Cape Town
South Africa
- Table Mountain
- Robben Island
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Cape of Good Hope
- Boulders Beach
About Cape Town
Cape Town lies at the southwestern tip of South Africa, between Table Mountain and the Atlantic. Founded in 1652 as a supply station for the Dutch East India Company, it is the country's oldest city of European origin.
Flat-topped Table Mountain, Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held for years, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the peninsula stretching to the Cape of Good Hope are its main attractions.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Whale watching (June–November) — Whale-watching tours run from June–November. Choose licensed operators that keep their distance from the animals.
How many days do you need?
Allow at least four days: one for Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront; one for a Robben Island tour and Bo-Kaap; one for Kirstenbosch and Constantia; and one for a peninsula drive to the penguins of Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope. Keep the plan flexible, as weather can change it.
Where to stay
- V&A Waterfront — On the harbour, with restaurants and the Robben Island ferries close by; safe and lively.
- City Bowl and De Waterkant — Central, near Bo-Kaap and the Table Mountain cableway.
- Sea Point and Camps Bay — On the ocean, with a promenade and beaches.
From the airport to the city
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about 12 miles east of the centre. The MyCiTi A01 bus links the airport with the Civic Centre in town; taxis and ride-hailing services are also widely used.
Getting around
The MyCiTi bus network covers the centre, the Atlantic seaboard and the northern suburbs and is used with a myconnect card. For the peninsula and the winelands, renting a car or joining a tour is more practical. Traffic drives on the left.
Good to know
- The Table Mountain cableway stops in strong wind and bad weather; check before you go. Robben Island tours depart from the V&A Waterfront; book ahead.
- It is in the southern hemisphere: summer (December–February) is dry and windy, winter (June–August) is rainy.
- Avoid walking alone on deserted streets at night, and hike in groups. The currency is the South African rand.
Useful links
- Cape Town Tourism capetown.travel
- MyCiTi (city buses) myciti.org.za
- ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) airports.co.za
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: November–April. The warmest month is February (average high 71 °F); the wettest is June (4.4 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71.1 | 0.45 | Ideal |
| February | 71.2 | 0.41 | Ideal |
| March | 69.6 | 0.86 | Ideal |
| April | 66.7 | 1.35 | Ideal |
| May | 64.2 | 2.49 | Good |
| June | 61.7 | 4.39 | Good |
| July | 60.3 | 3.73 | Good |
| August | 60.1 | 3.18 | Good |
| September | 61.3 | 1.82 | Good |
| October | 64.0 | 1.10 | Good |
| November | 66.2 | 1.22 | Ideal |
| December | 69.1 | 0.48 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Human Rights DayMarch 21
- Public HolidayMarch 22
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Family DayMarch 29
- Freedom DayApril 27
- Workers' DayMay 1
- Youth DayJune 16
- National Women's DayAugust 9
- Heritage DaySeptember 24
- Day of ReconciliationDecember 16
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Day of GoodwillDecember 26
- Public HolidayDecember 27
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencySouth African Rand (R)
- Dialling code+27
- Plugs & voltageType C, D, M, N · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112 · Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.