The rocky tip of the Cape Peninsula, where the cliffs drop into the surf at the south-western corner of Africa. Cape Point's lighthouse, the famous signboard, roaming ostriches and baboons, an hour from the city.
An hour south of Cape Town, the peninsula runs out of land in a tangle of cliffs, surf and fynbos. This is the Cape of Good Hope, the south-western tip of Africa, and the rocky headland of Cape Point beside it.
Both sit inside Table Mountain National Park. From the car park, the Flying Dutchman funicular, or a short climb, takes you up to the old lighthouse on Cape Point, with the peninsula dropping away on either side. A separate short walk leads to the Cape of Good Hope itself and its much-photographed signboard, and a cliff path links the two if you’d rather go on foot.
The reserve is properly wild: ostriches on the road, eland and bontebok in the fynbos, and baboons that will help themselves to anything in an open car. Most people come as part of a Cape Peninsula day trip that also takes in Chapman’s Peak Drive and the penguins at Boulders Beach. One myth to drop, though: the two oceans actually meet at Cape Agulhas, further east, not here.
Two headlands in one reserve — see one or walk between both, depending on your time.
Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular, or take the short climb, up to the old lighthouse on Cape Point. The whole peninsula falls away on both sides, and a final flight of steps reaches the upper lighthouse for the biggest view.
A short drive or walk reaches the cape itself, the most south-western point of Africa, with its much-photographed signboard and a scramble onto the rocks above the surf. A cliff path links it to Cape Point in about 40 minutes.
Beat the tour buses and the midday wind. Mornings give the clearest light and the calmest conditions on this very exposed headland.
The reserve's baboons are bold and will raid an open car or grab food from your hands. Keep windows up, food out of sight, and never feed them — it's fined.
Reach the reserve via Chapman's Peak Drive, a spectacular toll road along the cliffs. It's half the reason to make the trip.
Boulders Beach and its African penguin colony, near Simon's Town, sit on the way back to the city. Most day tours include both.
It's windy and exposed, with little shade and few facilities beyond the restaurant at Cape Point. Pack a jacket, sun protection and water.
The cliff path from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope takes about 40 minutes one way, with the best views of the lot and far fewer people.
Book a guided trip to the cape through our trusted partners — the same price as booking direct.
The classic full-day trip from Cape Town: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point lighthouse and an hour with the penguins at Boulders Beach.
Book on GetYourGuide →A top-rated full-day private tour combining Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and the Boulders penguins in one go.
Book on Viator →A shorter loop down Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point and Boulders Beach when you're short on time.
See half-day tours →A full day combining Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope and the penguins in a single ticket.
See combo tours →Guesthouses in Simon's Town and Cape Town's southern suburbs, close to the peninsula.
Find a stay →We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.
The Cape of Good Hope is one stop on the peninsula. See everything else the Mother City has nearby.
