Cape Town
A flat-topped mountain in the middle of the city, two oceans at its feet, and a history it does not hide
Browse Cape Town
Few cities are shaped by their geography as completely as Cape Town. Table Mountain sits in the middle of it, the Atlantic runs along one side and False Bay the other, and almost every neighbourhood is defined by which bit of the mountain it sits under. It is also a city that keeps its history in plain sight, from the coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap to Robben Island out in the bay and the empty ground where District Six used to be. Our local picks run from Cape Malay home cooking and the Woodstock markets to the craft co-ops and township kitchens where your money stays in the city.
Cape Town at a glance
- Ideal stay: 5 to 7 days
- Best time to visit: November to March, the southern summer
- Highlights: Table Mountain, the Bo-Kaap and Robben Island
- Where to stay: the City Bowl, the V&A Waterfront or Sea Point
- Getting around: MyCiTi buses in town; a car helps for the peninsula
- Local picks: 32 hand-chosen places across the city
Where to stay in Cape Town
The City Bowl puts you between the mountain and the centre and is the easiest base without a car. The V&A Waterfront is self-contained and secure but pricier, while Sea Point trades the centre for the Atlantic promenade. Compare live prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
November to March is the southern summer, with long dry days and the warmest sea. It is also the busiest and most expensive stretch, particularly over Christmas and New Year. The shoulder months of October and April give you much of the same weather with fewer people, while the winter months from June to August are wet, green and cheap.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
Five to seven days is the honest answer. Two go to the city itself, one to Table Mountain when the weather allows, one to the Cape Peninsula and one to the Winelands. Robben Island and a township tour each take half a day and are worth building in rather than squeezing.
Do you need a car in Cape Town?
Not for the City Bowl, the Waterfront or Sea Point, which are linked by MyCiTi buses and short ride-hail trips. A car earns its keep the moment you want the Cape Peninsula, Hout Bay or the Winelands under your own steam. Guided day tours cover those same routes if you would rather not drive.
Is the Table Mountain cableway always running?
No. High wind and low cloud close it at short notice, and it shuts for annual maintenance in the winter. Tickets are usually valid for several days after purchase, so buy early in your trip and go on the first clear, still morning rather than committing to a fixed date.
Is a township tour a respectful thing to do?
It depends entirely on who runs it. Tours led by residents, that spend money in the community and that treat homes as homes rather than exhibits, are welcomed by many of the people who live there. Ask who owns the operator and where the fee goes, keep your camera down around people's houses, and eat somewhere locally owned while you are there.
How should you think about safety in Cape Town?
Cape Town has real crime, and it is very unevenly distributed. The ordinary advice does most of the work: keep phones out of sight on the street, use ride-hailing rather than walking between neighbourhoods after dark, do not leave anything visible in a parked car, and hike Table Mountain in a group on marked routes. Ask your accommodation which specific streets they would avoid at night, as the answer is local rather than general.