The Cape Town Photographer’s Bucket List

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While the Cameraland team may be just a tad biased in proclaiming Cape Town as one of the most photogenic cities in the world, it’s difficult to argue to the contrary once immersed in the diverse urban and natural beauty that characterises the Mother City. Whether amateur or professional, shutterbugs will be able to capture buzzworthy photos guaranteed to inspire envy among their Facebook and Instagram followers the world over.

 

The bucket list of must-snap pics mentioned below include ubiquitous and iconic images associated with Cape Town. Capturing the majesty of Table Mountain, the fun colourful changing rooms at Muizenberg beach or that perfect macro shot of an indigenous flower at Kirstenbosch Gardens are just a few examples. 

 

15 Must-Have Photos of Cape Town

1. Table Mountain
Standing as an iconic sentinel of the city, Table Mountain, voted one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, is a definite must-have when it comes to photographing the Mother City. Whether by day, night or sometime in-between, there doesn’t seem to a time of day that does not provide conditions needed to capture a striking image of the mountain.

@capetownhelicopters
@capetownhelicopters
Enjoy the splendour of Cape Town's beaches on a winter's day, take a flight that lets you see it all about without having to brace the cold. The rolling waves and the deep blue are worth seeing from up above. Book a flight today! https://goo.gl/IWNO1H #skyward #loveCapeTown #flyinghigh #CapeTownseas #capetownskies #upupandaway

 

2. Muizenberg Changing Huts
The colourful changing huts at Muizenberg beach provide ample opportunity for shutterbugs to get creative with angles and perspective shots.

@nvexpit
@nvexpit
Muizenberg 9/9: My favorite of the series. The colorful beach huts on Muizenberg. Which one is your favorite?#vscosouthafrica #discoversa #muizenberg #vscocam

 

3. Life’s a Beach
Beaches are definitely not in short supply and a few lesser-known ones such as Beta Beach in Camps Bay and Diaz Beach in Cape Point Nature Reserve possess a quiet, pristine beauty that translates into striking images.

@moniqueheyden
@moniqueheyden
Lions Head looking gorg! #lionshead #capetown #southafrica #betabeach #beautifulplace 

4. Harbouring Creativity
When it comes to the quintessential Cape Town harbour shot, Kalk Bay Harbour and Hout Bay Harbour both provide ample opportunities. With plenty of surrounding pubs, markets and restaurants, there’s plenty to do and photograph in both locations.

@herman.strydom
 @herman.strydom
Kalk Bay harbour sunset. #instagram_sa #loves_southafrica #southafricaza #thisissouthafrica #foreversouthafrica #awesomesouthafrica #igerssouthafrica #weheartsa #showmesouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #virtualsouthafrica #capetownetc #capetownmag #capetownsouthafrica #cityofcapetown #ig_capetown #instagramcapetown #forevercapetown #super_africa #loves_africa #ig_photostars #hora_dourada #ig_great_shots #ig_superstarz #ig_shutterbugs #igworldquest #igersmood #cool_capture_ #amazingcapetown #splendid_xposure

 

5. Cape Point
After capturing the Cape of Good Hope through the lens, you’ll be able to share with everyone the beauty that first drew Dias in centuries ago.

@gauravgupta86
 @gauravgupta86
 #capepoint

 

6. Penguins at Boulders
With the penguins seemingly all dressed up in tuxedos, photos promise to be, at the very least, enchanting and endearing.

@jonhalle1
@johnhalle1
 Penguins at Boulders Beach #amazingcapetown #cityofcapetown #instagramcapetown #capetown #capetownpictures #capetownmag #cityofcapetownskies #capetown_city #instagram_sa #southafrica #southafricanskies #igsouthafrica #southafricaza #loves_southafrica #africanamazing #thisissouthafrica #awesomsouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #visitsouthafrica #vscosouthafrica #ig_capetown #ig_southafrica #snappedinsa #southafricanphotography4u #africa_at_close_quarters #foreversouthafrica #iheartsouth_africa #southafricaanz #penguins #bouldersbeach

 

7. Kirstenbosch Gardens
With more than 22 000 different plant species and over 1 000 acres in size, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a landscape photographer’s heaven.

@william_lloyd901090
 @william_lloyd901090
Orange-breasted Sunbird on Protea flower. Photo: William Lloyd. #sunbird #endemic #fynbos #kirstenboschgardens #sitstill #sweet #nature #naturelovers #bird #wild #beautiful

 

8. Wine Route – You had me at Merlot
The Cape Winelands produce world-famous wine and, if that’s enough to encourage a visit, then the Cape Dutch architecture and sprawling vineyards will.

@capewinetours
 @capewinetours
It's a cold wet and grey day today....perfect conditions for my clients on the Non-Guided Driver Service to enjoy red wines! It might be grey skies but the Cape Winelands still offers stunning views!
#LaRochelleTours #capewinetours #winegourmettravel #capewinelands #wine #cold #wet #grey #winter #winery #driver #stormy #rain #sculptures #artporn #art #artwork #countryside #stellenboschwineroute #stellenbosch #route #green #bronze #tokara #views #winetime #winetravel #winetrip #winedestination #winelover

 

9. Urban Photography in Cape Town
This city boasts an eclectic mix of people and people-watching in the CBD has become a favourite pastime for many Cape Townians. When you combine this with the interesting mix of old and new architecture and design present, you’ll never run out of inspiration or opportunity for urban photography that will make people sit up and take notice.

@connorvercueil
 @connorvercueil
#livetheadventure #liveAuthentic #vscosouthafrica #cityofcapetown #bleachmyfilm #photographysouls
#visualsgang #visualsoflife #VSCOcam #instagood #iglegacy_ #livefolk #liveauthentic #gotourism #huffpostgram #hsdailyfeature #worldmood #jaw_dropping_shots #justgoshoot #folkmagazine #rising_masters #capture_today #photoPOV #pro_ig #visualpicture #folkvibe

 

10. Bo Kaap
Take your camera on a leisurely walking tour of Bo Kaap where the brightly painted homes are sure to ignite creativity.

@mckwilson
@mckwilson
 Throwback to Cape Town. Because I can't go more than a month without missing it. #CapeTown #kaapstad #mothercity #cityofcapetown #southafrica #bokaap #takemeback #colors #bright #wanderlust #tbt

 

11. St. Georges Cathedral
Once the seat of Nobel Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the stained glass windows, remarkable neo-Gothic architecture and rich history are sure to inspire.

@bokkiebek
 @bokkiebek
 #stgeorgescathedral #capetown

 

12. Township Tour
A tour through Langa will provide a whole new perspective from which to view the city.

@townshiptourscapetown
@townshiptourscapetown
 Langa art!

 

13. Adderley Street Flower Market
Explore and capture the local culture and visual feast that await at the Adderley street market.

@verningitup
 @verningitup
 Me longing for #nature while the day drags in the office

14. Fog rolling in
Fog and the city of Cape Town have had a steady relationship for as far back as anyone cares to remember. Ethereal photos of the comings and goings of the fog as it rolls over the city are memorable to say the least.

@ericnathanphotography
@ericnathanphotography
 Magical view of Lion's Head #CapeTown this morning.

 

15. Aerial pic of the city
To truly appreciate all the beauty that the Mother City has to offer, an aerial point of view showing how it relates to the stunning natural environment that cradles it is essential.

@capetownhelicopters
 @capetownhelicopters
 Incredible view of @cityofcapetown and Table Mountain, on the way back back to @vandawaterfront from our Robben Island Helicopter Flight!
#CapeTownHelicopters #capetown #captownharbour #scenicflight #tablemountain #lionshead #seapoint #greenpoint #helicopter #helicoptertrip @capetown @capetownlately #capetownlove #vandawaterfront #robbenisland

 


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