Things to do in Cape Town for an unforgettable first visit

Your first hour at the V&A Waterfront can go two ways: you wander until something catches your eye, or you spend it deciding between a harbour cruise, the aquarium and a gallery that intrigues you. If you'd rather not leave it to chance, the V&A's Plan Your Day tool can narrow it down before you arrive, with ready-made trails like a family route from the aquarium to the Cape Wheel or a heritage walk from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Zeitz MOCAA. Here are some suggestions to guide your route.

Start on the water, because everything else in the neighbourhood is built around it. This stop delights every family member, no matter their age. A short cruise past the Clock Tower into Table Bay puts the whole harbour into perspective: tugboats, working trawlers, seals sunning themselves on the jetty, all of it still very much in use. For a higher vantage, the Cape Wheel offers views stretching from Table Mountain to Robben Island in one turn. For visitors with limited morning schedules, this experience provides an ideal introduction to the precinct.

If the day only has room for one indoor stop, this is it. Give the Two Oceans Aquarium at least two hours for the best experience. Underwater tunnels put sharks and rays directly overhead, the magnificent kelp forest sways in its own slow current, and there's a hush that falls over even restless kids the moment the first ray glides past the glass. The Touch Pool is where the day tends to slow right down; kelp, starfish and hermit crabs close enough to hold. It works exactly as well on a grey, windy day as a clear one, which makes it the safest bet to anchor a family itinerary around.

Zeitz MOCAA is the world's largest museum of contemporary African art, and is an easy addition to a family day, though the museum doesn't allow prams inside. Exhibits containing sensitive material are clearly marked at the entrance, so parents can decide which exhibits to visit, rather than guessing.

Among Cape Town's tourist attractions, the strongest tell a story in a few minutes. In Nobel Square, bronze statues of Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela stand looking out over the harbour, each one a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who shaped the country's path. It's an easy, unhurried stop to fold into a walk between the harbour and the Silo District.

A first visit to Cape Town isn’t complete without the ferry to Robben Island, which is worth building a half-day around. The Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Clock Tower is where that journey begins, with a museum tracing Nelson Mandela's life from childhood through 27 years of imprisonment to the presidency. It’s free to enter, even for those not taking the island tour.

For the days that need a lower gear, or a break between the bigger stops, the V&A Waterfront has plenty built in. Scratch Patch lets kids dig for their own semi-precious stones, and a sculpture trail sends the whole family hunting for artworks across the precinct. Add the play areas dotted throughout The Watershed and a pedal boat outing near Battery Park, and there's enough here to fill an afternoon.

The families who enjoy their first visit most aren't the ones who see everything; they're the ones who pick two or three that fit their crew best!