Cape Town is one of those places where beautiful photographs seem to happen everywhere. From the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline to colourful neighbourhoods, mountain viewpoints and long sandy beaches, there is no shortage of places to take a memorable photo.
In 2025, Cape Town was named the Best City in the World by Time Out, adding another reason to put this spectacular South African city on your travel list.
So, if you’re looking for the best Instagram spots in Cape Town, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of our favourite places for photographs and selfies — including a few beautiful spots just outside the city.
Some locations are famous for their views, others for their colour, architecture, beaches or sunsets. These are the places we think are worth adding to your Cape Town itinerary if you want to come home with some truly memorable photographs.
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Some of Cape Town’s best photo opportunities are found simply by exploring its neighborhoods. From beachfront promenades and mountain views to colorful houses and lively streets, each area has a different look.
Cape Town’s mountains give you some of the city’s best photo opportunities. You don’t always have to climb to the highest point — some of the most memorable views are found along the way.
Photo tip: Turn your camera towards Lion’s Head and the ocean for a wide Cape Town panorama.
Photo tip: For a classic Cape Town composition, look back towards Table Mountain and the city rather than only photographing the ocean.
Photo tip: Don’t only photograph the view from the top. Look for photographs that include the distinctive flat-topped mountain itself.
Here’s a fun way to collect some memorable Cape Town photographs: go on a Cape Town Yellow Frame tour.
The bright yellow frames were created to showcase Cape Town’s status as one of the New7Wonders of Nature and have become popular photo spots around the city. Stand inside the frame and use the opening to capture the landscape or a famous Cape Town landmark behind you.
1. V&A Waterfront — near Den Anker: This is probably the easiest frame for a first-time visitor to find. It is at the V&A Waterfront, near Den Anker Restaurant, with Table Mountain visible behind the frame. You can combine your photograph with a walk around the harbour, making this an easy stop while exploring the Waterfront.
2. Signal Hill: Drive up Signal Hill and look for the yellow frame overlooking the city. This is a particularly good choice if you want Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the City Bowl in the background. Late afternoon can be especially beautiful as the light changes across the mountains.
3. Eden on the Bay — Bloubergstrand: The frame is at Eden on the Bay at Big Bay, right beside the beachfront. This is one of the best choices if your aim is to photograph Table Mountain across the ocean. The area also has restaurants and cafés, so you can easily turn the photo stop into a seaside outing.
4. Silo District — V&A Waterfront: You’ll find another frame in the Silo District, in front of Zeitz MOCAA. This one gives you a more modern Cape Town setting, with the city’s contemporary architecture contrasting with Table Mountain in the distance.
5. Harrington Square — District Six: In Harrington Street in District Six, the yellow frame gives you a very different photograph. Look for the colourful surroundings and the famous blue wall featuring a portrait of Nelson Mandela, with Table Mountain completing the picture.
6. Lookout Hill — Khayelitsha: For something beyond the usual tourist route, head to Lookout Hill in Khayelitsha. The viewing area has wide views across the Cape Flats and towards Table Mountain and the surrounding mountains. This is a good choice if you want a different perspective of Cape Town.
7. Table Mountain Summit: The newest frame is at the Shop at the Top on Table Mountain, so you can actually frame Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain itself. From here, the view opens across the City Bowl, Atlantic Ocean and the landscape beyond.
If you have time, make the yellow frames into your own little Cape Town photo challenge. You don’t have to visit all seven — choose the ones that fit your itinerary and see how many different views you can collect.
Tip: The V&A Waterfront, Silo District and Signal Hill are particularly easy to combine with other Cape Town sightseeing, while Eden on the Bay works beautifully with a visit to Bloubergstrand.
You’ll also find one of the yellow frames in Franschhoek: Haute Cabrière – the home of Pierre Jourdan
Haute Cabrière in Franschhoek is one of the estates worth considering for both wine and scenery. Its setting against the Franschhoek mountains makes it particularly photogenic, and it is also associated with the Pierre Jourdan range.
Photo tip: The vineyards are especially attractive in soft morning or late-afternoon light. Look for compositions where the vineyard rows lead towards the mountains.
If you have an extra day in Cape Town, the Cape Winelands offer some of the most beautiful photography opportunities within easy reach of the city. Vineyards stretch towards dramatic mountain ranges, while historic estates provide elegant gardens, architecture and terraces with wonderful views.
Franschhoek is one of the easiest places to enjoy a combination of beautiful scenery, wine tasting and photography. Vineyards are surrounded by mountains, and the town itself has attractive streets, restaurants and galleries.
For a memorable photograph, look for a wine estate with a mountain backdrop and a terrace overlooking the vineyards. The Franschhoek Wine Tram is also a fun way to explore several estates without having to drive between them.
Stellenbosch is another excellent choice, with vineyards, oak-lined streets and historic Cape Dutch architecture. The surrounding mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, particularly in the late afternoon.
If you’re interested in photography, allow some time to explore the estates rather than simply stopping for a wine tasting. Gardens, old buildings, vineyard rows and mountain views all provide different settings.
Cape Town has appeared on the big screen in a surprising number of films. That gives you another fun way to explore the city: visit some of the locations you may recognise from the movies and take your own photograph there.
Photo idea: Look for a viewpoint that includes the harbour with Table Mountain in the background.
You don’t need to recreate a movie scene. Simply knowing that you’ve walked through a location used in a major film adds another little story to your photograph.
Not every great Cape Town photograph needs a mountain or beach in the background. For something a little different, add one of these fun attractions to your itinerary.
Photo tip: Look for the large viewing windows where the movement of the fish and changing light create unusual photographs.
It is particularly easy to combine with a walk through Green Point and along the nearby promenade.
Finding Nemo at the aquarium. (The perfect place for a family outing while capturing your perfect photo.) Various areas are specially constructed to enable perfect photo opportunities. The Two Oceans Aquarium isn’t just for kids—it’s a treasure trove of vibrant marine life perfect for Instagram. From mesmerizing jellyfish displays to stunning underwater tunnels, every corner offers an eye-catching backdrop for unique and colorful photos. For the perfect Instagram shot at Two Oceans Aquarium, capture vibrant marine life in stunning tanks, from colorful fish to mesmerizing jellyfish, set against a backdrop of crystal-clear waters. (All without getting your feet wet.)
Website: https://www.aquarium.co.za/
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Cape Town has an extraordinary coastline, and the best beach for your photographs depends on the kind of picture you want. Some give you the classic Table Mountain backdrop, others are known for colourful beach huts, dramatic rocks, penguins or beautiful sunsets.
If you’re looking for one easy place where you can take several very different Cape Town photographs, put Maiden’s Cove on your list.
Located off Victoria Road between Clifton and Camps Bay, Maiden’s Cove has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Camps Bay, Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles. There are also two tidal pools surrounded by large granite boulders, plus grassy areas and picnic and braai facilities.
The tidal pools and boulders
The pools sit among enormous granite rocks, creating a beautiful foreground for photographs with the ocean and mountains behind them.
The view towards Camps Bay
From the higher area, look towards Camps Bay for a classic coastal photograph with the beach, Twelve Apostles and Atlantic Ocean.
The sunset
Maiden’s Cove is particularly popular around sunset, when the changing light falls across the mountains and coastline. Cape Town Tourism specifically recommends it as a sunset spot.
A simple picnic photograph
The grassy area above the water makes this more than just a quick photo stop. Bring something to eat, sit for a while and enjoy the view.
Drive along Victoria Road between Clifton and Camps Bay and look for the entrance to Maiden’s Cove. There is public parking, although it can become busy at popular times. The City of Cape Town lists the location as Victoria Road, Camps Bay.
Photo tip: For fewer people in your photographs, go early in the day. For warmer light and a beautiful sunset, come later in the afternoon. The surrounding coastline is especially photogenic as the light changes.
Location: Victoria Rd, Signal Hill, Cape Town, 8001
For an easy photo walk with beautiful ocean views, head to the Sea Point Promenade. The paved walkway follows the Atlantic coastline between Sea Point and Mouille Point, with views across the ocean and towards Lion’s Head.
You don’t need a special viewpoint or a long hike here. Simply walk along the promenade and keep your camera ready. You’ll find rocky sections of coastline, pools, lawns, public art and constantly changing views as the path curves along the shore.
The Atlantic-facing promenade is a lovely place to watch the light change towards the end of the day. Grab a coffee or something to eat nearby and stay for sunset.
The promenade is also free to enjoy, so this is one of the best budget-friendly photo experiences in Cape Town.
Spend a morning along Sea Point Promenade with us:
For the classic glamorous Cape Town photograph, head to Camps Bay. The wide sandy beach is framed by the Twelve Apostles, with palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean completing the picture.
The beachfront is especially lively in the late afternoon, when the mountain and ocean light can create beautiful photographs.
Best for: Classic Cape Town, beach-and-mountain photographs and sunset.
Bloubergstrand is one of the best places to photograph Table Mountain from across the water. The wide beach gives you plenty of space to frame the mountain, ocean and sky, while the area is also famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
For the classic photograph, look back towards Table Mountain from the beach or promenade.
Best for: Table Mountain views, sunsets and dramatic coastal photographs.
For one of the easiest sunset experiences, stop at Blue Peter at 8 Popham Street, Bloubergstrand. The restaurant is right beside the beach and is well known locally as a place to sit and watch the sun go down over the Atlantic.
You can enjoy the view from the outdoor Deck, where the setting combines the ocean, beach and Table Mountain. The Deck operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location of Blue Peter: 8 Popham St, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, 7441
Website: http://www.bluepeter.co.za/
Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town gives you something none of the other beaches on this list can: African penguins.
The beach forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and is home to a colony of African penguins. Keep a respectful distance from the animals and use the viewing areas rather than approaching them for a selfie.
Best for: Wildlife photographs and one of Cape Town’s most memorable experiences.
Clifton’s four beaches are tucked between large granite boulders along the Atlantic coast. Clifton 4th is the most popular and one of the most recognisable beach settings in Cape Town.
For photographs, the combination of white sand, enormous rocks and blue Atlantic water gives you a very different look from Camps Bay.
Best for: Glamorous beach photographs, rocks and ocean views.
For something quieter and more dramatic, consider Llandudno. The beach is surrounded by natural vegetation and granite boulders, with the Atlantic stretching out in front of you.
It is particularly beautiful towards sunset and gives you a more secluded-looking photograph than the busier beaches closer to the city.
Best for: Romantic photographs, sunsets and dramatic scenery.
Enjoy picture-perfect moments in the harbor as well as going out on the boat to Seal Island.
Also, try taking photos from the Chapmans Peak Drive lookout point. Chapmans Peak drive is one of the most scenic drives you can do in the Western Cape.
The view of Hout Bay from Chapman’s Peak is nothing short of breathtaking. With the turquoise bay cradled by rugged cliffs and the quaint harbor below, this sweeping panorama offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and coastal charm, making it a must-capture Instagram moment.
If you want super luxurious Instagram photos: You can even visit the stunning Lichtenstein Castle when hosting events.
These are part of the reason why Cape Town is the best city and the most beautifu city.
If you want colour, Muizenberg is hard to beat. The famous colourful Victorian-style bathing boxes along the beachfront create an instantly recognisable Cape Town photograph.
Walk along the beach and experiment with different angles. You can photograph the bathing boxes on their own, use them as a colourful background for a portrait, or include the mountains and sea.
Best for: Colourful photographs, fun selfies and beach scenes.
Discover why you should visit Camps Bay, while you’re in Cape Town. Read more…
If you want photographs filled with greenery, flowers and mountain scenery, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Cape Town.
The gardens lie on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, so you get a beautiful combination of indigenous plants and dramatic mountain scenery. The Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway is one of the most popular places for photographs, taking you above the trees for a different perspective over the gardens and surrounding landscape.
The Boomslang
Walk along the curved steel-and-timber canopy walkway and look for views through the trees towards the mountains. It gives you a completely different angle from the usual Cape Town viewpoints.
The gardens and Table Mountain
Take your time walking through the gardens. Look for compositions where flowers, trees or pathways create a natural foreground with Table Mountain behind them.
The treetop views
The Boomslang is also a good place for photographs looking back across the gardens. The higher viewpoint gives you a sense of just how large and green Kirstenbosch is.
Allow yourself enough time to wander instead of treating Kirstenbosch as a quick photo stop. Early morning is generally quieter, while later afternoon can give you softer light across the gardens and mountains.
Location: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town.
For something a little more elegant, head to Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, in Gardens. Known affectionately as the “Pink Lady”, the hotel stands at the foot of Table Mountain and is surrounded by nine acres of gardens.
The distinctive pink buildings, palm-lined entrance and lush gardens make this one of Cape Town’s most photogenic hotel settings.
The famous pink exterior
The pink buildings are the obvious choice. Look for a composition that includes the palms and gardens around the hotel.
The entrance
The grand entrance and palm-lined driveway make a beautiful setting for a more elegant photograph.
The gardens
Mount Nelson has extensive gardens with lawns, trees and flowering plants. These give you plenty of softer, more romantic photo opportunities away from the busy city streets.
Pink buildings with Table Mountain
If you can find an angle that includes both the distinctive pink hotel and Table Mountain, you have the perfect combination of two Cape Town icons.
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Mount Nelson is at 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, close to the foot of Table Mountain.
You don’t need to stay at the hotel to appreciate its setting, but remember that it is a working luxury hotel, so be respectful of guests and private areas when taking photographs.
Photo tip: This is a good place to dress up a little and take a more elegant Cape Town photograph. The combination of the pink buildings, greenery and mountain backdrop gives your pictures a very different feel from the beach and mountain viewpoints elsewhere in this article.
Bo-Kaap is one of the easiest places in Cape Town to recognise in a photograph. Its brightly painted houses line the steep streets on the slopes of Signal Hill, creating a colourful backdrop with Table Mountain often visible in the distance.
Walk along Wale Street and Chiappini Street to see some of the best-known colourful houses.
Photo tip: Stand lower down the street and photograph the colourful houses with the mountain behind them. Early morning is a good time for quieter streets and softer light.
While touristy, the V&A Waterfront has undergone a stylish transformation in recent years. It’s now a hub for designer boutiques, art galleries, and sophisticated restaurants. Some of the high end restaurants have beautiful views and if you’re lucky you might be just in time for one of the huge cruise liners (like The World) visiting the shores, to be your backdrop.
Stylish restaurants in the V&A:
Sevruga Restaurant: Elegant, white-tablecloth setting with colorful walls, for eclectic menu including dim sum and sushi.
Beluga Cape Town: Modern South African and Asian fusion offering exquisite views.
This little seaside town has some of the best coastal photo opportunities. (Nearby you’ll find Hermanus – also a very popular spot.) Although they are not directly “in” Cape Town it is situated in the Western Cape, and it is definitely recommended.
The town offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, from its picturesque beach framed by wild fynbos to the charming harbor with colorful boats. The surrounding hiking trails provide panoramic views of the ocean and mountains, making for amazing photo opportunities. Plus, the chance to spot wild horses grazing along the lagoon adds a unique touch to your feed. Kleinmond’s serene, unspoiled landscapes make it a captivating and off-the-beaten-path spot for impressive, nature-inspired Instagram content.
If you’re looking for perfect Instagram photos on horseback with beautiful sunset rides on white sandy beaches, this is the perfect place:
Noordhoek Beach is an Instagram dream with its vast stretch of pristine white sand and dramatic mountain backdrop, offering a picture-perfect natural setting. The beach’s golden sunsets are breathtaking, creating magical lighting for stunning photos. Its wild, unspoiled beauty contrasts beautifully with the rugged coastline, giving your feed a unique blend of serenity and drama. Whether you’re capturing horseback rides along the shore or the dramatic waves crashing against the rocks, every shot at Noordhoek feels effortlessly cinematic and awe-inspiring. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to elevate their Instagram game!
There is also a fantastic family friendly farm yard with restaurants where small children can get up close to farm animals.
Website: http://imhofffarm.co.za/
Situated just outside of Cape Town. Although it’s a prominent sight on your way to Paarl on the N1, it is often overlooked. There is a little restaurant which you can enjoy, and the views are spectacular.
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect Instagram spot, look no further than Paarl, South Africa. Start your journey at the iconic 5-star Grande Roche Hotel, where its pristine gardens and stunning views of the Drakenstein Mountains create the perfect backdrop for those dreamy golden-hour shots. A blend of luxury and heritage, it’s a location where every corner feels Instagram-worthy.
For a mix of natural beauty and adventure, head to the mighty Berg River. Whether you’re kayaking through its serene waters or capturing the sun reflecting off its surface, the river offers endless photo opportunities for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
For something a bit more historical, don’t miss the traditional Cape Dutch farm architecture scattered across the region. These whitewashed buildings with their iconic gables and charming rustic feel will transport your feed back in time while still offering the aesthetic appeal of modern-day beauty.
And finally, no visit to Paarl is complete without a photo in front of the Paarl “Toringkerk” Church. With its towering spire and intricate architecture, this striking landmark will add a sense of grandeur to your shots. Whether you’re capturing the entire structure or focusing on its ornate details, it’s a must-have photo for your grid!
Paarl has a mix of luxury, nature, and history that makes it a prime spot for those Insta-perfect moments
In summary – The list is endless. There are just to many spots to name them all. We hope you enjoy our Top Instagram and Selfie spots. They are all beautiful holiday destinations as well.
For more beautiful places in Cape Town, check out our article on Fun Filled Family Outings in Cape Town.
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