Cape Town
South Africa
Where mountains meet the ocean
Find stays in Cape Town9/10Tourist score
3/5Safety level
Best time to visit
November to March (summer)
Monthly temperatures
27°16°Jan
28°16°Feb
26°14°Mar
23°12°Apr
20°10°May
18°8°Jun
17°7°Jul
18°8°Aug
19°9°Sep
22°11°Oct
24°13°Nov
26°15°Dec
Currency
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
Exchange rate1 USD = 18.5 ZAR / 1 EUR = 20.0 ZAR
Exchange at Travelex or American Express offices in malls. Airport rates are acceptable. The rand is weak so everything is cheap for foreign visitors.
ATMs & cards
FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank ATMs are safe. Use ATMs inside malls, not street-facing ones. Cover your PIN. Withdraw max R4,000.
Getting around
- MyCiTi bus — reliable, covers city center, Sea Point, and airport. Tap myconnect card
- Uber/Bolt — very cheap, safest option for getting around
- Rental car — best for exploring the peninsula, wine lands, and Garden Route
- Walking — fine in V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, Sea Point promenade during day
- Airport: MyCiTi bus to Civic Centre (R90, 30 min) or Uber (R200-300)
Must-see
Food tip
Try a braai (BBQ) experience, biltong (dried meat), and bobotie (Cape Malay curry dish). Wine is incredible and very affordable.
Safety
Avoid walking alone at night outside tourist areas. Don’t leave valuables visible in cars. Uber everywhere after dark.
Things to do
- Hike or cable car up Table Mountain
- Visit the V and A Waterfront
- Drive to Cape of Good Hope
- Explore Bo-Kaap colorful houses
- Visit Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Wine tasting in Stellenbosch