At Cape Point, jagged cliffs rise from the deep blue of the sea below, overlooking ocean as far as the eye can see. Wildlife scurries between wildflowers and the endemic Fynbos flora. The mountain path winds up to the top of promontories, offering 360-degree views of the Cape Peninsula. The natural splendour is reason enough to visit, but there are actually many things to do at Cape Point that make it a top destination for your Cape Town bucket list.
The views
The views at Cape Point are truly breathtaking. As you climb to the lighthouse at the top, you’ll peer over cliffs where thousands of seabirds nest above the crashing waves. Looking back towards Cape Town, you can see the entire False Bay Coast. If you’re lucky, the endless blue of the ocean may just be interrupted by breaching whales or frolicking dolphins. Take a look at the Simon’s Town Neighbourhood Guide video below for a taste of what the area has to offer.
The Flying Dutchman Funicular
The Flying Dutchman Funicular is the only one of its kind in Africa. It travels on a railroad up the mountainside at Cape Point, providing a novel and exciting way to see the sights. It leaves from the parking lot and takes you through dense fynbos to the upper lighthouse. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with those gorgeous views.
The wildlife and flora
Cape Point is home to many species of animals and plants. The endemic fynbos vegetation is an attraction in its own right. If you walk along the paths you’ll meet many weird and wonderful creatures. There are dassies (rock hyrax), small furry critters whose closest living relative is the elephant. The heavily armoured black girdled lizards can be found sunning themselves on the rocks. Local baboons congregate around the summit. They’re the only baboons in the world who feast on fresh oysters plucked from the rocks.
The history
Shipwrecks, World War II lookouts, lighthouses, ancient middens, 16th century expeditions, even ghost stories… Cape Point has so many secrets hidden around every corner. Whether you’re a casual traveller or a history professor, one of the best things to do at Cape Point is explore the fascinating stories of its past. By far the best way to experience these stories is through the VoiceMap audio tour. There are two options. One takes you up the meandering path to the summit, while the other allows you to experience the Flying Dutchman Funicular. As you move, the VoiceMap app uses your location to tell you stories about what you’re seeing. You can move at your own pace and enjoy the scenery along the way. It also works offline, so download the tours using wifi before you leave. Don’t forget to take along your earphones! Take a listen to one of the stories below to get a taste of what to expect.
The gift shopping
After a day enjoying the sights, sounds, and secrets of Cape Point, you can browse a huge selection of gifts, souvenirs, and curios with a distinctly South African flavour. You can pick up fynbos and protea seeds as well as lovely locally made cosmetics at the Park Shop. The Lighthouse Gift Shop is the perfect place to find gifts for back home, while the Logo Store sells branded Cape Point clothing.
Planning a trip to Cape Town? Book flights and browse accommodation now to get the best rates. The Cape Town City Pass gives you access to over 70 of the top Cape Town attractions, tours, and things to see and do, including the popular hop on hop off City Sightseeing bus.
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