Cape Town

Table Mountain, the historic Waterfront and Bo-Kaap, crashing breakers and glorious sunsets.

Overview

Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world. Cradled by Table Mountain and surrounded by crashing breakers and glorious sunsets, it has immense charm and historical interest. We never tire of soaking up the beauty and buzzy atmosphere of this relaxed city with its cosmopolitan dining options.

No Cape Town holiday is complete without taking the cable car up Table Mountain. Allow enough time to enjoy an easy hike on the top – just 45 minutes will get you to Maclears Beacon and away from the crowds. Alternatively why not try hiking up the mountain, or abseiling off the top for the ultimate adrenaline rush?

In the city, you can visit the colorful Bo-Kaap, visit an eclectic array of museums from District Six to the Museum of Gold or browse through the vibey street markets of Greenmarket Square and St Georges Mall.

Alternatively meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, head out to Robben Island by boat or simply relax on the beach of Camps Bay or Llandudno. When you want to range further, the Cape Peninsula offers one of the finest coastal drives in Africa – Chapmans Peak Drive – to the Cape of Good Hope. Here you might see whales breaching just off the bay or quirky penguins on Boulders beach.

We can book some great tours for you – take the boat cruise to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, circle the Cape Peninsula or meander through the Cape Winelands tasting wine at boutique wine estates. We also recommend the uplifting Uthando township visit.

You can choose between scheduled or private tours with our hand-picked specialist guides. Alternatively we can arrange car rental for you to explore The Mother City independently.

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Madelyn Nieuwoudt

Africa Travel Specialist
Our experienced band of Safari Planners can create a bespoke plan for you. More enriching, more restorative and making more of a difference. Discover how working with a specialist adds value to your African adventure.
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Features

Why you may love it

  • Take the cable car up Table Mountain
  • Spend the day at one of Cape Town’s many beaches
  • Swim with the penguins
  • Abseiling off Table Mountain – a mere 1000-metre drop!
  • Helicopter flips over the peninsula
  • Enjoy a full day of interacting with whales and sharks by boat, with the option of caged shark diving
  • Restaurants, shops, craft markets galore at the V&A Waterfront & the city open air markets
  • Enjoy a sunset cruise along the Atlantic ocean by classic motorcycle and sidecar

Where to go in Cape Town

These are some of the best rated places to visit in Cape Town based on popularity and experience rating by our travelers

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Atlantic & Camps Bay

Head to the Atlantic coast for big skies, big seas and glorious sunsets with palm trees swaying against white sandy beaches.

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Cape Town City

Leave your car behind and walk to all the city’s landmarks. At night, sample the full gamut of Cape Town’s thriving restaurant and café scene.

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Cape Town City Bowl

The city bowl basks in the dramatic shadow of the 1000m mountain, with its characteristic ‘tablecloth’ of mist rolling over the edge.

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V&A Waterfront

Bright, busy and breezy Cape Town icon, home to street entertainers, shoppers and those who want to watch the world go by...

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Constantia

Taste a more mellow side of Cape Town on the sheltered vine-covered slopes of the mountain, home to gracious wine estates, extensive gardens and ancient oaks.

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When to visit Cape Town

 

Mid-November to mid-March

Summer in Cape Town

Cape Town has a dry Mediterranean climate and so for sun-seekers aiming to escape the worst of the northern hemisphere winter, this is the perfect time to visit. Being by the coast, Cape Town rarely gets unbearably hot, though there will be a couple of scorchers. There is a slight micro-climate difference within the city depending on which side of the mountain you are staying. January and February can be windy with the South-Easter likely to blow during the summer. But it varies from week to week.
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AVG RAINFALL 13 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 11 Hours
MAX TEMP 27 ℃ / 81 ℉
MIN TEMP 16 ℃ / 61 ℉
 

Mid-March to April

Autumn

I like this time of year in Cape Town. Though it is cooler in the Cape, it’s a great time to be active as the sun is not so scorching. Even sight-seeing is easier. Plus there are fewer visitors so its easier to get into popular restaurants and queues to go up Table Mountain are much shorter. Cape Town hotels offer winter rates from April or May onwards and so you’ll find your money goes a little further.
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AVG RAINFALL 65 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 8 Hours
MAX TEMP 21.5 ℃ / 71 ℉
MIN TEMP 10.5 ℃ / 51 ℉
 

May to August

Winter

This is our “winter” and yes it does feel wintery. But this is a gentle winter. You may have rain, but it only rains for 2-3 days every 10 days on average, so you may have no rain during your stay. July sees the start of the whale-viewing season with whales sighted off the coast in False Bay. Plus Cape Town is one of the few destinations in South Africa where there is plenty to see indoors from the world-class Zeitz Mocaa museum, to the Natural History Museum.
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AVG RAINFALL 78 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 6 Hours
MAX TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉
MIN TEMP 8 ℃ / 46 ℉
 

September to mid-November

Spring

The spring is another of our favourite times to visit, unless you are seeking heat in a big way! As elsewhere in the world, spring is variable. It could be sunny and warm. Or there could be late-season passing showers. By October onwards it tends to be warmer and this is when the Cape Town gardens are at their best with beautiful displays of roses and indigenous fynbos. As it is not scorchingly hot, it’s a great time for sight-seeing and being active such as hiking up Table Mountain or sea-kayaking.
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AVG RAINFALL 38 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 9.5 Hours
MAX TEMP 22 ℃ / 72 ℉
MIN TEMP 12 ℃ / 54 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

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Mellow Cape Self-drive Safari

This popular and leisurely self-drive tour begins in Cape Town and meanders through the Winelands, the whale country around Hermanus, taking Route 62 to the Little Karoo and the Garden Route and...

WHEN Aug - Apr
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM $ 2,521
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Mellow South Africa Self-drive

This longer Mellow South Africa self drive holiday begins in Cape Town and takes in the Winelands & the Garden Route and the sub-tropical KwaZulu Natal, then travel through Swaziland to end with a...

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 18 Nights
FROM $ 3,334
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South Africa Safari & Beach

This simple South Africa bush and beach safari holiday or honeymoon is a relaxing trip combining the delights of the fair city of Cape Town with sunny KwaZulu Natal with its winning combination of...

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 11 Nights
FROM $ 3,090
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Cape Town, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari

This romantic safari or honeymoon combines three highlights of Southern Africa - starting with Cape Town, staying at a luxurious five star resort hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Then you...

WHEN Apr - Oct
DURATION 12 Nights
FROM $ 5,750
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Relaxing Rascals Family Safari

This relaxing tour, using Premier to Luxury accommodation, is ideal for the South African summer, spring and autumn. Ideal for all ages. Can be undertaken using more moderate lodges as well.

WHEN Aug - May
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM $ 7,291
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Cape & Kruger Private Tour

This popular private holiday is for our clients who don’t wish to drive themselves. It combines some of the best of the Cape with some of the best of the Kruger.

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 11 Nights
FROM $ 3,936
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Accommodation

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V&A Waterfront

Cape Grace Hotel

A harmonious blend of traditional elegance and contemporary luxury, the Cape Grace Hotel is perfectly positioned on the yacht marina of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. The Cape...

PRICE (PPS) $ 296
RATING Luxury
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Atlantic & Camps Bay

52 De Wet

52 De Wet is a spectacular boutique guest lodge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Cape Town's most exclusive neighborhood of Bantry Bay. It sits perched on the slopes of Signal Hill tucked in...

PRICE (PPS) $ 327
RATING Premier
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Atlantic & Camps Bay

Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

The intimate Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town is ideal if you're looking for a romantic yet fun hotel with a distinctly glamorous feel to it. On one side, a line of majestic mountains –...

PRICE (PPS) $ 211
RATING Luxury
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Cape Peninsula

Tintswalo Atlantic

Tintswalo Atlantic lies right on the water’s edge just off the picturesque Chapman's Peak drive. This ultra-stylish and romantic retreat offers absolute seclusion and relaxation, with the ocean...

PRICE (PPS) $ 217
RATING Luxury
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Constantia

Vineyard Hotel

The Vineyard Hotel is situated in Newlands only 10mins from the city centre of Cape Town and yet within 6 acres of landscaped gardens. It offers classical gardens and public rooms with stylish...

PRICE (PPS) $ 86
RATING Premier
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Cape Town City Bowl

Four Rosmead

Four Rosmead offers warm hospitality, discreet and efficient service and is centrally located close to vibrant Kloof Street. It’s no secret that this is one of our favourite options in Cape Town!

RATING Premier
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Really enjoyed Cape Town

"We really enjoyed the city, particularly the ride up Table Mountain, Kistenbosch, the Waterfront and the drive to the Cape (which we did on the day we travelled to Franschoek). We would happily go again and spend more time there." Mr Bund, UK

Fantastic City

"Cape Town was fantastic, lucky to have good weather and hotel was excellent with mountain views. We love to go back to Cape Town!!" Mr Roland, UK

Had no idea how beautiful

"It really was the most wonderful experience, we feel truly privileged to have seen so many amazing animals close up in the bush. This was our first trip to South Africa and we had no idea how stunningly beautiful your country is." Laughton Family, UK

Experiences in Cape Town

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Table Mountain by cable car

A trip up Table Mountain is a must on anyone’s list for Cape Town. The slowly revolving cable car gives stunning, vertiginous views over Cape Town and its surroundings. Once on top of Table...

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Robben Island Tour

This 3 to 3½ hour scheduled tour includes a return trip across Table Bay (with a 30 minute ferry ride each way), a visit to the historical Maximum Security Prison and a tour of Robben Island. ...

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Tour the Cape Peninsula

A tour of the Cape Peninsula usually includes a scenic coastal drive along Chapmans Peak; the Cape of Good Hope National Park and Cape Point; viewing the Penguins at Boulders Beach; Simonstown...

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Abseil off Table Mountain

Head to the top of Table Mountain to enjoy the world’s longest commercial abseil. You step off the top of Table Mountain, at 1000 metres above sea level and abseil into pure vertical space for...

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Uthando Projects Tour

Uthando offers tailor-made, unique and authentic cultural field trips, visiting some of projects supported by the tourism industry. In this way you can have a direct insight into the remarkable...

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Hiking up Table Mountain

Hiking up and on Table Mountain is a very popular activity whilst in Cape Town. You can either do this 'under your own steam' or with a qualified mountain walking guide. There are several routes...

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Tours by Cape Sidecar

Experience the beauty of the Cape in a classic 1930's Sidecar. This is a unique experience - being transferred on a classic vintage 750cc Sidecar which is practically unchanged in style from the...

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Township cycling tour in Cape Town

These community-based bicycle tours in Cape Town are a responsible take on township tours, providing tourists with many more opportunities to interact with the community than they would have from...

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Cape Malay Culinary Tour

This is a great way to learn about Cape Town’s cultural diversity with a culinary walk through the historical heart of the Bo Kaap in Cape Town with some shopping in the local markets. The focus...

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Did you know
  • NicknameThe Mother City
  • HistoryLocation of the world's first heart transplant

Cape Town Articles

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Our Top 10 Restaurants in Cape Town

Cape Town has been praised as a top culinary destination, with new restaurants and talented young chefs popping up all the time. We’ve updated the top 10 restaurants in Cape Town list below to...

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7 off the beaten track lodges near Cape Town

We all love the notion of getting ‘off the beaten track’. Exploring lodges near Cape Town that make you feel that you are the only ones around, that you’ve stripped off the scales of...

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Affordable & Romantic Honeymoon Lodges in South Africa - check out 8 lodges to love

We love places that offer value for money! That’s why we’d like to share some affordable yet romantic honeymoon lodges in South Africa with you. Let’s face it, when you dream about your...

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Mari Jacobs

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Mari, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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