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Sandy beaches. Dramatic mountains. Urban attractions. Cape Town has all three, and the combination of natural beauty and cosmopolitan comforts puts this South African city right at the top of our travel wish list.
Cape Town’s beaches have soft sand, large sheltering stones and stunning landscapes. On the Atlantic shores the water is refreshingly cool, with warmer water for swimming and bathing found to the eastern coast along False Bay. A ten-minute drive from the city centre will take you to the Clifton beaches; four protected, sandy beaches in the well-to-do area of town. Other famous sunbathing spots include Camps Bay and Llandudno Beach.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers from November to February averaging 21°C, and wet winters from May to August averaging 13°C.
It takes about 12 hours to fly direct to Cape Town from the UK.
Cape Town is 1 hour ahead of the time in the UK.
The official currency of Cape Town is the South African rand.
The official language spoken in Cape Town is Afrikaans.
Head down to Table Bay Harbour to visit the city’s celebrated shopping, entertainment and restaurant venues at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium to come face to face with sharks and stingrays, or shop, wine and dine against the backdrop of the Victoria Basin and the Cape Fold Mountains.
Why hike when you can conquer a mountain in comfort? Take the Aerial Cableway up the impressive, flat-topped Table Mountain. It takes five minutes, and the floor of the carriages rotate gently, giving unmatched 360° views. At the top you’ll find a restaurant, souvenir shops and stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
Check out Foxy Beach, a sheltered, sandy bay where a colony of African penguins roam free. There’s no swimming allowed here – unless you have a beak and flippers - so head to Boulders Beach just along the coast if you fancy sharing the sand and sea with the local feathered friends.
Visit the Constantia Valley for a historic wine route in a setting that will take your breath away. Home to traditional wine farms dating as far back as 1685, you’ll find a Sauvignon Blanc or Rhone-style red to suit even the pickiest wine enthusiast.
Nothing says ‘romance’ like a far-away adventure with your favourite person. Fly away on a couples holiday to South Africa for some winter sun and discover new tastes, see spectacular views and experience a different culture that’s like no other. Take a romantic walk and even stop for a picnic in the stunning Kirstenbosch Gardens. The botanical garden has two glistening rivers flowing through it and even features a zoo for those couples who love animals.
For fabulous food and drink, head to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. The V and A is the place to go for shopping, dancing, dining or a few fruity drinks. So, if you’re looking for a romantic evening out filled with cocktails and fine dining, the V and A Harbour will tick all of your date-night boxes.
Of course, there’s no romantic setting quite like a sunset, but what about watching it from the top of a mountain? If you don’t fancy the hike, you can get a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy a drink from the bar whilst watching the gorgeous South African sunset over the horizon. Perfect.
If you’re planning a big family trip away with the kids, there’s not much that will beat seeing the look of awe on their faces when they see their favourite animals out in the wild. South Africa might not be the first place that pops into your head when deciding where to take the family over half term, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not one of the best.
With so many safari experiences to choose from, take the whole family on an animal adventure to spot all of the species you’ve seen in the kids’ books – but in real life! From the giraffes to elephants and you may even be lucky enough to spot a lion, seeing the beautiful creatures in their natural habitat is something that is truly unbeatable.
Family days out to the beach are something that will be a hit with the kids, especially with the beaming sunshine and the soft white sand. If you want a slightly different beach day out, head to Boulders Beach, located on the east coast of the peninsula, to discover the penguin colony who live there.
Looking for a bit more than sun, sea and sand for your next mates escape? Not only does South Africa have an amazing collection of top-quality sandy shores, but it also is a place that offers endless activities - perfect for group holidays! If you and the gang fancy an adventure in the sun with some Instagram-worthy snaps along the way – challenge yourselves to hike up Table Mountain. Both a workout and a wonderful experience, once you’ve reached the top of the mountain you can not only take in the jaw-dropping views of Cape Town below, but you can do so whilst sipping an ice-cold refreshment from the Terrace Bar perched on the summit.
If you’re a group of sports enthusiasts, or just fancy indulging in South African culture, a day out at the cricket is a must. The second most popular sport in the country, cricket is a large part of the local culture and going to see a game is a big day out. Head over to Newlands Cricket Ground and see if you can catch a test match or even see if you can catch the Cape Cobras playing, Cape Town’s local team.
One thing’s for sure, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, Cape Town is the perfect holiday destination for you. Aside from the game reserves you can visit to see some of the world’s most incredible predators, if you really want to get your blood pumping there are plenty of exciting activities to choose from.
Love the water? Enjoy seeing animals in their natural habitat? Well, if you’re feeling daring, you could get your goggles on and meet a great white shark face to face. Around 2 hours away from Cape Town, in Gansbaai, you can have the experience of a lifetime by shark diving in the Atlantic Ocean – where you’ll get into a cage and be lowered into the water to meet the famous great white sharks!
If you prefer to be (way) higher above ground, Bloukrans Bridge is the highest bridge in the continent and is located in Western Cape, around a 6.5 hour road trip from Cape Town. If you love heights, you can walk across the bridge and see just how far the drop is below your feet, or if you’d prefer to take it up a notch, you can bungee jump off it!
Those who’d prefer to stay dry and not fly through the air can still get their dose of adrenaline by heading up Table Mountain and abseiling down the side of it. Make your way down the 112 metre drop whilst taking in the brilliant panoramic views around you – it’s an interesting way to take in the views of Cape Town, that’s for sure.
A true melting pot of a city, the Rainbow Nation’s legislative capital owes its vibrant culture to a diverse population. From Cape Dutch architecture to gumboot dancers, and events such as the Cape Winelands Film Festival and the International Kite Festival, there’s a new side to Cape Town around every corner.
Make a beeline for Long Street if you want to be in the heart of the action when the sun goes down. Clubs, bars and pubs abound in this party-loving part of the city. For a refined night out, visit the clubs of the Camps Bay Promenade. For a full weekend of music, get tickets for one of Cape Town’s outdoor trance festivals during Psytrance Season in summer.
With Dutch, Malaysian and indigenous influences, the food in Cape Town is varied and exciting. Braaied (barbequed) meat and seafood are staples, and traditional dishes to look out for include chakalaka and pap, Cape Malay curry and Malva pudding, which is similar to sticky toffee pudding. For a local tipple, try the sweet, peppery Amarula liqueur or opt for Rooibos tea for a healthier option.
Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.
You do not currently need to pay tourist tax in Cape Town.
We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Cape Town on the FCO website.