Are you dreaming of exploring Cape Town?
Let me rephrase: are you dreaming of endless stretches of sandy beaches, some of the best wine in the world, unique native wildlife, and great food? Then you might be dreaming of exploring Cape Town. This port city on South Africa’s south-western coast ranks highly on many travellers’ must-see lists, and the city’s gorgeous landscapes coupled with its significant history and stunning natural beauty make it pretty obvious why.
One of Cape Town’s most beautiful sights, though, isn’t a mountain or a building – it’s the sunsets the city is famous for! While you’d be hard-pressed to find a Cape Town sunset that isn’t absolutely stunning, there are some places in the area that were made for sunset viewing. Grab your South African wine and get ready to explore the best sunset spots in Cape Town!
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is arguably Cape Town’s most iconic sight. This 600 million year-old mountain is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and it’s the perfect place to spend a day exploring. While you can view the mountain from pretty much anywhere in Cape Town, the experience isn’t complete until you’ve seen the city from the top of Table Mountain. Travellers can opt to hike up, taking in much of the diverse nature Cape Town is famous for, or ride a cable car to the top for some incredible views of the city.
Signal Hill
Once used as a way to communicate weather warnings to visiting ships, Signal Hill now stands behind Lion’s Head, which is why you’ll sometimes hear it called “Lion’s Rump.” Perfect for travellers looking for a sunset destination that has it all, Signal Hill is also home to some history – travellers will find several Muslim tombs along the Signal Hill hiking trail, which leads up to the summit. Signal Hill is also one of only two places in the world where Peninsula Shale Renosterveld vegetation can be found – what was once the dominant ecosystem in the Cape Town area is now only limited to two small patches in the city. Signal Hill provides parking, dining, and mats for sunset-seekers, so be prepared to come early and, occasionally, face a crowd.
Camp Bay Tidal Pool
While watching the sunset from above the city is always a good idea, sometimes you’d prefer to wait on lower ground and let the sun come to you, right? The Camp Bay Tidal Pool is a public pool – a sectioned-off area of the ocean where travellers can swim without worrying about strong currents or dangerous sea life – absolutely perfect for travellers of all ages to enjoy a sunset while taking a dip in the sea to cool off from your day of adventure. Camp Bay is a great option for travellers with small children, as they’ll be able to swim in a safer environment than the ocean might be, but note that, as Camp Bay is very popular for locals and visitors alike, travellers should expect to contend with large crowds on nice days.
Lion’s Head
One of Cape Town’s most famous mountains, Lion’s Head is located beside Signal Hill. Part of Table Mountain National Park, Lion’s Head peaks at 669 metres (2,195 feet) above Cape Town, and it’s another fantastic sunset spot for anyone looking to relax at the end of the day of adventure. Whether you’re travelling solo, heading out with your family, or escaping on a romantic adventure with your partner, everyone can find something to love about Cape Town – and the incredible sunsets are definitely a great start. Lion’s Head is so-called because it, combined with Signal Hill (or “Lion’s Rump”), creates the rough shape of a sphynx watching over Cape Town – travellers can explore both parts of the “Lion” and rest assured that, no matter where they are when sunset hits, they’ll be treated to an amazing view.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a small suburb about 20 kilometres outside of central Cape Town, which means visitors can enjoy the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean without much of the crowds found in the city. If you’re looking for expert-level surfing, Hout Bay is perfect – the former home of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition, swells of up to 14.3 metres (47 feet) have been recorded in the area. While that means the water is not always safe to swim in, for established surfers looking for a new challenge it could be the perfect adventure. As far as sunsets go, this working fishing village provides a quiet, picturesque setting for some of the Cape Town area’s best sunsets.
A day spent in Cape Town is sure to be a day of adventure, exploration, and fun – and what better way to end a great day like that than with a peaceful sunset? No matter where you choose to view your Cape Town sunset, you can be sure that the colours, landscapes, and memories won’t soon fade.
Where is your favourite place to see a sunset?
