for the harbour. Stay for the people.
The V&A Waterfront is particularly good at ruining your plans (in the best possible way). You might arrive for lunch and end up browsing the shops, wandering through a market, visiting a gallery or watching the boats in the harbour. Before you know it, half the day has gone. That’s part of what keeps people coming back. It’s somewhere to eat, explore and shop, but also somewhere to simply soak up pure Cape Town vibes. It’s an easy addition to a Cape Town itinerary, with food, culture, shopping, entertainment and harbour experiences all in one place.
September visit: The V&A Waterfront is open every day of the year, from 09h00 to 21h00.
Come for the Big 6. Stay for the bigger story.
One Destination. Six Unforgettable Experiences.
The story of Cape Town isn’t contained in a single landmark. Together, the Cape Town Big 6 offer a snapshot of what makes this city special: nature, history, culture, wine, the sea and its people. That’s what makes tourism in Cape Town about more than simply sightseeing. The famous places are worth seeing, but give yourself time to experience them properly, and you’ll often find there’s more to them than first meets the eye.
Planning a trip to Cape Town? Add the Table Mountain Cableway, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Groot Constantia, Robben Island Museum and V&A Waterfront to your Cape Town itinerary. Come for the views, stay for the stories, and leave with a few of your own.
Share your top Cape Town Big 6 moments with us!
Connect with us via our Cape Town Big 6 Facebook or Twitter page. Better yet, tag us on Instagram of your favourite outdoor moment and tag @CapeTownBig6 #CapeTownBig6
ONE DESTINATION, SIX UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
There is no one way to explore all of the Cape Town Big 6, and much of what makes each of them so special is the variety of things to see and do at each. So if possible, take your time to explore each of the city’s most visited tourist attractions in as much depth as possible – as any local will tell you, you can spend a lifetime at each of the Big 6 and still not tire of them. Find the 3 and 4 day itineraries and tips here.