Places / Africa / South Africa
Cape Town
Visited in 2017 and 2019
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- City of Cape Town
- Population
- 3.8 million
- Best time to go
- November to April
- Main airport
- Cape Town International (CPT)
- Coordinates
- 33.92°S, 18.42°E
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Overview
Cape Town is one of the world's most beautifully set cities, wrapped around Table Mountain with the Atlantic on one side and wine country on the other. It's South Africa's legislative capital and its most visited city.
There's a lot to fit in: the mountain, the penguins at Boulders Beach, the drive to the Cape of Good Hope and long lunches in the Winelands. Allow at least four or five days.
Things to see
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Photo: Danie van der Merwe from Cape Town, South Africa, CC BY 2.0 Table Mountain
Take the cable car or hike up Platteklip Gorge for huge views. The top is often covered in cloud, so go on the first clear day.
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Photo: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0 Robben Island
Nelson Mandela's prison for 18 years, visited by ferry from the V&A Waterfront. Tours are often led by former political prisoners.
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Photo: Olga Ernst, CC BY-SA 4.0 Boulders Beach
A colony of African penguins on a sheltered beach in Simon's Town.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cape of Good Hope
The dramatic tip of the Cape Peninsula, inside Table Mountain National Park.
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Photo: SkyPixels, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bo-Kaap
Brightly painted houses and the history of the Cape Malay community.
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Photo: Discott, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Gardens on the slopes of the mountain with a treetop canopy walkway.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cape Peninsula drive
Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay and the penguins in one spectacular day.
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Photo: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0 Winelands day trip
Wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, an hour inland.
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Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 Sunset on Lion's Head or Signal Hill
A short, steep hike (or a drive) for sunset over the Atlantic.
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Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0 Shark cage diving
From Gansbaai, a couple of hours along the coast.
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Where to stay
V&A Waterfront
Safe and convenient, with shops, restaurants and the Robben Island ferry.
Hotels in V&A WaterfrontCity Bowl
Gardens and Tamboerskloof, close to Kloof Street restaurants and the mountain.
Hotels in City BowlSea Point
Seafront promenade and good-value hotels, a short drive from town.
Hotels in Sea PointCamps Bay
Beach, palm trees and sunset cocktails, with the Twelve Apostles behind.
Hotels in Camps Bay
Getting around
The MyCiTi bus covers the centre, the Atlantic seaboard and the airport, and ride-hailing apps are cheap and widely used. Hire a car for the peninsula and the Winelands. Avoid walking alone after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
Cape Town International is about 20 minutes from the city by car or MyCiTi airport bus.
When to go
November to April is summer: hot, dry and best for beaches, though January and February are busiest. The 'Cape Doctor' south-easterly wind can be strong. June to August is cooler and wetter but quieter, and whale season along the coast runs from June to November.
Plan your trip to Cape Town
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.