Cape town is South Africa’s crown precious stone and the most European urban center you’ll find on the continent. set up by the Dutch East India company inch 1652, it was South Africa’s first endeavour astatine a modern metropolis, realise IT the sobriquet “The Mother City.” Because of information technology strategical location at the Southwestern tip of Africa, for centuries IT play an important part inch global trade. Today it’s one of South Africa’s troika working capital cities. The metro area covert 950 foursquare miles and be home to 3.5 million people. The city’s setting, a dramatic coastline in the shadow of table mount National Park, be as picturesque as its history be problematic. Like the rest of South Africa, Cape Town be still trying to recover from the apartheid era which terminate inch 1994. patch offense and corruptness are still issues, in 2010 the city help host the FIFA creation Cup and tourism HA only turn since then.
Time zone
GMT +2
Best Time to spell
Cape town be worthvisiting year-around. That said, information technology looks different each season. late December done Mar is South Africa’s summer. It’s when ness Town be alive with tourists escaping their own winter back home and locals enjoying the gorgeous weather. It’s sunny, dry, and warm up enough to warrant A dip inch the ocean. The city’s sociable calendar be packed with events, and spell price might glucinium higher during this peak season, at least everything is open. If you’re looking for lower prices and fewer people, visit during the winter, late June through late September. large number a raincoat because wintertime means wet. If your goal is to see whales, check out the Hermanus giant Festival usually held inch late September. However, July and August ar likewise consider great months for whale watching. Finally, the shoulder season tin be just as unforgettable. Spring, September through early December, be when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Autumn, late Mar through early June, be thought to be the best time to go cage diving event with great white sharks.
things to Know
currency: rand (ZAR)
($1 USD = 14.27 ZAR; bank check thecurrent exchange rate)
Tipping:tip is greatly appreciated in Cape Town. If the service be good, 10% is customary. Sometimes tip is add at restaurants, especially for groups, sol cheque your bill before accidentally tipping twice.
Language: most rootage say there are XI official languages in South Africa (some say 12). Xhosa, English, and South African Dutch are among the most spoken. That said, most people verbalize English, and all signs inch Cape town are in English. There’s no demand for Google Translate. However, IT can be helpful to know A few common terms.
Lekker: great or nice; “That was A lekker surf session.”
Braai: outdoor barbecue; “If you’re lucky, locals will invite you to their weekend braai.”
Bru: friend/pal; “My bru works at angstrom unit wine maker in Stellenbosch.”
calling code: +27 XXI
Outlets: South Africa uses type C,D,M, and nitrogen plugs. Pack AN arranger OR Be ready to buy ace in Cape Town. The electromotive force is 230V and criterion frequency is 50Hz. So, you may also need to buy a converter if you’re victimisation Associate in Nursing widget requiring Sir Thomas More voltage.
How to Get Around
Trains:cape Town’s trains exist As theMetrorail, just they’re non particularly reliable. If you ask locals, they can also be unsafe. It’s non recommended to ride them alone, especially atomic number 85 night. If you do privation to take one, the most popular line is the South line running to Simon’s Town. Tickets can beryllium purchased at Stations of the Cross OR from Metrorail official with portable ticket machines.
Buses:spell there are several local buses and minibuses, basically vans shuttle commuters, the best buses for visitor are theMyCiTibuses. They link with the drome and serve schedule stops in high traffic tourer areas. fare are load up onto myconnect cards which tin can Be purchased at station kiosk and select retailer and ATMs. another option be the City Sightseeing Bus. These Hop-On-Hop-Off buses besides make schedule stops At popular tourer destinations and include comment in fifteen languages. The redness line cover the northern component part of Cape Town, and the blueness Line goes all the way to Hout Bay in the south. ticket tin can bebuy online.
Taxis/Rideshare:Ubers are everywhere inch ness Town. They’re reliable, safe and highly affordable. angstrom 45-minute Uber from downtown ness Town to a Muizenberg can cost as little arsenic $12. They also service the airport. If you don’t wealthy person Uber and want to exercise A traditional taxi, endeavour to use angstrom unit telephone call ahead machine service that be verified.
Best hotel
12 Apostles hotel and watering hole
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Address: Victoria Road, Camps bay
Phone: +27 21 4379000
Website
It’s hard not to miss this five-star oceanfront property because it’s the only building on its stretch of the scenic drive to Chapman’s Peak. Each of its 70 suite HA either a sweeping view of the twelve apostle mount range or the Atlantic ocean where it’s non uncommon to see seals sunning themselves Beaver State whales breaching. Between the abut spa and the food and drink served in the legendary leopard Bar, guests never evening have to venture into town.
The president Hotel Cape town
Address: 4 Smyrnium olusatrum Rd, Bantry bay
Phone: +27 XXI 434 8111
website
This esteem four-star hotel in the quiet residential community of Bantry bay be just blocks from the beach. Dozens of shop and restaurants ar within walking distance. The property, popular with business concern travelers and conferences, be also home to A restaurant, spa, salon, gift shop, and large outdoor swim pool. Rooms are generous inch size and include apartments available for long-term stays.
The One&Only
Address: dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred the Great Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Phone: +27 XXI 431 5888
internet site
Associate in Nursing urban resort you’d expect to find on a tropic island, the One&Only be 1 of ness Town’s top accommodations. The belongings boasts several swimming pools, including the large infinity pool inch the city. This pool be place to deuce common soldier island with several suite ideal for families. inch terms of other amenities, the One&Only hour angle A kids club, spa, fittingness center, and an array of goal eating house including Nobu.
Bliss dress shop Hotel
Address: 25 Albus Dr., Cape Town, 7441
Phone: +27 21 551 0441
Website
angstrom popular choice among duet and honeymooners, this boutique hotel has just eighter rooms. but they’re so well-appointed they eve feature pillow menus. The belongings is locate along sundown beach (with exclusive beach access), fifteen minutes North of Cape Town but close enough to have impressive tabular array mount views. Facilities include private screening decks, angstrom unit solar-heated pool and splash pad, and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
La rose bed & Breakfast
Address: xxxii Rose St, Schotsche Kloof
Phone: +27 XXI 422 5883
site
The hearts and brains stern this budget-friendly retreat belong to the husband and wife team of Adheera Bodasing, angstrom South African of Indian descent, and Yoann Nicolas, a Frenchman WHO hide inch love with South Africa in his 20s. Each of the nine rooms is unique, paying court to different cultures via art and décor collected by the couple on their travels. The belongings be located in the eclecticist Bo-Kaap, formerly the Cape Malay quarters, neighborhood.
best Restaurants
Mojo Market (food court with local pop-ups)
Address: XXX Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8060
Phone: +27 21 422 4888
site
Open seven days angstrom unit week, mojo Market be sea Point’s trendy indoor market where diner can find More than 15 local food stalls and “traders.” pick out from fresh mussels, artisanal pizza, build-your-own burritos, sushi, and eventide cape Town’s solitary macaroni and cheese joint. While there’s inhabit music every nighttime and plenty of TVs, the best entertainment here be people watching.
Mzansi restaurant (African)
Address: 45 Harlem Ave, Langa, Cape Town, 7455
Phone: +27 73 754 8502
Website
reserve are emphatically need At this popular African restaurant rank #1 on TripAdvisor out of nearly 1,000 eating house inch ness town Central. Food is served buffet fashion with signature dish existence flavorful drama on traditional Xhosa meals. While the eating house serves specialities like volaille pes and sheep’s head (upon request), it’s likewise vegetarian-friendly.
dice Strandloper (seafood)
Address: Jan Olfsen Str, Leentjiesklip, Langebaan, 7357
Phone: +27 twenty-two lxxvii 22 490
website
Family-owned and operated, Die Strandloper is famous in cape town for IT 10-course seafood lunch OR dinner function on the beach. permit for At least three hours to enjoy everything from smoked angelfish to barbecued mackerel and even kreef, South Africa’s spiny lobster. Reservations are required.
vino studio (wine pairings)
Address: dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, ness Town, 8001
Phone: +27 21 431 4511
website
trade name new atomic number 33 of 2021, the One&Only’s Wine studio showcases the property’s award-winning wine collection in angstrom unique reverse conjugation experience. caput wine steward Luvo Ntezo hosts these exclusive private dinner featuring rare vintages, special guests from local wineries, and eventide the opportunity to create your have signature blend. reservation are required.
Café Caprice (contemporary café)
Address: thirty-seven Queen Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005
Phone: +27 21 438 8315
website
enquire angstrom dozen local where the best place to sip a cocktail and ticker the sunset in Cape town be and at least half volition mention Café Caprice. clear 7 days a week, the café serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s likewise the best place to see and beryllium seen inch bivouac Bay, so frock to impress Beaver State At the very least, glucinium impressed.
Kauai (healthy fast food)
Multiple location end-to-end ness Town
Website
Cape Town’s best fast food option be this honey South African chain serving fresh wraps, salads, omelettes, and smoothies. Ingredients ar what you’d expect to find at a pricy health food store, still it’s easy to get angstrom unit filling meal for $5. there are several location throughout Cape Town, and they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
things to Do
Surf at Muizenberg
Address: beach Rd., Cape Town, 7950
Phone: +27 lxxxii 412 8781
Website
The ocean around ness Town is cold, just it’s as well home to one of the best beaches in the world to learn how to surf. Muizenberg, angstrom unit surfing community about 40 transactions from Cape Town, be far-famed for IT historical colorful alter houses. information technology also self-praise great beginner waves all day every day. While there are a figure of surf school inch Muizenberg, if you’re staying in cape Town it’s worth it to spell with angstrom unit mobile school like Stoked Surf School which include roundtrip transportation.
See the penguins at bowlder beach
Address: Kleintuin Road, sea Forth, Simon Zelotes Town, 7975
Phone: +27 twenty-one 786 2329
website
charge arsenic the only place where you can get close to African penguin in the wild, bowlder beach be a must if you discovery yourself on the False Bay side of Cape Town. For angstrom unit small entranceway fee, visitor can detect the comings and goings of the colony who inhabit on this White person sand beach call for IT truck-sized boulders. It’s also possible to swimming with the penguins, but be forewarned; the water be frigid.
Hike in Table Mountain national parkland
Address: 5821 Tafelberg Rd., tabular array Mountain, Cape Town, 8001
Phone: +27 21 424 8181 (aerial cableway)
Website
Table mount is South Africa’s most famous landmark and the namesake for this sprawling national park stretching from the metropolis all the way down the cape peninsula to include the southmost point of Africa. in add-on to striking geologic formations, it’s home to incredible bio-diversity including distinguishable vegetation not found anyplace else in the world. tramp I of many trail to the top of Table mountain (3,563 ft.) Beaver State drive the cable car to the top where even more trail converge and offer panoramic views for miles.
Visit Robben island
Address: buck private bag Robben Island, cape Town, 7400
Phone: +27 XXI 413 4200
web site
Located in table Bay, visible from almost anywhere in Cape Town, Robben Island loom in the background much like Alcatraz in San Francisco. but this infamous island has 400 years of information technology own fascinating history. Once occupy by wildlife and indigenous peoples, information technology was important for trade and hunting during the age of Exploration before later go place to everything from shun convicts to A whale station and eve Associate in Nursing insane asylum. Today, it’s where visitors tin can tour the former prison and see the cell where Viscount Nelson Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Evergreen State gaol for 18 years. Other attractions on the island include angstrom penguin sanctuary and lepers’ graveyard.
visit the ness Winelands
Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure
Address: Stellanbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl
web site
there ar hundreds of wine farm growing grape in Cape Town’s fertile backyard known arsenic the Winelands. most are within an hour’s drive of the urban center and are open to the world for tastings and tours. This region, one of the old wine region exterior of Europe, be famed for IT Pinotage, a bold red wine have in South Africa. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s a scenic drive through with pastoral community include Stellenbosch, angstrom unit 350-year-old university town fill with Cape Dutch architecture.
best Shopping
V&A Waterfront
Address: 19 dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred the Great Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
Phone: +27 21 408 7600
Website
angstrom goal in itself, the V&A Waterfont be place to AN indoor and outdoor promenade have Thomas More than 450 retail stores. Whether you’re looking for Adidas, Armani, Oregon Crocs, Victoria pier Shopping Centre probably HA it.
Kalk Bay
Address: main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, 7990
Website
This lull former fishing settlement turn popular day trip be about a 45-minute drive from cape Town, but it’s worth information technology if you’re into eclectic store you won’t discovery elsewhere. spend the afternoon browse in mugwump bookstores OR hunting for antiques. Most shops can atomic number 4 found on Main Road, but you ne’er know what treasure look in Associate in Nursing alley in Kalk Bay.
Greenmarket Square
Address: burg St &, Longmarket St, cape town city Centre, ness Town, 8000
Website
Since 1696 when the cobblestone be laid Greenmarket Square has be a popular group meeting space. Today, it’s where local and visitant alike trade with seller who set up shops—from ball stable to makeshift tables—filled with place goods and African arts and handicrafts. It’s open every day, but the number one Thursday of every month during cape Town’s city-wide First Thursday celebrations be the best time to catch inhabit music and street performances.
Neighbourgoods Market
Address: 373 Albert Rd, Woodstock, cape Town, 7925
Website
angstrom unit attractively restored old biscuit mill couldn’t glucinium angstrom unit more perfective tense setting for this farmers marketplace open every Saturday. This be where shoppers find keepsake that aren’t mass produced. They’re made past entrepreneurial local selling everything from leather bags to soaps and sustainable fashions. Of course, there’s also fresh seasonal worker garden truck and delicious street food.
Neighborhoods to know
City bowl: nestle in angstrom natural depression between the coast, table Mountain and signal Hill, City Bowl be the bosom of Cape Town. It’s place to the central business district, impressive municipal buildings, and several of Cape Town’s old and most Insta-worthy streets. There’s the well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture on Long Street, the colored houses liner the hills of the Bo-Kaap, and the V&A where you tin paddleboard on canals winding through the bustling waterfront district.
Cape flats: Although most tourists never step foot here, information technology would atomic number 4 remiss not to mention the ness Flats. This lowland area is place to cape Town’s most ill-famed suburbia OR townships. It’s where the black and colored population be squeeze to relocate during the Apartheid years. Although it’s a bit off-the-beaten tourist path, it is possible to visit the town with angstrom guide and learn about life in them with the locals. Most visitor start with A walking tour of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay.
Atlantic seaboard: Informally call cape Town’s Riviera, the Atlantic Seaboard is a twine of oceanfront communities on cape Town’s West coast. This be where one discovery the fanciest hotels (mostly boutique property although there are chains like Radisson), high-rise luxury condos for rent, and of course the eye-catching mansions belonging to ness Town’s elite. each community, center on about angstrom beach, hour angle IT own character from the uber posh Camp’s Bay to the fishing settlement vibes of Hout Bay.
Woodstock: technically a portion of metropolis Bowl, Woodstock be the like cape Town’s answer to Williamsburg inch Brooklyn. If you’re interest in art, theater or anything hipsters like, this former industrial area is a destination in itself. It’s still a little rough about the edges, and you likely shouldn’t wander the street alone at night, but it’s not to Be missed. If nada else, in 10 eld you tin can say you visit Woodstock before everyone knew how cool IT Evergreen State and property developers ruin it.
Weather
Cape town HA Little Joe seasons although they’re not arsenic distinguishable As northern destinations. It has angstrom Mediterranean Sea climate. Summers are dry and non to a fault hot, and winters ar rainy, but mild. The high temperatures occur in Feb when information technology can range the mid-80s°F. The coolest temperatures go on in July when temperatures ar typically inch the mid-50s°F. June be commonly the wettest month with around fourteen years of rain. cape town is illustrious for its strong winds. Today, they’re good for kitesurfing. hundred of years ago they be the cause of many historic shipwrecks.
Apps to Download
MyCiti App:Routes, schedules, populate bus locateriOs|mechanical man
Uber:Ridesharing, food deliveryIo|Android
Cape Town Tourism:“The functionary guide” to ness Town, local recommendationsiOs|android
VoiceMap:audio walk and cycling tours, GPS navigationIo|Android
