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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Cape Town Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
South Africa – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type M
Type M:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
South African Rand (ZAR) £1 ≈ ZAR 22.10 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in South Africa, and credit cards are commonly used in most establishments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% being the standard in restaurants. Small tips for taxis and hotel staff are also appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, including parks and beaches. However, it is generally prohibited in public spaces like streets. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Designated smoking zones are available in certain locations. |
| Freedom Day (27 April) |
Celebrates South Africa's first democratic elections |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
A major festive holiday in the country |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance), 112 (from mobile phones) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Bolt, Uber |
| Other: | South Africa is famous for its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural diversity. It offers a wide range of travel experiences from safaris to coastal adventures. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Cape Town, South Africa
Table Mountain cable car closes in strong wind, which is most common in summer
Whale watching in nearby Hermanus runs June to November, best August to October
Load shedding (scheduled power cuts) can occur year-round; check your accommodation's backup power
Don't miss
- 🥾 Hike to the top of Table Mountain
- 🚡 Ride the cable car for breathtaking city views
- 🍽️ Explore the V&A Waterfront and dine by the sea
- 🚤 Visit Robben Island and learn Nelson Mandela’s story
- 🌊 Drive the scenic Chapman’s Peak coastal route
- 🐧 Meet African penguins at Boulders Beach
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Cape Town?
Few places in the world offer the sheer variety that Cape Town does. One moment you're sipping wine in the Cape Winelands, the next you're hiking up Table Mountain or watching penguins waddle along the beach. The city is full of history, from Robben Island to the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap. While it's incredibly beautiful, travelers should stay cautious of petty crime and avoid walking alone at night in certain areas.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Table Mountain National Park
This national park offers dramatic mountain views and diverse wildlife habitats within Cape Town's urban landscape. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic drives and breathtaking vistas that showcase the region's natural beauty and ecological significance. -
2
Robben Island
A former prison turned museum, Robben Island sits off Cape Town’s coast and holds a pivotal place in South Africa’s struggle for freedom. Visitors walk the cell blocks where Nelson Mandela was held, learning about resistance and reconciliation.
🏯Places worth seeing
-
1
Two Oceans Aquarium
Located in the V&A Waterfront, this marine attraction features a massive glass tunnel offering views of sharks and rays swimming beneath visitors. The aquarium spans several floors with interactive exhibits showcasing diverse ocean life from around the globe. -
2
Bo-Kaap
-
3
Castle of Good Hope
-
4
District Six Museum
-
5
Cape of Good Hope
-
6
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA)
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
-
1
Table Mountain
This iconic mountain rises dramatically above Cape Town, offering breathtaking views and hiking trails through lush forests. Its flat summit provides a perfect vantage point for exploring the stunning natural landscape surrounding the city. -
2
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
One of South Africa's premier gardens, Kirstenbosch showcases indigenous fynbos against Table Mountain's dramatic backdrop. While often crowded, visiting early morning guarantees solitude among the world-renowned flora without the tourist throng. -
3
Chapman's Peak
-
4
Cape Point
-
5
Signal Hill
-
6
Lion's Head
-
7
Boulders Beach
-
8
Hout Bay
-
9
Fourth Beach
🛍️Shopping
-
1
V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is Cape Town's bustling harbor precinct, featuring world-class shopping, dining and attractions. Its historic quayside offers stunning views of Table Mountain and serves as a vibrant gateway to the city. -
2
KFC
-
3
Greenmarket Square
-
4
Old Biscuit Mill
-
5
Hout Bay Lions Craft Market
-
6
Mojo Market
-
7
The Neighbourgoods Market
🎈Events
-
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
-
Cape Town Carnival
-
Two Oceans Marathon
-
Cape Town Cycle Tour
-
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts
-
Minstrel Carnival
-
Franschhoek Bastille Festival
-
Rocking the Daisies
-
Cape Town Art Fair
-
Wine Harvest Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Book Table Mountain tickets early and watch weather forecasts closely.
- Stay in central, well-frequented areas at night and use reputable taxis or ride-hailing apps instead of walking long distances.
- Pack layers and windproof clothing; Cape Town’s coastal climate changes quickly, even during the same day in summer.
- Explore lesser-known neighborhoods like Woodstock for street art, coffee roasteries and creative hubs away from the usual tourist crowds.
How to travel to Cape Town
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the main gateway, with direct flights from many international hubs. Long-distance buses connect Cape Town to other South African cities and scenic road trips along the Garden Route are popular.
Access summary
- From Cape Town Airport (CPT): Taxi or shuttle, about 20–30 minutes.
- From Johannesburg: Frequent direct flights to CPT, around 2 hours.
- From Durban: Direct flights to CPT about 2.5 hours; some road-trippers drive.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Cape Town
The City Bowl is great for first-time visitors, Camps Bay is ideal for beachfront stays and the Winelands offer a peaceful escape. Budget travelers often stay in Green Point or Observatory.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Cape Town
Public transport is limited, so renting a car or using Uber is the best option. Minibus taxis are common but not always safe for tourists. The MyCiTi bus system is reliable for central areas.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Cape Town are around 43% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to ZAR) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Tourist areas are generally safe, but petty crime is common. Avoid walking alone at night, use Uber instead of taxis and be cautious in less crowded areas.
Health & Medical
Cape Town has high-quality healthcare, with private hospitals offering excellent care. Tap water is safe, but sun protection is essential due to strong UV rays.
Accessibility
Many attractions are wheelchair-friendly, but older areas may have limited accessibility. Public transport is improving but still not ideal for those with mobility challenges.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink in Cape Town. However, water shortages can occur, so use it responsibly. Bottled water is readily available if preferred.
Packing recommendations for Cape Town
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🧥
Waterproof jacket
for winter
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🩱
Swimwear
🧥
Windproof jacket
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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