All South Africa Cape Town

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Cape Town

20 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa

Updated March 4, 2025

Email

Unusual Attractions in Cape Town

See All 20 Things To Do in Cape Town

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Cape Town

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild South Africa

Marine wildlife and Kruger Safari

Book Now

Explore Cape Town, South Africa

Animals 3
Abandoned 3
Clocks 2
Time 2
Astounding Timepieces 2
Beaches 2
Roads 2

Cape Town Leaderboard

Recent Cape Town Activity

Stories About Cape Town

Khan also holds workshops for children to interact, play with, and learn about seeds.

In South Africa, a Seed Librarian Seeks Ancestral Knowledge

Zayaan Khan runs a "Seed Biblioteek" out of her home.
by Mary Fawzy

Podcast: Boulders Beach Penguin Sanctuary

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
The matemba ice cream flavor mixes salt-cured fish with toffee.

Tapi Tapi Ice Cream Is a Sweet Education on African Liberation

Tapiwa Guzha's desserts stir up conversation about culture, history, and identity.
by Mary Fawzy
Ducks on the move.

A Parade of 2,000 Ducks Keeps a South African Vineyard Running

For pest control, this South African farm enlisted a fowl army.
by Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey
The spectral ship has a curious, centuries-old history.

The World's Most Famous Ghost Ship Is an Enduring Symbol of Empire

The Flying Dutchman's long afterlife began with a British power trip.
by Isaac Schultz
Cape Town’s unfinished freeway bridge.

A Highway in Cape Town Has Been Left Half-Finished for 40 Years

The spans just stop, mid-air.
by Sarah Laskow

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More