Cape Town is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets and there are many beautiful spots with incredible sunset views across the city. We love nothing more than a sundowner, a breathtaking view and an epic sunset and so we made it our mission to find the best sunsets spots in Cape Town. It’s our guide on the best places to watch the sunset in Cape Town. So pull up a picnic blanket, a sundowner and enjoy the view the best sunset spots in Cape Town!
The Best Sunset Spots Cape Town
There are so many epic sunset locations in Cape Town that you’ll have trouble fitting them all into your Cape Town Itinerary! We hope you have as much fun exploring them as we did!
1 | Lion’s Head
Lion’s Head is an iconic Cape Town landmark boasting spectacular Table Mountain views and is one of the most popular hikes in the city. It’s an awesome spot to enjoy a Cape Town sun downer with magnificent views of Table Mountain, Camp’s Bay and the ocean. As dusk falls the city lights sparkle in the distance and the descent offers some beautiful evening views over Cape Town.
The sunset hike is extremely popular at the Full Moon when hikers can watch the sun set over the ocean and the full moon rising to illuminate the hike down.
Best sunset spots in Cape Town tip: the Lion’s Hike is a 3 hour round trip and is challenging towards the top when ladders and chains are used to clamber up some difficult sections. If you make a sunset hike to Lion’s Head make sure you are prepared with hiking essentials and have a headlamp for the descent.
Renting a Car in South Africa
Renting a car in South Africa is the best way to explore Cape Town. Getting to some of these spots was a lot easier with our rental car. Plus driving is relatively easy in the country (check out our tips on renting a car in South Africa). Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace a see place that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport.
We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in over 40 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Book your car now with RentalCars.com, where you will find the best rental car prices
Book your South Africa rental car now
2 | Signal Hill
Nestled next to Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, Signal Hill is the ultimate Cape Town spot from which to watch the sunset. The views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town and the ocean are epic and the hill is the perfect spot for a sundowner as the day ends.
One of our favourite South Africa memories is toasting the sunset on Signal Hill with a picnic and a chilled glass of South African wine… bliss!
Best Sunset spots in Cape Town tip: get to Signal Hill a little before sunrise. It’s a popular spot, the traffic gets a little crazy and parking is limited. There’s a low key car park close to the top of Signal Hill which is another great option with amazing views of Table Mountain.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
The Cape Town sights are spread across the city and its suburbs. Our favourite locations are the Waterfront for sightseeing, Camps Bay (swoon!) for views and Long Street when you want to be in the heart of the action. Here’s our top hotel picks for a Cape Town stay:
- Protea Waterfront Breakwater Lodge: we stayed at the Protea Waterfront Breakwater Lodge. This waterfront hotel is an excellent choice if you want a V&A location at a lower price. The rooms in the main hotel building were our favourites and we loved being two minutes walk from the waterfront – Check prices now!
- POD Camps Bay: Camps Bay is a stunning Cape Town suburb within easy reach of the city and an awesome alternative to staying in Cape Town itself. The rooms are compact but gorgeous and the views are incredible with miles of ocean, a mountain backdrop and magical sunsets. – Check prices now!
- Long Street Boutique Hotel: if you want to be in the middle of the action Long Street, surrounded by restaurants, shows, cafes and bars is a great option. This quirky hotel is a fab boutique choice for leisure travellers and is good value by Cape Town standards – Check prices now!
3 | Table Mountain
Table Mountain and Cape Town. Cape Town and Table Mountain. They just go together! When the flat-topped mountain peeks out from behind the clouds jump in a cable car to the top! As the sun sets into the Atlantic and the city twinkles in the distance the views are incredible and it’s a really special sunset location.
4 | Victoria Road
Cape Town’s Victoria Road runs alongside the Atlantic Ocean and the sunset views are stunning. There are lots of spots along the road to park up and enjoy the sunset or, if you fancy a cocktail with a view, pop into the Leopard Bar at the Twelve Apostles Hotel on the same stretch of road.
5 | Camps Bay Tidal Pools
Cape Town boasts a spectacular coastline and hidden among its beaches are some amazing salt water tidal pools which are stunningly beautiful. The tidal pools at Camps Bay have incredible views of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles backdrop lends to incredible sunset views.
Best Sunset Spots in Cape Town tip: if you want to photograph the sunset the tidal pools at Camps Bay are even more spectacular on a calm day when the water is still and reflects the skies.
6 | Kloof Corner
With panoramic views of Lion’s Head, Camps Bay and the Mother City, Kloof Corner is one of the best sunrise and sunset spots in Cape Town. The epic views of Table mountain make it a popular instagram spot in Cape Town.
Best Sunset Spots in Cape Town tip: Kloof Corner is a super easy 30 minute hike. Although extreme care is needed to avoid the steep drops be sure not to confuse it with the Kloof ridge hike which is one of the most challenging hikes on Table Mountain!
7 | Bloubergstrand
Bloubergstrand is a seaside area 20 minutes north of Cape Town and the views back to the city are simply breathtaking. It’s rugged and wild but the beautiful scene of the sun setting over the iconic Cape Town peaks of Table Mountain and Lions Head with the waves crashing against the rocks in the foreground is breathtaking.
8 | The Cape Town Beaches
Camp’s Bay, Clifton, Hout Bay, Noordhoek…. Cape Town’s beaches are an eternally popular spot to watch the sun set on another South African Day. The views more sheltered Clifton Beach is our favourite closely followed by Camp’s Bay.
9 | Kloof Road
Kloof Road winds around the side of Lions Head from the Signal Hill Road/Table Mountain junction towards Clifton Beach. We found it most appealing at sunset when the sun illuminates Camps Bay and Table Mountain. Park your car at any of the pull-ins along the road and scramble up the hill/rocks towards Lions Head.
Once you’re above the tree line you’ll be greeted with an epic view across Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles and Camps bay.
Best Sunset Spots in Cape Town tip: the land here is part of the Table Mountain National Park so have a wander around to find the best spots for an epic vantage point among the bush.
For more Cape Town inspiration check out our other articles on the city:
the best things to do in Cape Town
our guide to the best photo locations in Cape Town
hiking Lion’s Head and how to find Wally’s Cave
our favourite hidden gems and secret sights in Cape Town
what to see on a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope
our South Africa roadtrip itinerary
a Garden Route itinerary
by far Boulders Beach