A great Cape Town sunset is truly spectacular. As the sun goes down the sky lights up in glowing shades of red and orange, even violet. This bustling contemporary city by the sea is surrounded by natural beauty.
Find out where, when and how to enjoy the best sunsets in Cape Town.
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Best Time to See a Sunset
The best time to see a sunset in Cape Town are the summer months from December to March. A lot depends on the cloud cover though. Clear skies are typically the best conditions for sunsets in Cape Town as they give an unobstructed view of the sun as it sets over the Atlantic Ocean or behind Table Mountain. But a little cloud isn’t always a bad thing.
Cape Town’s peak summer months are December and January. In December, which sees the longest day of the year, the Cape Town sunset is just before 20.00. As summer turns to autumn the sun goes down earlier. It sets at 19.00 in mid March, and an hour earlier at around 18.00 in May.
The winter months in Cape Town are mid June to mid September. By mid June the Cape Town sun sets at 17.45 and at the end of July it is a little later at 18.00. These are the shortest days of the year and the earliest sunsets too.
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Spring in Cape Town begins in September. By the end of Sept sunset is around 18.50 and by the end of October it’s 19.30. The days grow longer through November with sunsets at 19.40 by the end of the month. Make a note of the sunrise and sunset times when you’re planning your visit to Cape Town.
That way you can make the most of the opportunities to enjoy the city’s natural light show. And head to your sunset vantage point 30 minutes before sunset to see the mellow skies as the sun drops slowly to the horizon.
Coastal Sunset Views
For coastal views of the sun setting over the ocean, head to the seaside neighbourhoods just south of the V&A Waterfront. Even if there’s cloud on the mountains you might still see a sunset from the beaches.
Atlantic Seaboard
The easiest place to see a memorable sunset in Cape Town is on the Atlantic seaboard. This is the western coastline of the Cape where you can watch the sky turn cocktail shades as the setting sun drops into the sea.
Sea Point
Sea Point is famous for its 7 km promenade which runs above the beaches of Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. It takes just 10 mins by Uber to reach this seaside suburb from the V & A Waterfront.
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Cape Town locals head here to walk, cycle or jog along the promenade or simply sit on a bench with an ice cream and enjoy grandstand views of the magnificent Cape Town sunsets. And Sea Point has its own Sunset Beach, find it between Queen’s Beach and the Sea Point Pavilion.
Victoria Road
Heading further south from Sea Point, Victoria Road is the coastal route that runs along the Atlantic Seaboard past Bantry Bay, the Clifton beaches 1 to 4 and into Camps Bay. You can drive along Victoria Road and pull off at several places to take in the sunset.
Head to the Clifton Ridge Rocks at the end of The Ridge Road above 4th beach for a secret sunset viewpoint. Just beyond Clifton 4th Beach, off Victoria Road, you’ll find The Bungalow. With tables at edge of the beach and uninterrupted sea views this Cape Town institution is the obvious place for a sundowner. Maiden’s Cove tidal pool is near here too.
Camps Bay
Further south in Camps Bay you can enjoy a sunset from sheltered Glen Beach. Take a picnic blanket down to the sands and order in pizza from Col’Cacchio. Or watch how the ever-changing sky is reflected in the tidal pools at Camps Bay for ultimate sunset photo opportunities.
As the largest of the beaches in Cape Town, you’ll have no trouble finding a place to plop down and admire the sunset at Camps Bay. Just be sure to check the weather ahead of time. If it’s windy, this beach can turn into a bit of a sand storm. In that case, head across the street to one of the rooftop bars and see if you can get a table on the edge.
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The famous Camps Bay strip is a string of chic, contemporary bars and restaurants overlooking the beautiful Camps Bay beaches. Chinchilla offers 2nd floor rooftop views across Victoria Road to the sands and the sunsets. DJs cater to golden hour vibes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons as the ocean horizon is washed with pretty tones of pink and apricot. Perched above the ocean, its open air terrace is an epic location for sunset spotting .
Bakoven Beach
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Camps Bay and Clifton, Bakoven Beach is a bit of a hidden gem worth seeking out. Pack a little picnic and find a rock to spread out on while enjoying the show as the sun dips below the Atlantic. A secluded and scenic beach with white sand, blue sea and granite boulders forming the cove.
Rooftop Bars with Sunset Views
Find a city centre ringside seat for spectacular South African evening skies. These Cape Town favourites are justly famous so you’ll need to book ahead.
- The Silo rooftop bar, perched high above Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art at the V & A Waterfront, has cinematic views of the harbour and Table Mountain. Despite being one of the ritzy-est hotels in the world this rooftop bar is also open to non-residents. But you must book ahead, here.
- This fifteenth floor rooftop restaurant has views of the city, bay and mountains and offers ‘dining elevated’. The outdoor terrace and indoor dining room have panoramic views, perfect to enjoy a candy-colored sky along with the Mediterranean-inspired a la carte and tasting menus.
- With a wide variety of artisanal food stalls, craft drinks, and live music, the market has a laid-back, festive atmosphere that’s popular with both locals and visitors. The market runs every Thursday from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM (closed during winter).
Sunset Cruises
For a different perspective, watch the sun sink below the horizon from the deck of a luxury catamaran, glass of bubbly in hand. Enjoy a cruise in Table Bay, looking out for dolphins and other marine life. After toasting the sunset you return to the sight of city lights sparkling in the harbour.
Depending on your budget, you can choose from a luxury catamaran with champagne or a more laid-back sailing experience.
Epic Natural Viewing Points
Watching a sunset from one of the city’s epic natural viewing points is one of the best experiences in Cape Town. Just keep an eye on the clouds which can descend quickly on the peaks and obliterate your view.
Signal Hill
This flat topped hill, stretching along the coast from Lion’s Head, is one of the most popular mountain viewpoints in Cape Town. This is probably because you can drive to it! So on a good day you’ll need to get there early to secure a parking spot and lay down your picnic blanket. Then you can sit back to watch the sun sink into the horizon over the ocean.
Stretching out in front of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, nearest to the Waterfront is Signal Hill. Unlike its neighbors, you can actually drive to the top. A perfect place to enjoy the sunset with panoramic views of the city and sea below. Insider Tip: Sort out your transportation home before you get dropped off.
Kloof Corner
Kloof Corner is an easy hike, with some steepish steps, and is another favourite spot where locals watch the sunset in Cape Town. This well-marked trail on Table Mountain starts on Tafelberg Road, near the cable car station. It takes around 20 minutes each way. Get there before sunset. It rewards you with views of the City Bowl spread out to your right, Lion’s Head in front of you and the sun sinking into the ocean beyond.
NB Do not confuse the easy Kloof Corner contour path with the nearby Kloof Corner Ridge trail, which is one of the most difficult and challenging in the area!
Lion's Head
The thumb-like mountain that juts above Sea Point on Cape Town’s Atlantic coastline is a favourite hiking destination. It’s easily accessible from the city and scrambling to the summit of Lions Head is one of the many fun things to do in Cape Town. It can get rather busy though!
The Lions Head trail is special because it winds around the mountain giving you 360° views. First you’ll see the City Bowl, then Table Mountain, Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles ridge before your path brings you round to the ocean and bay again.
For a true Cape Town sunset experience, hiking to the top of Lion’s Head at sunset is hard to beat. There are two routes to the top: one for more experienced hikers, which includes a series of ladders and rock scrambles, and another that takes a bit longer but avoids any climbing.
Once you reach the top you can bask in the light of golden hour as it spreads across the city at your feet. Lions Head is an epic spot to see the city lights twinkle into life at dusk. And it is even more special at full moon.
The Lions Head hike can take between 45 and 90 mins to ascend depending on your fitness levels. The last push to the top includes a climb using ladders and chains although there’s a longer path that circumvents this. An organised sunrise or sunset hike on Lions Head will get you to the right place at the right time to see the sun setting.
It will also ensure your safety on the mountain - both on the way up and when you retrace your steps in the darkness! Bring hiking shoes, warm layers plus snacks and drinks to enjoy with the sunset at the summit.
Table Mountain
The top of Table Mountain is seemingly the most obvious sunset spot in Cape Town. Except there’s one big drawback to watching the sunset from the summit. And that is getting back down the mountain again!
Unless you fancy hiking down the mountain in the dark (not recommended) you are very much dictated to by the timing of the last cable car. The cable car rides up or down Table Mountain in just 5 minutes whilst the cabin rotates gently to give you a panoramic view.
However, timing is everything. You can only catch sunset from Table Mountain during certain times of the year-when the sun sets before the last cable car down. On clear evenings, you’ll have unobstructed panoramic views of Cape Town as the sky transforms into hues of orange and pink. A word of caution: No cable car trip up is guaranteed a trip back down. On days where high winds whip the cape, cable car service is temporarily suspended.
NB You won’t see a great sunset if there’s cloud around the mountain.
During winter in Cape Town from May to August the last cable car down from the top of the mountain is at 17.00. But even the earliest sunsets on the shortest days aren’t until 17.45. From September to mid December the last cable car down is at 19.00. Since sunset in early Sept is 18.28 this gives you a short window of opportunity to catch some views before you need to descend. But by mid Oct sunset is at 19.00 and it is 19.14 by November - too late for the last cable car.
In peak season from mid-December to mid-January the last cable car is at 21.00 and for the last two weeks of Jan it is 20.30. This is the best time of year to see the sunset from the summit as it lights up the sky around 20.00. From February to end of April, the last cable car is 19.30.
But the sun sets at 19.50 at the beginning of February. By March sunset is earlier at 19.22 and then 18.40 at the beginning of April, so again you have a chance to catch the sun going down before the last cable car at 19.30.
The cable car schedule is subject to weather conditions. Rather than booking ahead try to keep your itinerary flexible so you can go up on a cloud-free afternoon.
Sunsets in Cape Town's Suburbs
Head to Cape Town’s suburbs and neighbouring coastal towns for gorgeous sunsets with the added perspective of city and Table Mountain views.
- The Garden’s series of open-air Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts runs through the season from December to the end of March. Pack a picnic and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon or evening listening to music as the sun goes down. You could even visit the gardens first.
- In the coastal suburbs to the north of Cape Town Bloubergstrand is perfectly located for some epic sunset views. As the sun sets, stand on the beach, with waves crashing against the rocks in the foreground, to see Table Mountain and Lions Head silhouetted against a pastel-painted evening sky. It’s also a hotspot for kite surfers, so you’ll likely see colorful kites dancing in the sky as the sun sets.
- The aptly named Sunset Beach is an upmarket residential area in the northern suburb of Milnerton. The long white beach is popular with windsurfers and kite surfers and is well known for its picture postcard views of Table Mountain, Lions Head and the city across the bay. Approx 20 minute drive north from the V&A Waterfront.
Scenic Drives with Sunset Views
If you’re driving back to Cape Town from a visit to Cape Point you are in the perfect position, on the coast side of the road, to see a memorable sunset from Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most scenic drives I have ever taken and well-worth the R10 or so it costs per car. The road hugs the coastline along the cliff side, similar to the drive along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. For the best sunset views, head to the Lookout Point (linked above) where you’ll find a small parking lot (get there early or you won’t get a spot!).
This winding scenic toll road stretches for 9 km along the cliffs on the west of the peninsula between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. It has panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean and Hout Bay with plenty of pull offs to linger and drink in the views. Approx 45 minutes by car from V&A Waterfront to Noordhoek and the southerly end of the Chapmans Peak Drive toll road.
Sunset Times in Cape Town (November 2025)
Here's a table with sunrise and sunset times for Cape Town in November 2025:
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | 05:45 | 19:14 | 13:29 |
| Nov 10 | 05:37 | 19:23 | 13:45 |
| Nov 20 | 05:31 | 19:32 | 14:01 |
| Nov 30 | 05:28 | 19:41 | 14:13 |
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