Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson
Thinking about visiting Cape Town?
You’re in for SUCH a treat. I truly believe that this is the best city in the world!
But first, you need to work out what’s what. And trust me, I know how overwhelming it can feel having to research somewhere totally new!
I’ve lived in Cape Town since 2021 and have been blogging about it for years now. Below, you’ll find all of my most helpful guides, from where to stay and how to get around to itineraries and safety tips.
Let’s get into it!
Essential Cape Town Travel Tips
Is Cape Town worth visiting?
Yes, I 100% think it’s worth going to Cape Town. It’s the most beautiful city in the world and there’s so much to do here that it’s impossible to get bored. For more, read my article about whether Cape Town is worth it!
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
3-5 days is the absolute minimum. If you’re visiting Cape Town as part of a bigger trip around South Africa, this is just enough time to hit the highlights. I’ve got some short itineraries here to help you make the most of your time!
However, you could easily fill two weeks in Cape Town! I mean, I’ve somehow managed to fill five years.
Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
Yes, Cape Town is safe for tourists. Visitors generally stick to the safe, central parts of the city. While I take the same precautions here as I would in any big city, I’m sensible rather than scared. With a little common sense (and the following resources) you’ll be absolutely fine!
👉 Top Safety Tips for Visiting Cape Town
👉 Is Cape Town Safe for Solo Female Travellers? My Honest Take After Living Here
Planning Your Trip to Cape Town
Planning a trip to Cape Town is super exciting, but it can also feel like a lot of work when it’s your first time visiting the city! That’s why I’ve put together the following guides to help you figure out the logistics, from where to stay to how to make the most of your time.
👉 3-Day Cape Town Itinerary – If you’re short on time, this is exactly how I’d spend three days in the city!
👉 Cape Town Without a Car – Wondering whether or not you need to rent a car? Here’s how to decide whether it’s worth it and how to get around without one.
👉 Cape Town Packing List – Not sure what to bring? This list will ensure you don’t miss any essential items!
👉How to get from Cape Town Airport to the City – After a long flight, here’s how to make the last leg of your journey stress-free.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
My top choices for where to stay in Cape Town would be Sea Point, Green Point, or De Waterkant. These areas are safe and walkable with lots of cafes and restaurants, and they’re just a short Uber ride away from the city’s top attractions. You can walk to the Waterfront, or be at the beach in about 15 minutes – perfect!
But honestly, anywhere in the area outlined in the map will work great as a base for exploring Cape Town:
For more info, I’ve written the following guides to help you work out where to stay:
👉 Where to Stay in Cape Town – A full breakdown of all the best neighbourhoods
👉 Sea Point Area Guide – My personal favourite! There’s a lot going on here and I love running on the promenade.
👉 De Waterkant Guide – My guide to this small and colourful enclave
Top Things to Do in Cape Town
Okay, so now that the business end of things is out the way, let’s get to the fun stuff: the best things to do!
There’s SO much to do in Cape Town that we could be here all day.
I’ve got a huge article on the best things to do in Cape Town, as well as some in-depth guide on my favourite experiences. And don’t worry, I’m not just a yes-woman. I’ve also got a guide on what to skip!
👉 Best Things to Do in Cape Town – A full list of my favourite activities, from must-see sights to some lesser-known gems.
👉 Table Mountain Guide – Everything you need to know about visiting Cape Town’s most iconic landmark, whether you’re hiking or taking the cable car.
👉 Best Beaches in Cape Town – From popular spots to hidden bays, don’t miss these stunning beaches!
👉 Wine Tasting Guide – Wine tasting is a MUST in Cape Town, so here’s the lowdown on where to go and how to do it.
👉 Visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach – Seeing these adorable African penguins should be on everyone’s South Africa bucket list!
Best Day Trips from Cape Town
Yes, there’s a lot to do in Cape Town itself but there are also some amazing day trips from the city. Some require tours while others are more independent and require you to rent a car. My personal favourites are:
👉 The Wine Tram – Hopping between gorgeous wineries on an old-school tram is very hard to beat. I’ve done it so many times and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it!
👉 Cape Peninsula – If you’re hiring a car, this is my ultimate road trip itinerary, including seals, wine, and Cape Town’s oldest pub.
👉 West Coast National Park – An underrated gem! If you need a break from the cold water at the Clifton Beaches, this beach day is well worth the drive.
👉 Aquila Safari – While this isn’t a true safari, if you haven’t got time to go to the Kruger, I think it’s the next best thing.
Where to Eat and Drink in Cape Town
Cape Town has an amazing food scene! With amazing produce and a variety of independent local restaurants, it’s probably my favourite place in the world to go out for dinner. The quality is high across the board, whether you’re dining gourmet or grabbing a casual burger. You’re more likely to find me doing the latter, but I go classy when friends and family come to visit.
👉 Best Restaurants in Cape Town – All of my favourite spots!
👉 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Cape Town takes it very seriously.
👉 Best Bars in Cape Town – Unique spots to grab a drink
👉 3-Day Cape Town Foodie Itinerary – If food is the focus of your trip, this itinerary will help you hit the best spots
Visa Requirements
Most travellers can get a 90-day visa on arrival in South Africa. As a UK citizen, I’m entitled to this, as are those from the USA, Australia, and most of Europe, South America, and Asia. You can check the full list of visa exempt countries here.
If you’re from a “visa exempt” country, you don’t need to do anything. You just rock up and get a visitor’s visa stamp on arrival. You don’t need to do anything beforehand. I’ve also never been asked to show proof of funds or return flights.
The only thing you do need is two blank pages in your passport, and 30 days validity after your intended exit date. For example, if you plan to leave South Africa on 25 May 2025, your passport needs to be valid until at least 24 June 2025.
Visa extensions
If you want to stay longer, it’s possible to extend your tourist visa for another 90 days.
This process can be unreliable and a bit of a headache, if I’m honest. With that said, I’ve done it three times and it has always worked out in the end. If you want to extend your visa, I recommend reading my in-depth guide to extending your tourist visa.
Best Time of Year to Visit Cape Town
Summer
December to February is the peak summer season in Cape Town. It’s when the weather is warmest and the city is full of both domestic and international tourists.
Personally, I find that December can feel a little bit too crazy (or hectic, as the locals say!), but it’s ideal if you’re looking to go out and party. Check out my guide to Cape Town’s nightlife here!
Personally, my favourite months in Cape Town are February and March. The weather is still warm and the days are long. There are fewer crowds to contend with, but still a fun, buzzy atmosphere around town.
Shoulder seasons (April – May & October – November)
April and May can also be really nice with plenty of sunshine, and temperatures tend to hover between 20-25°C. October and November are much the same!
For me, the shoulder seasons are the perfect time of year to hike and explore the winelands, as it gets hotter inland than it does by the coast. Plus, it’s still warm enough to fit in some beach time (my favourite) with fewer crowds around.
Winter
Winter in Cape Town is generally cool with some wet days, although as a Brit, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s cold. In fact, there are still some gorgeous sunny days!
You don’t need a heavy-duty winter coat, but do make sure to pack a jacket and some jumpers.
It’s often a cheaper time to travel. You can get some great deals on accommodation and lots of restaurants run winter specials that are easy on the wallet.
Winter is a great time of year for whale-watching, and there are plenty of places to do this in and around Cape Town.
How to Get Around Cape Town
Cape Town is very much a “driving city” in that there’s not a lot of public transport here. To get around, I recommend either hiring a car or using a combination of Uber and tours.
Hiring a car
Hiring a car gives you a lot of freedom to get around Cape Town, especially if you plan on doing a lot of exploring beyond the city. I use Discover Cars to find reputable and affordable rentals, and have only had good experiences with them.
If you’re considering going to stay in the winelands or doing lots of day trips, then it’s definitely worth hiring a car. If you’re mostly staying in the city, then using Uber is often cheaper and easier.
Can’t decide? I’ve got you:
👉 Guide to Driving in Cape Town – The lowdown on what it’s like to drive here
👉 Should You Hire a Car in Cape Town? – A whole article to help you decide according to your itinerary
👉 How to Get Around Cape Town Without a Car – What to do if you decide not to rent a car
Uber
Uber in Cape Town is safe, reliable, and affordable. In fact, if you’re just going to be staying in the city, then using Uber can work out cheaper than hiring a car. Plus, I love not having to worry about navigation or parking!
However, Uber is also only really good for getting around the city. It pays to have a rental car if you want to go further afield.
MyCiti bus
The MyCiti bus is a safe and affordable way of getting around Cape Town if you’re on a budget. The network covers the city centre quite well – you can check out the map here.
You’ll need to buy a MyConnect card for R40 and then top it up, but they’re available all over the city. It’s really affordable, and each journey typically costs between R12 and R16.
Township taxis
Township taxis are big shuttle vans that go all over the city centre and right out to the townships. I have never used one, and nor have any of my friends. They drive like absolute maniacs and I’ve been told that they can smell tourists a mile off. They won’t hesitate to rip you off!
Getting from the airport to the city
Fortunately, it only takes around half an hour to get from Cape Town International Airport to the city. I have a full guide to the best way to do this, but the short answer is either pick up your hire car at the airport or book a private transfer.
Currency & Payments
The official currency of South Africa is the rand. It’s not necessary to order cash before you arrive in Cape Town, as lots of places here don’t even take cash anymore!
You can pay with card pretty much everywhere, although I usually leave mine at home because I always use Apple Pay! Even the beach hawkers have card readers nowadays.
And speaking of payments, Cape Town has a strong tipping culture. You can read more about that here!
Welp, that’s everything you need to start planning your trip to Cape Town. I could talk about this city forever (hence the existence of this blog) and I promise that once you get here, you’ll understannd why. Happy travels!
Your article is an excellent read, thank you. My wife and I are looking to go to Cape Town 3 October for 10 days (ish). Will probably book flight and hotel together, staying centrally. Plan is to use the hotel as a hub while we venture out to explore CT and surrounding areas, winelands etc.. Grateful for any steers on a 2 or 3 day safari please?
Hi Wayne! Have a great time in Cape Town! I’m not sure if it’s possible to do a 2-3 day safari from the city, you’d probably have to fly to KZN or the Kruger. You can do the Aquila Safari in one day or stay at the reserve overnight but it’s not a real safari unfortunately.