Introduction
Cape Town’s coastline is magical, and the Cape Peninsula has 90 miles of the best.
Why We Love Cape Town: Cape Town is a destination that beckons to people around the world, and there’s no doubt as to why. The city has more icons (both city and natural alike) than you can count, including Table Mountain, the famous white sand beaches, and breathtaking terrain.
With spectacular ocean and mountain views, a fascinating mix of cultures, an incredible natural landscape, and world-class food and wine, it’s no wonder Cape Town is regularly voted one of the best destinations in the world. But as an overwhelming tourist destination, how do you decide what to do and where to stay in this South African gem? As a Cape Town local, I’m sharing my inside knowledge to help you plan an incredible trip to one of my favourite cities on Earth! I hope this Cape Town travel guide helps to make your trip even more special.
Cape Town At A Glance
- Cape Town is a stunning coastal city located at the southern tip of Africa known for its beautiful beaches, iconic Table Mountain, fascinating history, and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- Top things to do include hiking Table Mountain, exploring Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, seeking out penguins at Boulders Beach, road-tripping along the Cape Peninsula, and enjoying the food and nightlife.
- The best areas to stay in Cape Town are the City Centre, Camps Bay, Sea Point, and the V&A Waterfront. The Table Bay Hotel, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, and Akademie Street Boutique Hotel are top hotel picks.
- Cape Town’s winter from May-August brings cooler weather but sunny days, making it a pleasant time to visit. The peak summer season from December-February brings hot weather and higher prices.
Cape Town South Africa: Know Before You Go
✈ Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
⏰ Time Zone: South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)
💰 Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
🗣 Language: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
🎫 South Africa Visa: Citizens from many countries can visit Cape Town without a visa, but check here to see if you need one.
🔌 Electricity Socket: South Africa uses Type M electrical outlets, so you’ll need a travel adapter.
📲 SIM Card: Getting a local SIM card in South Africa is recommended to stay connected.
🚙 Car Rentals: Driving in South Africa is on the left side of the road. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with your native driver’s license.
Super useful & totally free travel guides, written by locals who love Cape Town, South Africa.
Cape Town Travel Advice
FAQs About Visiting Cape Town
Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
Yes, Cape Town is generally safe for tourists if you take basic precautions! It’s always wise to be alert in busy areas and avoid isolated roads or beaches at night. Also take care securing valuables and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Read up on which neighborhoods to avoid after dark.
Are there COVID travel restrictions in Cape Town?
South Africa lifted all COVID-related travel restrictions in June 2022. There are currently no special entry requirements related to COVID-19 when visiting Cape Town. But it’s always smart to check current regulations before your trip.
How big is Cape Town?
The Cape Town metro area covers around 2,460 square kilometers (950 square miles). The city center and most attractions are quite compact and walkable. But to explore the Cape Peninsula you’ll need to drive or join a tour.
How far is Cape Town from Johannesburg?
Cape Town is located about 870 miles (1,400 km) from Johannesburg by road. It’s about a 1.5 hour flight between the cities. The drive between them takes around 13+ hours.
🏙 Places to Visit in Cape Town
As one of Africa’s top tourist destinations, Cape Town offers incredible variety. Here are some of the most iconic places to visit:
- Table Mountain – Cape Town’s flat-topped landmark mountain towers over the city and offers panoramic views.
- V &A Waterfront – A buzzing dining and shopping hub on Cape Town Harbor with top attractions.
- Robben Island – Take a ferry to the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
- Cape Point – Journey to the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula for spectacular ocean views.
- Kirstenbosch Gardens – Explore diverse flora against the backdrop of Table Mountain.
- Bo-Kaap – Wander the colourful houses of the Cape Malay quarter and learn about its history.
- Boulders Beach – Spot endangered African penguins in their natural habitat.
- Chapman’s Peak Drive – Cruise this stunning coastal drive from Noordhoek to Hout Bay.
- Winelands – Sip award-winning South African wines at estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
👉 Explore all places to visit in Cape Town.
✨ Best Things To Do in Cape Town
With breathtaking scenery, rich history and adventures, Cape Town offers endless things to see and do. Here are some top experiences:
- Hike or cable car up Table Mountain for panoramic city views.
- Tour the historic Robben Island prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed.
- See endangered African penguins up close at Boulders Beach.
- Drive down ocean-hugging Chapman’s Peak Drive.
- Try cage diving with great white sharks in Gansbaai.
- Sample wines at top estates like Spier and Vergelegen.
- Spot whales from June to November along the Cape.
- Learn about South Africa’s painful past at the District Six Museum.
- See exotic plants at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- Check out the colourful houses and history of Bo-Kaap.
👉 See the full list of the best things to do in Cape Town.
🗺 Where to Stay in Cape Town
With something for all budgets, here are some top neighbourhoods for your Cape Town stay:
- City Bowl – Central with attractions like Table Mountain easily accessible.
- V&A Waterfront – Upscale harbour area with shopping, dining, and sights.
- Camps Bay – Affluent area with beautiful beaches and ocean views.
- Sea Point – Lively spot with ocean promenade. Great public transit access.
- Hout Bay – Charming fishing village with harbour. Cheaper lodging option.
👉 Read the complete guide on where to stay in Cape Town.
🛎 Best Hotels in Cape Town
Cape Town boasts awesome hotel choices. Here are some top luxury stays:
- The Silo Hotel – Located in a converted grain silo at the V&A Waterfront.
- One&Only Cape Town – Elegant resort with Table Mountain views and a marina location.
- Ellerman House – Exclusive boutique hotel overlooking Bantry Bay.
- Queen Victoria Hotel – Historic Victorian-style boutique hotel in the City Bowl.
- Cape Grace – Sophisticated hotel perfectly situated on a private quay.
🚗 Best Cape Town Road Trips
With stunning scenery along the coast and inland, road-tripping is a great way to explore the Cape:
- Cape Peninsula – See the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguins and drive Chapman’s Peak.
- Winelands – Tour premier wine estates and sample vintages in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
- West Coast – Meander up the Atlantic coast to destinations like Langebaan, Paternoster and Lambert’s Bay.
- Whale Route – Look for whales at scenic spots like Hermanus and De Hoop Nature Reserve.
👉 See the full list of best Cape Town Road Trips.
⛱ Best Beaches in Cape Town
With an endless stunning coastline, Cape Town is blessed with superb swimming beaches:
- Clifton Beaches – Cape Town’s most famous beaches offer stunning city views and lounging on granite boulders.
- Boulders Beach – Spot penguins along this family-friendly sandy beach backed by giant boulders.
- Camps Bay Beach – Lined with cafes and bars, this glamorous white sand beach has magnificent mountain views.
- Llandudno Beach – Nearby Hout Bay, this curving white sand beach is a local favourite with excellent swimming.
- Muizenberg Beach – Popular with surfers and families, this long sandy beach has brightly coloured beach huts.
⛱️ Read the full guide to the best beaches in Cape Town.
⛰ Best Mountains in Cape Town
Cape Town is framed by breathtaking mountains. Here are top peaks:
- Table Mountain – Cape Town’s iconic flat-topped mountain boasts panoramic city views.
- Lion’s Head – The distinctive lion-shaped mountain near Table Mountain offers stunning sunsets.
- Signal Hill – This summit above the city center offers views of Table Mountain and beyond.
- Chapman’s Peak – Drive this mountain pass for awesome views of Hout Bay’s rugged coastline.
- Table Mountain National Park – Over 20 peaks frame Cape Town, covered by this diverse nature reserve.
🎢 Best Theme Parks Near Cape Town
Though South Africa isn’t as known for theme parks as places like the U.S., you can still find awesome attractions:
- Ratanga Junction – Cape Town’s top theme park features over 20 rides and attractions for all ages.
🖼 Best Museums in Cape Town
Reflecting its complex history and culture, Cape Town is home to superb museums:
- Zeitz MOCAA – The world’s largest collection of contemporary African art lives in this striking silo conversion.
- Robben Island Museum – Take a ferry to the former prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years.
- District Six Museum – Honors a vibrant, now demolished inner-city area destroyed during Apartheid.
- South African Museum – Explore African animals, ancient fossils and more at this huge national history museum.
- South African National Gallery – Housed in historic buildings, the gallery boasts major collections of African and European art.
🖼 For more, see our full list of best museums in Cape Town.
🏞 Best National Parks Near Cape Town
Cape Town provides easy access to diverse South African landscapes and wildlife:
- Table Mountain National Park – Iconic flat-topped mountain framing Cape Town, with stunning hiking.
- West Coast National Park – Spot ostriches, antelope and zebra roaming coastal dunes and lagoons.
- Agulhas National Park – Discover the southernmost tip of Africa and its rich marine life.
- Garden Route National Park – Protected forests, lakes, mountains and coastline with otters and baboons.
- Addo Elephant National Park – Home to over 600 African elephants and excellent Big Five game drives.
👉 Read the full list of best national parks near Cape Town.
🐐 Best Wildlife Experiences
From marine life to the Big Five, Cape Town provides awesome wildlife encounters:
- Boulders Beach penguins – See an African penguin colony in their natural habitat on this popular beach.
- Whale watching – Spot southern right whales in season from June to November along the Cape.
- Cage diving with great whites – Come face-to-face with huge sharks near Gansbaai and Dyer Island.
- Sea safaris – Spot seals, dolphins, penguins and more on a boat tour from the V&A Waterfront.
- Aquila Game Reserve safari – See the Big Five on a safari drive and walk just over an hour from Cape Town.
🗓 Best Time to Visit Cape Town
- 🌞 Summer (Nov-Feb) – Warmest and sunniest weather, but also the busiest tourist season with peak pricing.
- 🍃 Fall (March-May) – Lovely shoulder season with thinner crowds, lower prices and mild temperatures.
- 🌧️ Winter (June-Aug) – Rainy season but greener landscapes and fewer tourists.
- 🍁 Spring (Sept-Oct) – Flower season as the landscape blooms with moderate temps and prices.
👉 For more detailed guides on Cape Town’s seasons, take a look at the best time to visit Cape Town.
🚌 Getting Around Cape Town
- ✈️ Flying – Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is 20 mins from the city centre.
- 🚗 Driving – Renting a car makes accessing day trip destinations easiest. Stick to reputable agencies.
- 🚊 Public Transit – The MyCiTi bus rapid transit system serves downtown and major tourist routes.
- 🚕 Ride Share – Uber and branded metered taxis like Excite Taxis are recommended, not unmarked cabs.
- 🚲 Cycling – Cape Town is quite hilly but a great biking city overall with routes like the Sea Point promenade.
👉 Cape Town Travel Tips & Advice
- 🌄 Leave early to beat crowds for sunrise on Table Mountain. Weekdays are quieter.
- 💰 Withdraw cash only from ATMs inside malls or banks for security. Carry minimal cash.
- 🦈 Only join reputable, sustainable operators for shark cage diving. I recommend White Shark Diving Co.
- 🏖️ Swim only at beaches with lifeguards present. Be alert for unexpected Rogue Waves even on calm days.
- 😎 Don’t underestimate the Southern Hemisphere sun. Wear sunscreen and a hat even on cloudy days.
🧳 What to Pack for Cape Town
- 🧥 Layers – Light layers like hoodies and windbreakers for quickly changing temps
- 🥾 Shoes – Comfy walking shoes for exploring the hilly, cobblestoned streets
- 🩳 Shorts and T-shirts along with a light jacket and long pants
- 👜 Secure bag – Crossbody anti-theft bag for securing valuables
- 🕶 Sunglasses and hat for sunny days
- 💦 Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
- 🧴 Sunscreen is a must!
👉 See our full Cape Town packing checklist.
🤓 Cape Town Facts & Stats
- 📈 Population – 4.6 million
- 🌇 Metro areas – Cape Town
- 🏢 Tallest building – Pinnacle Towers – 112 m (367 ft)
- ⛪ Founded – 1652
- 🏛 Capital of – Western Cape province
✈ Cape Town Key Travel Info
- ⏰ Time zone – South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)
- ✈ Airport – Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- 💰 Currency – South African Rand (ZAR)
- 🎫 South Africa Visa – Citizens from many countries can visit Cape Town without a visa, but check here to see if you need one.
- 🔌 Electricity Socket – South Africa uses Type M electrical outlets, so you’ll need a travel adapter.
- 📲 SIM Card – Getting a local SIM card in South Africa is recommended to stay connected.
- 🚙 Car Rentals – Driving in South Africa is on the left side of the road. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with your native driver’s license.
- 🗣 Languages – English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
💵 Cape Town Costs & Budgeting
- 🛏 Hostel dorm – 150-300 ZAR ($8-$16 USD) per night
- 🏨 Mid-range hotel – 800-1800 ZAR ($45-$100 USD) per night
- 🍽 Street food meal – 20-40 ZAR ($1-$2 USD)
- 🥡 Inexpensive restaurant meal – 70-150 ZAR ($4-$8 USD)
- 🚕 Uber or taxi – 10-25 ZAR per km ($0.50-$1.25 USD per mi)
- 🚌 One-way bus ticket – 10-20 ZAR ($0.50-$1 USD)
📰 Cape Town Travel Guides
Cape Town’s natural beauty and iconic setting make it a bucket list destination! Hopefully, these guides will help you make the most of your trip.
- 12 Best Cape Town Beaches for 2023 (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Cape Town (Top Places & Areas)
- Things to Do in Cape Town (Must-See Attractions)
- Is Cape Town Safe? (Honest Safety Tips)
- Cape Town Day Trips (Cool Nearby Destinations)
- What to Pack for Cape Town (Essential Items List)
And find details on getting around with this guide to renting a car in Cape Town.
FAQs About Visiting Cape Town
Is it safe to travel to Cape Town?
Yes, Cape Town is generally safe, especially in areas popular with tourists. However, visitors should exercise normal big-city precautions like avoiding deserted areas at night. Stick to well-lit streets in the city centre and only take licensed taxis at night.
When is the best time of year to visit Cape Town?
Cape Town enjoys sunny weather year-round but the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of March-May and September-November when the weather is pleasant and fewer tourists visit.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
We recommend at least 5-7 days to have enough time to see top attractions like Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Winelands, plus enjoy the dining and nightlife.
Is Cape Town expensive to visit?
Cape Town offers a wide range of accommodation and dining options. Travellers on a mid-range budget can find good value if booking hotels in advance, eat some meals at home, and limit extravagant activities. With careful planning, Cape Town can be a budget-friendly destination.
What is there to do in Cape Town when it rains?
Table Mountain cableway closes with high winds but most indoor activities like Robben Island tours, the South African Museum, Two Oceans Aquarium, wine tours, shopping, and restaurants operate rain or shine. Head to Baked Bistro for delicious coffee and pastries.
The Ultimate Cape Town Travel Guide
For more tips on planning the ultimate trip to Cape Town, check out my comprehensive travel guide featuring detailed articles on the best time to visit, top things to do, where to stay, itineraries, getting around, and more Cape Town travel tips!
I hope this Cape Town travel guide gives you a great overview of the top things to see and do in this amazing city! Let me know if you have any other questions.
