Visit Cape Town And Discover South Africa's Charming Mother City

Cape Town, affectionately referred to as the Mother City, caters to diverse tourist expectations. Whether you seek stunning natural landscapes, budget-friendly shopping, picturesque beaches, wining and dining or simply a relaxing family holiday, Cape Town offers it all. 

As one of the world's top 10 cities, a Cape Town holiday deserves a spot at the top of your travel itinerary. Discover what sets this city apart for both tourists and locals and be captivated by Cape Town's charm.

Should I holiday in Cape Town?
Be prepared to gasp at the beauty that waits when your plane touches down at Cape Town International Airport.

Table Mountain, set against the deep blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean and the grey-green swells of the Indian Ocean, will greet you. This beacon towers against the bustling city. Its table is often set with a tablecloth of a thin cloud layer, ready to dish every delight this city has to offer.

Diversity is the name of the game in South Africa and your holiday in Cape Town will be no exception.

You will experience Africa with every breath you take; the wide open skies, sunshine, rainbow nation people from all walks of life, townships, and middle-class areas juxtaposed with the most exclusive areas.

The very fabric of the people and the place will colour and flavour your Cape Town holiday. As the capital of the Western Cape province, Cape Town is steeped in history as it was the first city established in South Africa some 400 years ago.

The laid-back energy and friendly, easy-going nature of Capetonians underplay the fact that this city is one of the economic powerhouses of the South African economy.

There is always something to do in Cape Town. Visitors are spoilt for choice with some of the best restaurants and local wines of international acclaim; arts and theatre, shopping and relaxation; sightseeing, adventure, and sports. In fact, anything you can dream of is possible in the vibrant Mother City.

Where should I stay in Cape town?

Cape Town offers plenty of excellent accommodation options to visitors with varying expectations. The Atlantic Seaboard is an excellent position from which to explore Cape Town and surrounds. Self-catering holiday rentals, whether luxurious villas or upmarket apartments, are gaining popularity amongst visitors who want the freedom to explore. Self-catering accommodation in Cape Town offers privacy, convenience and choice for guests to come and go as they please and to take meals, entertain friends and get to know the city as the locals do.

Bantry Bay

Bantry Bay is an exclusive suburb on the rocky Atlantic Ocean coastline. Enjoy uninterrupted views of giant boulders leading into the sea and watch the sun sink into the Atlantic Ocean after a long day. Bantry Bay is buffered from the city centre by Lion's Head, which is the eroded core of an ancient volcano and forms part of the Table Mountain range.

Camps Bay

Camps Bay is the place to be seen. This trendy, upmarket seaside suburb is reminiscent of Miami beach with its palm-lined beachfront. It also offers soft white sand and glorious sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean.

City Centre

The trendy set meet in the City Centre to experience the city beat as Capetonians do, in the shadow of Table Mountain. This city is alive, both day and night.

Clifton

Beach babes definitely prefer Clifton. This Atlantic Seaboard suburb offers four fabulously sheltered sandy beaches, ideal for sun tanning and cooling down in the refreshing ocean that laps onto the beach between large outsized boulders.

Mouille Point

Mouille Point is a fun, friendly spot for holidaymakers who want to be in the middle of the action. Very close to the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Stadium, the Promenade and also the city centre, it is an excellent coastal base from where to explore the city and surrounds.

De Waterkant

Tailored for urban individuals, De Waterkant embodies Cape Town's upscale urban lifestyle, boasting majestic sea and mountain views and convenient proximity to trendy hotspots.

Fresnaye

If you can't stand the wind, opt for Fresnaye with stunning sea views without the breeze. Set high up on the slopes of Signal Hill, Fresnaye is an established suburb that offers easy access to the city, V&A Waterfront, and all the Atlantic Seaboard beaches.

Hout Bay

Step into the enchanting world of the "Republic" of Hout Bay and become enamoured with this charming small harbour "town". Bring the family along to discover the vibrant harbour and town markets, or simply spread out on the beach and soak up the atmosphere.

Llandudno

This quiet suburb without streetlights, shops, and commercial activities is positioned between Camps Bay and Hout Bay, only 18km from the city centre on one of South Africa's most scenic ocean view drives. Llandudno's breathtaking beach is surrounded by large granite rocks and is a popular spot for surfing and beach sports such as volleyball and beach rugby.

Sea Point

Traditionally the place to be seen, with its Main Road lined with restaurants, pubs, diners, and clubs, Sea Point never sleeps. The Promenade is a gathering point for locals and visitors, but also buskers and artists, from all walks of life.

V&A Waterfront

Not only a shopper's paradise with its more than 4 000 retail outlets, the V&A Waterfront offers relaxed marine accommodation. Visitors can enjoy the harbour space without having to drive anywhere – whether visiting restaurants or bars – there are an excess of 80 eateries. The Robben Island ferry and various nautical adventures including yachts and catamarans depart from here. At the V&A Waterfront, the luxury of being will not escape you.

Things To Do In Cape Town

Take a look at our full Cape Town Travel Guide here.

Reach New Heights on Table Mountain

Table Mountain stands as one of Cape Town's top attractions, having secured its place as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Whether you choose to ascend via the Cableway or hike up its trails, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.

Get A Guide

Experience the city's highlights with guided city tours, a fantastic way to explore Cape Town's diversity in a short span. Tours cater to various interests, whether historical, artistic, or culinary. Delve into secrets at the Castle of Good Hope or indulge in local delicacies on a culinary tour.

Open-Top Exploration

Hop onto the topless City Sightseeing bus for a city tour from where you can see all the sights and experience a bird's eye view of everything Cape Town has to offer. An informative audio commentary is available in 15 different languages and children are catered for too with a special kids channel. Your ticket allows you to hop on and off to explore interesting sights and locations.

Eat, Drink And Be Merry

There are few places in the world where you will be able to satisfy your culinary desires as well as in the Mother City.

With hundreds of good restaurants, offering a variety of food from exquisite continental gourmet dishes to African and Asian-themed cuisine, traditional Cape Malay and even Boerekos*, you will find fabulous and affordable food around every corner.

When one eats, one should drink and Cape Town also has the answer for that. The portal to the magnificent Cape Winelands, Cape Town's restaurants and bars offer varied and interesting wine lists where you can order anything from limited connoisseur wines and craft beers to wines from world-renowned and award-winning South African wineries.

*Boerekos – traditional dishes prepared by Afrikaans-speaking South Africans

Wonder At The Winelands

If you want to experience where wine is made, it is simply half a day or a day trip away. Constantia in Cape Town was the first area where vineyards were planted in South Africa and you can visit the wine farms here for magnificent tastings.

Travel to the Cape Winelands, a mere 45 minutes' drive from the City Centre, to experience a wide variety of wine farms and wine estates, from large estates to undiscovered gems, that make up the Cape wine culture. Most of these hospitable establishments offer tastings and sales of their wines, and many have eateries where thirsty travellers can line their stomachs while indulging in the wine.

Shop 'Till You Drop

Cape Town's shopping scene is as diverse as its culture. From designer boutiques to artisanal jewellers and craft markets like the V&A Waterfront, you'll find unique souvenirs and gifts to take home.

Dance The Night Away

If you have socialising on the agenda, Cape Town's vibrant and diverse nightlife does not disappoint. This vibey city doesn't need much sleep and generally, the party in the city centre areas of Loop, Long, Bree and Waterkant Streets start an hour or so before midnight.

De Waterkant, Green Point and Sea Point are also nightlife stalwarts where you will not be left all alone in the middle of the night.

Catch Some Sun

Who can ever get tired of the beach? Cape Town's beaches are divided into three main beach areas, namely the Atlantic Seaboard, False Bay and West Coast.

The Atlantic Seaboard beaches are made for sun-tanning and socialising, while False Bay's beaches are popular among families, surfers and even penguin-watchers at Boulders Beach. The long, sandy beaches towards the North of Cape Town are known as the West Coast beaches and they're especially popular amongst kite surfers.

See If Surf's Up

If nautical adventures are your game, you have plenty of activities to choose from. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are big, especially on the West Coast side to the North of Cape Town.

Surfing spots at Muizenberg, Noordhoek and Kommetjie along the Cape Peninsula are very popular. Get on board a yacht or catamaran from the V&A Waterfront and sail off on a sunset cruise. You can also arrange scuba diving, shark cage diving and a myriad of sea exploits.

Challenge Yourself

Adventure and sporting enthusiasts can abseil from Table Mountain or cycle around its base. Take a full moon hike up Lion's Head to experience dizzying sea and city views.

Visit Cape Town to participate in one of the many top sporting events the city hosts: whether the Cape Argus Cycle Race, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon or any of a number of events, Cape Town will accommodate you.

Be Well

Most visitors to Cape Town feel well just for the sake of being in this gorgeous city. However, that doesn't mean your health and wellness is not important.

A variety of excellent spas and gyms can be found in and around Cape Town, where weary travellers are sure to find well-qualified therapists and coaches to look after your wellbeing.

Experience Nature

Table Mountain forms part of a nature reserve and as such, the huge variety of plants and in particular, fynbos* species, are protected. Hiking trails abound in the Table Mountain National Park and routes of varying distances are available to visitors, from quick loops to the Hoerikwaggo* hiking trails which allow visitors to overnight on the mountain.

Visit Silvermine to experience the unique coastal floral diversity and marvel at the fauna – anything from tortoises to dassies* and small buck are regularly spotted in the veld*. The mountain still houses large troops of baboons and the nocturnal Cape Mountain Leopard, caracals, genets, and porcupines, although these species are not sighted often.
*Fynbos – natural shrubland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape
*Hoerikwaggo – a Khoisan word that means "Mountain of the Sea"
*Dassies – African rodents found among rocky outcrops
*Veld – a wide-open rural landscape

Get To The Point

Take a drive along Chapman's Peak for stunning scenery and push along through Hout Bay and Noordhoek all the way to Cape Point. This place, where the colder Atlantic Ocean meets up with the warmer Indian Ocean, offers breathtaking natural beauty.

Cape Point, part of the Table Mountain National Park, has a tram ride on offer to take you to the top. You can also dine here in full view of the vast oceans below.

Lounge In The Garden

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a national treasure and displays hundreds of unique and indigenous plants, trees and shrubs.

In addition, Kirstenbosch doubles up as a very popular music venue. Visitors bring their own picnics to sprawl out on the lawn in the shadow of Table Mountain. On Sunday evenings in summer, the Summer Sunset Concerts offer the best lineup of local singers and bands.

Pop Over To The Island

A visit to Robben Island should be on your itinerary during your visit to Cape Town.

Take a ferry to the island, which lies about 8km off Table Bay, to see where political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela spent some of their time. A tour of the museum and prison cells reveals many soul-touching stories of pain, healing and forgiveness.

Find Food For The Soul

The Iziko South Africa Museum offers a very interesting natural exhibition and is an excellent place to view the South African animal kingdom and get a good perspective of the actual size and scale of the wild animals.

Integrated with the Iziko Museum, the Cape Town Planetarium is also worth the visit, as is the District Six Museum, Bo Kaap Museum and the Irma Stern Museum, which showcases artwork from this internationally acclaimed artist.

Take Part In A Feast

There is always some sort of festival taking place in and around Cape Town and visitors will delight in taking part in the variety of fun to be had – be it the Cape Town Carnival, one of many wine harvest festivals and grape crushing festivals, music festivals and concerts, design fairs and food festivals.

When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
In Cape Town, every season has a unique appeal and, to be honest, there is no best time to visit Cape Town.

Summer days are long and make for great beach weather, while visitors from colder climates are often astounded to find warm winter days in Cape Town to match their hottest summer weather. Winter is the rainy season, which is great for snuggling up, getting cosy and sampling some excellent Cape red wine next to a wood-burning fireplace.

Whichever you prefer, there is a season in Cape Town that is cut out just for you.

Summer (December – February) 

  • The Vibe: Peak glamour season. The beach is a vibrant mosaic of umbrellas, and the Camps Bay Strip buzzes with activity from noon until late at night.  
  • Weather: Hot and dry, often reaching 28°C or higher. The famous "South Easter" wind (the Cape Doctor) can be strong, but it keeps the air fresh. 
  •  Best For: Sunbathing, cocktails on the strip, outdoor concerts at Kirstenbosch, and high-energy festive vibes.

Autumn (March – May) 

  • The Vibe: The "local's favorite." The frantic holiday crowds thin out, leaving behind a golden, mellow atmosphere. It's the sweet spot for those who want beauty without the bustle. 
  •  Weather: Exceptionally pleasant. The wind drops, and temperatures hover around a comfortable 20°C to 25°C. The days are crisp, clear, and calm. 
  •  Best For: Hiking Table Mountain, photography, and exploring the Winelands as the leaves turn to shades of amber and burgundy.

Winter (June – August)

  • The Vibe: Moody, green, and cosy. Cape Town sheds its beach persona for a more "European" feel. Think roaring fireplaces in Kalk Bay pubs and lush, misty landscapes. 
  •  Weather: The rainy season. Expect cooler temperatures (averaging 18°C) and occasional stormy days, followed by sparkling, dust-free sunshine. 
  •  Best For: Whale watching, indoor markets, surfing (thanks to the winter swells), and enjoying heavy reds at a boutique wine farm.

Spring (September – November) 

  • The Vibe: A season of rebirth. The West Coast transforms into a carpet of wildflowers, and there is a palpable sense of excitement in the air as the city gears up for summer. 
  •  Weather: Mild and breezy. Temperatures begin to climb back into the low 20s, though you'll still want a light jacket for the evenings. 
  •  Best For: Flower spotting, outdoor markets, botanical garden strolls, and seeing newborn wildlife in the surrounding reserves.

How do i Get To Cape Town?

There are direct flights to Cape Town International Airport from no less than 30 cities worldwide, including African and Middle Eastern cities; London in the UK and various cities in Europe, as well as Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

Cape Town International Airport

The airport can accommodate 60 000 take-offs and landings and is well-equipped with customer services and facilities.

Comprehensive banking and currency exchange services are available, while a dozen dining outlets will ensure you don't go hungry. There are around 30 regular and duty-free retailers and executive lounges.

Special facilities at the airport include an OSCA medical surgery, baby changing amenities, and office space in the Premier Lounge.

How do I get around Cape town safely?

It is easier to get around in Cape Town than you might imagine and there are various transport options available to visitors.

Car Hire

Car hire is relatively inexpensive and a great way to enjoy your holiday by coming and going as you please. South Africans drive on the left side of the road, similar to drivers in the United Kingdom.

Visitors from Europe and the United States may find this slightly confusing, but our roads are generally good, wide, and easy to negotiate. There are numerous car hire companies at Cape Town International Airport.

It's an easy 20km drive to get to the centre of Cape Town. However, parking in the city centre can be troublesome, so make sure your vacation rental has an allocated parking bay if you are driving yourself.

My Citi Shuttle Bus

These buses take you from the airport to the city centre. They also operate on a variety of routes in and around the city.

Uber

Technology-savvy visitors will simply love using Uber to get around. Download the cell phone app and find an affordable lift whenever you need it, wherever you are, and wherever you're heading. No money changes hands and your credit card is automatically debited.

Ready to start planning your trip? Find the answers to your travel-related questions in our handy, one-stop Cape Town holiday planning hub – complete with info-packed guides and resources that will make planning your visit a breeze. Take a look here.

FAQs about Cape Town

Yes, if you follow "savvy traveller" rules. Millions of people visit safely every year. The key is to stay in well-lit, populated areas, avoid walking alone at night (always use Uber/Bolt), and keep valuables like expensive watches or cameras out of sight. Most crime is localised to specific areas far from tourist hubs.

It depends on your vibe: 

Beach & Sun: December to February (Peak Summer). It's hot (28°C+) and lively, but very busy. 

Hiking & Value: March to May (Autumn) or September to November (Spring). The weather is mild, and the wind is calmer. 

Whale Watching: July to September is peak season for spotting Southern Right whales.

Yes. Cape Town's tap water is high-quality, treated, and completely safe to drink. There is no need to rely on bottled water unless you prefer the taste. 

Restaurants: 10–15% is standard. 

Car Guards: You will often see "car guards" in vests helping you park; R5–R10 is a common tip when you return to your vehicle. 

Petrol Stations: Attendants pump your gas for you; a tip of R5–R10 is appreciated.

For travellers with USD, EUR, or GBP, Cape Town offers incredible value. You can enjoy world-class fine dining and luxury accommodation for a fraction of the cost of Europe or North America. A good dinner for two often costs around $50–$70 (R900–R1300).

Uber is affordable, reliable, and safer than walking at night. For sightseeing, the Red City Sightseeing Bus is highly recommended.