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Sunsets in Cape Town are nothing short of spectacular.

There are so many jaw-dropping places to watch golden hour light up the sky.

Secluded white sand beaches with sparkling blue water, spectacular hiking trails, climbing to the top of boulders overlooking the Atlantic Seaboard…

Cape Town is ridiculously photogenic.

So, in honour of my favourite time of the day, I’ve rounded up some of the best Cape Town sunset spots so you can plan your adventure and see each one for yourself.

Psst…Want more Cape Town travel tips? Check out these other posts:

Table of Contents

The Top Sunset Spots in Cape Town

The Top Sunset Spots in Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world for a reason. Here are the best places to soak up its natural beauty and watch the day go out in style.

Lions Head Hike

lions head sunset with table mountain in the background

When it comes to sunsets in Cape Town, Lion’s Head is a firm favourite with locals and travellers alike.

And for good reason.

The incredible views over the City Bowl, Green Point, Sea Point, and Camps Bay are incredible.

You can even see Robben Island in the distance!

But for a unique sunset experience, time your Lion’s Head hike with the full moon.

Think of it like a 2-for-1 deal.

You get to watch the sunset and the moonrise over the city.

Just don’t forget a headlamp, as you will be hiking back down the mountain in the dark.

lauren on top of lions head at sunset with table mountain in the background

Top of Table Mountain

view of lions head from table mountain at sunset

Watching the sunset from Table Mountain is one of the best things to do in Cape Town.

However, timing it is tricky.

Why?

The cable car.

If you don’t make it to the station for the last trip down, you’ll have to hike back down in the dark, which I wouldn’t recommend unless you’ve planned for that.

February to March: The last car down is at 19:30.
May to August: The last car is down at 17:00.
September to December: The last car is down at 19:30.
16 December to 31 January: The last car is down at 21:00.

The best time to watch the sunset on top of Table Mountain is during peak season when the cable car operates later. In December, sunsets in Cape Town are around 20:00, giving you enough time to soak up the show.

During the other months, you risk only seeing the sunset on your way down in the last car or catching the beginning of it before the final call from the station.

You can check the sunset times for each month here.

lauren standing on top of table mountain at sunset

Kloof Corner Hike

Looking for a quick sunset hike with epic views over Cape Town?

The Kloof Corner hike is exactly what you’re looking for.

Only a 20-minute hike up the slopes of Table Mountain (and a series of steps that will test your lung capacity), you’ll have panoramic views over the city.

It’s a go-to sunset spot in Cape Town throughout the year but hits peak popularity in the summer months.

If you’re travelling to the Mother City between December and February, arrive at least an hour before sunset to get a good spot.

And on a full moon, stay after sunset to watch hikers climb down from Lion’s Head (as pictured above).

P.S. If you want to explore a bit beforehand, follow the contour path at the top of Kloof Corner. It will take you around the mountain and link up with other trails, like India Venster.

P.S.S. If you’re feeling super adventurous, hike one of the trails to the top of Table Mountain like Kasteelspoort, come back down India Venster, and end at Kloof Corner.

girl on top of kloof corner in cape town

The Sunset Rock in Camps Bay

The Rock in Camps Bay is worth the hype.

Not only is it one of the hottest proposal destinations, but it’s an incredible sunset spot in Cape Town.

There’s only one problem.

Parking.

It’s kinda of non-existent.

If you want to come here, rather take an Uber. Trust me.

…So where is the famous Sunset Rock?

At the end of Ocean View Drive in Camps Bay.

It’s a residential area, which is why finding a parking spot is a nightmare. If there are too many cars (and by too many, I mean like four), you’ll end up parking yourselves in, and there’s not much room for three-point turns.

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Chapman’s Peak Drive

What I love about sunsets in Cape Town is the variety.

And Chapman’s Peak is no exception.

If you’re feeling lazy, all you need to do is drive up to one of the lookout points, sit back, and enjoy the light show.

But if you’re in the mood for an adventure, you have a whole mountain to explore.

The Chapman’s Peak hike is a moderate trail with plenty of rock scrambling and stunning 360-degree views over Hout Bay, Noordhoek Valley, and Fish Hoek.

Before doing any trail in Cape Town, please check the weather – especially the wind gusts. If it’s a windy day, skip the hike and watch it safely below.

P.S. You will need to go through a toll road to access the start of the hiking trail or if you want to drive up to the main lookout point.

Signal Hill

When it comes to minimal effort + spectacular views, Signal Hill takes the award.

All you need to do is drive up the mountain, park, and watch the sunset.

You don’t even need to get out of your car.

However, you should definitely go and explore.

If you’re facing the ocean and turn to your left, you’ll find a path that winds past the paragliding starting point and splinters off in different directions.

If you turn right, you’ll find trails that take you towards Lion’s Head which is how I got my photo above.

So pick a trail and explore the mountain! It’s a great way to escape the summer crowds and find a more secluded spot to watch the sunset.

Maiden’s Cove

Love photography?

You have to come to Maiden’s Cove for sunset.

Located in Camps Bay, it boasts two gorgeous tidal pools and breathtaking views over the Atlantic and the 12 Apostles Mountain Range.

Plus, you can fly your drone here if you want to get some rad aerial shots!

Cape Town Beaches

Is your job beach?

Welcome to your mecca.

Cape Town is home to a plethora of ridiculously good-looking strips of sand.

All you need to do is pick one.

That’s easier said than done, especially if you don’t have the time to go on a full beach bum tour.

To help you out, here are my top beaches for sunsets in Cape Town:

Clifton 2nd Beach

In the summer months, Clifton 2nd Beach is the whole damn vibe.

It’s full of the most beautiful people you’ll ever see, and as the sun sets, fire dancers take over to put on a show.

If you’re into volleyball, Friends Who Volley has regular meetups every Thursday through the season.

…But the best part about sunsets here? No wind.

P.S. Check out the other Clifton beaches as well!

lauren sitting on a rock at sunset on clifton 4th beach

Camps Bay Beach

The best part about watching the sunset at Camps Bay? Pizza.

Yup.

You can order pizza at Col’Cacchio’s and get it delivered straight to your beach towel (including drinks!).

Head to the tidal pools and play with the reflections to get some beautiful sunset photos at Camps Bay.

Or you can head to one of the beach bars on Camps Bay Strip and enjoy the show with a couple of sundowners.

pizza on camps bay beach in cape town south africa

Llandudno Beach

Llandudno is one of my favourite sunset spots in Cape Town.

With gorgeous granite boulders and a stunning white-sand beach, it’s impossible to take a bad sunset photo at Llands.

It’s also the best swimming spot (in my humble opinion).

If you need to work up the courage to get into the water, hike Little Lions Head (it’s a short drive away). With little to no shade, you will run for that icy Atlantic water at full speed by the time you’re done.

Blouberg Beach

Blouberg Beach is one of the best places to watch sunsets in Cape Town.

With Table Mountain in the background, you can get that classic, postcard-perfect shot of the city.

Plus, one of Cape Town’s top kitesurfing spots.

If you have a zoom lens, I highly recommend bringing it along and getting some action snaps.

P.S. Blouberg too busy for you? Drive further up the coast (the R27, aka West Coast Road) towards Melkbosstrand. You’ll start to drive past multiple smaller, more secluded beaches.

Sunset Beach

If you’re looking for spectacular sunset spots in Cape Town, you can’t skip Sunset Beach.

After all, the name says it all.

Located after Milnerton and before Blouberg Beach, it’s a gorgeous beach to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon or go kitesurfing.

With sweeping views of Table Mountain National Park, it’s the perfect spot for ending the day with a sundowner or two.

Where are your favourite spots for chasing sunsets in Cape Town? Any good ones that I missed? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!

If you like it, then you better put a pin on it!

10+ Magnificent Sunset Spots in Cape Town You Need on Your Bucket List