My favorite photography spots in Cape Town

Dec 15

So you want to do photography in Cape Town? Did you know that in 2014 Buzzfeed named Cape Town the most beautiful city in the world? Just imagine being able to see the city from the most magnificent angles! For all of you backpackers and photographers alike I have tried to come up with a list of my favorite photography spots in Cape Town. When photographing Cape Town you will experience everything from amazing mountain scenery to beautiful crystal blue coastlines and colorful winelands. The city is filled with like minded Capetonian photographers who are happy to share their knowledge about photography in Cape Town. I lived here for 8 months and have spent lots of time photographing the city so please read along for my favorite photography spots in Cape Town.

Photography in Cape Town

Table Mountain

Arguably the most popular photography spot in Cape Town. Table Mountain is the place where almost all tourists go to get their pictures taken. It is, however, not without reason. From the top of Table Mountain you will have a complete overview of the entire city. Also you will have an amazing view over the busy harbor district, and can take beautiful pictures when the fog occasionally starts rolling over the city. If you choose to hike Table Mountain, try the Indian Venster route. Doing the Indian Venster you will have the best view of the majestic Lions Head from anywhere in the city. The hike is quite challenging though, with various climbs along the way so come prepared.

Right next to the top cable car station, you will have a magnificent view of the coastline and the twelve apostles. Try to time your trip to the top around sunset and you will have your memory card filled faster than it takes the cable car to reach the bottom.

Lions head

This is my favorite photography spot in Cape Town. You cannot leave Cape Town without having visited Lions Head during sunrise. When hiking Lions Head you can stop anyway along the path and take a beautiful picture. From the top you will have a great view over the twelve apostles and the coastline. If you time your visit around the low cloud season you might be lucky to catch the sky sneaking in over the mountain top. My favorite part about Lions Head though, is the beautiful view you have of Table Mountain. Arguably one of the best spots in the city to take your picture of Table Mountain. If you arrive a bit before sunrise you might be lucky to catch a beautiful colorful sky along with the city lights lighting up the city. You will also have one of the best views in order to do some cityscape photography of Cape Town's tallest buildings. When doing photography in Cape Town this is definitely one of the places to get that postcard worthy shot.

Boulders beach

Penguins in Africa! Do I need to say more? Boulders beach has its very own penguin colony along with stunning white sand beaches clear blue water and big rocks to add to the beautiful landscape. You will get to enjoy the penguins in their natural habitat and encounter them up close. You will have to pay a small commission to enter the area but personally I think it's worth it. Doing photography here is great during all hours of the day, though a colorful sky around sunset would make for an interesting background. Lots of tourists visit so beware that it can be a bit crowded. Boulders beach is about a one hour drive from Cape Town.

Bloubergstrand

From Bloubergstrand you will have the iconic Table Mountain postcard picture. This is probably one of the most popular spots to do photography in Cape Town. Bloubergstrand is about a 25 minutes drive from Cape Town. From here you will have the beach and the sea in the foreground with Table Mountain rising above the city of Cape Town in the center of the picture and a beautiful sky in the background. Time your visit here around sunrise or sunset and you will hopefully be blessed with an amazing colorful sky. It's a great place to play around with long exposures as you will get silky smooth looking water on days with little wind. In summer time flowers pop up along the small sand dunes which can make for some interesting foregrounds.

Muizenberg huts

The Muizenberg huts make for that well known photo you see all over guidebooks and the internet. The huts are located at Muizenberg beach and make for lots of interesting compositions. The colorful beach huts make for interesting contrast in the picture due to the different amount of colors on the beach houses. You can either move away from the huts to get a sense of distance or move closer for greater detail and symmetry. Visiting around sunrise and sunset will make the most interesting photos as the colorful sky will add to the contrast of the wooden beach huts.

If you drive your own car be sure to bring along all your valuables as the area has been known as a victim of car thefts.

Muizenberg beach is located around 30 minutes drive from Cape Town.

Bo-kaap

Bo-kaap is probably my favorite area in Cape Town. Not only due to the many photography spots but also because of the amazing people I met here. The area is originally known as the Cape Malay quarter due to the descendants from especially India and Malaysia. The Bo-kaap residents paint their houses in those vivid colors to prepare their celebration of Eid. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful areas of Cape Town. When doing photography in Cape Town you cannot leave this place out. Spend your time wandering around the area and find whatever composition and colors that suits you best. The area is located on the slopes of Signal Hill so from some angles you can even include the mountains in your frame. If you want to include a model in your pictures Bo-kaap is a great place to do it. Many residents will even let you enter their front porch but be sure to ask for permission first.

Cape Point

Cape Point is one of the most popular tourist attractions around Cape Town. And not without reason. Cape Point is nestled in amazing surroundings with spectacular rock formations, beautiful beaches beneath the cliffs, and old lighthouses. Cape Point, or Cape of good hope, is also known as the southernmost tip of Africa. However don't limit yourself to get a picture of the coordinates. Climb the rocks to get a stunning view of how the waves collide against the cliffs. Or you can also hike to the top of the cliff and take the iconic shot where you point the camera towards the water and catch the contrast between the dusty brown cliffs and the crystal clear water. Cape Point is of course also the place where two oceans meet. How often do you get the chance to witness that?

Camps bay Tidal pool

A place that not many tourists and backpackers know about but most local photographers do. It's a favorite among local photographers and is especially well visited during the summer months lasting roughly from end of October to the end of February. The winter months are just as spectacular though, with beautiful lights during the golden hours. When doing photography in Cape Town this is a place that can’t be left off of any list. The tidal pool is located towards the end of Camps bay when coming from the city center. Just walk along the ice cold Atlantic ocean and you can’t help but noticing the tidal pool behind some rather big rocks. This is one of the best places for picture perfect reflections of the sky. For sunrise you can catch an amazing reflection of Lions Head along with a stunning colorful sky, and for sunset look in the other direction towards the twelve apostles for a memorable view that will last a lifetime.

If you are lucky you can catch a minibus taking you to Camps bay for 10 rands. However be sure to ask the driver if he is going there before getting on the bus.

Chapman's Peak drive

Chapman's Peak might be one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world and definitely in the Cape area. This drive is an amazing experience and has more than 100 curves along the narrow mountain road. On one side you have the stunning mountains and on the other side you have the endless stretch of beautiful coastline. You can stop almost everywhere along the route to take a memorable picture, and especially the view over Hout bay, Noordhoek and Kommetjie are special. However to be on the safe side keep your camera ready at all times and be ready to pull over.

A word of warning though. Be careful on windy days, as the wind in Cape Town can be really strong and the loose rocks at the edge of the road can be cause for accidents. The drive runs between Hout bay and Noordhoek.

The Cape winelands

Not only regarded as one of the best wine routes in the world, also one of the most beautiful. The areas of Stellenbosch and especially Franschhoek are set in the most idyllic of settings. Don't only come here for a wine tasting, bring your camera as well! The colorful vineyards are set against the feet of the Cape mountains and especially during the summer months the area is filled with colors and countless different flavors in the air. The area of Stellenbosch produces some of the best wines in the world and there are countless different wine farms to choose from, so choose what suits your photographic ideas the best. Find some kind of platform above the vineyards with the Cape mountains in the background and the sun going down in the horizon. That's a sure winner.

The wine in Franschhoek is not as popular as the one in Stellenbosch but the region is absolutely beautiful. The area is nestled in a small valley and is surrounded by the mountains creating one of the most scenic and beautiful places in the Cape Town area. Imagine photographing this beautiful area and finish off with a glass of wine.

Stellenbosch is about a 45 minute drive from Cape Town and Franschhoek is about one hour 10 minutes in car.

Hermanus

Hermanus is a place not often on peoples list for photography. I however loved how the dramatic cliffs blended in with the crystal blue coastline. There are lots of opportunities for doing photography of the amazing coastline and the stunning cliffs. There are lots of great hikes in the area and tons of different flowers to be seen in the Fernkloof nature reserve. Also bird lovers will especially enjoy this place as there are a number of different bird species. During the whale season from July to November, Hermanus is one of the best places in the world to watch whales. Came here because of the whale watching but loved it because of the dramatic contrast between mountains and ocean. Herman’s is about 1,5 hours drive from Cape Town.

Here you have the list of my favorite spots for photography in Cape Town. There are a number of other spots as well including Sea Point, Waterfront, Observatory, Woodstock and of course Robben Island, however those on the list are my favorite photography spots in Cape Town. I hope you found it helpful.

Niclas Glud