Table Mountain, wine valleys and wild coastline.
Cape Town sits beneath Table Mountain between two oceans, with beaches, wine country and dramatic coastal drives. It suits outdoor lovers, foodies and couples.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The flat-topped mountain above the city with a rotating cable car. Hikers can walk up. The flat-topped mountain rises about 1,085 metres, and a cableway reaches the top.
Cable car return ticket; hiking is free.
A scenic drive to the rugged tip of the peninsula. It is part of Table Mountain National Park. It is part of Table Mountain National Park, about 70 kilometres south of the city.
Park entry plus optional funicular and tour.
A harbour with shops, restaurants and the Zeitz MOCAA museum. It is safe and lively. It is a working harbour with shops, restaurants and the Zeitz MOCAA art museum.
Free to walk around; attractions cost extra.
The prison island where Mandela was held. Former prisoners lead tours. Nelson Mandela was held here for 18 years, and tours are led by former prisoners.
Ferry and tour combined.
A garden on the mountain's slopes with a tree canopy walkway. Summer concerts are popular. It was founded in 1913 on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
Entry fee.
A beach with an African penguin colony. Boardwalks give close views. It is part of the national park and home to a colony of African penguins.
Park fee.
A hillside area of brightly painted houses and Cape Malay heritage. It has a small museum. It is known for colourful houses and a history linked to Cape Malay culture.
Free to walk; museum and tours extra.
A hill with sunset views over the city and sea. It is reachable by car. It overlooks the city and the Atlantic, with a road to the top.
Free.
A popular hike with 360 degree views. The full moon hike is famous. The hike to the summit takes about one to two hours each way.
Free.
A palm-lined beach with mountain views. It has many restaurants. It lies below the Twelve Apostles mountains on the Atlantic coast.
Free.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one city, day two Cape Peninsula and Boulders, day three Robben Island and Kirstenbosch.
Wine estates.
31 mi · Car, about 45 minutes
Whale watching.
75 mi · Car, about 1h30
The southernmost tip of Africa.
137 mi · Car, about 3 hours each way, best as an overnight
Turquoise waters of Langebaan Lagoon, spring wild flower carpets in August and September, and quiet bird hides.
62 mi · Rental car via the R27 in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Best: November to March. Warm, dry summer.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
January 2
Street parade.
Usually late March or early April
Large international jazz festival.
Usually March
A mass cycling event around the peninsula.
Usually Easter weekend
A famous road and trail running event.
Late March or April
Renowned music festival showcasing African and international jazz legends.
The US State Department rates South Africa Level 2, exercise increased caution, for crime and unrest; in Cape Town, muggings and car break-ins are risks.
The waterfront and city bowl are walkable by day.
MyCiTi buses serve key routes; ride apps are widely used.
Sources disagree on: population.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, families
Safe and central.
Best for: couples
Near restaurants.
Best for: beach lovers
Beach and views.
Best for: runners, couples
A flat seafront promenade with restaurants.
Best for: active travelers, foodies, budget
Lively coastal neighborhood with seaside promenade walks, local delis, and boutique guesthouses.
| Main airport | Cape Town International (CPT), 12 mi from the center |
| To the center | Ride apps are the easiest way into the city; the MyCiTi airport service has been suspended (2025). |
| Around town | Use Uber or Bolt and rent a car for the peninsula and winelands. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Bolt |
Spiced minced meat bake.
Barbecue.
From Bo-Kaap.
Sweet sponge pudding.
A huge, hearty Cape Town sub.
Try Chenin Blanc and Pinotage.
| Plugs | Type M, N and C, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 10 to 15 percent and small tips to car guards. |
| Payments | Cards are widely accepted. |
| Etiquette | Lock car doors and keep valuables out of sight. |
The Khoikhoi and San lived here for thousands of years before the Dutch East India Company set up a station in 1652. The British took over in 1806. Robben Island held Nelson Mandela, and the end of apartheid in 1994 changed the city. Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and the oldest city in the country.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.