Many years ago, Sir Francis Drake described our magnificent Mother City as “the fairest Cape in all the circumference of the world”, and these words still hold true today. From the flat-topped Table Mountain to the turquoise seas of Table Bay, this glorious multicultural city has no trouble living up to its fame. So, without further ado, grab your phone, camera or GoPro and let’s jump into our pick of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town!
Golden hour on Chapman's Peak Drive makes for exquisite photos, Image Credit: Brad Mitchell
1. Table Mountain
What would the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town be without Table Mountain? Home to the most abundant yet smallest floral kingdom on earth, this magnificent peak is one of the Cape’s most photographed landmarks.
While the cableway is a convenient and fun option for getting up the mountain, for the best photos, we definitely recommend hiking! A popular pick is the Platteklip Gorge trail. On the hike up, there will be many amazing photo ops. And once at the top, you can take the cable car down – so you can experience the best of both worlds!
Beautiful views while hiking to the top of Table Mountain
2. Bloubergstrand Beach
On the other hand, for a different perspective of Table Mountain, Bloubergstrand Beach offers unobstructed views of the signature flat-topped mountain from across Table Bay. The light reflecting off the ocean gives the mountain a majestic blue tint, which is why the translation of this beach's name means "Blue Mountain Beach".
This long beach is a favourite among surfers and kite surfers alike. However, even if you're not the sporty type, basking in the sun on the warm white sand yields the same pleasure! Make sure you pack your tripod because this is the perfect place to take an exquisite time-lapse of sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean from Bloubergstrand Beach, Image Credit: Steven Morrow
3. The Cape Winelands
Many travellers are familiar with the famed Franschhoek and Stellenbosch vineyards, but even closer to Cape Town is the leafy suburb of Constantia. The birthplace of South Africa's wine-making industry, you'll be able to visit some of the oldest and most stunning estates in the Cape. Here you can spend the day sipping delicious wines while snapping stories with some of the most beautiful landscapes as your backdrop.
Welcome to the vineyards of Constantia, Image Credit: Klein Constantia
4. Lion’s Head
Lion's Head towers over Cape Town and the surrounding ocean like a sentinel, forming part of the city's spectacular geography. The stunning panoramic view the mountain provides of the city, Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain make it undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town!
With its rich biodiversity and picture-perfect views, this iconic summit has easily become one of the most popular hikes in Cape Town. But did you even hike Lion's Head if you didn't take a photo at the top? Make sure you choose a day with minimal clouds to get the perfect Instagram-worthy shot.
A mandatory photo at the top of Lion's Head
5. Cape Point Nature Reserve
Showing off with wild coastline, glistening tide pools, rolling valleys and a wide variety of fauna and flora, we're sure it comes as no surprise that Cape Point is on our list of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town.
With the seemingly endless ocean extending in every direction, you can get the most spectacular views from the lookout points around the lighthouse and nearby peaks. Make sure you pack extra memory cards for your camera. With so much to see, you're going to need them!
Serenes beachs in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Image Credit: Nicolas Raymond
6. Boulders Beach
Cape Town certainly doesn't lack amazing beaches, but there's something truly special about Boulders Beach. It's home to a colony of smartly dressed waddling African penguins right under your nose!
Fun fact: This is the only place in the world where you can swim right next to African penguins. You read that right! So, make sure you take along your power bank to ensure you'll be able to take as many photos of these adorable birds as your heart desires!
Take photos with the penguins on Boulders Beach
7. Oranjezicht City Farm Market
The Oranjezicht Market is conveniently situated in Granger Bay, next to the picturesque V&A Waterfront. With its stunning sea views and artisanal goodies, the reasons why this market is one of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town are endless – just like its many photo opportunities!
The beautiful sea view from the Oranjezicht Market, Image Credit: The Frank Story
Here, you'll find everything from freshly harvested produce to lifestyle goods, such as clothing and décor and the most fantastic selection of foodie feasts. All Capetonians would agree that no trip to the Oranjezicht Market is complete without a cute Reel to capture it! So, make sure you snap some videos while you shop.
The Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Granger Bay, Image Credit: Savannah St Claire
8. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
The famous Kirstenbosch Garden lies on the slopes of Table Mountain. With its magnificent beauty and diverse Cape flora, this esteemed botanical garden is one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world.
It's a favourite among locals and visitors alike for relaxed picnics on the lawns, hikes up Skeleton Gorge, fun summer sunset concerts, and walks along the Boomslang tree canopy walkway. Furthermore, between blossoming proteas and stunning views, there are so many amazing spots to snap the perfect shot!
A walk along Kirstenbosch's canopy walkway, Image Credit : Africantraveldesk.com
9. Chapman's Peak Drive
Chapman's Peak Drive is a winding coastal road that stretches between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast, offering stunning 180-degree-views of the Cape Peninsula. As one of the most breathtaking marine drives in the world, it's only fitting that we consider it one of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town!
Take a leisurely drive along this scenic road and stop at one of the vantage points along the way to enjoy a picnic overlooking to ocean. And don't miss out on the opportunities to capture whales and dolphins frolicking in the water below.
A scenic drive along Chapman's Peak Drive, Image Credit: Love Cape Town
10. Cape Town From Above
For a new perspective of the Cape, why not take to the sky? Whether for a scenic helicopter flight or a tour of one of the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town from above, this is a way to make your itinerary unforgettable.
Explore Cape Town from the sky, Image Credit: NAC Helicopters
Visit The Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town
Cape Town's incredible natural beauty makes the perfect backdrop for all of the fun and exciting activities the city has to offer. Therefore, we guarantee there won't be a moment you're not capturing the most picture-perfect memories in the most Instagrammable places in Cape Town!
The crown jewel of South Africa is bucket-list central, and with so many items to check off the list, you may need a little bit of help in planning your trip. And lucky for you, our Rhino Africa Travel Experts are always poised and ready to assist! Contact us today, and let's start planning the African holiday of your dreams.
