Cape Town, beautifully done

Why Cape Town, why now

In 2025 Cape Town welcomed 1.44 million foreign overnight visitors, who stayed an average of 9.5 nights and spent around R1,390 a day. The season peaks from October to February, which is exactly when the city is at its most beautiful.

Source: Cape Town Tourism, Destination Intelligence, 2025 (di.capetown.travel).

The essential guides

The famous places, done the quiet way.

Photo: Matti Blume / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideTable MountainCableway timing, private hikesPhoto: Raita Futo / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0GuideCape Point & the peninsulaThe great coastal dayPhoto: Ad Meskens / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideV&A WaterfrontZeitz MOCAA, harbour, diningPhoto: Moheen Reeyad / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideRobben IslandBooking and timingPhoto: sb616 / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0GuideKirstenboschGardens, canopy walk, concertsPhoto: Satdeep Gill / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideBoulders Beach penguinsWhen and how to goPhoto: HelenOnline / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideCamps Bay & CliftonBeaches, villas, sundownersPhoto: Kotivalo / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideBo-KaapHeritage, visited respectfullyPhoto: Martinvl / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideConstantia & the WinelandsDay trips among the vinesPhoto: Matthias Bethke / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideFranschhoek & StellenboschThe heart of the WinelandsPhoto: kallerna / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideChapman's Peak Drive114 curves above the AtlanticPhoto: Matti Blume / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideLion's Head & Signal HillHikes and sundownersPhoto: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0GuideZeitz MOCAAArt in the grain silo

Private tours

How to choose, what to ask, when to go.

Photo: Discott / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Private toursHelicopter flightsThe Seaboard from abovePhoto: Michael Fu / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0Private toursPrivate Winelands toursDriver, guide, lunchPhoto: Josep M. Gracia / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Private toursHermanus whales & GansbaaiSeasons and honest notesPhoto: Moheen Reeyad / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Private toursCape Point private toursYour vehicle, your pacePhoto: Regina Hart / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0Private toursSafari add-onsAquila to the Sabi Sand

Where to dine

Verified against the 2026 Eat Out awards and current sources.

Photo: Michael Browning / Wikimedia, CC0DiningFine dining2026's most acclaimed tablesPhoto: South African Tourism / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0DiningWine-farm restaurantsLong lunches among the vinesPhoto: Axxter99 / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0DiningWaterfront diningHarbour tables for every moodPhoto: PattayaPatrol / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0DiningBooking & etiquetteDeposits, dress, tipping

Plan your trip

Photo: Phumzile Phala / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanWhen to visitMonth by monthPhoto: Raita Futo / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0Plan7, 10 & 14-night itinerariesTested trip shapesPhoto: Bernard303 / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanWhere to stayAreas and propertiesPhoto: Diego Delso / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanPrivate transfersGetting around in comfortPhoto: Discott / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0PlanSafety & practical tipsCalm, useful advicePlanCurrency & tippingRand, cards, gratuitiesPhoto: Michael Gaylord / Wikimedia, CC BY 3.0PlanHoneymoonsSea, vines and safariPhoto: Octagon / Wikimedia, CC BY 3.0PlanWhat to packLayers, sun, plugs

Travelling from…

Photo: Martinvl / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Travelling fromFrom the UKWinter sun, little jet lagPhoto: Olga Ernst / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Travelling fromFrom the USNonstops and safariPhoto: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Travelling fromFrom the NetherlandsShared historyPhoto: Ad Meskens / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0Travelling fromFrom FranceFranschhoek and gastronomyPhoto: Debbielouise / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0Travelling fromFrom GermanyNonstops, no jet lagPhoto: Danie van der Merwe / Wikimedia, CC BY 2.0Travelling fromAuf DeutschKapstadt Luxusreise

The seasonal letter

One email a month on what's in season at the Cape. Launching soon; find out more.