Cape Town sunrise and sunset
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Cape Town Big 6 sunrise and sunset viewing spots

#1 Table Mountain

Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset
Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset

Here are some of the top Table Mountain hiking trails in Cape Town, catering to different fitness and experience levels:

Platteklip Gorge Hiking TrailDevil’s Peak Hiking Trail
The Pipe TrackTranquillity Cracks Hiking Trail
Kloof CornerNursery Ravine Hiking Trail
Table Mountain Contour PathWoody Ravine Hiking Trail
Kasteelpoort Hiking TrailIndia Venster Hiking Trail
Skeleton Gorge Hiking TrailConstantia Corner Hiking Trail
Suicide Gorge Hiking TrailMaclear’s Beacon

#2 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset
Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset

The ticket office opens at 7:30am but you could always walk in from Constantia Nek before then so that you can catch the sunrise. It’s good hiking practice to always walk with someone and it would be a good idea if one of you dropped off your car in the Kirstenbosch Garden parking lot, before hopping into the other person’s car to get to Constantia Nek.

#3 Cape Point

Cape Town sunrise and sunset
Photo credit: Cape Point

#4 The V&A Waterfront

Cape Town sunrise and sunset

If you’ve ever had to visit the Cape Town CBD during the week, you would have shuddered at the idea of sitting in traffic. However, if you leave home before 6am, you can skip the traffic, stop off to grab some coffee and go and watch the sunrise from the V&A Waterfront. There is a beautiful walkway that runs along the edge of the water and you can watch the light catch the Cape Town Stadium, while the rest of the city comes alive.

For the early-risers, you’ll find there is a whole new energy and atmosphere to the V&A Waterfront at this time of the day. Hit the marked running route around the property for an invigorating jog, and then reward yourself with a coffee overlooking the working harbour, as the sails go up and the day for many begins.

There is an amazing transition that takes place at the V&A Waterfront shortly before sunset. The afternoon visitors have already made their way home, and the sunny balconies start to fill with people looking to enjoy the last light as the sparkling Waterfront slowly transforms into a dining and entertainment hub. There are dozens of fine restaurants with terraces and good vantage points, and there are few better places to spend an afternoon and evening here.

#5 Groot Constantia

Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset
Photo credit: Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia has numerous walking paths that one can enjoy in the early mornings and evenings. Walk to the top of the estate and bask in the glory as the sun rises over the vineyards or enjoy a meal outside Simon’s Restaurant or Jonkershuis Restaurant while the sun sets.

Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset
Photo credit: Groot Constantia

Both Simon’s and Jonkerhuis have amazing outdoor areas with unique vantage points over the estate, and it makes absolute sense to get there for lunch to fully appreciate these.

Of course, if the wine flows and the lunch goes on a little longer than expected, you could always go for a slow walk up to the top of the estate as the evening sun disappears behind Table Mountain

#6 Robben Island

Cape Town Sunrise and Sunset

Beyond being one of Cape Town’s top attractions, sights, and landmarks, Robben Island is an integral part of South African history. Cape Town is at the heart of a country with one of the most prolific histories in the world, and right at the center of it all is Robben Island. Arguably home to one of the most recognizable and well-known prisons in the world, Robben Island was a place of banishment, exile, imprisonment, and isolation for nearly 400 years.

Cape Town sunrise and sunset

The sunset piéce de résistance would have to be catching the 1pm ferry to Robben Island in Winter or the 3pm ferry in summer. Your 4 hour tour (including the +-30 minute ferry trip to the island and back, depending on type of boat used) includes a guided bus tour of the island and culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell, will give you a lot to reflect on, as you head back towards busy city life. While the sunset may seem secondary to everything you’ve seen and heard, it will be difficult to ignore the beauty around you, as you approach the Cape Town harbour at dusk.