The Ultimate Cape Town City Guide
Know before you go
💰CURRENCY: South African Rand
🗣LANGUAGE: English or Afrikaans
🦺SAFETY:
If you're wondering about safety in South Africa, overall we'd say you have nothing to fear! But check out our blog posts below for more comprehensive insights and recommendations:
Driving in South Africa
So, firstly, you don't really need a car while you're in Cape Town, as it's very easy to get around by taxi (Uber) and by public transport.
That being said, if you are planning to drive the Garden Route while you're in South Africa, you'll need to pick up a car at some point during your stay.
South Africans drive on the left. Driving is generally quite easy, and the roads are well-maintained, with the exception of a few pot holes.
It's advisable to have an international driving license in South Africa, as you may be asked for this at police check points.
When to visit Cape Town
In our opinion, the best months to visit Cape Town are May and September. It's their shoulder season for both of these months, and it means there are fewer crowds, but the weather is still usually lovely, and prices are not too high!
Where to stay in Cape Town
We've stayed in all of the hotels below and can personally recommend them as some of the best hotels in Cape Town. If you have the budget, our absolute favourite hotel is the 12 Apostles, and it also tends to be a little cheaper than the other 5* hotels in Cape Town, since it's a little out of the way in Camps Bay. Don't worry though, it's still really quick and easy to get to!
On a budget
Midrange
Best Luxury Stays
Things to do in Cape Town
If you only have a few days in Cape Town, our must-sees are Robben Island, Table Mountain and Boulders Beach! They are each amazing in their own way. But we've also recommended some further activities if you have a bit more time, which also deserve a look in!
Top 3 things to do in Cape Town
Robben Island
Robben Island is famously the island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner, but the island actually has a rich history beyond its association with Mandela, which is well worth exploring.
It's worth pre-booking, as tours can sell out quite quickly, and you might struggle to get tickets if you leave it last minute.
We recommend this awesome Get Your Guide tour:
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is perhaps one of the most iconic sights in Cape Town. It's doable with and without a guide. The hike is a (usually pretty warm!) 3-4 hour hike depending on your fitness level. There are also some really fun ways to do Table Mountain, including abseiling off it! This is so much fun and really not to be missed!
Again, this is something you need to pre-book though.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is one of the only places in Africa where you can see penguins and it's amazing!
And if you have more time...
Where to eat in Cape Town
The two places below have no shortage of awesome restaurants to choose from, and you won't go far wrong just by walking through each place and making a choice based on what appeals best to your senses!
Visiting South Africa? You might like our Safari Park guide...
If you loved this guide, please save it or send it to a friend. We hope you have an amazing time in Cape Town ♥
If you still need help you can book a consultation with me:
And you can also find us on socials:
The home for unique & authentic travel
