Destination
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town stacks Table Mountain, Atlantic beaches, penguin colonies and Cape Winelands into one compact, scenic city.
Trips to Cape Town from every city
No live trip to Cape Town right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | avoid |
| July | avoid |
| August | avoid |
| September | fine |
| October | best |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- July, August, September, October, November: Southern right whale season in False Bay and Hermanus.
- February, March: Grape harvest in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
- January: Kaapse Klopse minstrel carnival parades through the city on January 2.
June, July, August: Cape winter: cold, wet fronts and wind; the Table Mountain cableway and boat trips often close for weather.
Where to stay in Cape Town
- V&A Waterfront: Safe, walkable harbour precinct with big hotels, restaurants and the Robben Island ferry.
- Camps Bay and Clifton: White-sand beaches under the Twelve Apostles with sunset bars.
- City Bowl (Gardens and Tamboerskloof): Guesthouses on the slopes of Table Mountain, close to Kloof Street dining.
- Sea Point and Green Point: Seafront promenade, apartments and easy access to both the city and the beaches.
- Constantia: Leafy wine estates and country-house hotels 20 minutes from the centre.
What to do in Cape Town
- Cableway or hike up Table Mountain
- Drive Chapman's Peak to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
- Ride the wine tram through Franschhoek
- African penguins at Boulders Beach
- Robben Island ferry and prison tour
- Sunset on the Camps Bay strip
Good to know
| Airports | Cape Town International (CPT) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Kind of trip | city, beach, wine, nature, food |
Questions about Cape Town
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
October, November, December, January, February, March and April. June, July, August: Cape winter: cold, wet fronts and wind; the Table Mountain cableway and boat trips often close for weather.
Do US citizens need a passport for Cape Town?
Yes. Cape Town is in South Africa; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Cape Town on the ground?
Cape Town is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.