Cape Town offers a remarkable variety of settings for an outdoor picnic, from mountainside viewpoints and botanical gardens to some of the country's most photographed beaches. Whether the goal is watching the sunset from a grassy slope or spreading a blanket beside turquoise water, the city has a spot to suit almost any occasion.
This guide brings together some of the best picnic locations around Cape Town, along with practical details on facilities, access and what makes each one worth the visit.
In this blog we cover…
- Chapman's Peak Drive: a scenic viewpoint along one of the world's most spectacular coastal roads.
- Signal Hill: a favourite sunset picnic spot with 360 degree views of the city and ocean.
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – a picturesque garden setting with its own picnic guidelines.
- Green Point Urban Park: a family friendly park with dedicated picnic areas.
- Clifton Beaches: four distinct beaches, each with its own character and appeal.
- Blouberg Beach: a wide stretch of sand with uninterrupted views of Table Mountain.
- Llandudno Beach: a secluded cove sheltered by granite boulders.
- Arderne Gardens: a historic garden in Claremont, open every day and free to enter.
Chapman's Peak Drive
Chapman's Peak Drive is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. The toll road winds along the coastline between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, tracing 9km and 114 curves along the base of Chapman's Peak itself, which rises 593m above the sea.
Roughly 1.5km past the toll gate on the Hout Bay side, there is a dedicated viewpoint and picnic area equipped with tables, chairs and toilets. From this elevated position, whales and dolphins are often spotted in the water below, and baboon troops are a common sight along the roadside.
Visitors are asked not to feed the baboons, however tempting the photo opportunity might be. Few picnic spots in the city offer views quite as dramatic as this one.
Signal Hill
Signal Hill takes its name from the flags and semaphore stations once used to communicate with ships anchored in Table Bay. Today it is best known as one of Cape Town's top sunset spots, thanks to its 360 degree views across the city bowl, the Atlantic seaboard and Table Mountain.
Depending on where a blanket is laid out, visitors can watch paragliders launch from the slopes, look out over Sea Point and the ocean, or take in the city bowl, the Waterfront and Table Mountain from the opposite side.
Large rocks scattered across the hill make convenient picnic seating, and benches line the walking trails for those who prefer to wander a little further. Parking fills up quickly ahead of sunset, so an early arrival is recommended for anyone planning an evening picnic here.
Image: @secretcapetown on Instagram
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is considered one of the great botanical gardens of the world, and its setting is hard to match anywhere else in Cape Town. Picnics are welcome within the garden, although chairs, tables, umbrellas and tents are not permitted, and braais are not allowed.
Those without their own supplies can pick up a picnic hamper or takeaway meal from the Kirstenbosch Tea Room or Moyo restaurant on site. Kirstenbosch operates as a no bin garden across most of its grounds, so visitors are expected to carry their rubbish out with them.
Entry requires a paid ticket, and beyond the picnic lawns there is plenty to explore, including sculpture installations and a wide variety of indigenous plant life.
Image: @meetsouthafrica.india on Instagram
Green Point Urban Park
Green Point Urban Park offers a secure and accessible green space close to the city centre, ideal for a relaxed day out with family or friends. The park is home to more than 25,000 indigenous trees, shrubs, bulbs and groundcovers, spanning around 300 plant species, along with several art and sculpture installations dotted throughout.
Facilities include grassed areas, walkways, a children's play area, public toilets and dedicated picnic spots, and dogs on leads are welcome. It is a practical choice for anyone wanting green surroundings without travelling far from the Atlantic Seaboard.
Image: @neil.greig on Instagram
Clifton Beaches
Clifton's four beaches sit between Bantry Bay and Camps Bay, sheltered from Cape Town's strong Atlantic winds and only a short drive from the city centre. Although they appear as one continuous stretch of sand on a map, large granite boulders divide the shoreline into four separate beaches, each with a slightly different atmosphere.
Clifton 1st Beach
The quietest of the four and well suited to families and dog walkers, though it involves a fair number of steps down to the sand and its public toilets only open on summer weekends.
Clifton 2nd Beach
The longest stretch and a popular spot for beach volleyball and social gatherings, with fine views back towards Lion's Head.
Clifton 3rd Beach
Has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and is generally less crowded than its neighbour, occasionally hosting events such as silent discos or fire dancing displays.
Clifton 4th Beach
The busiest and most accessible of the four, with its own parking area and only a short walk to the sand. As a Blue Flag beach, it maintains high environmental standards, and its calmer water makes it a good option for swimming.
Image: @cultivatepicnics on Instagram
Blouberg Beach
Blouberg Beach is best known for its uninterrupted view of Table Mountain across the bay, one of the most photographed views in the city. On windier days, kite surfers and windsurfers take advantage of the conditions, while calmer days draw sunbathers, families and groups settling in for a picnic on the sand.
Beach games and rounds of volleyball are common sights along this stretch, making it a lively option for a group outing as much as a quiet one.
Image: @yams.african.food on Instagram
Llandudno Beach
Tucked below one of Cape Town's more exclusive suburbs, Llandudno Beach is a Blue Flag beach known for its soft white sand and clear turquoise water. Large granite boulders shelter the cove from much of the wind, and limited parking keeps the beach from becoming overcrowded.
It is a popular choice for picnics, sundowners, surfing and dog walking, and two ablution blocks and a lifesaving club are on site. There are no shops nearby, aside from the occasional trader selling ice creams and cool drinks in summer, so it is worth bringing along anything needed for the day.
Image: @tim_prz on Instagram
Arderne Gardens
Located in Claremont, Arderne Gardens began as the personal project of Ralph Arderne, an English immigrant who arrived in the Cape in 1830 and filled the garden with trees and shrubs gathered from around the world.
It now holds one of the finest collections of mature Gondwana trees anywhere, alongside shaded pathways, ponds in the Japanese style and quiet corners suited to a relaxed afternoon. The garden is open daily and free to enter, though visitors are encouraged to leave a donation towards its upkeep.
Round the clock security patrols the grounds, and the garden is regularly used for picnics, dog walks, wedding photography and outdoor classes. Birdlife such as Egyptian geese, hadeda ibis and helmeted guineafowl can often be spotted along the way.
Image: @saood_khan_za on Instagram
Pack a Basket and Explore
Whichever spot suits the occasion, Cape Town's mountains, gardens and beaches make it easy to find a beautiful place to sit down and enjoy a meal outdoors, and choosing where to stay while exploring them is just as easy.
For all your holiday rental needs on the Atlantic Seaboard, Nox Cape Town is on hand to help make the most of everything the city has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cape Town Picnics
Are picnics allowed at Kirstenbosch Gardens?
Yes, picnics are permitted, though chairs, tables, umbrellas and tents may not be brought into the garden, and braais are not allowed. A paid entry ticket is required.
Which Cape Town beach has the best view of Table Mountain?
Blouberg Beach is widely considered the best spot for an uninterrupted view of Table Mountain across the bay.
Is Signal Hill a good spot for a sunset picnic?
Signal Hill is one of Cape Town's most popular sunset picnic locations, offering 360 degree views over the city and ocean. Arriving early is recommended, as parking fills up quickly before sunset.
Are dogs allowed at these picnic spots?
Dogs on leads are welcome at Green Point Urban Park, and several beaches, including Clifton 1st Beach and Llandudno Beach, are known for being dog friendly.
Is there a picnic area along Chapman's Peak Drive?
Yes, a viewpoint and picnic area with tables, chairs and toilets is located roughly 1.5km past the toll gate on the Hout Bay side.