Cape Town

Peak season in Cape Town is from December until April, where tourists flock to the city due to the warm and dry weather. If you love the beach and festive atmosphere, then this is probably the best time to come to Cape Town. Summer is also a windy time of the year in Cape Town, however, it often settles down through the months of February and March. If you want to skip the crowds, but will want to enjoy the great summer weather, then Mar-May is a great time to visit.

Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate which means the winter months, from June to August, is when it receives most of its rainfall. August to October is an amazing time to be in Cape Town. Not only is it starting to warm up, but the whales are in town! It’s almost impossible not to spot a whale breaching while driving along the coastal roads during this time, so its a popular time of year to visit.

Simply put, Cape Town is the most stunning city in the world. It’s hard to explain, but the city has incredible energy you cannot put into words – once you get here you’ll never want to leave. Imagine huge imposing mountains, pristine white beaches, turquoise water, wineries (over 800!), incredible coastal drives, mouthwatering food and drink (wine, gin & craft beer), a fusion of cultures, gourmet markets and wildlife (penguins, sharks, whales and seals!).

For first-time visitors, we recommended a minimum of a 4-night stay. This will give guests the opportunity to experience most of Cape Town's top attractions such as Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Point & the Cape Peninsula and the Cape Winelands. There is so much to see, you would never regret spending a few more nights in Cape Town if your itinerary can allow it.

The top tourist attractions are spread out across the city, but many first-time visitors opt to stay as close to the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront as possible. This is a great central location with many shops and restaurants and is also home to the Two Oceans Aquarium.

For a more peaceful setting, hotels on the foothills of Table Mountain offer easy access to the national park, and many have spectacular city and mountain views. Foodies also like to stay near the eclectic eateries of Kloof Street, a popular strip connecting the city centre with the City Bowl neighbourhood.

If you're planning a sun, sand, and sea vacation, Camps Bay, about six kilometres from the city centre, makes a great base. A beautiful mountain-backed beach skirts the shores of this upscale residential area, and chic shops, cafes and hotels beckon along the beachfront.

Set seductively between mountains and the sea, Cape Town flaunts its natural beauty with pride. Rising above the city, iconic Table Mountain provides the perfect plateau for panoramic views that stretch to the glittering Atlantic, botanical gardens beckon from its slopes, and the city's long blonde beaches, backed by towering peaks, are some of South Africa's best.

Bubbling beneath the surface is an irrepressible sense of adventure, and travellers can join in the fun with a range of outdoor activities, from hiking, biking, surfing, and paragliding to whale-watching trips and cage dives with great white sharks.

As the oldest European settlement in Africa, Cape Town has a rich and, at times, turbulent past. At Robben Island, history buffs can see where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years. In the hinterland, elegant Stellenbosch is a Nirvana for foodies. Along the rugged coast, scenic drives slice into mountains that plunge to the sea, penguins waddle on pristine beaches, and Cape Point is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world. Explore the best things to do in the "Mother City" of South Africa with our list of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town.

1. Table Mountain

Rising 1,087 meters south of the city centre, flat-topped Table Mountain is the most photographed landmark in South Africa and a constant reminder that nature is queen in this stunning seaside city. Created from massive beds of sandstone and slate, the mountain forms the northern end of the Cape Peninsula and lies within Table Mountain National Park. The park protects an astounding diversity of plants and more than 1,470 flower species-the planet's richest floral kingdom-as well as animals such as cute snub-nosed dassies (rock hyraxes), caracals, and baboons. Within the park, Devil's Peak flanks the mountain on the east, and Lion's Head on the west, while the crags known as the Twelve Apostles loom over the beach resorts on the Atlantic coast. A layer of clouds, called the "tablecloth" frequently cloaks the mountain's peak, but when the clouds clear, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of Cape Town and the entire Cape Peninsula from the summit. Bring a sweater as it can be cold and windy at the top. For those short on time, and energy, a revolving cableway climbs to the summit, covering the distance of 1,244 meters in seven minutes. The cableway runs daily-except in high winds, so it's a good idea to check the website or call for current conditions before heading out. Also to avoid long lines, try booking tickets online. At the upper station of the cableway, a café features a small viewing terrace and serves as the starting-point of three short walks, which highlight the gigantic scale of the landscape. Those wishing to summit the mountain on foot can choose between more than 350 different routes varying in difficulty. Depending on the starting-point, the climb takes between two to four hours. For superb views of Table Mountain and the best vantage point to photograph this iconic landmark, hike or drive up Signal Hill or Lion's Head - both offer stunning views from their summits.

2. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

In a beautiful setting on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are part of the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage site. The site was bequeathed to the state by Cecil Rhodes in 1902 and the gardens were established in 1913 to preserve the country's indigenous flora-one of the first botanical gardens in the world with this mission. More than 20,000 native South African plant species are collected, grown, and studied in the hilly 528-hectare nature reserve of indigenous forest and fynbos. Of particular historical interest are a hedge of wild almond-trees planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1660 and an avenue of camphor and fig trees planted by Cecil Rhodes in 1898. The flowers, shrubs, and trees are arranged so that a show of blossoms and colour brightens the gardens throughout the year. Don't miss the proteas; the scented garden; the impressive collection of cycads; the Sculpture Garden; and the Botanical Society Conservatory, a custom-built greenhouse with plants from arid regions. Well-marked trails thread through the wooded slopes and the Tree Canopy Walkway provides panoramic views across the mountain-backed gardens. One of the trails leads through a ravine to the summit of Table Mountain. In summer, the gardens make an evocative venue for outdoor concerts. Green thumbs and garden lovers should also visit the Company's Garden, an oasis of exotic trees, flowers, aviaries, and ponds in the heart of the city. While here, visitors can also explore the Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium and the Iziko National Gallery.

3. Signal Hill and the Noon Gun

Five minutes drive west of the city centre, Signal Hill offers stunning views over Cape Town, Table Bay, and the glittering Atlantic Ocean from its 350-meter summit. The hill forms the body of the adjacent Lion's Head peak and was named for its historical use when signal flags were flown from here to send messages to approaching ships. Many locals and visitors drive up to watch the sunset and stay to see the shimmering lights of Cape Town ignite after dark. At noon every day (except Sundays and public holidays), a cannon activated by an electronic impulse from the Observatory fires a single shot. In earlier days this "noon gun" served to give the exact time to ships anchored in the bay. Tourists are welcome to attend a free presentation on the history of the Noon Gun at the Lion Battery and then stay to watch the firing. Those headed to the top of the hill for sunset views should take a jacket as it can be chilly after the sun dips. On busy weekends and holidays go early to score a parking spot.

4. City Hall & the Castle of Good Hope

History buffs can visit two notable historic buildings within five minutes' walk of each other in central Cape Town. Built in 1905, Cape Town City Hall is a striking mix of Italian Neo-Renaissance and British colonial style. The 60-meter-high bell-tower, with a carillon installed in 1923, was modeled on Big Ben in London. Highlights of the interior include the beautiful mosaic floors, marble staircase, and impressive stained glass. Notice the balcony overlooking Grand Parade where Nelson Mandela, the country's future president, addressed a jubilant crowd in 1990 after 27 years in prison. Music lovers should also try to attend a performance by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra based here. Across the road from the Grand Parade, The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving stone building in South Africa. It was built in 1666-79 as the residence of the Governor and for the protection of the early settlers, but the castle, which is in the form of a five-pointed star, was never exposed to attack. A highlight here is the William Fehr Collection, which includes pictures, porcelain, fine glass, ceramics, and furniture of the 17th to 19th centuries from South Africa, Europe, and Asia. A short walk from the fort up the shopping hub of Longmarket street leads to Greenmarket Square, an atmospheric little cobbled plaza, with a number of Art Deco buildings as a backdrop. Shoppers can browse the small flea market held every day of the week here except Sunday.

5. The Heart of Cape Town Museum

In the Groote Schuur Hospital, The Heart of Cape Town Museum opened in 2007 to honor the 40th anniversary of the first heart transplant performed here by Christiaan Barnard. Knowledgeable docents take visitors on a fascinating two-hour tour to see recreations of the operating facilities in the actual rooms where the surgery took place. The tours also explore everything from the ethical implications of the time to the history of the recipient and the donor. Even visitors with no medical background appreciate learning about the history of this life-saving procedure.

6. Iziko Museums of South Africa

Iziko Museums of South Africa comprises 11 museums governed by a council appointed by the Minister of Arts and Culture. A top museum in this group is the Bo-Kaap Museum in the Bo-Kaap District, an old Malay quarter with brightly-painted two-story houses that are still occupied by the descendants of slaves who were brought to the Cape from the East Indies in the second half of the 17th century. This excellent museum illustrates aspects of 19th-century Muslim life in a rare early Cape-Dutch house circa 1763. A room on the premises houses a collection of carts and carriages. The Old Town House is another popular attraction in the museum group. It was originally built in 1755 in a Dutch-Rococo style and lies in Cape Town's hub on the west side of Green Market Square. Formerly Cape Town's City Hall, the Old Town House now displays a collection of pictures presented to the country by Sir Max Michaelis in 1914, consisting mainly of works by 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters, including Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Jacob van Ruysdael, and Jan van Goyen. Another highlight of the group is the Koopmans-de Wet House, built in 1701 on a U-shaped ground-plan, with a façade by Louis Thibault (1771). The original interior has been preserved and gives a vivid impression of the lifestyle of a successful 18th-century businessman. Also in the group, the South African Museum and Planetarium and the National Gallery, in Company's Garden, are worth a visit for natural history buffs and budding astronomers.

7. The District Six Museum

In 1966, 70,000 residents of multi-ethnic District Six were displaced when the South African government decided the community was to be a white one. This poignant museum honours the people of this now-vanished district. On the museum's floor is a large-scale map where former residents are encouraged to label their old homes and features of their neighbourhood.

8. Zeitz MOCAA

Opened in late 2017, the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) is the largest museum on the continent dedicated to African contemporary art in the world. Housed in a converted 9,500-square-meter grain silo with the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront, this visually stunning museum has nine floors with over 100 galleries. This world-class museum, on par with New York's MoMA or London's Tate, features 21st-century art from all around Africa and its diaspora, including the private collection of Jochen Zeitz, German-born former CEO of Puma and conservationist. Some of the most outstanding collections include a series of photographs featuring intriguing eyewear from Kenyan Cyrus Kabiru, colourful and playful imagery from South African Athi-Patra Ruga, and a fantastic woven wall installation made from discarded materials by Ghana-born El Anatsui. The museum also houses centres for photography, performing arts, and the moving image; an art education institute; a curatorial training program; and a Costume Institute. Entrance is half price from 4pm to 9pm every first Friday of the month.

9. Bo-Kaap

Gently rolling streets lined with brightly coloured houses greet visitors in the Cape Malay (commonly referred to as Bo-Kaap) neighbourhood, located in the heart of the city at the foot of Signal Hill. This vibrant area is home to Cape Town's Muslim community, consisting of those who have descended from the "Cape Malays," slaves brought by Dutch settlers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and other African countries. The residents are passionate about preserving their history and the buildings, and visitors often see signs stating, "This Heritage Site is Under Threat," in an attempt to discourage gentrification. Learn about the neighbourhood's origin at the Bo-Kaap Museum, housed in the neighbourhood's oldest building. Enjoy authentic Malay curry at a local restaurant and cool off with ice-cream before hitting some stores for a little shopping. Don't miss taking Instagram-worthy shots in front of the colourful houses (as long as you aren't capturing the residents in your pictures). Bo-Kaap can be reached by foot from downtown Cape Town or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or by cab from other areas.

1. Beach Hop in Clifton and Camps Bay

About six kilometres from the city centre, the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton lure the buff, the bronzed, and the beautiful-as well as the big bucks. At Clifton, Cape Town's St. Tropez, some of the city's priciest real estate overlooks four gleaming white-sand beaches flanked by smooth granite boulders and washed by sparkling, but crisp, blue seas. First Beach is a favourite volleyball venue and offers decent surf when the conditions are right. Just south of Clifton, trendy Camp's Bay sports another stunning beach, backed by the magnificent Twelve Apostles and the distinctive peak of Lion's Head. People-watching is an art along this pretty palm-lined stretch as well as at the chic cafes and boutiques fringing Victoria Street - especially during weekends and holidays when locals and tourists throng here to soak up the scene. Camp's Bay and Clifton's Fourth Beach boast coveted Blue Flag status awarded for clean water, safety, and environmental management making them a great choice for families as well.

2. Shop at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Stretching around two harbour basins, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a buzzing entertainment quarter reminiscent of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Once a scruffy fishing harbour, this reimagined waterfront district is now one of the city's top tourist attractions, and many of the old buildings have been preserved and restored. Millions of visitors a year flock here to the shops, jazz venues, restaurants, hotels, theatres, drama school, cinemas, and museums. Sports fans will love the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum, which traces the story of South African Rugby through interactive exhibits. Two Oceans Aquarium features more than 300 species of fish from the Atlantic and Indian oceans, in particular from the area around the Cape of Good Hope. Highlights include a touch tank, penguin encounter, predator exhibit, and diving experiences, which allow visitors to view fascinating marine creatures up close. Trips to Robben Island leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway on the waterfront, but anyone is welcome to explore the museum exhibits here. West of the waterfront, the trendy Green Point precinct is also home to the lovely Green Point Urban Park with its biodiversity garden as well as the Cape Town Stadium, which hosted many FIFA World Cup matches in 2010.

3. Drive along Chapman's Peak

About 25 kilometres from the city centre, Chapman's Peak Drive, affectionately called "Chappies" by the locals, is one of the most jaw-dropping driving routes in the world. Cut into the sheer face of Chapman's Peak, which plunges to the sea, this spectacular toll road snakes its way for about nine kilometres between Noordhoek and Hout Bay passing panoramic Chapman's Peak point along the way. With 114 curves carved into the rock face, some perched more than 500 meters above the sea, this is not a route for those prone to motion sickness. Around sunset, cars cram along the panoramic viewpoints as sightseers stake a spot to watch the sun sink while sipping a cool drink in the time-honoured South African tradition known as "sundowners." Look for southern right whales and dolphins in the sparkling Atlantic Ocean below, and drive slowly and carefully. The road was closed on and off for several years due to rockfall dangers, but it has now been stabilized and is open every day - except during severe weather events. As well as being used as a location for TV commercials, Chapman's Peak Drive is the setting for the popular Cape Argus Cycle Race and Two Oceans Marathon. After admiring the magnificent sea views, hungry travelers can feast on fresh fish at one of the excellent seafood restaurants in Hout Bay.

4. Take a boat to Robben Island

For nearly 400 years, Robben Island in Table Bay was a brutal prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in a tiny cell during the apartheid era. Today, the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see attraction for anyone interested in South African history. Tours to the island begin with multimedia exhibits in the museum at the Nelson Mandela Gateway on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront before travellers board vessels to the island. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on weather conditions and can be rough during big swells. While on the island, visitors tour the maximum-security prison, Mandela's former cell, and the lime quarry where prisoners were forced to endure back-breaking labor. The interesting part about the tour is that the guides are former prisoners of Robben Island who share their experiences and offer insight into the atrocities of apartheid and the power of forgiveness. After leaving this hellish six-square-kilometre island, Mandela said, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." These wise words are even more potent after a tour here.

5. Great White Shark Cage Dives

In the chilly waters off Cape Town's coast, thrill-seekers can come face-to-face with one of the ocean's most feared predators: great white sharks. Protected by the thick bars of an iron cage, divers score a hefty dose of adrenaline as these magnificent creatures swim within inches of the bars. Tour operators in Cape Town offer shark cage dives in areas such as Simon's Town, Dyer Island, Mossel Bay, Seal Island, and Gansbaai, the "Great White Shark Capital of the World." The best time to see these magnificent creatures is between April and October. No diving certification is needed since divers are enclosed in the custom-built cages, and part of the funds go towards shark research and conservation. Those who prefer to appreciate these awe-inspiring creatures from a distance can watch all the excitement from the boat. Seal, dolphin, penguin, and whale-watching tours are also available for more timid animal lovers.