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 (though you may need to be somewhat flexible with your timings to beat the queues). 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?

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, some in the Top 100 world rankings. 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. Cape Town is somewhat unique in that respect. Other parts of the city 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 the quirky African penguins enjoying Boulders beach.

Why not check out our blog about which area of Cape Town will suit you?

There are plenty of stunning hotels available throughout the city to choose from. Why not check out our article on 10 Romantic Hotels in Cape Town and the Winelands for some inspiration.

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
  • 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

When to visit Cape Town

Mid-Nov 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.
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.
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.
AVG RAINFALL 78 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 6 Hours
MAX TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉
MIN TEMP 8 ℃ / 46 ℉

September to mid-Nov

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.
AVG RAINFALL 38 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 9.5 Hours
MAX TEMP 22 ℃ / 72 ℉
MIN TEMP 12 ℃ / 54 ℉

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Loved our time in Cape Town

"We loved our time in Cape Town the most as we did so much. The food was fantastic everywhere we ate. " Mrs Lottie Murphy, 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

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

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