# Cape Town's best sunset spots ## Where to watch the sun go down in Cape Town, from the mountain tops to the Atlantic beaches *Published: 2026-05-05 12:48:09* *Tags: Cape Town, sunset, best views, Western Cape, travel guide, Amity Adventure, Mother City, things to do* > Where to watch the sunset in Cape Town: Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Clifton, Camps Bay and sunset cruises, with costs and tips. ## Article Where to watch the sunset in Cape Town Cape Town faces west over the Atlantic, so most evenings end with the sun dropping into the sea behind the mountains. Below are the places our guides take guests most often, from mountain tops to beaches and the harbour, with practical notes on getting there, cost and timing. If you'd rather not drive or hike back in the dark, we can build a sunset stop into a private day tour with your own guide and driver. Mountain viewpoints The mountains give the widest views: the city, the Atlantic Seaboard and, on a clear day, Robben Island. Table Mountain Watching the sun go down from the top of Table Mountain is hard to beat. As the light fades, the city lights come on below you. In summer the cableway runs late enough for sunset. Book cableway tickets online: from 1 July 2026 an adult return costs R475 online and R530 at the ticket office, and tickets are valid for 7 days. The cableway closes in strong wind, so check its status on the day. Take a warm layer, as it gets cold on top once the sun goes. Lion's Head The sunset hike up Lion's Head is one of Cape Town's favourite outings. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the top, with chains and ladders on the final section, and the summit has 360-degree views over Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, Camps Bay and the city. The hike is free. Bring a headlamp for the walk down, which will be in the dark. We can arrange a guided hike if you'd like someone who knows the route. Signal Hill Signal Hill is the easiest of the three: you drive almost to the top. It looks over the Atlantic Seaboard, Robben Island and the city bowl, and locals come up with picnics on summer evenings. There is plenty of parking, but arrive early at weekends. It is free. Kloof Corner For a short walk with a big view, Kloof Corner is a rocky outcrop about 20 to 30 minutes' walk from the parking on Tafelberg Road. It looks over the city bowl, Lion's Head and the Atlantic Seaboard. It is free, and it has become popular, so arrive early. Beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard On the Atlantic side the sun sets straight into the ocean, with the mountains behind you. Clifton The four Clifton beaches (First to Fourth) are sheltered coves with white sand and cold, clear water. All four face the sunset. Fourth Beach is the easiest to reach and has facilities close by. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Access is free. Camps Bay Just past Clifton, Camps Bay has a long beach lined with palm trees, restaurants and bars. Many of the restaurants have outdoor tables facing the sunset, with the Twelve Apostles behind. The beach is free; meals and drinks vary in price. Bloubergstrand For the classic photograph of Table Mountain across the bay, go to Bloubergstrand on the far side of Table Bay. Kitesurfers are often out on the water in the evening. It is about 20 to 30 minutes' drive from the city centre, and there are casual restaurants along the beachfront. Access is free. Llandudno Llandudno, between Camps Bay and Hout Bay, is a smaller beach with large boulders and strong waves. There are no shops or restaurants, so bring your own food and drinks. Parking is limited, especially in summer. The harbour and coastal drives V&A Waterfront The V&A Waterfront has plenty of restaurants and bars with outdoor seating over the harbour, with Table Mountain behind. It is also where the sunset cruises leave from. Chapman's Peak Drive Chapman's Peak Drive runs along the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with several lookout points and picnic spots. It is a toll road, so have a card ready. Aim to reach a lookout about 30 minutes before sunset. Our private Cape Peninsula tour drives this road, and on a private tour you can time the stops. Other ways to watch the sunset A sunset cruise Several boats leave the V&A Waterfront in the late afternoon, from catamarans to sailing yachts. Most trips last about 1.5 to 2 hours and give a view of Table Mountain, Lion's Head and the city from the water. For a special occasion we offer a private sunset cruise for two, with bubbly, a 3-course dinner and hotel transfers. Rooftop bars and beach restaurants Several bars and restaurants are known for their sunset views: The Nines in the city centre, Chinchilla in Camps Bay, and the Sky Bar at the Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel, which looks over Table Mountain, Lion's Head and the city. Tips for a good sunset Check the time: sunset changes a lot through the year, so look it up for your date. Arrive early: Lion's Head and Signal Hill get busy. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes before sunset to find parking and a good spot. Bring a warm layer: even on hot days it cools quickly after sunset, especially on the mountain or by the sea. Pack the basics: water, a snack, a charged phone or camera, and something to sit on. Hike safely: go in a group, tell someone your plans, stay on the marked path and carry a headlamp. Book ahead: cableway tickets, popular restaurants and cruises fill up in summer. Let someone else drive: a private guide-driver can take you to two or three spots in one evening and drive you back afterwards. For more ideas, see our other Cape Town travel guides. Frequently asked questions When are the best sunsets in Cape Town? There are good sunsets all year. In summer (November to February) evenings are long and warm and the sun sets late, often after 7:30 PM. In winter (June to August) it sets around 5:30 PM, and the skies can be very clear after a cold front. Is it safe to hike Lion's Head for sunset? It is a very popular hike and generally safe if you take care. Go in a group, carry a headlamp for the descent, wear proper shoes and stay on the path. Don't hike alone if you don't know the route. We can arrange a guided hike. Do I need to book Table Mountain for sunset? Yes. Buy cableway tickets online in advance, especially for late afternoon in summer. It saves queuing, and tickets are valid for 7 days if the weather closes the cableway. Can I see the sun set over the ocean from anywhere in Cape Town? No. The Atlantic Seaboard (Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and Chapman's Peak) has sunsets straight over the ocean. From Signal Hill or the V&A Waterfront you look over the city or the harbour, with the sea further off. Are there free sunset spots? Yes, most of them: Signal Hill, the beaches (Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and Bloubergstrand), and the Lion's Head and Kloof Corner hikes. The V&A Waterfront is free to walk around; cruises and meals cost extra. --- [Read on Amity Adventure](https://www.amityadventure.com/blogs/cape-town-best-sunset-spots-ultimate-guide/)