Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town, a vibrant city where stunning natural beauty meets rich cultural heritage! Nestled between the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Table Mountain, Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest and second-largest city. Its breathtaking location, sunny beaches, distinctive architecture, lively culture, and yummy food make Cape Town consistently rank among the world’s top cities. 

A true paradise for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, fashion aficionados, and foodies alike, Cape Town offers too much to explore. Discover the bustling V&A Waterfront, dive into the city’s history or wander through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap. With endless adventures, plenty of restaurants, shopping options and dazzling nightlife, the Mother City is a destination like no other — read on to discover its magic!

At the crossroads of trade routes – between Asia and America

Blessed with a strategic geographic position and fresh water flowing from Table Mountain, Cape Town has attracted the interest of foreigners since the 15th century. In 1652, Dutch colonist Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company established a supply station for ships on their way to India. The newfound city quickly became a thriving global trade port and agricultural destination. Nowadays, the port of Cape Town is one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world, still living up to its historic nickname of the ‘Tavern of the Seas’.

The Mother City

The city is affectionately nicknamed the Mother City as it was the first European settlement in southern Africa. However, it’s important to remember that this name reflects a history that overlooks the indigenous people who lived here long before the colonisers arrived. Shaped by colonisation, slavery, and apartheid, Cape Town has emerged as a vibrant, multicultural, and multi-ethnic city. Today, this melting pot is reflected in the city’s cuisine, music, art and architecture. Interested in exploring Cape Town’s rich and complex history? Then be sure to visit the Slave Lodge Museum, the District Six Museum, and the Iziko South African Museum. Also, don’t skip the Castle of Good Hope, South Africa’s oldest surviving colonial building. These sites offer a deep dive into the city’s past and reveal how Cape Town’s unique melting pot of cultures came to life.

Bo-Kaap – celebrating freedom in technicolour

With its brightly coloured homes and cobblestone streets, the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood is on many to-do lists. But do you know the story behind these eye-catching hues? The houses of what is now a National Heritage Site used to be painted in white and could only be rented. However, when the residents of Bo-Kaap were finally allowed to buy and officially own their homes, they celebrated their freedom by painting their houses in bright colours. And the Capetonians’ love for colour extends beyond the vibrant houses of Bo-Kaap. At Bo-Kaap, Woodstock, Observatory and Salt River, you can admire stunning graffiti and murals. They reflect powerful stories of resilience and hope, and the legacy of iconic figures like Nelson Mandela.

Victoria & Albert Waterfront 

Blending historic architecture with modern attractions in the heart of the city’s harbour, the V&A Waterfront is THE place to be for a day out. Here, you find the 40-meter-high Cape Wheel, the historic Clock Tower, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Add to that five museums, a cinema, over 450 stores and no shortage of coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, and you know you are in for a fun-filled visit!
For a bit of adventure, hop on a ferry to explore Hout Bay and Simon’s Town—home to an endearing penguin colony. Or go to Duiker (Seal) Island, where you can see playful Cape fur seals in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the chance to also visit Robben Island, a site deeply woven into South Africa’s history. Once a symbol of oppression, today it stands as a beacon of hope, reflecting the resilience of freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela who were imprisoned there. 

Activities in and around Cape Town

• Table Mountain National Park
• Hiking, sandboarding, abseiling, and paragliding on Table Mountain
• Riding the Aerial Cableway to the summit of Table Mountain
• Hiking at Cape Point
• Iziko South African Museum & Planetarium
• Iziko South African National Gallery
• Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
• Cape Town Diamond Museum
• St. George’s Cathedral
• Slave Memorial, Prestwich Memorial, Boer War Memorial, Gugulethu Seven Memorial, and many more
• Historical walking city tours
• Company’s Garden
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
• Ziplining
• Shopping
• Boat cruises
• Speed boat rides
• Relaxing on stunning beaches and swimming in tidal pools
• Water sports: surfing, scuba-diving, snorkelling, swimming with the penguins (Boulders Beach)
• Sporting and entertainment events at the DHL Stadium
• Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine farm, great example of the Cape Dutch architecture 
• Winelands tours: Route 62 is the world’s longest wine route, stretching from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (850 kilometres long)
• SANCCOB seabird centre (seabird rehab facility) – 2 km outside of Cape Town
• Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary – less than two hours from Cape Town

How to get there

Cape Town is easily accessible by air. Daily national and international flights land and take off at Cape Town International Airport, 12 miles from the city centre.

• From Johannesburg: 2h10 flight
• From Port Elizabeth: 1h25 flight
• From Durban: 2h15 flight

Climate

The Cape peninsula enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with long, warm, dry summers and short, wet, cool winters. Summer stretches from December to February, while winter occurs between June and August. Cape Town is known for its year-round windy conditions. If you visit in summer, you’ll experience the south-easterly wind, responsible for the distinctive tablecloth of clouds spilling over Table Mountain. Locals call this wind the ‘Cape Doctor’ because it blows away the city’s pollution and brings a refreshing breeze during the year’s hottest months.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town is a popular destination year-round. Summers are ideal for beach outings. Winters offer a more tranquil, less crowded experience. The only downside of winter is that the Aerial Cableway to the summit of Table Mountain closes during winter for 6-7 weeks of maintenance. 

If you’re planning a trip to Cape Town in January, make sure to catch the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, also known as the Kaapse Klopse, typically held on January 2nd each year. This vibrant event is a spectacle of song, dance, and celebration, with thousands of participants donning dazzling costumes and parasols as they parade through the streets. The carnival is a lively celebration of Cape Town’s rich cultural diversity, rooted in a history that dates back to slavery. Back then, slaves were granted only one day off each year—January 2nd—which they celebrated as ‘Tweede Nuwe Jaar’ (Second New Year).