OVERVIEW
A holiday to South Africa wouldn’t be complete without visiting the country’s iconic capital – Cape Town – with so much to offer and unbelievable landscapes, from the towering Table Mountain in the backdrop to the charming Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and not forgetting the golden beaches and vibrant nightlife.
Placed on the southwest coast of South Africa, Cape Town is your gateway to remarkable safari holidays and the stunning wine lands. Spend 4-5 nights exploring this bustling port city, renowned for its glamorous V&A Waterfront lined with shopping, restaurants and bars. It’s impossible to not mention the majestic Table Mountain when describing the incredible sights of Cape Town, which overlooks the city. Whether you decide to climb the mountain on foot on various hiking trails with gorgeous botanical gardens along the way, or casually getting on the cable car to reach the summit – this iconic mountain should be part of your itinerary for dramatic scenery, and if you dare, there’s the option to abseil the mountain for the adventurous looking for a thrill.
Before setting off on a thrilling game drive in Kruger National Park or further afield, make sure to include a night stay in Hermanus, which is located an hour and a half away from Cape Town and is known as one of the top rated locations in the world to see whales. Whales can often be spotted from the coast as the whales come within metres of the shoreline, making this an incredible experience. The popular hotspots to see nature’s viewings are the Old Harbour and Gearings Point. Whale watching season is between June and December.
If you’re searching for a fun-filled family holiday to South Africa, where nature is all around, then Cape Town is the perfect city for exploring with all family members – from toddlers to teens. There are a number of safe beaches to enjoy swimming and sunbathing, as well as an abundance of things to do in Cape Town for families, such as boat trips from the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, learning about the marine life at the Two Oceans Aquarium as well as learning about the flora and fauna at Butterfly World and Planetarium. An excellent family-friendly resort in the heart of the V&A Waterfront is the luxurious One&Only Cape Town is plenty of facilities for all the family.
Couples on honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary or simply looking for a new adventure will love all that Cape Town has to offer. From relaxing spa treatments, movie under the stars and sunset boat cruises for romance, to thrilling helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides over the Cape Winelands and picking your own roses at Chart Farm, located just 10 minutes out of the city.
Cape Town is blessed with natural scenery and is a hiker’s playground. From coastal walks to mountainous hikes – Cape Town has plenty of landscape to behold. For magnificent views of the city, climb to Lion’s Head from Signal Hill Road for incredible coastal and city views. Those seeking a challenge will look to explore Platteklip Gorge, which is sure to give you a workout and is also a great way to reach the top of Table Mountain. For a historical hike, embark The Pipe Track, which was built for servicing a pipeline that supplied Cape Town with water in the 19th century – the trail is great for all levels and has beautiful greenery and city views to enjoy along the way. If you’re in search of a view to make your jaw drop, add Tygerberg Nature Reserve onto your bucket list. This 388-hectare reserve boasts a diversity of plant and bird life and not forgetting an incredible panoramic view of the iconic Table Mountain.
Delve into the history of Cape Town with a visit to Robben Island. Visited by thousands each year, the island, which is home to a former Maximum Security Prison, where tours famously include a visit to the cell in which Nelson Mandela served time. A boat journey from V&A Waterfront to Robben Island can be done in one day as the tour and boat journey takes around 3.5 hours. As you step on the island, you’ll be surrounded by 500 years of multi-layered history, from homing the Garrison Church, which was built in 1841 by prisoners from the British convict station to learning about its rich history of being a stop off for rest by travellers in the 1400s on route to the Cape of Good Hope.
Cape Town is the perfect starting point for an incredible South Africa multi centre holiday package. Whether you’re looking for a Cape Town holiday with safari package, our team of travel experts will create you the perfect itinerary to include all the of the things you want to see and do. There’s also the choice of combining your holiday to Cape Town with the Seychelles, Maldives, Mozambique, Botswana and Zanzibar.
How many days do you need in Cape Town?
A recommended amount of time to spend in Cape Town is about 5 days to really see all the sights and to explore Table Mountain.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
Visit Cape Town during the peak months, which is during summer between December and February. Late April to early June is also a good time to visit for hiking. If you’re looking to do Cape Town and the winelands, it’s best to visit from late June to August, while spotting whales is best from July to September.
How long is a flight from the UK to Cape Town?
A direct flight from London to Cape Town is 11 hours and 45 minutes.
What language is spoken in Cape Town?
The local language in Cape Town is Afrikaans and the second language is Xhosa. English is widely spoken in Cape Town.
What currency is used in Cape Town?
ZAR.
What is the time difference in Cape Town?
Cape Town is 1 hour ahead of the UK.
Do I need a visa to visit Cape Town?
You need a visa to enter South Africa. To find out more about travel entry requirements and advice, visit this FCO website link.
