City guide · South Africa

Cape Town

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa.

4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa.

Cape Town is the country's second-largest city by population, after Johannesburg, and the largest city in the Western Cape. The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. thumb|150px|Colourful houses and mosque at the Bo-Kaap Although the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town doesn't seem like part of Africa, in fact, the city provides a natural backdrop and Cape Dutch architecture. * thumb|The Castle of Good Hope * entrance fee for adults, for children and pensioners | wikipedia=Castle of Good Hope | image=Kasteel de Goede Hoop 2007.JPG | wikidata=Q1049562 | lastedit=2017-11-06 | content=Popularly called 'The Castle' by locals, it is the oldest surviving building in South Africa, having been built from 1666 to 1679.

Best for: First-time visitors who want Cape Town without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
Skip if: Skip Cape Town if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.

Pick a trip length

One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.

5-day preview

Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.

Full plan

1
City
Walk City in Cape Town. Start at Bo-Kaap, then Castle of Good Hope and City Hall. Stay on foot.
Bo-Kaap · Castle of Good Hope · City Hall · Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden · …
2
City
Walk City in Cape Town. Start at Two Oceans Aquarium, then Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Cape Town Science Centre. Stay on foot.
Two Oceans Aquarium · Victoria and Alfred Waterfront · Cape Town Science Centre · Nobel Square · …
3
Museums and galleries
Walk Museums and galleries in Cape Town. Start at Groot Constantia, then Slave Lodge and South African Jewish Museum. Stay on foot.
Groot Constantia · Slave Lodge · South African Jewish Museum · Maritime Centre · …
4
Museums and galleries
Walk Museums and galleries in Cape Town. Start at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, then Artscape Theatre and Baxter Theatre. Stay on foot.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art · Artscape Theatre · Baxter Theatre · Labia Theatre
5
Day trip toward File:SafrikaIMG 8414.JPG
Leave Cape Town for the day. Come back to the same bed.
File:SafrikaIMG 8414.JPG · Robben Island · File:Penguins on boulders beach.jpg

Where to stay

Bases that fit the walking plan.

Full guide →

Museums and galleries
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Bo-Kaap Museum, District Six Museum, Groot Constantia on foot.
Performing arts
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Artscape Theatre, Baxter Theatre, Labia Theatre on foot.

Getting there & when to go

Lock timing and airport basics early.

Best time

Cape Town works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.

Shoulder months
High season
Low season
Rain days

Season guide →

Airport

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Cape Town is not the most pedestrian-friendly city in the world. There are areas that are ideal for walking, such as the St George's Mall and Greenmarket Square areas in the city centre, the V&A Waterfront or some beach areas. Care needs to be taken when walking in other parts of the city, as the roads can be busy, and having pedestrian right of way does not necessarily mean that vehicles will cede to you. Pedestrians normally cross when the road is clear, regardless of red pedestrian lights.

Public transit from CPT30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.

Transfers →

Practical notes

Short reads before you book.

Understand

Cape Town is nicknamed the Mother City within South Africa. Compared to the more business oriented Johannesburg it is known for its relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

Compared to other parts of South Africa, Cape Town is also distinctly more "western". thumb|300px|Cape Town seen from space: Most of the urban area visible in this NASA Astronaut photo is part of the greater Cape Town metropolitan area. Also visible are Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Fransch Hoek to the northeast, and Rooi-els and Pringle Bay to the southeast The metropolis of Cape Town is spread over a wide area, from Somerset West and Durbanville in the east to Atlantis in the north and Cape Point in the south.

Get in

About 20 km east of the city centre, it is easily accessible via all national roads and is situated directly at the N2 near Bellville. }} There is no longer public transit serving this airport.

Get around

Care needs to be taken when walking in other parts of the city, as the roads can be busy, and having pedestrian right of way does not necessarily mean that vehicles will cede to you. Pedestrians normally cross when the road is clear, regardless of red pedestrian lights.

Stay safe

While Cape Town is not a dangerous place for tourists, South Africans are significantly more safety-conscious than people in most other parts of the world. While you should take some care as a tourist in any city, you should be more careful in South Africa than in many other places.

A large number of outdoor CCTV cameras have been installed by the municipality. These stretch from the city bowl, the suburbs, the townships and all the way to the outlying areas of the metropole.

Related guides

Helpful next pages for Cape Town.