‍Read on to learn about some of the best photography locations in Cape Town, South Africa, from exciting hikes up Table Mountain to the windswept white sand beaches on the Atlantic seaboard of Cape Point.

Photographer Murray Livingston breaks down each location with top tips on where to go, when to visit, and what to photograph, all paired with his own landscape photographs showcasing what to expect when you arrive.

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The Photographer’s Guide to Cape Town‍

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‍The Cape peninsula is teeming with image making opportunities for every kind of photographer, from landscapes and wildlife, to macro and street. Cape Town’s natural beauty is a photographer’s dream. If you're a photographer based in the Western Cape, you may not know all of these locations, and if you're further afield, we hope this article inspires you to plan a visit. Be sure to read to the end for some of the best photography resources in the area!

The city itself hosts world class nature reserves right on its doorstep; indeed Table Mountain is one of the “Natural New 7 Wonders of the World” and a UNESCO Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. There is excellent access to hiking, botanical gardens, wildlife, and beaches, all with plentiful photographic opportunities.

This guide is organised into two sections, first exploring the sites of Table Mountain itself, followed by the incredible coastal locations that surround the city. Each location is paired with an image, a short description, and a “quick-guide” featuring the highlights of the area and the best times to visit.

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Important Note:

‍Hiking should always be done in groups and at your own risk. Be prepared for the trail, even if it seems easy, with water, snacks, appropriate clothing, and emergency phone numbers. Always check if the trail is open before heading out, check the weather, and take into account your safety when visiting these areas (especially with expensive photographic equipment).

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1 Lion’s Head (& Signal Hill)

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Lion's Head is a very popular walk for locals and tourists alike. You can expect crowds in good weather, but the 360 degree views at the top are surely worth it. It’s a fairly short hike from the parking area along Signal Hill Road via the chain ladders, or slightly longer via the easier bypass path. The views from the summit (or “Wally’s Cave”) back towards the Table Mountain range, 12 Apostles, the city of Cape Town, and the Atlantic seaboard are exceptional and not to be missed. 

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Start and end:
Signal Hill Road parking.

When to visit:
Sunrise or Sunset

Best for:
Landscape Photography

Good to know:
There is little shading during the day, so it’s best to head out early or late in order to avoid the full sun. Bring enough water with you as there are no water sources on the trail. 

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2 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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If you are interested in photographing the plethora of birds in the Cape or exploring macro scenes of the vast Fynbos plant kingdom, Kirstenbosch is the place to visit. The botanical gardens sit just below the southeastern face of Table Mountain giving you uninterrupted views of its stunning sandstone rock formations paired with beautiful and varied flora. The “Boomslang” canopy walk is definitely worth checking out, as it gets you right up into the trees for even better views as if you were in the treetops! 

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Start and end:
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

When to visit:
Early Morning

‍Best for:
Macro photography, birds, landscapes

Good to know:
SA residents get discounted entry with valid ID!

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3 Table Mountain via Skeleton Gorge, Pipe Track, and Kasteelspoort

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There are a number of hikes along the base of and up to the top of Table Mountain. While Platteklip Gorge is the most direct and popular, the three listed here are far more interesting photographically.

Skeleton Gorge starts from Kirstenbosch (a good combination for a full day) and hikes up a wonderfully wooded microclimate to a reservoir at the lower summit. Pipe track skirts the lower slopes above Camp’s Bay with excellent views out over the ocean and pine woodlands. Kasteelspoort climbs up a western gorge to a fun feature on Table Mountain called The Diving Board, a piece of rock that sticks out floating above a few hundred feet of air! Grab a photo on the edge if you dare (at your own risk).

Both of these routes require an additional section of hiking to the summit plateau from where it is possible to descend via Platteklip Gorge or via the cable car. A return taxi would then be needed to return to your starting point. Alternatively retrace your steps back down the same way.

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Start and end:
‍Skeleton Gorge starts at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Pipe Track starts at Kloof Nek Car Park. Kasteelspoort can be done either from Kloof Nek via Pipe Track or from the “Kasteelspoort Hike Starting Point” (pin on Google Maps). Your route will need to be planned as a there-and-back or as a loop. In order to return to your start point you’ll need to organise transport - Uber is a cheap and efficient way to get around the city.

When to visit:
‍Early Mornings (before the heat of the day)

Best for:
‍Landscape Photography

Good to know:
‍Navigation on the top of Table Mountain can be tricky for first time visitors. A map or use of GPS navigation (AllTrails, for example) is recommended. Your route will need to be planned as a there and back or as a loop. In order to return to your start point you’ll need to organise transport back - Uber is a cheap and efficient way to get around the city.

4 Cape Point Nature Reserve

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Just a short drive out of Cape Town, visiting Cape Point should be on everyone’s to-do list. The variety of mountain peaks, stunning white sand beaches, and Fynbos are stunning. Access is restricted from sunrise to sunset, but it is also possible to stay the night within the reserve. Allow at least a half day to explore and be sure to visit some of the quieter side roads to avoid the crowds and see the wilder side of the park. Keep an eye out for wildlife - ostriches can be spotted on the dunes! 

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Start and end:
All entry is via Cape Point National Park Toll Gate. Hikes start from various points throughout the park.

When To visit:
‍Sunrise (before the heat of the day and the tourists). Gate times sunrise - sunset.

‍Best for:
Landscape, bird, and macro photography

Good To know:
‍SA residents get discounted entry with valid ID!

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5 Chapman's Peak Drive

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A short but beautiful section of road with views over Hout Bay (the name for the mountains that run south west from Table Mountain itself). Tumbling sheer sandstone cliffs fall into the ocean with a number of excellent look out points. Additionally, there is a hike that can be done over Chapman’s Peak itself.

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Start and end:
‍My preference is to drive north from Noordhoek to Hout Bay, as the views towards the Hout Bay peninsula are outstanding, and all of the stopping points are on the seaboard side of the road.

‍When to visit:
Sunrise for gentle light, sunset for golden direct light.

‍Best for:
Landscape & travel photography

Good to know:
‍There are steep cliffs throughout the drive, so anybody suffering from vertigo may want to give this one a miss. There is a toll of R40.00 payable by card only (price accurate as of March 2024).

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6 Llandudno Beach & 12 Apostles

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The stretch of coastline from Llandudno to Camps Bay features a number of excellent photographic stops. The towering 12 Apostles (name of the peaks running southwest from Table Mountain itself) form an epic backdrop, while incredible sandstone boulders litter the foregrounds. It’s well worth exploring each little cove to see which angles work best.

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Start and end:
‍Llandudno Beach Car Park and various stopping points on the M6.

When to visit:
Sunrise for gentle light, sunset for golden direct light.

‍Best for:
Landscape & travel photography

Good to know:
‍If you don’t want man-made objects in your images, it’s best to either venture on a hike up into the hills (Kasteelspoort), or make your way down onto a beach where you can use foreground elements to shield the roads and buildings from view.

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7 Noordhoek Beach

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An incredible wide open white sand beach that runs for nearly 8km. Two things to note for this location: firstly, it’s worth getting up high using the start of the Chapman’s Peak hike to get an overview that really shows off the expanse of the beach; secondly, sunsets here are to die for! If you don’t want to go down to the beach itself, even just the views from the car park are phenomenal. For the braver amongst us, Noordhoek is also a fantastic spot for some cold water immersion therapy (yes, it’s really that cold).

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Start and end:
‍Noordhoek Beach Car Park

‍When to visit:
Sunrise for gentle light, sunset for golden direct light.

‍Best for:
Landscape & travel photography

Good to know:
‍Aegir Project Brewery in Noordhoek village does a mean burger and beer, perfect for after you’ve had a long walk on the beach and a swim. 

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8 Bo-Kaap

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Bo-kaap is an awesome spot for a daytime walk, where you can soak in the city and spot interesting characters for some street photography. Venture up the narrow cobbled Dorp Straat or Wale St to check out a vibrant collection of colourfully painted buildings right in the centre of Cape Town.

Fancy seeing more of the local art, design, and music scene? Make sure to visit on the First Thursday of the month where galleries and pop-ups along nearby Church St & Brie St open their doors for an evening of cultural festivities.

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Start and end:
‍Street parking. Area northwest of Buitengracht St, from Strand St to Carisbook St.

‍When to visit:
Daytime

Best for:
Cityscape and street photography

Good to know:
‍Nearby Bree street hosts a great collection of cafes and restaurants for lunch when you need a break from taking images.

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Other notable destinations

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Include but are not limited to: Devil’s Peak, Bloubergstrand, Maiden’s Cove, and Kogel Bay. And, of course, if you are willing to venture further afield outside of the city, there are endless areas to explore in the Cape Fold Mountains, Garden Route, West Coast, and Karoo desert!

What’s your favourite spot in Cape Town to take photos?

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Cape Town Resources for photographers

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Orms is a fantastic camera shop, printer, and framer with multiple outlets around South Africa. If you are visiting and have forgotten something then look no further!

Print Art produces some of the highest quality fine art prints in South Africa, including being a Hahnemühle Certified Gold Studio and creating unique black and white Piezography prints.

‍Cape Film Supply is your one stop shop for anything film, development, darkroom accessories, etc.

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Murray Livingston is a professional South African landscape photographer who hosts backpacking adventures, creative retreats, and private 1-2-1 workshops all around the world, including in South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains and Scotland’s remote northwest highlands.

Find out more here: https://www.murraylivingston.com/