This is your ultimate Cape Town travel guide, with everything you need to know for your first visit. Among South African cities, Cape Town is the most well-known across the world. It is located in the main province of Western Cape, situated at the lower most part of the African continent. Starting out as a tiny outpost to resupply ships passing ship by the Dutch in 1652, today Cape Town is a vibrant city and one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
Table of Contents
Overview of Cape Town
Cape Town is the second biggest city in South Africa with diverse people also known as the “Mother City”, is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. Cape Town is the provincial and legislative capital of South Africa. It situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, with Coastline fronting the Atlantic and Indian oceans that forms Western Cape’s western and southern boundaries.
It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum with a racial makeup of black Africans, coloured, Indian/ Asians and white people with the majority that speaks English Afrikaans and Xhosa. The city is famous for its beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, traditional dancers with painted faces performing in the streets. Along with the smell of spicy Malay cooking and the taste of a well-made wine, this city will fill your senses with its assorted nature.
Cape Town has many national attractions, all of which should appear on every visitor’s itinerary all year round. These include Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; the Constantia vineyards, Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island and known for its harbour, and natural setting, V & A Waterfront. With all these sites it makes Cape Town what it is today.
Together with diverse cultures, cuisines and landscapes, there’s nowhere quite like Cape Town. It’s a singularly beautiful city crowned with many things to do and places to be explored.
Cape Town Travel Guide
History of Cape Town
Cape region long before the Christian era is known to be the home of the Khoisan people of the modern times, the Bushmen, the san or KhoiKhoi. They were known as the hunters and gathers and the first inhabitants of the Cape.
The Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to set eyes on what we call Cape Town toady after he had rounded the Cape by ship in the late 1400’s. Although the Dutch colonist Jan van Riebeeck became the first European to set foot on its soil in 1652. That which marked the beginning of the South African slave trade. He was sent by the Dutch East India Company to establish a supply station for ships on their way from Europe to India.
Cape Town is also the home to the world’s most famous political prisoner Nelson Mandela who was held on Robben Island in Table Bay.
Getting Around Cape Town
The simplest way to go around Cape Town is by Uber or Bolt apps. You can request a ride at any time of the day and payment can be through cash or card. Car rental is the most convenient and safest way to go around Cape Town, and mostly found around the airport or within the City.
If you would like to save money, time and the environment by sharing a ride heading the same direction as you the best is to take Rikkis Taxis. This is a door to door taxi service that takes groups of 2 or more to and from multiple destinations in Cape Town.
Meter taxis are also available which work by charging individual based on the distance of your ride. Metered taxis can be found around malls, casinos, restaurants, clubs or any busy public areas.
Public Transport in Cape Town Travel Guide
If you are looking to save costs, the most reliable and safe option for those on a budget is the MyCiti Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system which transports citizens in and around the Cape Metropole. It is also easy to find the routes for this BRT as they are integrated with Google Maps so you can simply set where you want to go and Google Maps will show you where the stop is.
Minibus taxis are frequently used in Cape Town by local South Africans. They are not recommended for travellers as they require local knowledge to get a round.
If you love biking or a person that does regular exercising there are places you can rent good quality city bikes or mountain bikes. Alternatively, you can also go on a city cycle tour which cab take you from the V&A Waterfront Information Centre where you are guided by local guides that can show you the marvellous Cape Town.
Currency
The currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR) which is at around R15 to $1 at the time of writing. Thanks to the exchange rate, the power of currencies like the dollar goes a long way in Cape Town. Things are very affordable in comparison to other popular travel destination.
If you want to change your currency into Rands, the first place is obviously at the airport. If you run out of Rands in the middle of your trip, you can find an exchange bureau at all major malls. There are a variety of exchange banks which include Western Union, Word Remit, MoneyGram, Travelex, Forex world, Bidvest Bank, American express, Absa Bank and Inter Africa Bureau De Change.
Conversely, you don’t need to carry cash if you prefer swiping. VISA and MasterCard points can be found all over the city. Carrying less cash is also a safer and most travellers won’t need to carry more than around R200 or R300 at any particular time.
Road Conditions in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of all road. In Cape town there are three kinds of roads national, provincial and local. The current road conditions in Cape Town are in good conditions especially when it comes to the highways, national roads and provincial.
The local roads are also in good condition but again their condition vary on the area as different municipals are in charge of their maintenance. In the majority of residential areas you, tend to find good roads and in some of the informal sectors/poverty-stricken areas you can find narrow or roads in poor conditions.
Cape Town roads are simple to get used to much similar to any other roads in the world. One that is unfamiliar to the roads and getting directions to a destination can simply use download Google Maps or make use of an App called Waze. That will give more details if there are roadblocks, Traffic police or accidents ahead.
Travelling during the day, especially mornings – weekdays you should expect heavy traffic or slow moving traffics in business areas. You should expect traffic during peak hours of the evening. The best time to travel is during the day and evening as roads are less congested.
Key Areas of Cape Town
City Bowl
The City Bowl is a good choice for those who like to be part of the action. Surrounded by pumping clubs and bars and fantastic restaurants on every corner. There are upmarket hotels, hostels, boutique backpackers, and just about every other kind of accommodation. It’s a bustling cosmopolitan mix, and there’s really something for everyone. There are loads of buses, taxis, trains, and Ubers around the busy City Bowl.
Atlantic Seaboard
The Atlantic Seaboard is known as Cape Town’s ‘Riviera’. It runs from the V&A Waterfront on the north Shore of Table Mountain all the way down to Hout Bay. The much-loved Atlantic Seaboard encompasses the vibey hub of Green Point, the Sea Point Promenade, which stretches along the water’s edge from Mouille Point to the end of Sea Point, the upmarket beachfront neighbourhoods of Clifton and Camps Bay, and the quaint harbour village affectionately known as the Republic of Hout Bay. The Key point Atlantic Seaboard with beaches like Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay are popular for swimming.c
Western Seaboard (Blouberg, Big Bay, Melbosstrand)
The Western Seaboard is suited to those looking to remain close to the main highway networks into the City Centre whilst enjoying the tranquil coastal lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the inner City.
Suburbs along the Western Seaboards consist of Lagoon Beach, Milnerton, Royal Ascot, Milnerton Ridge, Woodbridge Island, Sunset Beach, Sunset Links, Bloubergstrand, Bloubergrant, Waves Edge, Blouberg Sands, West Beach, Big Bay and the inland suburbs of Table View, Flamingo Vlei, Sunningdale, Parklands and West Riding.
Main attractions around the Western Seaboard is that it is ideal for holiday destination with coastal properties known to offer a laid-back atmosphere and iconic views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Table Bay.
There is a distinct difference between the northern suburbs and the southern suburbs of Cape Town, and, as with many a city divided by a river or other landmark.
Northern Suburbs
The northern suburbs are officially part of the City of Tygerberg, formed from the union of the municipalities of Bellville, Durbanville, Goodwood and Parow. These suburbs have experienced an enormous property growth in recent years, not least because of their access to Cape Town International Airport, Grand West Casino and a number of wine routes, including the Durbanville Wine Valley.
Southern Suburbs
Southern Suburbs has beauty in abundance. From Rondebosch’s majestic view of the mountain, quite a different perspective than from say, City Bowl or the lush green of Newlands, to the parks of Claremont, Southern Suburbs has beauty in abundance. Southern Suburbs is predominantly made up of beautiful suburbs which include Rondebosch, Claremont, Kenilworth, Constantia, Plumstead, Newlands, Wynberg and Bishopscourt.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
There are great places to stay in Cape Town catering for all lifestyles. After a Long day at work, you can head to the beach to unwind. There are restaurants, wine farms, coffee shops and all the activities you need to give you one of the most balanced lifestyles imaginable staying in Cape Town. Looking for a place to stay can be quite confusing as Cape Town offers a massive variety in locations and forms of accommodation. It is easy to find something for every kind of budget, in every part of the city.
Related Article: 15 Best Hotels In Cape Town
Hotels would be ideal for those just wanting a base from which to explore the city it is best to opt for one of the inner city hotels. If you want just a bit more than your average hotel experience however, consider staying at the Fire and Ice hotel. There are also a variety of B&Bs; throughout the city, from the Northern Suburbs to the Southern Suburbs. Staying in the city can provide easy access to public transport or other modes, it is best to stay in the Southern Suburbs, where train, bus and taxi transport can easily be accessible.
Places to Visit
There are many places to visit in Cape Town namely Chapman’s Peak, Table Mountain, Kalk Bay, The V&A Waterfront, Campus Bay and Muizenberg.
Camps Bay
Campus Bay is a highly recommended affluent suburb in Cape Town. Camps Bay Beach is a local favourite this beach is perfect for a family day out. Because of its spaciousness, Camps Bay Beach often plays host to volleyball tournaments, touch rugby, sunset beach dinners and even weddings. Seafood is a must have in Camps Bay as it is known for the quality of its seafood restaurants. For a memorable fine dining experience, make a dinner reservation at Paranga. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more relaxed, try local favourite Codfather seafood and sushi. 
Muizenberg
Muizenberg a Dutch name meaning mice mountain is a beach-side suburb. It is situated where the shore of the Cape Peninsula curves round to the east on the False Bay coast. Muizenberg is a great place for the whole family.
It is considered to be the main surfing spot in Cape Town and is currently home to a surfing community, centred on the popular ‘Surfer’s Corner’. Muizenberg is known for its population of White Sharks, while also has a shark watch service that operates for those that would like to see sharks.
Muizenberg is a perfect place to go unwind catering for all from grabbing coffee, craft beer or falafel in the area. The suburb is made up of co-op of local creatives. You can go as far as touring in the bohemian neighbourhood.
Table Mountain Nature Reserve
The iconic Table Mountain is on the top of the to-do list on the places to visit in Cape Town. If you would like to experience the most imaginable views would be to go on the cable car as it rotates to 360 degrees. This allows you to see the best part of Cape Town. If you would prefer an adventure then hiking would be a perfect way of seeing the city of Cape Town from a different angle. 
Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay is known for its raw beauty with a variety of shops, restaurants and not forgetting the most stunning views. Kalky’s sits right on the harbour. With its perfect setting, it would be ideal to enjoy a picnic or relax with family and friends with a glass of wine or your favourite beer watching fishermen haul on their catch. One of the toughest decision to make is choosing a restaurant to eat with a variety of good restaurants.
The most recommended restaurants to visit would be the Brass Bell, which often has live music. You can visit and enjoy cocktails there.
To go with a relaxed and less strenuous visit around Kalk Bay, if you enjoy exploring and reading, visiting Kalk Books would be ideal. It’s a wonderful little store that all book lovers will find hard to visit and not walk away with a book or two.
Cultural attractions in Cape Town
If you are looking for an exciting, authentic, feel or experience in Cape Town you should visit the Cape Town’s cultural attractions in order to understand the origins/history of the constantly developing city in the Western Cape.
Exploring Cape Town’s rich cultural diversity and visiting some of its vibrant and celebrated cultural attractions promises to be an exciting experience for tourists, locally with experiences that cater for all age groups.
District 6 Museum
If you would like to gain a real and raw perspective of Cape Town’s History, you can the iconic District 6 Museum which is part of Cape Town’s cultural gem. The District Six Museum was set to display what most people of colour experienced during the 1970’s. The Museum forms as a storyteller of the forceful removal and reconstruction of the District Six community as well as drawing its heritage.
Labia Theatre
The labia Theatre is one of the oldest independent Art-Repertory Cinema in South Africa showing independent films, foreign films, historic cinema and other alternative art circuit films. It’s a must visit destination. The cultural heritage institution located in Orange Street, originally opened in 1949 and visiting the theatre should be a must if you want to explore and have a cultural experience of Cape Town.
Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is also known as the most colourful neighbourhood. It is extremely popular for taking photos and as instagram-worthy as they come. This is thanks to the Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture homes that line the streets. Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest neighbourhoods and is also culturally diverse. The perfect place to have a photo shoot with the colourful houses in the background. The neighbourhood is celebrated for its authentic Cape Malay cuisine, while also home to the Bo-Kaap Museum, with the first established Muslim mosque.
The Slave lodge is a social history museum, forming part of the list of the oldest buildings. Built in 1679, the Slave lodge is mainly used as a cultural attraction that showcases exhibitions of human rights and history. It has also on the other hand been used as a place to educate and raise awareness on human rights.
Robben Island
The world-famous Robben Island undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s top attraction to visit and should be on your list as an area to visit. Robben Island is home to one of the most recognisable prisons in the world, while also a place with so much history. It is where Nelson Mandela spent years in a cell and a place where thousands of freedom fighters were arrested and incarcerated. Taking a tour led by guides that gives you an experience of how Nelson Mandela lived in prison. Tours also share stories of how the prisoners themselves spent their time in prison during apartheid.
Things To Do In Cape Town
If you would like to explore Cape Town and keep yourself busy there are a number of activities that cater for everyone. If you are looking to do a whole lot of tourist events and want to save some money, you can look into the the Cape Town City Pass which offers several packages with deep discounts on city attractions
Visit The Townships
Visiting the first and oldest township, Langa, and neighbouring township Gugulethu would be a great experience especially if you take the LaGuGu tour, this include a hop-on, hop-off tour. A bicycle rides is great to get the real and raw experience of the vibrant township. You cannot leave without working up an appetite and having a kasi meal or a beer in Langa or Gugulethu as this is also an important experience of the tour.
We recommend visiting Mzoli’s In Gugulethu a popular air shack restaurant endorsed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, it’s a place where you can enjoy cultural diversity, music, and a taste of the township lifestyle surrounded by people from all walks of life. With music and a dance floor, it’s a vibrant scene to enjoy a taste of great food and culture.
Dinner Theatre
Stardust Theatrical Dining is a great place to visit, where waiters sing and dance for their guests as patrons dine on delicious cuisine. The stage is always home to a new up and coming stars, and all the theatrical staff are students of the arts. This is a place to have an evening of fun and good food.
Richard’s Supper Stage is a unique, award-winning, dinner theatre that presents Kaapse Stories, a collection of stories from the Cape Malay community that has its roots in Cape Town. Featuring vibrant music, dancing and singing, audiences are introduced to a Cape family whose history unfolds throughout the evening with humour, rhythm and songs unique to Cape Town. The theatre showcases signature dishes of Cape Malay cuisine served over four courses.
Visit a Comedy Club
If you looking for a night or day filled with laughter then you have to head to the Cape Town Comedy Club for a night of stand-up comedy, open five nights a week, and daily during the festive season, performing different show premiering each week. Located at the Pumphouse in the V&A Waterfront, this club hosts the best the comedy world has to offer, with both local and internationally iconic comedians. Guest can also dine as they have a good laugh all night.
Get In Touch With Nature
Soar over fynbos forests, majestic valleys and thundering waterfalls in this zipline adventure. Few things compare to the exhilaration of looking down into a gaping canyon as you slide along a steel cable. Based in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, about an hour out of Cape Town, the tour kicks off with a 4×4 ride high into the mountains, where guests are supervised by professional guides and attached to cables that run from platform to platform.
Wine Farm
You cannot leave Cape Town without having a wine experience for the wine lovers visiting Groot Constantia Wine Estate would be essential. The wine farm three wine-tasting venues which, you can find your favourite wine in surroundings that suit your style while also learn about the history of South African wine farms and learn how wine is made.
Related Article: 49 Things To Do In Cape Town
Nightlife in Cape Town Travel Guide
Cape Town has a variety of nightlife destinations and there something for everyone, when it comes to the type of night you would like to experience, from popular nightclubs where you can dance all night long and chic cocktail bars that serve refreshing drinks to laid-back waterfront venues with spectacular sea views.
Shimmy Beach Club
Located at the V&A Waterfront, Shimmy Beach Club boasts an alfresco deck, champagne bar, private beach, and a lounge. This dance venue is famous for its amazing parties with even a pool on-site usually for those that would like to host a pool party. Shimmy Beach Club is a great
Jade Lounge
Jade Lounge & Champagne Bar attracts an older crowd, you need to be 23 years and above to enter. The club is located right above the Main Road Green Point and throws unforgettable parties on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Thursdays are usually R&B nights if one would like to take it slow as it is also during the week, while Fridays and Saturdays are for the house fanatics mainly hosting deep house parties. The good news about Jade Lounge is that the entrance to the club is free of charge.
Decodance
If you would like to take it back to the good old times and boogie Decodance Nightclub plays hit tunes from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. It’s a trendy club with two dance floors, ample seating, and three bars. It is an underground venue that moved from Woodstock to Sea Point. They sometimes host special celebrations and events, you should also check their page for details with regards to events.
Vice City
Vice City is an underground techno club that attracts mainly students, locals and tourists. The club is one that plays nothing except EDM, deep-house, and techno. It hosts numerous local and International DJ’s and is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. There are many chill areas with comfortable ottomans where you can unwind with a refreshing cocktail in your hand.
If you would like a sundowner venue Park Inn Sunroof Terrace City Bowl is the place to be, a trendy rooftop bar at the top of the Park Inn Hotel, usually convenient if you are staying close to the hotel and you would like to enjoy a drink locally. It is the accompanying bar to the hotel’s RBG restaurant and offers up a variety of drinks for all to enjoy with the presents of the Table Mountain and Cape Town.
Honest Chocolate
If you are looking for a more relaxed and cozy night with a hidden location in the courtyard of Honest Chocolate, the Gin Bar also known as the Secret Bar is a place you could spend their night and just unwind from everything. It’s a place that specializes in gin-based cocktails and boasts a cozy interior with a laid-back vibe. Don’t forget to try the delicious dark chocolate buckwheat tart or a chocolate brownie from the nearby Honest Chocolate.
Coco Club
Coco Club is a four star club highly recommended with high end bottle-service, excellent customer service with a beautiful setting when it comes to its interior with the finest DJ’s that play hip hop, house and dance music, Coco club is one club you should definitely visit.
Having a variety of clubs and different experiences in terms of the nightlife, Cape Town caters for all when it comes to the type of night you would like to experience.
Cellphone And WiFi Connectivity
Staying in touch while on holiday or business in South Africa (SA) is far less complicated and expensive than it used to be, but, nonetheless, those unfamiliar with the local system and networks may still find keeping connected somewhat confusing.
To get a sim card, you need to go through what is known as the RICA process, which means that you need to provide identification documents.
That calling rates are around R2 a minute, which can be quite high when compared to other places in the world. If your devices are unlocked buying a local prepaid SIM card, inserting it into your mobile or Internet device and operating on a top-up basis is the easiest and most convenient option. The networks that you can make use of are Vodacom, CellC, MTN, Telkom and Virgin mobile depending on your preference when it comes to purchasing mobile credit and data bundles as well as the efficiency of network giving in the area you are staying in.
Getting a Sim Card
Usually getting a sim would be best for someone that would like to stay for a longer period in South Africa, Cape Town. The advantage of getting a sim card is that you can account for the exact amount of money you’ve spent on talk time and data usage (as it’s prepaid). You can keep your number forever to use every time you re-enter SA. Costs are typically less than those incurred making calls from a hotel or with a phone on roam.
The challenges of getting a sim card is that you’ll need to go through the RICA process (unless you use B4IGO South Africa, which allows you to pre-RICA). You’ll need to locate a place that sells the SIM you need (micro and nano SIMs can be hard to find; though, (Cellucity stocks these) and you’ll risk running out of credit at inopportune times.
There are variety of ways to keep connected in South Africa either connecting to the Always on Wi-Fi which is found at most public areas such as café’s, the airport and some shopping malls. Wi-Fi may be available in the hotel you may be staying in, to make your life simple especially when living a Wi-Fi area and you would still like to stay connected you can purchase a local Sim card.
Is Cape Town Safe?
South African central business districts are somewhat notorious as far as crime and quality of life go. Though strides are being made in many town centres (CBDs) around South Africa, Cape Town has led the way as the country’s most vibrant, safe and accessible city centre. We don’t recommend being too lax, but to also try your best to be safe and avoid attracting unnecessary attention.
Some parts of Cape Town’s city centre, as well as the suburbs, are relatively safe. Malls, business districts, and tourist areas have a high-security presence. There are police stations as well as security systems in almost every area, shopping mall or public places. The Cape Town municipal aims to ensure that crime I alleviated by doing promoting security at almost all public surroundings. Most hotels also have surveillance cameras and security for the safety of tourist and locals.
It’s also pretty safe to walk around during the day, but like any city in the world, you have to keep your wits about you, especially after dark.
Unsafe Areas
If you would like to tour around a little more the Cape Flats are a no go area. This is the expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the city centre. In other words, stay stay north of the N2 highway, and west of the M5 highway. There is where a lot of the gang activity and violent crimes you have probably heard about take place. There are some township tours located there and if you visit, you will likely be with a tour guide who knows the way around.
Health
South Africa is well positioned as an ideal medical tourism destination in that it boasts the following characteristics of many ground-breaking surgeries and medical research. This includes the world’s first heart and penile transplants and more recently the world’s first transplant of middle-ear bones using 3D printed components and shorter waiting times for surgeries in the private sectors.
Medical Treatment
In Cape Town (and South Africa at large) the best medical services are found in private healthcare. The private hospitals are world-class. If you need medical attention, there are services available to meet your needs. Like if you go anywhere else, it is always advisable to have your travel insurance in order. This will ensure that in the chance that you need medical treatment, you will be fine. Cape Town has pharmacies at almost every mall, shopping centre or area.
Malaria-Free
Cape Town has no environmental diseases so if you are traveling there you don’t have to worry about taking preventative medication or prophylaxis. You only need to worry about these if Cape Town is one of the stopovers of a trip throughout South Africa and you intend on attending Safaris in areas like the Kruger National Park which have malaria. If that is the case, you can take preventative measures such as an antimalarial tablet or get a yellow- fever vaccine before travelling. There are also mosquito repellents and sprays available at any pharmacy or supermarkets.
Safe Drinking Water
Tap and bottled water are readily available throughout the city. It is also perfectly safe to drink tap water in Cape Town as the water is rated as being of good standards.
Cape Town Water Shortages
Although there are major water shortages in Cape Town, these water shortages have been a problem for the past five years with dams declining it is advised to use water sparingly and use showers instead of baths. In September 2018, when dam levels reached close to seventy percent the city began easing water restrictions, indicating that the worst of the water crisis was over but yet it is still advisable to always save water in every way possible in Cape Town.
Emergency Number
Whenever traveling through South Africa, it is worth knowing the three emergency numbers, just in case.
The number for police is 10111
The number for an ambulance line is 10177
The emergency number if you are on a cellphone is 112
All of these numbers are toll free be sure to have at least the cellphone emergency number in your wallet.
Places to Visit near Cape Town – Travel Guide
There are a number of beautiful place to visit outside Cape Town and all with countless activities as well as food and wine experiences.
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest town and most inspiring wine, food, art and cultural destination. Stellenbosch Wine Route is the oldest in the country and one of the most popular destinations for local and international visitors alike. We’ll introduce you to unforgettable cellar door experiences, award-winning wine estates, celebrated restaurants and Stellenbosch’s unique and enviable lifestyle.
Franschhoek
Situated just one hour away from Cape Town city, The Franschhoek Wine Valley is one of the most beautiful areas and you’ll get the most spectacular view of the region from the double-decker bus. The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley with its, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300-year history.
Paarl
A few minutes away from Cape Town, Paarl Wine Route hosts a number of festivals and concerts throughout the year. The Paarl Wine Route, renowned for its rich, full-bodied, spicy red and crisp white wines, is the second oldest in the country. You can also do some wine tasting and cellar tours or experience one of the smaller farms with a winemaker.
Paarl is blessed with an area of unspoilt natural beauty and perfect scenery with goo hiking trails, mountain biking trails and downhill cycling trails you can take advantage of the nature. You cannot leave Paarl without food and wine pairings experience
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
If you are looking to embrace true nature a dive out of town would be totally worth it. Kogelberg Nature Reserve is an hour 40 minutes away from Cape Town. Kogelberg is a nature reserve encompassing the Kogelberg Mountain Range, to the east of Cape Town, South Africa. With about 1600 plant species and contains a floral diversity
Kogelberg Nature Reserve is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Cape Nature’s protected areas. Its exceptional diversity and quality of fynbos means it is also considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Hermanus
Hermanus is situated in the heart of the whale route, just 100 km from Cape Town on the Cape Whale Coast of the Western Cape. Hermanus has developed from a rustic fishing village into one of the world’s best whale-viewing and tourist destinations which can be quite interesting.
Hermanus located between two large lagoons namely the Botrivier Lagoon on the western side and the Kleinrivier Lagoon to the eastern side, with the small Onrus Lagoon in the middle. It consists of various settlements namely, Fisherhaven, Hawston, Vermont, Onrus, Sandbaai, Hemel en Aarde Valley, Mount Pleasant, Zwelihle and Hermanus. A diversity of peoples live harmoniously in this exquisitely beautiful heart of the Cape Whale Coast.
The Best Time to Visit Cape Town?
The best times to visit Cape Town are from March to May and from September to November. These seasons are the best as they boast enviable weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Cape Town’s summer is the most popular (and most expensive) time to visit. Hotels and attractions are usually overflowing with travellers. Meanwhile, the Mother City clears out between June and August when chilly weather and frequent rainfall puts a damper on tourist activities.
December to February is when most people take advantage of the weather and tourist flock the mother city. Hotels and accommodations are usually are booked in advance. The weather during this season is warm but not overwhelming, with average daytime highs ranging from the mid- to high 70s. In December there is the Observatory Festival of Arts that also bring people to the city and in January the Cape Minstrel Carnival.
June to August is when Cape Town is usually free of tourist during these winter times. You can save big on lodging as long as you don’t mind getting wet. Chilly winds are common during this season, but with daytime temperature averaging in the low of 60 degrees. Winter times can also be pleasant and much cheaper times to visit Cape Town.
Enjoy Cape Town
You can never run out of things to do in Cape Town as there are so much magnificent scenery that will take your breath away, a mere description can never do it justice. I hope you have enjoyed reading this Cape Town travel guide. Cape Town is quite simply magnificent, and the odds are that you will have a dandy time exploring its incredible cultural and historical heritage of the city. Ultimately, the atypical aspect is also one of the things that make Cape Town such a charming place
When it comes to the places from which to get a good vantage point of the city, it’s very difficult to recommend any one above any other. Each alternative has its own charm and particular attraction to offer, so don’t limit yourself one should visit them all.
What an awesome and informative guide! I love the pictures- the information is so thorough it actually piqued my interest and made me want to search and hunt the page for more! Also I truly LOVED that you have a table of contents to navigate it was such a help. Looking forward to visiting Cape Town even more now after reading this!
I’m glad that you found the guide useful. Cape Town really is an awesome city to visit and I am sure that you will have a great time when you finally make your way there.
Cape twin is veiwed to be one of the most visited places in the southern part of Africa and seeing here that there is a guide to help me around the country is a good thing too that I’m so happy about. This is good stuff and I should very much like to see if I will be able to visit the city when the Corona virus pandemic dies down very much.
It’s certainly a place worth visiting and there is a lot to see when you visit.Yeah the pandemic has dampened things for now but hopefully things clear out and we can get back to those travels.
Hello there! This is an amazing article you have got here. I am sure this informations in your article will be of great help to any one who come across it as it is to me. I will save this post for my son who’s doing a research on cool places in south Africa, I am sure this with be of help to him.
Thanks for sharing!
Cape Town is an absolutely beautiful place and worth putting on your travel list. Glad I am you found the article informative. Be sure to check out the list of things to do while you are there as well.