Cape Town
South Africa · Country profile
Cape Town is the South African city at the very end of the continent, where the flat-topped mountain of Table Mountain rises above the sea and the harbour, the beaches and the vineyards of the Cape spread around its base. The city centre revolves around the V&A Waterfront and the Company Gardens, and the cable car to the summit and the drives to the Cape of Good Hope, the penguin colony of Boulders and the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek give the surrounding explorer its classic days out. It is a city of dramatic light, of history and of a beautiful, complicated country, and the whale-watching and the many beaches of its coasts add the blue.
About Cape Town
Cape Town is a city in South Africa. The city's documented population is around 4,800,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +27. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Cape Town International Airport.
The Table Mountain, the Waterfront and the Gardens of the Cape
Cape Town is a stunningly located city between the mountain and the two oceans, and its pace is outdoorsy, social and steeped in the beauty of its setting. The classic circuit runs the cable car to the summit, the seafood of the waterfront, the beaches of the Atlantic coast and the drive around the Cape Peninsula with its penguins and its whale-watching. The winelands are a day out with the estates and the mountain views, and the inner city holds the museums, the street art and the excellent food of the New South Africa. It is safe in the tourist areas with the usual big-city care, and the light of the African sunset is worth the trip on its own.
Cable Car Bookings, the Winelands and the Season of the Wind
The summer months, from November to March, are hot, dry and busy, and the best whale season runs from June to November; the spring and the autumn are the sweet spots with the mild days and the emptier roads. Book the cable car in the season — it sells out, and the wind closes it on the bad days, so plan a flexible morning. The wine farms of the Winelands book their tastings ahead, and the shark-cage and the boat trips need good weather and a seasickness plan. The rand is the currency, cards are universal and the day trips from the city are some of the best organised in Africa.
The Peninsula Drive, the Whales and the Penguins of the Shore
The city is the base for a string of world-class day trips, and the rent-a-car or the guided tours give the freedom of the peninsula. The cable car to the flat summit is the essential ride, with the views over the bay and the city from the top. The penguin beach of Boulders and the Cape of Good Hope round the peninsula make a classic full day, and the whales of the False Bay coast appear in the season. The winelands of the Stellenbosch and the Franschhoek valleys hold the white and the red of the Cape. The food scene is superb and the prices are gentle by the world standard — come hungry, curious and patient with the traffic.
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- Country
- South Africa
- Population
- 4,800,000
- Coordinates
- -33.9648, 18.6017
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +27
- Country code
- ZA
Entry requirements for South Africa
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting South Africa for tourism.
Getting to Cape Town
Airports we list for Cape Town:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in South Africa
Other cities we cover in South Africa:
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape Town the capital of South Africa?
No — the capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
What currency do I need in Cape Town?
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Languages spoken in South Africa include English.
What is the dialling code for South Africa?
The international dialling code for South Africa is +27.
Which airport should I fly into for Cape Town?
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the airport we list for Cape Town.
How far is Cape Town from the nearest airport?
Cape Town is about 1,271 km from O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter South Africa visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Cape Town? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.