The Mother City is paradise for people in love. Whether you want to get engaged in Cape Town, go on a great Valentines date, or enthral your love with some of Cape Town’s most romantic activities, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 40 ways to knock it out of the park with one of these epic date ideas.
Pamper Yourselves With a Couple’s Massage
Cape Town has a lot to boast about when it comes to top spas and retreats. Treat yourself and your partner to a couple’s massage at any one of the amazing spas in Cape Town.
Take a Helicopter Ride
There isn’t a better view of the city than the one you get from the air, and your date will feel like a movie star. Soar over the majestic mountain ranges of the Cape Peninsula, across the glistening oceans, as you take in the bird’s eye view of the Mother City.
Take a Sunset Boat Cruise
Take advantage of the miles of stunning coastline and pretty coastal scenery from aboard a luxury yacht for a sunset cruise to Clifton or Table Bay. Top if off with some bubbly and oysters as you and your partner soak it all in. Enjoy the tranquillity of the open water as the sun sets over one of the most incredible backdrops on the planet.
Ride a Speedboat at the V&A Waterfront
If a sunset cruise is a little too mellow, go for a high-octane option, with a number of operators offering speedboat trips from the V&A Waterfront.
Take a Hot-Air Balloon Ride
There are so many ways to see and experience Cape Town, but few are as exciting – or romantic – as riding in a hot-air balloon. Board a balloon at sunrise and float silently over the peaceful landscapes of the Cape Winelands for an hour. Enjoy the exquisite scenery and views of Table Mountain in the distance and check out the Winelands after.
Take a Sunset Cable Car Trip
Table Mountain is iconic, and a trip up the Aerial Cableway to watch the sun go down is trés romantic. Once at the top pop open some bubbly as you and your date take in the views of the most beautiful city in the world. Depending on what time of the year you go, you should have some time to soak in the vibes, before popping the cork (or question) as the sunsets.
Go Horse Riding on Noordhoek Beach
Watch the waves roll onto one of the most beautiful and serene beaches in the city, astride a horse with your partner right beside you. It’s like something out of a movie. Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding has been operating in the Noordhoek Valley since 1975 and offers a wide range of riding activities. Take in a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean or feel the wind in your hair while cantering along the seashore—either way, you score big in the romance stakes.
Go for Sundowners Somewhere Pretty
Sometimes it is the simplest things that are most romantic. And where else in the world are you going to find such prime locations for watching the sun go down with a glass of bubbly or fine wine in hand? That’s right, nowhere. Your choices are also pretty much unlimited—check out our article on the Best Sundowner Spots in Cape Town to help you choose.
Take a Hike
Get those endorphins working overtime with a hike! It’s not just beneficial to your health, but the pay-off in a city like this is huge. There are many hiking routes in Cape Town no matter your skill level, and your date will appreciate the change of pace. Plus, an early start means you can still pack in more romance before the day is over.
Snack on Some Freshly Baked Goods
Kalk Bay is a vibey hub with plenty to offer, but you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the pain au chocolat at Olympia Bakery.
Pick Your Own Roses
Chart Farm in Wynberg – just 10 minutes out of the city centre – offers a farm-style retreat from the bright lights of the city. It is also the only place in the Peninsula that allows you to pick your own roses. What better way to say ‘I love you’ with a bunch of hand-picked roses? If you want to extend the time on the farm, grab breakfast at the Coffee Terrace and take in the views of the Constantia Valley.
Read About Other Spots to Pick Fruit and Flowers
Go Wine Tasting
Cape Town is a wine-lover’s paradise, with stunning estates in the Helderberg region, Constantia, and the Cape Winelands.
Visit a Secluded Beach
What is more dramatic than a secluded beach of glowing white sand surrounded by wilderness and an endless horizon of sapphire water? Diaz Beach in Cape Point The Flying Dutchman Funicular is a landscape all to yourselves and its perfect for a stroll – or a stolen kiss.
Walk Hand-in-Hand in Kirstenbosch
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are Cape Town’s claim to botanical fame and are both soothingly pretty and amazingly accessible. Wander the grounds hand in hand, pick a secluded spot for a picnic or grab a bite to eat at the restaurant – your date will appreciate your love of nature.
Lunch on Signal Hill
Signal Hill is a rite of passage for all young lovers in Cape Town. Pack a picnic basket and head for the hill to enjoy some seriously epic views.
Go For a Picnic
There are some really fantastic pre-packed picnics in Cape Town. You just need to book, arrive, and focus on what’s important—your date.
Paint Ceramics Together
At the Clay Café in Hout Bay, you can show off your arty streak by painting your own designs onto ceramics, like mugs and bowls. Take your matching mugs home and be reminded of your day over coffee every morning.
See Some Shakespeare in The Park
Pack a picnic and a fine bottle of wine, and treat your partner to Maynardville Open-Air Festival. Make sure you book early and check the dates. It’s the perfect idea for a romantic evening out in the summer months.
Get Your Blood Pumping on a Trail Run
Cape Town has loads of trails to run, but Pipe Track is a local favourite. The trail can be tough in sections, but it’s not too brutal. The steps at the top provide you with one of the best views of the city at sunrise.
Cycle Along the Promenade
There are few things better than feeling the wind in your hair as you cruise along the scenic Sea Point Promenade. Stop for ice-cream along the way, pack a picnic, or even try your hand at a round of putt-putt? See our guide to cycling in Cape Town for more ideas.
Rent a Car and Go For a Drive
There are some spectacular scenic drives in Cape Town to ensure you make the most of your wheels for the day.
Catch the Sunset from the Sea Point Promenade
Sunset is surely the most romantic time of day, and the Sea Point Promenade is the perfect place to take a sunset stroll. Grab an ice cream en route, and watch the light turn golden as the sun goes down over the Atlantic Ocean.
Go Sightseeing
The City Sightseeing Bus is one of the must-do activities in Cape Town as it offers a unique perspective on the city, while offering up some interesting insights into the various places on the route. Whichever route you choose, plan a romantic lunch stop along the way.
Visit Cape Point
Cape Point The Flying Dutchman Funicular is a spectacular sight, covered in endemic fynbos and home to breathtaking bays, beaches, rolling green hills, and valleys. There is so much you can do here with your loved one—ride the funicular, explore the shipwreck trail together, do one of the many hikes in the reserve, or pack a picnic and enjoy!
Visit a Market
Food markets in Cape Town are a big thing. No matter what day of the week, you’ll find a market serving up some of the freshest, most delicious food Cape Town and its surrounding areas have to offer.
Visit the Aquarium
A visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium is definitely an option for a great date! It’s a fun activity that will take you back to being a kid again.
Catch a Show at One of the City’s Theatres
There’s always something going on in Cape Town’s thespian scene. Take a look at what’s on in Cape Town’s theatres and go on the ultimate classic date: dinner and a show.
Ride the Cape Wheel
Star in your very own rom-com by taking your date on the Cape Wheel at the V&A Waterfront and take in the amazing views. It’s a quick ride, but it’s romantic! You can get something to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area afterwards.
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