Cape Town is breathtaking from above. Hell, it’s breathtaking from all angles and has to be a contender for one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Flanked by the impressive Table Mountain, the city curves around the coast like a loving hug, which fits with the city’s moniker: “the mother city.” Top travel authorities like The Guardian, The New York Times, and TripAdvisor have named Cape Town a top destination, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s an incredibly diverse, gay-friendly city and it will blow you away with its beauty, the welcoming attitude of its residents, and the pure range of attractions and outdoor activities available, from hiking to shark diving to helicopter rides to wine drinking—yes, that counts as an outdoor activity if you do it at one of the many wineries surrounding Cape Town.

Table of Contents

1. General Tips
2. Transportation & Airport Transfer
3. Gay Hotels in Cape Town
4. Sightseeing & Activities in Cape Town
5. Restaurants and Cafes
6. Cape Town Gay Bars and Clubs
7. Cape Town Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
8. Gay Beaches in Cape Town
9. Gay Events in Cape Town
10. Day Trips from Cape Town

General Tips

Deciding when to visit Cape Town really depends on why you're going. With a wealth of outdoor activities available, you can plan your trip around these. Spring (March/April) is the best time for hiking, climbing, and visiting the nearby wineries, whereas fall (September/October) is best for activities like whale watching. Winters in Cape Town (June – August) tend to be rainy and although the city is beautiful in the summer (December to February), high temperatures and big crowds in the city and on the mountain can have a negative effect on your vacation.

Unless you live in Southern Africa, Cape Town is not particularly close to anything. So a 10 to 12-hour flight or longer isn’t uncommon to arrive at this stunning destination. If you want to be connected to the internet on your phone, you can pick up a local SIM card at the airport or head to a Vodacom store in town—just be sure to bring your passport.

Crime can be an issue in the city, so be sure to travel in groups and stay within the safer, more touristy areas of the city. Taxis are always a good idea when moving between bars that aren't next to each other.

You can download the Gay Cape Town guide for free. Just provide your email address and we’ll email you a PDF.

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Transportation & Airport Transfer

Cape Town International Airport is approximately 20 km from Cape Town’s city center. From the airport, there are a number of ways to get into town. You can call an Uber, take a taxi, catch a bus, or take a shuttle.

To go by bus from the airport (the cheapest option), take the MyCiTi bus which operates from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm daily, and goes between the airport and the centrally located Civic Center. The bus is safe and reliable. You need a myconnect card to ride it, which costs R35 and is available from the airport and other MyCiTi stations.

Cape Town does have a few walkable neighborhoods, but you’ll find yourself traveling around the city to explore all the attractions. While the city does have public transport (buses), they aren’t very user-friendly for tourists in getting around town. Uber is your best option to get around as it’s quick, cheap, and safe. Even if you opt out of mobile data, Wi-Fi is pretty abundant, and you can usually find a hotspot to connect and order an Uber for pick-up. However, having cell data is the best way to go.

Gay Hotels in Cape Town

There is just one gay hotel (Cactus House) currently in Cape Town, but there are many gay-friendly options.

Luxury

The Taj Hotel – Originally home to the South African Reserve Bank. The Taj effortlessly combines the legacy of the old with the luxury of the new. Located in the center of the old city, it boasts a strong sense of place and is within walking distance to some of South Africa’s foremost landmarks and attractions and an eclectic array of shops, galleries, and restaurants.

The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel – A classic in Cape Town. It’s one of those places that’s full of history and has been around since the early developmental days of the city. Even if you prefer modern accommodations, this elegant and classical hotel is at least worth a visit. You should definitely find an afternoon to visit for high tea, served in the afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30. You get a wide selection of teas and a huge variety of cakes, cookies, and snacks to accompany your afternoon tea break.

Mid-Range

Capital Mirage Hotel – This hotel is located right in the city center. Equipped with a rooftop restaurant, bar, and pool, this property is the definition of young, chic, and modern. From the concrete ceilings to the simply designed rooms and common areas, this is a great option to be centrally located in a new and modern property.

Vineyard Hotel – This hotel is a 7-acre riverside garden estate on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, just 15 minutes outside the city center. Since it’s a bit farther out, the rooms and grounds are spacious and beautiful. The gardens, pool, and other facilities here (they have a full-size gym!) are excellent, and the views of Table Mountain in the backdrop will make you not even want to leave the property. The atmosphere is great for those who appreciate the elegant and classical style.

Grand Daddy Hotel – One of our favorite places in Cape Town on the Long Street strip is The Grand Daddy Hotel. This boutique hotel has a great restaurant, an awesome rooftop bar, and even features a trailer park. You can stay in one of seven Airstream trailers that have been retrofitted—complete with a queen-size bed, wet room with a shower, plus modern comforts like TV, air conditioning, and a mini-fridge. It’s incredibly unique.

Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence – Located in Cape Town's city center, this 4-star hotel has everything nearby, with Table Mountain being a 15-minute drive away and a number of bars and restaurants within walking distance. Onsite, guests can also enjoy lunch and a dip at their Ghibli Bar and Pool Terrace, or coffee followed by cocktails at The Sea Street Bar and Lounge.

Cape Milner Hotel – Just about a mile away from the coast, this hotel is in the trendy suburb of Tamboerskloof at the foot of Table Mountain and features views of Table Mountain and Lion's Head. It has a gym, outdoor pool, and restaurant offering a variety of local and international cuisine on the hotel’s covered garden terrace.

Budget

Cactus House – At the foot of Cape Town’s dramatic and world-famous Table Mountain is this unique guesthouse exclusively for gay men. It’s the only property of this type in Cape Town. Successfully being around since the year 2000 and a loyal icon of the LGBTQ+ community, Cactus House has built a reputation of class, consistency, and excellence.

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Sightseeing & Activities in Cape Town

Table Mountain – You absolutely can’t visit Cape Town without making the trip to the top of Table Mountain by cable car. The ride is under 5 minutes (or 2.5 hour hike), and you’ll arrive at what feels like the top of the world. The views of the mountains, ocean, and city below are stunning and incredibly picturesque. Head up first thing for sunrise (arrive at 6 am) or late in the day for sunset (arrive at 5 pm) for the most impressive experience. Book tour →

Open Top Bus – Sightseeing buses can sometimes be a bit touristy, but taking one in Cape Town is actually a great option. The city and its surroundings are so beautiful that it’s really enjoyable to sit on the upper deck to enjoy the breeze and the views as you wind your way through the city. The city sightseeing bus has four different routes, and it’s a great way to see the city in a day and get dropped off at almost all the points of interest. Book tour →

Helicopter Ride -The views of Cape Town are stunning from the ground but even more amazing by air. Taking a helicopter ride over the city and across the coast is a great way to see the landscape from above. Book tour →

V&A Waterfront – The waterfront is probably the most touristy area of Cape Town. Have a bite at the Waterfront Food Market or buy some local goods and handicrafts from the Watershed shopping area. This is also the starting point for the ferry to Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for 18 of his 27 years imprisoned. Book tour →

Harbor Cruise – Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures will pick you up from the V&A Waterfront to enjoy sights of sea lions, dolphins, and other marine life. They offer sunset cruises, lunch cruises, and champagne cruises around Cape Town’s bay and harbor.

Bo-Kaap Neighborhood – This colorful neighborhood is just next to Cape Town’s downtown area, and it’s full of colorful houses that shine brightly against the backdrop of high-rise buildings and Table Mountain. Stop by the Bo-Kaap Museum to learn the history that is known about this area.

Long Street – A major street located in the center of Cape Town. You’ll find a variety of shops, bookstores, restaurants, and bars in this hip and trendy area of town.

Township Excursion – Uthando is a nonprofit organization that creates a unique link between tourism and community development projects. These non-voyeuristic project visits highlight the remarkable and courageous community activists driving social change. Projects visited include urban agriculture, youth development through the medium of art, dance, choir, classical music, drumming or sport, and much more. The director also happens to be gay and can provide insight on the LGBTQ community and its history in Cape Town.

Wine Tasting in Constantia Valley – South Africa has amazing wines, and you can sample some of Cape Town’s best just 20 km from the city center. The Constantia Wine Valley is composed of four different vineyards, which produce excellent wines, and each of them is open to the public for daily wine tastings. As if the wine itself isn’t enough, the beautiful and colorful views of the region are the icing on the cake. You can take the city hop-on, hop-off bus from Cape Town out to the vineyards and visit them all in half a day. Book tour →

Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch – Stellenbosch is known for being a university town as well as one of South Africa’s incredible wine regions with over 150 wineries. Jordan Wine Estate has been making world-class wines since 1993 on a farm with a history going back over 300 years. Plus, the views from The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira perfectly complement their savory dishes. Lanzerac is a winery established in 1692, and if you stay onsite, you can enjoy their indoor and outdoor pools in addition to its selection of wines. Vergenoegd Low Wine Estate boasts luxurious accommodations as well as Clara’s Barn, quite literally a barn converted into a restaurant. Wherever you go for wine, be sure to try South Africa’s signature grape varietal, Pinotage.Book tour →

Restaurants and Cafes

Beefcakes – Hot servers and colorful drag performers make this nighttime hotspot a must-visit stop. Beefcakes is a dinner and show bar, so you can go any night for a burger and colorful performance. Weekends are busiest, but you’ll find locals and visitors here in abundance starting on Wednesday. Beefcakes’ claim to fame are the body shots, where you can take (or rather lick) off a shot from the chiseled bodies of their sexy servers, right on top of the bar as they lay out in front of you.

Café Manhattan – This iconic eating, meeting, and chilling spot is the longest-standing gay venue in the heart of De Waterkant Village. Go for a quick bite to eat, an afternoon cocktail on the terrace, or late-night drinks at the bar.

Beluga – Located in The Foundry, a century-old art-deco setting that resembles a trendy New York-style loft. The restaurant offers a bar, captivating courtyard, nice dining area, and an exclusive wine attic. The menu offers something for everyone, whether sushi, dim-sum, cocktails, wines, whiskies, or dessert. Try the sesame-crusted tuna, beef wellington, pollo con diablo, or ultimate Beluga crustacean platter.

Bombay Brasserie – Found within the Taj Hotel. It’s a refined restaurant serving choice Indian dishes and wine in an intimate chandelier-lit dining room. It’s rated one of the top restaurants in town.

Gigi Rooftop – This rooftop restaurant can be found at Gorgeous George Hotel. The menu offers a unique take on modern classics. It’s “casual cuisine with a twist.” Go for the food, but stay for the cocktails as they have mixologists behind the bar who really know how to impress.

The Nines – This rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge not only serves up drool-worthy food and fantastic drinks, but also provides stunning views of the city and ocean. Go at sunset on a clear day and you won’t regret it.

Cape Town Gay Bars and Clubs

Like many gay-friendly cities around the world, the welcoming atmosphere of Cape Town has had a negative effect on the gay-only venues and bars. So while fairly small these days, the gayborhood in the area called De Waterkant has several venues that have managed to stay open.

Crew – Crew is definitely the place to stay out late and go dancing with all the cute boys (and girls) in town. It has three levels with multiple bars and dance floors. If gay nightlife is what you’re looking for, then you’ll definitely find it at Crew Bar.

Pink Panther Nightclub – A favorite of celebrities, locals, and tourists alike, there is no better place to meet old friends, make new ones, and dance the night away. Pink Panther actually has two venues located in Kloof Street and in De Waterkant Village.

Zero21 – A gay bar and social club near Long Street with all genres of music and artists, in a lounge/bar setting. Drinks are inexpensive and they feature drag shows.

Cape Town Gay Sauna & Cruising Bars

Shaft Cruise Zone – A men-only cruising bar in Observatory Cape Town with different dress codes per day like underwear, towel, naked, and anything goes. It also features dark rooms, bar, lounge, private rooms, and showers.

Gay Beaches Cape Town

Clifton – A trendy and expensive suburb of Cape Town, and this is where you’ll find some of the best beaches. Ironically, the water is warmer in winter than in summer, so it’s more of a hangout and sunbathing place than a beach where people swim. There are four beaches along the Clifton stretch and Third Beach is the designated gay beach full of hotness in the form of sunbathers and surfers.

Gay Events in Cape Town

Cape Town Pride – Held in February or March to coincide with Mardi Gras. The event has been running since the early 2000s and attracts a crowd of about 10,000 people. The pride parade is typically held on the last Saturday of the 10-day event.

Day Trips from Cape Town

Cape Point Tour – Cape Point is an hour’s drive from Cape Town with a road that hugs the rocky coast—easily one of the most stunning drives you’ll ever see. You’ll find the Cape of Good Hope at the bottom tip, which is Africa’s most southwestern point. And of course, no visit to Cape Point is complete without a visit to Boulders Beach, which is home to one of Africa’s few penguin colonies—so cute! Book tour →

Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai – South Africa is considered the great white shark capital of the world, so you can’t pass up the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures in person. It’s a two-hour drive from Cape Town to “shark alley” located off the coast of a small town called Gansbaai. Like getting to Cape Town itself, going on the shark excursion takes a bit of time, but the effort is 100% worth it. Needless to say, this is one of those excursions that is truly life-changing and is highly recommended. Book tour →

From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive – If you’re looking to dip your toes into the proverbial watering hole of African safaris but only have a short time, this activity is ideal. It's one of the tours in South Africathat you simply can't miss, as safaris will create memories to last a lifetime. Over nine hours, you’re guaranteed to see giraffes, leopards, zebras, rhinos—and who knows what else—on the Aquila Game Reserve during an open-vehicle game drive. It also comes with a delicious lunch at the reserve lodge. Book tour →

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