Cape Town tours and MSC Shore Excursions

Cape Town tours, South Africa | MSC Cruises

Few destinations in the world rival Cape Town, South Africa’s combination of landscapes, cultures and cuisines. Embark on the Cape Town tours offered by MSC shore excursions to fill an enjoyable itinerary with the city’s most loved and celebrated attractions.

A holiday in Cape Town is about experiencing a Cape Town tour in the  bustling city , packed with restaurants, bars and coffee shops, fringed by Table Mountain as its centrepiece. Travel to Cape Town and enjoy pristine beaches, award-winning wine estates, dramatic scenery and nature reserves.

Cape Town excursions are wonderfully diverse, whether its relaxing on the soft sands of Camps Bay or Llandudno Beach, or appreciating views from the top of Table Mountain or Lion’s Head.

Don't miss visiting the Cape of Good Hope, at the south-western tip of the Cape Peninsula. Most people travel to Cape Town as part of an extended peninsula tour, which takes you past the Boulders Beach penguin colony, quaint seaside suburbs and along some of the world’s most dramatic coastal roads. 

If it’s history you’re after, the city centre is home to notable museums, as you’ll discover on various Cape Town excursions. A trip to Robben Island, Bo-Kaap or a township tour adds context to the founding of South Africa's  ‘Rainbow Nation’. A less strenuous activity is wine tasting in Cape Town  on one of the many Cape Town wine tours.

Whatever your interest, MSC Cruises offer a Cape Town tour that will have you checking the diary and planning a return trip almost as soon as you arrive.

Excursions in Cape Town

Choosing from one of our excursions in Cape Town is an easy addition to your time in the city, whether you're keen to learn more about its people, explore its natural beauty, savour its wine or simply relax along the coast.

Cape Town tours, Groot Constantia | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Groot Constantia | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Groot Constantia | MSC Cruises

Visit Groot Constantia, South Africa’s first wine farm

Groot Constantia, an easy transfer from the Cape Town port, is South Africa’s oldest wine-producing farm.  Visiting this awarded estate is just as much about its food, scenery as well as its history and architecture.

Groot Constantia has produced wine since 1685 and is home to some of the finest examples of historical Cape Dutch architecture, two upmarket restaurants and cellar tasting rooms. There’s a museum for historical context to help you get the most out of this Cape Town wine tour,  with views across the vineyards to False Bay.
Cape Town tours, Aquila Private Game Reserve | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Aquila Private Game Reserve | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Aquila Private Game Reserve | MSC Cruises

Aquila Private Game Reserve: spot the Big Five near Cape Town

Few activities are more synonymous with South Africa than a Big Five safari, with dozens of famous reserves north of the country. Fortunately, Aquila Private Game Reserve brings the wildlife closer to Cape Town, with a family-friendly alternative less than two hours away by car.

Cape Town safari tours like the Aquila Private Game Reserve offer visitors the chance to enjoy a Big Five safari, with the opportunity to spot lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards and rhinos across its 10,000 hectares of land, before returning to the city.
Cape Town tours, Stellenbosch | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Stellenbosch | MSC Cruises
Cape Town tours, Stellenbosch | MSC Cruises

Stellenbosch: the wine capital of the Cape

Spend a few hours wine tasting in Cape Town and explore the Cape’s wine capital, Stellenbosch. This fertile valley, which saw its first vineyards planted in the late 1600s, is home to dozens of the country’s top wine estates.

Many people visit the area to taste world-famous tipples on a Cape Town wine tour, but even though Stellenbosch wine is incredibly highly regarded, visiting is about more than just the vino. This quaint university town – with its oak-lined streets, Cape Dutch-style buildings and towering mountains at its flanks – is a worthy addition to any Cape Town cruise itinerary.

Book your cruise to Cape Town

With spectacular mountain scenery, white-sand beaches, world-class restaurants and dozens of celebrated wine estates, it’s hard not to fall for Cape Town. Book a cruise to Cape Town with MSC Cruises to find out why this remains one of the world’s most popular destinations.  

Cape Town cruises depart and arrive at a modern terminal close to the centre, with optional excursions to notable wine estates, stunning beaches, the Cape of Good Hope and inland to experience the thrill of a Big Five safari.

Why choose MSC Shore Excursions to Cape Town

Immerse yourself in the cultural, natural and historical beauty of Cape Town by booking one of our MSC shore excursions. Our Cape Town tours will give you the inside track on this fast-paced, beautiful city.

Cape Town excursions and tours FAQ

In which language are Cape Town excursions conducted?

There are five languages in which MSC shore excursions can be provided: English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. Please note that this is based on the availability of relevant guides. The final languages of all excursions will be confirmed onboard your cruise.

Are Cape Town tours always available to be booked?

Please be aware that some Cape Town excursions are extremely popular, meaning that they may not always be available to be booked. Therefore, we recommend that passengers book all Cape Town tours in advance of cruise departure to help ensure availability.

Can the Cape Town excursions programme be changed?

An overview of available tours in Cape Town is provided by the excursions programme, but please be aware that the final schedule of and information about all MSC shore excursions will be confirmed to passengers onboard their ship. Itineraries may vary depending on conditions and situations within the local area, as well as unforeseen events that could impact tour timings. The excursions programme is also subject to change in order to comply with all relevant regulations in the local area, as well as other restrictions.

What is involved in the Cape Town and Table Mountain Tour?

The ‘Cape Town and Table Mountain’ excursion offered by MSC Cruises mixes city sightseeing with a visit to Cape Town’s world-renowned mountain. After a coach drive through the city, guests will hop into a cable car to glide all the way up to the flat top of Table Mountain. Here, guests can take time to learn about the endemic plants and animals found on the mountain before being transported back down to the cruise terminal or the airport.

What is involved in the Khayelitsha Township Tour?

The Khayelitsha Township tour in Cape Town begins with a 60-minute drive from the cruise terminal to Khayelitsha (in the south-east of the city) before exploring the neighbourhood. During this time, guests can learn a little about one of Cape Town's largest townships, the culture, food and history of its people.

During the tour, you will also have the opportunity to meet the local residents, thus being able to savor the essence of city life as well as taste delicious local dishes. All of this will be guided by our expert guides who will share with you stories, historical facts, and cultural traditions of Khayelitsha.