Top places to visit in Cape Town

• V&A Waterfront Cape Town

  waterfront · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cape Town's premier shopping and entertainment destination on a working harbour with Table Mountain backdrop. 450+ shops, 80+ restaurants, Nobel Square, Two Oceans Aquarium, and Robben Island ferry gateway.

• Table Mountain National Park

  mountain · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The flat-topped mountain that defines Cape Town's skyline — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The aerial cableway reaches a 1,086 m summit with 360-degree views spanning the Cape Peninsula and…

• Camps Bay Beach

  urban beach · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cape Town's most glamorous beach — a wide crescent of white sand at the foot of the Twelve Apostles. Cold Atlantic water (Benguela Current) but unrivalled scenery. Famous for sunset drinks along the strip.

• Bo-Kaap Cape Malay Quarter

  neighbourhood · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Cape Town's most photogenic neighbourhoods — famous for brightly painted houses, cobblestone streets, and vibrant Cape Malay culture. The Bo-Kaap Museum tells the story of the Muslim community dating back to the 1760s.

• Robben Island Museum

  historic site · 4.7 rating · about 4.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  UNESCO World Heritage Site where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 prison years. Guided tours led by former political prisoners — one of South Africa's most profound historical experiences.

• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

  botanical garden · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ranked among the world's greatest botanical gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. The 528-hectare garden showcases southern Africa's extraordinary floral wealth, with the Boomslang Canopy Walkway offering a spectacular treetop…

Things to do

• Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Ride Sightseeing Tour · 2 h · from ZAR 76 per person
• Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town Cultural · 2 h · from ZAR 50 per person
• Table Mountain Hiking - Platteklip Gorge Adventure · 3.5 h
• Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront Leisure · 2 h · from ZAR 130 per person
• Boulders Beach African Penguin Colony Nature · 1.5 h · from ZAR 39 per person
• Lion's Head Sunrise Hike Cape Town Adventure · 3 h

Day trips and tours

• Cape Peninsula Full-Day Tour 10 h · from ZAR 290
• Winelands Tasting Tour — Stellenbosch & Franschhoek 8.5 h · from ZAR 220
• Robben Island & City Walking Tour Combo 7 h · from ZAR 190

Where to stay in Cape Town

• V&A Waterfront about ZAR 4,500 per night

  South Africa's premier hotel zone adjacent to the working harbour. Upscale hotels, designer malls, and restaurants in a secure, walkable precinct.

• City Bowl & Gardens about ZAR 2,200 per night

  Central Cape Town between Table Mountain and the harbour. Mix of boutique hotels, guesthouses, and the famous Long Street nightlife.

• Sea Point & Green Point about ZAR 2,800 per night

  Upmarket Atlantic Seaboard suburb with a popular beachfront promenade, great restaurants, and easy Waterfront access.

• De Waterkant & Bo-Kaap about ZAR 2,600 per night

  Colourful Cape Malay quarter with cobblestone streets and the Cape's most photographed rainbow houses. Trendy restaurants nearby.

Hotels

• The Silo Hotel 5-star · ZAR 8,000 to ZAR 22,000 per night
• The Table Bay Hotel 5-star · ZAR 5,500 to ZAR 12,000 per night
• The Cape Milner 4-star · ZAR 1,800 to ZAR 3,500 per night
• Ashanti Lodge Gardens 2-star · ZAR 250 to ZAR 900 per night

Where to eat

• Kloof Street House south african, fusion, gastropub · about ZAR 350 per person
• Biesmiellah Restaurant cape malay, south african · about ZAR 180 per person
• The Test Kitchen contemporary, south african, fusion · about ZAR 950 per person
• La Colombe french, contemporary, south african · about ZAR 850 per person
• La Mouette Sea Point seafood, steakhouse, south african · about ZAR 650 per person

Getting to Cape Town

Airport: Cape Town (CPT)

How visitors arrive in Cape Town

• Flight into Cape Town Airport By air from Johannesburg · common

  The main gateway for domestic and international flights, with connections via Johannesburg and Gulf, European hubs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity coach or drive By road from Johannesburg · possible

  Coaches arrive from other South African cities and Namibia; the N1, N2 and N7 highways start here. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cruise ship By ferry from Cruise ports · possible

  Many large cruise lines call at Cape Town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Uber or Bolt

  Both apps work from the airport; it is worth comparing them on the day. Source: airports.co.za

• Authorised airport taxis

  Use only the authorised airport taxi service, with walk-in kiosks and a desk in the Central Terminal Building. Decline unsolicited drivers offering rides in the terminal or outside. Source: airports.co.za

• MyCiTi airport bus unconfirmed

  The MyCiTi bus rapid transit service is described as linking the airport with the City Bowl; it needs a smartcard. Check current service before relying on it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Only Touchdown Taxis is official; unmetered drivers in 'official' vests are not, so agree a rate first if you use one. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus useful for some trips

  The MyCiTi bus network serves the city centre, the V&A Waterfront and suburbs such as Table View and Khayelitsha.

  Get a myconnect card · MyCiTi journey planner

• Car Rental Self
• Ride Hail
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake Police Officer Stop

  Long Street, Cape Town CBD

  Someone posing as a plainclothes officer stops you and demands to see your wallet to "verify" your cash is not counterfeit. If you comply, cash disappears.

  How to avoid it: Legitimate SA Police will always show a SAPS ID card and badge. Ask to be taken to the nearest police station. Never hand over your wallet. Call 10111 if suspicious.

• Taxi Overcharging at Airport

  Cape Town International Airport arrivals

  Unlicensed "taxi touts" at arrivals quote steep fares (R600+ for a R200 journey). They target confused first-time visitors.

  How to avoid it: Use Uber or the official Airport Shuttle booth inside the terminal. Agree on fare before boarding any cab. Metered taxis should use the meter.

• Beach Bag Distraction

  Clifton and Camps Bay beaches

  One person starts a conversation or asks for a photo while an accomplice grabs bags left on the sand.

  How to avoid it: Never leave valuables unattended on the beach. Use a waterproof bag worn on your body in the water. Leave passports and excess cash in the hotel safe.

Best time to visit Cape Town

• Jan 27°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 26°C
• Apr 24°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 18°C
• Jul 18°C
• Aug 18°C
• Sep 20°C
• Oct 22°C
• Nov 24°C
• Dec 26°C

More in South Africa

• Johannesburg
• Durban
• Stellenbosch
• Pretoria
• Knysna
• Hermanus

Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

What are the top-rated places to visit in Cape Town?

The highest-rated places in our Cape Town guide are Table Mountain National Park, Robben Island Museum, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, V&A Waterfront Cape Town, Camps Bay Beach.

Where should I stay in Cape Town?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cape Town: V&A Waterfront, City Bowl & Gardens, Sea Point & Green Point, De Waterkant & Bo-Kaap.

How do I get around Cape Town?

Ways to get around Cape Town covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Cape Town?

Scams reported to us for Cape Town include Fake Police Officer Stop; Taxi Overcharging at Airport; Beach Bag Distraction. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Cape Town?

Average daytime highs in Cape Town run from 18°C in Jul to 27°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Cape Town?

The nearest airport to Cape Town has the code CPT.