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. So we never tire of soaking up the beauty and buzzy atmosphere of this relaxed city. 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 colourful Bo-Kaap quarter. Or marvel at some of the best contemporary African art at the Zeitz MOCAA gallery. You must try out some of the array of cosmopolitan restaurants. And you may like to browse through the vibey street markets around Greenmarket Square. Or visit an eclectic array of museums from the District Six Museum to the Museum of Gold .

Explore Further Afield

But a holiday to cape Town is not just about the city centre. Other parts hold just as much interest. Meander through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or simply relax on the beach of Camps Bay or Clifton. 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 National Park. En route you might see whales breaching just off the bay. Or quirky penguins enjoying Boulders beach.

Cape Town Safari Holidays

We can book some great tours for you in Cape Town. 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 estates. We also recommend the uplifting Uthando township visit.

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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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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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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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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Explore the Cape Town map

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.
TALK TO US
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.
TALK TO US
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.
TALK TO US
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.
TALK TO US
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 $ 2,109
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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 $ 2,582
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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 $ 2,255
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Cape Town, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari

This romantic safari/honeymoon combines three highlights of Southern Africa - starting with Cape Town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Then Botswana for 6 nights safari in the Okavango Delta....

WHEN Apr - Oct
DURATION 12 Nights
FROM $ 5,900
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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 $ 7,352
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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 $ 3,399
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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) $ 250
RATING Luxury
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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) $ 178
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) $ 184
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) $ 73
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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V&A Waterfront

African Elite Waterfront Apartments

African Elite Waterfront Apartments are a collection of luxury, fully serviced apartments in the V&A Waterfront marina ranging from one to four bedrooms. All the apartments are located within...

PRICE (PPS) $ 176
RATING Luxury
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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

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

Experiences in Cape Town

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Helicopter Excursions in Cape Town

NAC Helicopters offers a series of short scenic helicopter excursions from the harbour (near the Waterfront). This can be done as a private charter for 3 up to 6 people. And they also offer seat...

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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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Wine Tours

Meander along one of the well-mapped wine routes visiting whichever estates take your fancy. If you’d like some more indepth knowledge, book some wine tours with us. These will include a cellar...

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Yacht cruises from Cape Town

There’s quite an array of yacht and boat cruises to choose from, mostly departing from the V&A Waterfront. This is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on a warm summer’s day or even...

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Walk to Freedom Township Tour

This thought-provoking half day tour starts in the Bo-Kaap, (Cape Malay Quarter), and continues to the historic District Six Museum. After this you head to Langa, the oldest "township" in Cape...

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

Cape Town Articles

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Where to stay in Cape Town

So what is the best area to stay in Cape Town for 1st time visitors? A few days ago, I enjoyed a superb stay at Steenberg Hotel in the Constantia area of Cape Town (see my review HERE). It was a...

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10 Romantic Hotels in Cape Town and the Winelands you ought to visit

Everyone’s idea of a romantic weekend away is different. Some would love nothing more than to escape the big city lights and head as far into the mountains as possible. Whilst others are...

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Affordable & Romantic Honeymoon Lodges in South Africa - check out 7 lodges for 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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Top 10 Golf Courses in Cape Town & Garden Route

This article focuses on our take on the Top 10 Golf Courses in Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus & the Garden Route. We use info from the Top 100 Golf Courses in South Africa (2022 Edition). (But...

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8 Cool Places to Pop THE Question

First a confession… my own engagement was not the most romantic of experiences. My friends were asked THE QUESTION on the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Or by the Grand Canyon. My husband and I just...

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Top 20 Things to do with Kids in Cape Town

It’s coming up to the prime holiday season in Cape Town. So we’ve updated our Top 20 Things to do with Kids in Cape Town. It’s focused a little more on older kids (from 6 upwards) but there...

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Natasha Jantjies

Africa Travel Specialist

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