Signal Hill

Not only does Signal Hill offer panoramic views and photo opportunities, you can drive right to the top of the plateau. That said, Signal Hill is a common feature on hop-on hop-off Cape Town bus tours and sightseeing tours that cover the highlights of the Cape Peninsula. Adrenaline seekers can take views to the next level by jumping off Signal Hill and paragliding over the city.

• Signal Hill is much easier to access than Lion’s Head and Table Mountain, making it ideal for novice hikers.

• Signal Hill is the best overlook in the city if you are short on time but still want 360-degree views.

• The viewing area on top of Signal Hill has picnic tables, bathrooms, and wheelchair-accessible boardwalks.

Signal Hill separates the City Bowl from the coastal suburbs; its close proximity to the city center means that you can easily reach the park by car or taxi. To avoid navigating Cape Town’s busy streets, visit as part of a hop-on hop-off tour or private excursion.

If you want to avoid the crowds but still benefit from the best lighting for photographs, visit Signal Hill at sunrise rather than sunset. If you visit the park at midday, be prepared to cover your ears when the old-fashioned Noon Gun canons signal the hour with a noontime blast.

With many iconic peaks and west-facing beaches, Cape Town is home to some top-notch places to catch the sunset. While Signal Hill is one of the best, for even broader views, make the hike to the top of Lion’s Head or Table Mountain. To skip the hike and enjoy a classic beach sunset, head to Victoria Road and the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard.

It’s free to go up Cape Town’s Signal Hill. It’s a popular place to watch the sunset, especially for couples. You can drive to the top and hike a bit further up to Lion’s Head, but there's no cost unless you hire a private driver or book a guided tour.

To reach the top of Cape Town’s Signal Hill, hire a driver and vehicle, take a guided tour that drops you here, or drive yourself up. When self-driving, head up Kloof Nek Road from the city and turn onto Signal Hill Road before Kloof Nek Road turns into Camps Bay Drive.

Cape Town’s Signal Hill has no opening or closing hours as it’s always open. The best and most popular time to visit is sunset when you can watch the sun go down over Cape Town and the ocean. You can also hike here during the day, but be mindful of the weather.

Cape Town’s Signal Hill got its name because, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Dutch settlers would fly signal flags from the top of the hill to warn and instruct ships sailing into the bay. Signal Hill is also sometimes called Lula Lula Mountain or Lion’s Rump, the latter because it’s connected to the peak known as Lion’s Head.

Cape Town’s Signal Hill is a nice place to hike, enjoy the views, and admire the sunset, perhaps with a picnic and a cold drink. These activities are popular there and can be pretty busy, especially at sunset. However, avoiding the area at night is best as it can be unsafe.

Yes, you can drive to the top of Signal Hill in Cape Town. Drive along Kloof Nek Road from the city center and turn right onto Signal Hill Road. Pass the Lion’s Head Parking area on your right (or stop here if you want to hike to Lion’s Head) and continue until the end of the road.