The Best Places to Watch Sunset in Cape Town

Cape Town, with its stunning coastline and dazzling natural landscapes, offers some of the best sunset views in the world. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, watching the sun dip below the horizon in the city is nothing short of breathtaking. Let’s explore Cape Town’s top sunset spots and the exciting ways to enjoy them.

The Ultimate Sunset-Watching Locations in Cape Town

For anyone hoping to catch a stellar sunset, Cape Town has various vantage points. Some of the most stunning golden hour havens are:

Camps Bay Beach

Camps Bay Beach is a go-to for locals and tourists. With its picture-perfect white sand and the Twelve Apostles mountain range cradling it, this bustling shore is ideal for watching the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean. With eclectic nightclubs, trendy restaurants, and a lively community, Camps Bay Beach can be an all-day experience with the sunset as the main attraction.

Bakoven Beach

Just a stone’s throw from Camps Bay, Bakoven Beach offers a more secluded sunset experience. Named after Dutch ovens because of the shape of its large granite boulders, this hidden gem is a serene setting to soak in the sunset. Although small, this beach is revered, forming part of a heritage site with Clifton and Glen Beach. Quiet charm for the win!

Table Mountain

For a true bucket-list sunset experience, head to the top of Table Mountain. Thankfully, afternoons are the quieter times for a cable car ride to the top of this Wonder of the World. This gives you perfect access to a panoramic sunset view of the city. If you’re feeling up for the challenge, you can even hike up. Just remember to bring a warm jacket for the evening chill.

Signal Hill

A neighbor to Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, Signal Hill is a popular flat-topped summit. Gaining its name from its historic signaling to ships about weather conditions using flags, it offers views that stretch across the Atlantic Seaboard. Accessible via Kloof Nek Road, then Signal Hill Road, visitors can hike or drive up. Arrive early to secure a prime Signal Hill, Cape Town sunset viewpoint—it gets busy on clear days.

Chapman's Peak Drive

For a sunset with twists and turns, take the winding route between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast. This toll road offers numerous pull-over spots where you can park and watch the sun setting over the western edge of South Africa. This gateway between the city center and the southern peninsula is any landscape photographer’s dream and a gorgeous setting for couples’ romantic snapshots.

Bloubergstrand Beach

If you’re seeking an iconic postcard view of Table Mountain or the historic Robben Island, Bloubergstrand Beach is the place to be. Located around 20 minutes from the city center and next to an array of lively restaurants, this beach is a catchall of Cape Town activities. Catch a few waves kite-surfing, or sunbathe on the stretch of shell-speckled sands, before taking in the inviting orange and reds of the sunset.

Best Sunset Experiences in Cape Town

While watching the sunset from land is magical, Cape Town has other, more unique ways to elevate your sunset experience:

Sunset Cruises, Cape Town: While there are many to choose from, the Waterfront Charters offers sunset champagne cruises and private yacht adventures. You can enjoy a luxurious toast as you watch the sun go down.
Sunset Boat Cruise, Cape Town: For a more intimate evening, try the Waterfront Boat Tours’ one-hour catamaran cruise from the V&A Waterfront toward Clifton Beach. This experience gives you views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, and more.
Red City Sightseeing Bus: Packed with classic Cape Town landmarks and tourist spots, this hop-on-hop-off tour bus is a treat. You can catch the sunset while relaxing on the open top of the double-decker.
Lion’s Head Sunset Hike: For the more adventurous, a guided or self-led sunset hike up Lion’s Head showcases a beautiful 360-degree view of the city and deep blue ocean.
Cape of Good Hope Half-Day Tour: Sit back and enjoy a guided tour, starting in Cape Town. This experience takes you past False Bay to Boulders Beach, where you can enjoy a gorgeous sunset alongside the African penguins.

Antrim Collection: Best Places to Stay for Cape Town Sunsets

As luxury accommodation options in Cape Town, the Antrim Collection properties are perfectly positioned in Green Point for guests to enjoy a stunning Cape Town sunset.

Antrim House, a boutique hotel with premium rooms, provides a charming base for short- or long-term stays. For those seeking a more homely feel, Antrim Villa in Cape Town offers a blend of contemporary design and English Victorian architecture. If you prefer a self-catering option, the Antrim Apartments provide all the comforts of home and are conveniently close to the Mother City’s most beloved destinations.

Book your stay at one of the Antrim Collection locations, and make your visit to see the best sunset spots in Cape Town all the more relaxing and decadent.