Cape Town is South Africa’s crown jewel. Founded by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, it was South Africa’s first attempt at a modern metropolis, earning it the nickname “The Mother City.” Because of its strategic location at the southwestern tip of Africa, it once played an important role in global trade. Today, it’s one of South Africa’s three capital cities and home to nearly five million residents who proudly refer to themselves as Capetonians. 

But Cape Town’s setting—a dramatic coastline hugging Table Mountain National Park—is as picturesque as its history is problematic. Like the rest of South Africa, Cape Town is still recovering from the apartheid era, which ended in 1994. While crime and corruption are still issues, the city helped host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, spurring an influx of tourists that has yet to slow down. Cape Town is now serviced by three nonstop flights from the U.S. Popular day trips from the city include seeing the bucolic wineries of Stellenbosch, the African penguin colony in Simon’s Town, and the Big Five at Aquila Game Reserve.

Best Hotels and Resorts

The Silo Hotel

Once an eyesore, the tallest grain silo on the waterfront is now an art-forward five-star hotel. The first nine floors are a museum boasting the continent’s largest collection of contemporary African art. The next six stories feature 28 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling “pillowed glass” windows. The property, which opened in 2017, is part of The Royal Portfolio.  

The President Hotel 

President Nelson Mandela opened this Bantry Bay institution in 1998. It’s popular with business travelers and families who appreciate amenities including a restaurant, spa, salon, gift shop, kids play area, infinity pool, and gym. Rooms were renovated in 2024, and the property offers bike rentals, perfect for exploring the adjacent beachfront promenade. 

Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel 

Voted a top city hotel in Africa by T+L readers for more than 20 years, Cape Grace is the place to stay at the V&A. The 112-key property was acquired by Fairmont in 2023 and reopened in 2024 after an extensive overhaul. Choose from 12 categories of luxurious rooms and suites with either harbor or mountain views. 

Ellerman House

Once a private residence, this tony property prides itself on being voted 2024’s Best City Hotel in Africa by T+L readers. “House” is a bit of a misnomer; it’s more of a compound featuring gardens, a spa, a 9,000-bottle wine gallery, and one of Africa’s largest private art collections. The mansion has 13 bedrooms and suites; the two private villas are ideal for families. 

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa 

Although it’s located six miles outside of the city, this 70-room oceanfront retreat is easy to find. It’s the only building on this stretch of the scenic drive to Chapman’s Peak. Take advantage of the complimentary shuttle into town, or treat yourself to a massage followed by a G&T in the fabled Leopard Bar. 

Best Things to Do 

Take a helicopter tour.

“The seaboard city has such stunning natural geography, it’s hard to grasp from the ground and utterly stunning from an aerial perspective,” says Samantha Gordon, a T+L Top Travel Advisor who recommends an aerial tour with Heli Flip. Individual seat rates and healthy competition among tour operators make it a more affordable experience. 

Go for a wine tasting.

Gordon also recommends visiting the Cape Winelands, especially with wine master Harry Melck. Established in 1682, Steenberg is the area’s oldest wine farm. Even if you don’t drink, enjoy the scenic drive through pastoral communities like Stellenbosch, where you can meet South Africa’s first Black female winemaker.   

Visit the apartheid museums.

Visible from almost anywhere in Cape Town, Robben Island is much like San Francisco’s Alcatraz. Take a ferry to see the former prison where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were incarcerated during apartheid. Gordon recommends the private tours with Christo Brand, Mandela’s prison guard-turned-friend. The District Six Museum, on the mainland, is another great place to gain a better understanding of racial segregation in South Africa. 

See penguins at Boulder Beach.

Don’t miss the adventures of the African penguin colony that lives on a white-sand beach named for its truck-sized boulders. Pro tip: Skip the north entrance, where you have to stay on the boardwalk, for the lesser-known southern entrance, where you can walk on the beach. “You get a much more intimate and close experience,” says Capetonian Shaun Stanley, founder of Stanley Safaris. 

Hike Table Mountain National Park.

Table Mountain is South Africa’s most famous landmark and the namesake for this sprawling national park. In addition to striking geological formations, it’s home to distinct vegetation, called fynbos. Hike one of many trails to the top (3,563 ft.) or ride the cable car to take in the panoramic views.  

Best Shopping

Neighbourgoods Market

If you’re visiting on a weekend, you could easily spend half a day at this bustling Woodstock market housed in a beautifully restored former biscuit mill. “It offers a wide range of locally made crafts, jewelry, clothing, and food products,” says Maija De Rijk-Uys, a T+L Top Travel Advisor. 

V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront’s focal point is the mall, with more than 450 retail stores where you’ll find every brand from Adidas to Armani. If you’re looking for handmade souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else, check out Watershed, where De Rijk-Uys prefers to support the 150+ local vendors. 

Kalk Bay 

De Rijk-Uys describes this False Bay community as a “charming fishing village with antique shops and quirky stores.” The 40-minute drive from Cape Town is worth it if you appreciate independent bookstores and hunting for antiques. 

Best Restaurants

Kloof Street House 

This boutique brasserie serving up lunch and dinner downtown is housed in a 20th-century Victorian home with an equally impressive garden. “From intimate candle-lit corners to tree-shaded garden tables, the space lends itself to any occasion,” says Gordon, who likes to lunch here and listen to live jazz on Sundays. 

Reverie Social Table

With just one community table, Reverie offers the Mother City’s most exclusive epicurean experience. Find yourself making new friends over a five-course dinner featuring “hyper-seasonal” ingredients handpicked by head chef (and Reverie’s owner) Julia Hattingh, who lives on site. Arrive early to enjoy a glass of South African wine in the back garden. 

Fyn

Stanley’s favorite restaurant is FYN, which also requires reservations. Easily a Michelin contender, this South African-Japanese fusion establishment serves up a fixed nine-course dinner and a fixed six-course lunch. Although the Karoo Wagyu alone is worth traveling for, pescatarians and plant-based diners are also welcome to enjoy their own special menu. 

Our Local

“The relaxed atmosphere, combined with the reasonable prices, makes Our Local an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch or a laid-back dinner with friends,” says Rijk-Uys. Choose from inventive dishes ranging from orange shakshuka to three styles of loaded schnitzel. Despite being a mom-and-pop place, it’s so beloved that it’s able to be open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.  

Belmond Mount Nelson

“Whether it’s Sunday afternoon tea, an intimate dinner at The Red Room, or a table at Oasis for the hotel’s famed jazz brunch, Mount Nelson is at the forefront of Cape Town’s dining scene,” says Gordon. Serving up everything from farm-to-table fare to Mediterranean cuisine and even shareable plates of pan-Asian specialties in its seven eateries, the Belmond’s kitchen staff know no bounds. For the most memorable meal, book a seat at the Chef’s Table. 

Best Time to Visit

December through March is South Africa’s summer, when Cape Town is alive with tourists and locals enjoying the sun. It’s often warm enough to warrant a dip in the ocean. For lower prices and fewer people, visit during the winter, late June through late September. Pack a raincoat, because winter means wet. Finally, the shoulder seasons can be just as unforgettable. Spring, September through early December, is when Table Mountain’s wildflowers are in full bloom. Autumn, late March through early June, is thought to be the best time to go cage diving with great white sharks.

How to Get There 

There are three direct flights from the U.S. to Cape Town International Airport. United flies from Newark (EWR) and Washington, D.C. (IAD) while Delta offers a direct flight from Atlanta (ATL). Cape Town International Airport is located 12 miles from downtown Cape Town. The best way to reach your hotel from the airport is to arrange a ride in advance (some hotels offer shuttles), or take Uber. Follow the signs in the arrivals hall to Parkade 1. For safety reasons, book through the app; do not accept rides from drivers offering their services in person. 

Neighborhoods and Suburbs to Know 

City Bowl

Nestled in a natural depression, City Bowl is the heart, and oldest part, of Cape Town. It’s home to the CBD (Central Business District), Long Street’s well-preserved Dutch colonial architecture, the Bo-Kaap’s colorful houses, and the V&A’s canals that wind through the waterfront district. 

Atlantic Seaboard

Cape Town’s riviera, this is where you’ll find boutique hotels, white-sand beaches, and massive compounds belonging to the city’s elite. Each community, centered around a beach, has its own character, from the uber-posh Camp’s Bay to the fishing village vibes of Hout Bay.

Woodstock

Woodstock is Cape Town’s answer to Brooklyn’s Williamsburg. If you’re interested in art, theater, or anything alternative, this former industrial area is a must-see. If nothing else, in 10 years, you can say you visited Woodstock before everyone knew how cool it was and property developers ruined it. 

How to Get Around

Trains: Cape Town’s commuter trains exist as the Metrorail, although if you ask locals, they’re unreliable and unsafe. In 2024, Ceres Rail brought back its scenic tourist train—a historic steam engine—that travels from Cape Town to Elgin Railway Market. 

Buses: While there are several local buses and minibuses (basically vans shuttling commuters), the best buses for visitors are the MyCiTi buses. They connect with the airport and serve scheduled stops in high-traffic tourist areas. City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off buses also stop at popular attractions and include commentary. The Red Line covers the northern part of Cape Town; the Blue Line goes to Hout Bay. 

Taxis and Shuttles: Only use taxi and shuttle services offered by reputable companies that you can book in advance. Do not take rides from drivers who approach you on the street.

Rideshare: Uber is the best way to get around Cape Town, and drivers are everywhere. That said, Stanley recommends sticking to Uber Black. “Standard Ubers are okay,” he told T+L. “But the vehicles aren’t always in the best conditions, and given the exchange rate, getting an Uber Black is not that much more.” 

Car Rentals: It’s easy and relatively affordable to rent cars in Cape Town. But keep in mind they drive on the left-hand side of the road, and many neighborhoods aren’t safe to drive through. Stanley also cautions against renting if you plan on enjoying Cape Town’s Winelands. “We have a very strict drink/driving policy.” If you do rent, the Cape Town Tourism board recommends parking in well-lit areas with security guards. 

Safety

While Cape Town is considered to be much safer than Johannesburg, it’s plagued by a relatively high crime rate. Carjackings, muggings, and express kidnappings are common. That said, most travelers say Cape Town is still worth visiting. You just need to be more vigilant. Never walk alone at night, always hike in groups, don’t display your valuables, and never accept help from someone at an ATM or cash point.