Table Mountain National Park

Epic views and wild landscapes

Table Mountain rises above Cape Town, South Africa’s most recognizable landmark. Its flat summit stretches across the skyline, offering panoramic views of the city and coastline below. The park protects diverse plant life including fynbos, a unique shrubland found nowhere else in the world. Visitors hike trails or take the cable car to explore the area safely. Wildlife such as baboons and antelope roam the slopes while rock climbers test their skills on steep cliffs. The mountain shapes Cape Town’s identity through weather patterns and cultural stories passed down for generations.

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National Park in South Africa

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.5

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken, especially in tourism and hospitality. Almost everyone working in restaurants, hotels, and tour companies can communicate fluently.

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Last update: 28 Oct 2026

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Table Mountain National Park 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.

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Outstanding for coastal landscapes and outdoor adventures. Hike mountain trails, visit scenic viewpoints, explore rugged beaches and enjoy wildlife watching along dramatic coastlines.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Natural sites

Mountains

Sea

Hiking

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

South Africa – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

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 Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Sep.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway closes in strong wind or cloud and for about two weeks of annual maintenance, usually July or August

Summer mornings are best for hiking, afternoons get very hot and the southeaster can blow strongly, especially December to February

Wildfires are a risk in the dry summer months, sections of the park can close at short notice

Don't miss

🚠 Take the cable car to Table Mountain’s summit
🥾 Hike Lion’s Head for breathtaking city views
🌊 Visit the Cape of Good Hope for rugged scenery
🐧 Meet African penguins at Boulders Beach
🌺 Explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens’ diverse flora

You've been here?

Why travel to Table Mountain National Park?

This park is one of the most scenic natural wonders in the world, offering spectacular views over Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a paradise for hikers, nature lovers and photographers, with diverse trails and incredible biodiversity. The park is home to rare plant species, playful dassies (rock hyraxes) and even roaming antelope. The Cape of Good Hope, another highlight, offers dramatic cliffs and potential encounters with baboons and ostriches. Whether you're seeking adventure or just want to soak in the scenery, it's a must-visit.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Boulders Beach
This coastal gem in South Africa features golden sands and dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. Boulders Beach is famous for its penguin colony, offering visitors a unique chance to observe these charming birds in their natural habitat.
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 Cape of Good Hope
4 Signal Hill
5 Hout Bay
6 Castle Rock
7 Chapman's Peak Drive
8 Lions Head

🎡Places for activities

1 Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
2 Table Mountain Cableway
3 Cape Point Funicular

🏞️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 Chapman's Peak
3 Cape Point
4 Skeleton Gorge
5 Beach Road
6 Greenbelt
7 Oudekraal
8 Twelve Apostles

🛍️Shopping

1 KFC
2 V&A Waterfront
3 Greenmarket Square
4 Old Biscuit Mill
5 Hout Bay Food Market
6 Oranjezicht City Farm Market

🎈Events

Two Oceans Marathon
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town Kite Festival
Table Mountain Challenge Trail Run
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Ultra-Trail Cape Town
Wine Harvest Festival

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Knowledge before you go

Check wind and cloud; cableway closures happen suddenly.
Book cableway tickets ahead in peak season; queues and parking get intense mid-day.
Carry water, sun protection and a layer; conditions shift fast on the mountain.
After reaching the top, walk the marked loop paths for quieter viewpoints beyond the main platform.

How to travel to Table Mountain National Park

Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is about 30 minutes from the park. From Cape Town, you can take a rental car, tour bus or public transport to various park entrances.

Access summary

From Cape Town Airport (CPT): Taxi or shuttle to cableway, about 30–40 minutes.
From central Cape Town: MyCiTi or sightseeing bus to Lower Cable Station, roughly 15–25 minutes.
Many hike up from Tafelberg/Kloof Nek, cable car down for views.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Table Mountain National Park

Cape Town offers everything from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Staying near the city center gives easy access to Table Mountain, while options near Hout Bay or Constantia offer a more nature‑focused retreat.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Cape Town Lodge Hotel

8.7

City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront Cape Town

8.9

Pepperclub Hotel

8.9

The Rockefeller Hotel by NEWMARK

8.8

The Residences Crystal Towers

8.8

Lagoon Beach Hotel and Spa

8.1

South Beach Camps Bay Boutique Hotel

9.4

Habitat Aparthotel by Totalstay

9.0

Victoria and Alfred Hotel by NEWMARK

9.0

One Thibault Hotel by ITC Hospitality

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Table Mountain National Park

The best way to explore is by car, especially for reaching Cape Point and other distant areas. MyCiTi buses run to major spots in Cape Town, including Table Mountain. Taxis and rideshares are available, but hiking is often the best way to experience the park.

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.

-43 %

Daily expenses in the region 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.

-2 %

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.

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.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£44	£93	£224
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£45	£90
🍝 Food per day	£17	£43	£120
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£15

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£8.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£29
🤧 Cold medication	£4.40
💇 Basic haircut	£8.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Generally safe, but some hiking trails can be risky due to muggings – go in groups. Be cautious of strong winds on the mountain. Avoid walking alone at night in remote areas.

Health & Medical

Cape Town has excellent hospitals and clinics. Bring basic medication for hiking injuries. Be cautious of dehydration and sun exposure, especially in summer.

Accessibility

The Table Mountain cableway is wheelchair accessible. Many viewpoints and Kirstenbosch Gardens have good accessibility, but most hiking trails are steep and challenging.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and mountain streams may look clean but should be filtered before drinking.