About Cape Town

Cape Town! What is the first thing that springs to mind? If you said, scenic beaches and wide horizons as far as the eye can see, then you’re absolutely right. Located at the tip of the southern peninsula, this capital of South Africa is also called the Mother City. Cape Town, blessed with abundant beauty from Mother Nature is a diverse and fascinating city. From the heights of beautiful mountains to the impressive stretches of coastline, this city is a popular destination for beach lovers and wine enthusiasts alike. With amazing Botanical Gardens and lush green parks, this city blends Afrikaner, European and native cultures in its architectural, musical, and culinary styles. Cape Town’s diverse roots can be seen in every bar, restaurant, museums, all around the city. Amazing day trips are possible from Cape Town where you can tour renown wine regions, watch whales from the shore, explore the beautiful beaches, and drive along South Africa’s most picturesque roads. Visit Cape Town and quench your historic and artistic thirst, by catching a glimpse of the dark gallows of the apartheid Africa. So, what are you waiting for? The magical land of Cape Town awaits you! 

Public Transport System

Minibus Taxis, Metro Rail, Private Taxis, Uber, Golden Bus Network, My Citi Network

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Cleanliness: High/ Efficiency: Low

Mode & Cost of Transports

Minibus Taxis take around R 5. It is quite frequent along the set routes.

Metrorail takes around R 7 to R 22. It is cheaper. But, it is infamous for frequent disruptions and delays due to poor maintenance. Start 30 minutes early if preferring this one.

Cabs takes a minimum of R10 with average rate being R 30 to R 40. This option can come in handy where the public transports are hard to spot. On the other hand, Uber is a good option but it works only if connected to a credit card. 

Golden Bus Network costs R10 - R 30. It is not that reliable as it does not cover tourist destinations.

My Citi Bus Network works on Connect Cards. So, you need to fill in money into the cards to travel.

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle ZAR 11.00
Cup of Coffee ZAR 26.00
Milk Carton Pack ZAR 13.00
Rice/Kg ZAR 22.00
White Bread ZAR 14.00
Eggs (12) ZAR 33.00
Combo Meal ZAR 60.00
Fine Dining ZAR 500.00
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi ZAR 13.00
Domestic Beer ZAR 33.00
Imported Beer ZAR 40.00
Bottle of Wine ZAR 65.00
Cigarettes (20 Pack) ZAR 40.00
Taxi ( 1 km ) ZAR 10.00
Ticket in local transport (Single way). ZAR 15.00
Rent ( One Bed Room) ZAR 10828.00

Do’s:

  • Sign up for a walking tour. Automated bus tours don’t answer your questions.
  • Take short showers and use minimum water as the city is currently facing a water crisis.
  • Small hotels are not a bad choice to stay. They are more friendly and give you a lot of information about the city.
  • Skip the township tours and interact with the local community as it will give you a clear insight about the lifestyle and culture of Cape Town.
  • Rather than a traditional wine tasting tour, go for wine blending. Try blending your own wine for a unique experience.
  • Shark cage diving is popular, instead, take a more friendly option of seal snorkeling and come face to face with 15,000 curious and playful Cape Fur Seals in their natural habitat.

Don’ts:

  • Cape Town is currently experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. So don’t use too much water.
  • During summer months Cape Town battles hundreds of wildfires. Be careful where you throw your cigarette butts.
  • Leave valuables unattended in cars as stealing is common.
  • Do not ask if locals speak ‘African.’ South Africa has eleven official languages, and African isn’t one of them.
  • If you’re shopping for gifts and souvenirs at curio markets, always bargain.
  • Don’t accept help from anyone at an ATM. Nimble-fingered criminals love South Africa’s automated teller machines

 

Night Life

The melting pot of cultures that Cape Town is, it definitely hosts a wonderful nightlife, lively, energetic and fun-filled. From the gambling that happens in Grand West to the psytrance parties, there is much to look out for at night in Cape Town. Long Street runs live with the best cafes, bars, and nightclubs that stretches open into the wee hours. This street is the artery of Cape Town's nightlife. Now, for a few specific suggestions for the party animals. Arcade Cafe hosts the best DJ in town. Fiction Bar is the edgiest and hippy bar in the city center. Do check it out. 

Must See

  • The tip of the southern peninsula is a sight to behold.
  • Go to the spookiest venues of the Mother City, which includes the Kimberley Hotel and the Castle of Good Hope.
  • Have a Gatsby. It is Cape Town’s super loaf. It is usually stuffed with chips and a varied range of fillings like polony, atchar, steak, etc. Definitely delicious!
  • Check out Simon's Town. It is South Africa's naval base. You can take a glance at the authentic wartime submarine there.
  • In Boulder's Beach, you can find the penguins that settled here around 1982.
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site, Robben Island that served as a prison for over two hundred years – most famously housing Nelson Mandela.
  • African cuisines are one of the world's most vibrant dishes. Do try it out. Yes! Don't underestimate it either.
  • On the first Thursdays of every month, the mother city is open till late nights. Never forget to miss the late night urban parties on the streets.
  • Go for a ride in the Table Mountain Cable Car. It offers stunning views en route to the mountaintop, where you can take in a 360-degree view of the city, Table Bay, and the rest of the national park.

Experiences

  • Wine blending is a unique thing to Cape Town. So, go out of the wine tasting comfort zones and try out blending.
  • Walk around the most beautiful garden in Africa, Cape Town's Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
  • Surfing at the top beaches in the world - the Clifton beach of South Africa. Crave it for the clear blue water it has.
  • Try the Table Mountain Cable car ride to get jaw-dropping views of the city and mountains.
  • Go for a shark cage diving experience and feel the thrill.
  • Sign up for a city walking tour to experience the true spirit of Cape Town.
  • Cycle around and explore the small townships and local cafes.
  • Try seal snorkeling and come face to face with 15,000 curious and playful Cape Fur Seals in their natural habitat.

Activities

GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World
Casino
1 Jakes Gerwel Dr, Goodwood, Cape Town, 7460, South Africa
Distance From City Center
20 km
Seaforth Beach
Beach
Seaforth Beach, Simon's Town, Cape Town, 7975, South Africa
Distance From City Center
47 km
Waterworld Strand
Water park
house number 195, Opposite, 196 Beach Rd, Strand, Cape Town, 7140, South Africa
Distance From City Center
70 km
Springbok Casino
Casino
11 lark crescent flamingo vlei, Table View, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Distance From City Center
65 km
V Slots
Casino
10 Marine Cir, Table View, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Distance From City Center
80 km
Boulders Beach
Beach
Kleintuin Rd, Simon's Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa
Distance From City Center
47 km
Cool Runnings
Playground
Carl Cronje Dr, Tygervalley, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
Distance From City Center
26 km
Kite Beach
Beach
Dolphin Beach, Table View, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Distance From City Center
18 km
Sunset Beach
Beach
Sea Point Promenade, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8060, South Africa
Distance From City Center
5 km
Cool Runnings
Playground
Carl Cronje Dr, Tygervalley, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
Distance From City Center
26 km
Silver Sands Casino
Casino
5 Ndabeni Rd, Ndabeni, Cape Town, 7405, South Africa
Distance From City Center
20 km
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Playground
Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735, South Africa
Distance From City Center
8 km
Bugz Playpark
Playground
56 Tarentaal Rd, Joostenberg Vlakte, Cape Town, 7570, South Africa
Distance From City Center
35 km
Acrobranch Constantia
Playground
1 Hout Bay Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa
Distance From City Center
2 km
Two Oceans Aquarium
Aquarium
Dock Rd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002, South Africa
Distance From City Center
5 km

Shopping

Church Street Vintage Antiques Market
Antique Markets
Church St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
1 km
Collectors World Durbanville
Antique Markets
8 Marais St, Durbanville, Cape Town, 7550, South Africa
Distance From City Center
29 km
Mystic Loft
Antique Markets
78 Church St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Distance From City Center
0.2 Kms
Pericles Antiques
Antique Markets
Shop No 10 & 11, 127 Long Street, The Antique Arcade, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
0.13 km
The Long Street Antique Arcade
Antique Markets
The Long Street Antique Arcade, 127 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
2 km
Milnerton Flea Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
126 Marine Dr, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, 7405, South Africa
Distance From City Center
8 km
Muizenberg Fleamarket
Flea Markets and Bazaars
Western Cape, South Africa, South Africa
Distance From City Center
26 km
Smooth Sundays Monthly Market
Flea Markets and Bazaars
24 Bay Rd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Distance From City Center
5 km
Galleria Gibello
Handicrafts and Souviners
Shop 5, Alfred Mall, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002, South Africa
Distance From City Center
4.2 Kms
Merchants on Long
Handicrafts and Souviners
34 Long St, CBD, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
0.7 Kms
Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Shopping Malls
Canal Walk, Century Blvd, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Distance From City Center
12 kms
Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village
Shopping Malls
27 Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Distance From City Center
1.2 kms
Golden Acre Shopping Centre
Shopping Malls
9 Adderley St, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
5 km
The Old Biscuit Mill
Shopping Malls
375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa
Distance From City Center
5 km
V&A Waterfront
Shopping Malls
19 Dock Rd, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
3.6 Kms
Artjamming
Shopping Malls
Breakwater Blvd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Distance From City Center
7 km
  • Leather backpacks
  • Old world wine
  • Jewelry
  • Fridge magnets
  • Pichulik earrings
  • Kalahari salt
  • Zulu ceremonial spoons
  • Africa-shaped pendant
  • Rooibos Tea
  • Pink Lady Gin

Official Language

English, Afrikaan, Xhosa

Other Language

isiNdebele, isiXhosa, Sesotho,... Read more

Spoken Language

Afrikaans is the most widely s... Read more

Currency

Rand (ZAR)

Population

4.5 (Millions)

Weather Icon

Weather

Clear Sky 21.64°C

Clock Icon

TimeZone

09:26 AM (GMT +02:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

107

 

Police Icon

Police

10111

 

Electric socket

Type D
Type D ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Type M
Type M ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Type N
Type N ( 230 V 50 Hz)
Airplane Icon

Airport Name / IATA Code

Cape Town International Airport - CPT

Best time to visit

January, February, March, and April are the best times with less crowded beaches and lower accommodation rates.

Moderate time to visit

May is the dry, autumn period. October, November, and December can get really crowded due to the influx of tourists during festival seasons.

Worst time to visit

June, July, August, and September are the winter seasons. While it may be perfect for whale-watching; the drizzling though, may put you off for moving outdoors.

Taxi

Start Tariff: ZAR 15.00

1 Km. Tariff: ZAR 10.00

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: ZAR 43.50

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Cape Town (Contact directly)

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