Cape Town Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront featuring a lake or waterhole
Cape Town
Simon\'s Town
Cape Town
Cape Town

Cape Town Travel Guide Video

Nature lovers, adrenaline junkies, culture buffs, shopaholics, honeymooners and families will all find something in South Africa’s "mother city".

Affectionately referred to as the "mother city" of South Africa, Cape Town is one of those sophisticated tourist destinations that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. This is an inspiring and exciting city that is jam-packed with attractions and entertainment to suit every type of visitor and every kind of budget. With an impressive collection of museums, art galleries and theatres as well as a fantastic range of options for shopping and dining, this multicultural metropolis leaves other South African cities floundering in its wake. Combine this with an abundance of unique flora and fauna and stunning scenery and you have all the ingredients for a truly exceptional trip.The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront sits in the heart of Cape Town’s historic harbour and is the ultimate destination for those who seek the unusual combination of retail therapy and culture. Excellent shops, bars and restaurants sit happily alongside historic museums. From here, hop on a ferry to Robben Island where President Mandela spent decades as a prisoner. Guided tours of the prison offer a stark reminder of his struggle – sobering, but not to be missed.No visit to Cape Town is complete without making your way to the top of the iconic Table Mountain. Whether you choose to ascend in style in one of the pretty cable cars or you decide to tackle one of the tramping trails, make sure you get to the summit! From here, climbers will be rewarded with stunning views of the city and the ocean as it stretches greedily out to the horizon.For another view that is out of this world, make your way to the coastal cliffs that make up the Cape of Good Hope. This unique vantage point offers exceptional views that are awe-inspiring and humbling in equal measure.From here, make the short journey to Boulders Beach. Kick back on the blindingly white sand, build castles with the kids or float in the turquoise waters. This area is also home to a unique colony of endangered African penguins so make your way along the boardwalk to Foxy Beach and pay them a visit.Finally, if you are seeking time out from the bustle of the city, plan a trip to the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Learn about the conservation of indigenous flora while enjoying a relaxing stroll around the perfumed gardens. This is the perfect way to recharge your batteries for round two.

Where to stay in Cape Town

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront featuring a marina

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The picture-perfect mountain views and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A stop by Cape Town Cruise Terminal or Two Oceans Aquarium might round out your trip.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Camps Bay showing mountains, general coastal views and a coastal town

Camps Bay

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

The beaches and picture-perfect mountain views are top of the list for many visitors to Camps Bay. A stop by Camps Bay Beach or Table Mountain National Park might round out your trip.

Camps Bay
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Cape Town City Centre

4/5(48 area reviews)

Known for its majestic mountain landscape and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Cape Town City Centre. Check out top attractions like District Six Museum and Cape Town City Hall, and jump on the metro at Woodstock Station or Esplanade Station to see more of the city.

Cape Town City Centre
Sea Point

Sea Point

4/5(8 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Sea Point. A stop by Milton Beach or Sea Point Swimming Pool might round out your trip.

Sea Point
Cape Town Stadium featuring a sunset and a city

Green Point

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Travellers like the cocktail bars in Green Point, and Greenpoint Market is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Green Point
Cape Town which includes night scenes and a city

City Bowl

The majestic mountain landscape and popular shops are just a few highlights of City Bowl. Make a stop by South African National Gallery or Kloof Street while you're exploring the area.

City Bowl
Taj Cape Town

Taj Cape Town

5 out of 5
1 Wale Street, corner St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is NZ$379 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
NZ$379
20 Aug - 21 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Concierge Dale provided fantastic service for booking tours to getting my party of 15 around and to and from airport."

Reviewed on 8 Aug. 2025

Taj Cape Town
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

4 out of 5
15 Michigan Street, Airport Industria, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is NZ$225 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
NZ$225
14 Aug - 15 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"The food is delicious and so is the wine. The bed very comfortable, but so is the whole room. We got exactly what we requested. Thank you. I am grateful"

Reviewed on 9 Aug. 2025

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront

AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront

4 out of 5
Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is NZ$313 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
NZ$313
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (603 reviews)
Wonderful hotel, but location is remote
"Stayed for 3 nights in June 2025 prior to a group tour. The hotel is great and all of the staff members were lovely and kind! The only negative about this hotel is that it is essentially at the end of a dead end road (there is a security fence surrounding the hotel), so you have to follow the road ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK

The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK

4 out of 5
57 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (523 reviews)
"Our 2 bedroom apartment was very spacious with excellent furniture and all amenities including a washer even though I was told there wouldn't be one."

Reviewed on 31 Jul. 2025

The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK
Urban Elephant 16 on Bree

Urban Elephant 16 on Bree

4 out of 5
16 Bree St, Cape Town, Western Cape
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Long Street and Cape Town Cruise Terminal ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
To be recommended
"Extremely well equipped and very comfortable, friendly staff, bad was fantastic, and price was very good Convenient location Improvements needed: Lighting over working desk is a problem"

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Urban Elephant 16 on Bree
One Thibault Hotel by ITC Hospitality

One Thibault Hotel by ITC Hospitality

17 Hans Strijdom Ave, Cape Town, Western Cape
Stay at this aparthotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Long Street and Cape Town Cruise Terminal ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (96 reviews)
One Thinalt
"It was a good stay. The only issue is the parking. They want me to pay for it as a resident and the price is too high."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

One Thibault Hotel by ITC Hospitality
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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