The Best Sunset Spots in Cape Town

Where to watch the sun go down in Cape Town, from Signal Hill and Lion's Head to Clifton, a yacht off the Waterfront and Bloubergstrand.

For the classic Cape Town sunset, drive up Signal Hill or walk up Lion's Head for the view over the Atlantic and the city. For something easier, sit on the sand at Clifton, Camps Bay or Llandudno, take a sunset cruise from the V&A Waterfront, or book a terrace table on the Atlantic Seaboard. Bloubergstrand gives you the postcard view of Table Mountain across the bay. In midsummer the sun sets late, close to 20:00, so plan dinner around it.

When the sun sets in summer

  • Sunset moves from roughly 19:30 in late November to just before 20:00 by mid-December, and stays at about 20:00 into early January, the latest of the year.
  • The best light starts about an hour before sunset, so arrive early enough to settle in rather than rushing up a hill as the sun drops.
  • Check the exact time for your date in a weather app, since it shifts by a few minutes every week.
  • The afterglow lasts around half an hour, and the city lights coming on below Signal Hill or Lion's Head are worth staying for.

Signal Hill and Lion's Head

  • Signal Hill is the easiest high viewpoint: you can drive almost to the top and watch the sun set over the Atlantic, with the city and Table Bay on the other side.
  • On clear summer evenings the parking at the top fills up and the road gets busy, so arrive at least an hour before sunset or be dropped off by a driver.
  • Lion's Head is a proper hike with steep sections, and chains and ladders near the top; most fit walkers take about an hour and a half to the summit, so start well before sunset.
  • Sunset and full-moon hikes on Lion's Head are very popular, so expect queues on the narrow sections and be patient on the steep parts.
  • Take a head torch for each person, a warm windproof layer and water, because the way down in the dark is slower than the way up and the chains are harder to descend.
  • SANParks advises hiking in a group, telling someone your route and return time, and charging your phone; check its notices for any trail closures before you go.

On the beach: Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno

  • Clifton's four coves face straight into the sunset and are sheltered from the summer south-easter, which makes them the calmest place to watch it from the sand.
  • The Clifton steps up to Victoria Road are steep and feel longer in the dark, so pack light.
  • Camps Bay gives you the beach with the Twelve Apostles turning pink behind you, and restaurants and bars across the road if you want a drink in hand.
  • Llandudno is quieter and more local, with no shops or restaurants, so bring a picnic and a blanket, and expect tight parking on summer evenings.

On the water and at the table

  • Sunset cruises leave from the V&A Waterfront on most summer evenings and usually last around an hour and a half, with the view back to Table Mountain as the light goes.
  • A private yacht charter lets you choose the timing, the guests and the food, and it is the better choice for a celebration or a group.
  • It gets cold on the water once the sun drops, even after a hot day, so bring a jacket; sailings depend on the weather and can be cancelled in strong wind.
  • For dinner with the sunset, book in Camps Bay, Bantry Bay or Sea Point and ask specifically for a terrace or window table at sunset time.
  • Those sunset tables are the first to go in December, so book them as soon as your dates are firm.

Bloubergstrand: the postcard view

  • From Bloubergstrand, about half an hour up the West Coast from the city in light traffic, you look back across Table Bay to the whole of Table Mountain.
  • At sunset the mountain catches the last light while the sun goes down over the sea, and the restaurants along the beachfront make it easy to stay for dinner.
  • Blouberg is very exposed to the south-easter, which is why kitesurfers love it, so save it for a calm evening.

Wind and cloud

  • The south-easter blows often from late October to February; on those evenings Clifton and sheltered terraces are comfortable, while Blouberg and open hilltops can be unpleasant.
  • When the south-easter is up, the tablecloth of cloud often sits on Table Mountain, which looks dramatic from below but means little view from the top.
  • Strong wind can close the Table Mountain cableway, so if you want sunset at the top, check its status and current hours on the day and have a second plan.
  • A completely clear sky can be flat, and a little high cloud often gives the strongest colour, so do not cancel just because the forecast shows some cloud.
  • Wind changes quickly in summer, so choose your spot on the afternoon of the day rather than a week ahead.

Related guides

  • Cape Town Yacht Charter Planning Guide: Use this practical Cape Town yacht charter checklist to brief a date, group, timing and on-water experience.
  • Cape Town in summer: Heat, wind, sea temperatures, late sunsets and crowds through the Cape Town summer, plus what to pack and how to shape your days.
  • Table Mountain: cableway or hike: When to ride the Table Mountain Cableway, how wind affects it, and an honest look at Platteklip Gorge, India Venster, Skeleton Gorge and Lion's Head.

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