Your guide to Cape Town
Cape Town highlights
Table Mountain
Table Mountain No trip to Cape Town is complete without getting to the top of one of the natural wonders of the world. The Platteklip Gorge route is the least challenging and takes roughly three hours for the return trip. If the cable car is more your speed, make sure you’ve booked tickets online and arrive early to beat the lines. It gets windy up there, so bring layers.
Sunbathing penguins
Trips to Cape Town should include visiting Boulders Beach, where you’ll find a colony of endangered African penguins, accessible to view by boardwalk. See thousands of these rare birds waddle across the pale sand and scrub. Just remember not to touch. For other wildlife adventures, stop at Seal Island, where options include kayaking with dolphins and whale watching.
Winery-hopping
The soil and climate diversity in South Africa makes the country home to some of the finest vineyards in the world, not to mention the oldest continuous winegrowing region in the Southern Hemisphere. Get to know the grapes with a day of tasting along the Constantia Route, just 20 minutes from Cape Town, and visit wineries that go as far back as the 1650s.
Cape Town: Know before you go
| Language | Afrikaans, English, Xhosa |
|---|---|
| Currency | South African rand (R) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| High season | November - March |
| Low season | June - August |
Find the best time to go to Cape Town
Weather in Cape Town
March – May: The weather is mild and pleasant in autumn. Be sure to pack an umbrella the closer you get to May.
June – August: Cape Town winters mean wind and rain, with lows averaging 8°C. But there are still plenty of clear days to be had. This is peak whale-watching season, so pack your layers and waterproofs.
September – November: September brings warmer spring weather and those famous fuschia wildflowers. This is a good time to schedule hikes, though some trails can get breezy.
December – February: With highs of 30°C, summer is all about the beach. Or take a road trip along Clarence Drive, one of the world’s most scenic journeys.
Events in Cape Town
Cape Minstrel Carnival (January): This historic event was started by enslaved people whose only common language was music. Cheer as minstrels march in vibrant suits, waving umbrellas to the sound of banjos, trumpets and drums.
Harvest Festivals (February to March): In Stellenbosch, celebrate the wine harvest in style. Local vineyards offer tractor rides, fruit picking, grape stomping and plenty of pours to sample.
Hermanus Whale Festival (September): Nearby Hermanus offers some of the best land-based whale watching on the planet. Attend conservation talks, listen for the call of the town whale crier, or keep your eyes peeled while hiking the scenic Cliff Path.
The best neighbourhoods in Cape Town
Bo-Kaap
This is where to stay in Cape Town if you’re interested in the city’s cultural history. Bo-Kaap originally housed enslaved people from Asia and Africa, and today the neighbourhood’s homes are painted in a rainbow of colours, a post-apartheid expression of freedom. Consider a cooking class as a way to learn about Cape Malay culinary traditions.
Good for: Colourful houses, history, cultural immersion
Woodstock
Woodstock attracts a free-spirited crowd, making it the best neighbourhood to stay in Cape Town if you’re looking to find the city’s creative juices at work. A trip to the Woodstock Exchange for goods by local artisans is a must. Explore exhibition spaces and markets, and join a tour with mural artist Juma Mkwela, who gives insight into the neighbourhood’s street art.
Good for: Street art, markets, galleries
Sea Point
You can’t do better than Sea Point if you’re looking for easy beach access. The sunsets here are perfect, but be aware that the ocean currents are strong. Best to take a dip in the salty waters of the Sea Point Pavilion instead. You’ll find these swimming pools along the promenade. Head one street over to the Mojo Market for indoor food vendors and live music.
Good for: Ocean views, swimming, families
Things to do in Cape Town
Family friendly things to do
See South Africa’s marine fauna and flora — including one of the few living kelp forests on display in the world — at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Kirstenbosch, the first UNESCO World Heritage–listed botanical garden, is home to some 22,000 plant species and showcases some of the world’s most rare and beautiful flowers. The accessible ‘Boomslang’ canopy walkway ensures everyone can enjoy this slice of paradise.
Shopping
The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront is a good starting point for souvenir shopping in Cape Town. Look for crafts from MonkeyBiz, a not-for-profit project reviving the fascinating art of African beadwork and empowering women to find financial independence. Note that it’s illegal to buy ivory or rhino horn.
Take in the culture
The museums in Cape Town will open your eyes to the city’s complicated past. At District Six Museum, dive into South Africa’s history of segregation. Set aside half a day at least to visit UNESCO World Heritage–listed Robben Island, where former inmates will guide you through the prison in which Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.
Nightlife
Some of the best nightlife in Cape Town can be found on Long Street, which is characterised by its pretty Victorian architecture. Sample a tasting tray at Beerhouse and watch the world go by from its wrought-iron balconies. Finish the night with fast food favourite ‘bunny chow’, a mild curry concocted by Indian migrants and served in a hollowed loaf of bread.
Places to eat
One of the best restaurants in Cape Town for visitors is Mama Africa, founded post-apartheid to celebrate the continent’s diversity. The adventurous traveller might start off with spicy mopane worm before moving on to crocodile steak. Expect a spectacle of live marimba music, traditional dance and drum circles. For a sweet treat, go to Tapi Tapi cafe for ice cream in a variety of uniquely African flavours.
Beaches
Cape Town has a whopping 72 beaches to choose from. Muizenberg Beach’s colourful huts, warm water and lack of current make it a solid choice for families. Book a lesson at Surfers Corner Surf School to ride South Africa’s legendary waves. Not a water baby? Mnandi’s sweeping coastline makes it one of the best beaches in Cape Town for walking.
Get ready for Cape Town
Budget
Epic hikes, golden beaches and extraordinary wildlife make budget trips to Cape Town more than possible. Kick off your day with a cappuccino for about 36 South African rand (R). Feeling hungry? A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost around R180. Taxis are pleasantly affordable too. Take a short cab ride for about R90.
Day trips from Cape Town
An African safari is a bucket-list adventure like no other. At the Fairy Glen Private Game Reserve, 90 minutes east, look out for lions, elephants, wildebeest, giraffes and zebras. Or try the West Coast National Park, an hour north of Cape Town. Sink your toes into the sand of Langebaan Lagoon, where ostriches roam the dunes.
Getting around Cape Town
To ride the MyCiTi buses, you’ll need to buy a card from a bus station. Rideshares like Uber are the most convenient, especially at night. If you’re hiring a car, note that ‘load shedding’ (daily power cuts) means traffic lights can sometimes fail. Download the ESP app to check when outages are scheduled.
