Cidade Turismo
South Africa

Before you go

Your trip to Cidade do Cabo.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Cidade do Cabo – Cabo Ocidental Destination Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula Capital

How to get there

  • Aeroporto Internacional da Cidade do Cabo (CPT) 20 km
  • Estação Ferroviária e Rodoviária da Cidade do Cabo (Cape Town Station) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about 20 km from the center via the N2 highway; there are taxis, ride‑hailing apps, rental cars and the MyCiTi bus. Johannesburg is about a 2‑hour flight away. Long‑distance buses arrive at the central station, next to the train station.

How many days

Three days: one for Table Mountain, the Bo-Kaap and the Company's Garden; one for Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront; one for Kirstenbosch, Groot Constantia and the sunset at Camps Bay. With a fourth day, the peninsula drive to Simon's Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

When to go

Summer, from December to February, is usually dry and hot, with a strong southeast wind in the afternoon. March, April and October usually have settled weather and fewer people. Winter, from June to August, brings cold fronts and rain; the cable car stops when it's very windy or the mountain is covered by the 'tablecloth', the cloud that descends over the summit.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not in the city centre: the MyCiTi bus links the airport, the centre, the Waterfront, Camps Bay and the base of the cable car, and ride‑hailing apps are widely used. A car helps for Chapman's Peak, Constantia and the tip of the peninsula.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cidade do Cabo
  1. Morning
    Table Mountain

    Take the cable car early, before the wind picks up, and walk the plateau viewpoints, with the city, Table Bay and Robben Island below. Check on the day whether the cable car is operating.

  2. Afternoon
    Bo-Kaap and Company's Garden

    Walk down to Bo-Kaap, stroll the streets of colourful houses and visit the neighbourhood museum. Continue on foot to the Company's Garden and the Castle of Good Hope, passing the District Six Museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sunset in Camps Bay

    Take a bus or car to Camps Bay and watch the sun sink into the Atlantic, with the cliffs of the Twelve Apostles behind the beach.

  4. Evening
    V&A Waterfront

    Dine at the V&A Waterfront, between the quay, the clock tower and the view of the lit mountain.

2 days in Cidade do Cabo

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Robben Island

    Board early at the Nelson Mandela Gateway for Robben Island and take the guided tour, which ends at Mandela's cell.

  2. Afternoon
    Zeitz MOCAA and Waterfront

    On the way back, visit Zeitz MOCAA in the old grain silo and walk the Waterfront to Nobel Square.

  3. Late afternoon
    Signal Hill

    Drive up Signal Hill to see the city and the sea at the end of the day.

  4. Evening
    Bree Street

    Dine in the Bree Street and Kloof Street area in the city centre.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Kirstenbosch

    Spend the morning at Kirstenbosch, with the treetop walkway and the protea beds.

  2. Afternoon
    Groot Constantia

    Head to Groot Constantia, the country's oldest wine estate, with its manor house museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Chapman's Peak Drive

    Return via Chapman's Peak Drive, between Noordhoek and Hout Bay, with the sea below.

  4. Evening
    Sea Point

    Finish with a stroll along the Sea Point promenade and dinner in the neighbourhood.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from the airport to Cape Town city centre?

The airport is about 20 km away via the N2. There is the MyCiTi bus to Civic Centre, taxis and ride‑hailing apps at the terminal exit, and car hire.

How long does it take to go up Table Mountain?

The cable car takes about 5 minutes to reach the plateau. On foot, via the Platteklip Gorge trail, the ascent typically takes 2 to 3 hours and is steep.

Do you need to book Robben Island in advance?

Yes. Boats depart only a few times daily from the Nelson Mandela Gateway and often sell out, especially in summer. Buy in advance and confirm the sailing hasn't been cancelled due to rough seas.

Where to stay in Cape Town the first time?

In the City Bowl, near the centre and Bo-Kaap, or at the V&A Waterfront and Green Point, near the harbour. Sea Point and Camps Bay are seaside.

What to do in Cape Town on a rainy day?

The city centre museums (District Six, the Castle, Iziko South African Museum), Zeitz MOCAA and the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront. Groot Constantia also works in bad weather.

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