Travel Guide: Cape Town, South Africa

welcome to the Mother City!!

Nov 19, 2024

Hard to believe it's been six months since I was in Cape Town. As a first-timer, my expectations were met and then surpassed. If it weren’t nine time zones ahead, I’d be a moth to flame there.

The continent’s southernmost tip vividly reminds me of a mix between Sydney, Australia, and the rugged beauty of California’s coastline. Dramatic cliffs crowned by the iconic Table Mountain, and soft, white-sand beaches stretch perfectly along the shore. Ugh! How do I accurately describe its beauty to someone who’s never been? Words feel like a disservice. It feels like a warm, familiar embrace set to the soundtrack of a feel-good rom-com.

Most people wouldn’t guess it, but Cape Town isn’t as expensive as you’d think—especially if you’re coming from a major city. It offers world-class experiences without the hefty price tag of a top-tier destination. You can easily get by on $30–$70+ a day for dining out and sightseeing, leaving your biggest travel expenses to flights and, if you choose, splurging on a nice hotel.

Quick things to note

🌤 Weather: Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild, wet winters. The best months to visit are November to March when the weather is sunny and ideal for outdoor activities. I did go end of May and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees.
💰 Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). The current exchange rate is around 1 ZAR = 0.054 USD, but rates can rise and fall, so always check before converting.
🗣️ Language: English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
🚖 Transportation: Uber and MyCiTi bus services are the popular modes of transport. You can also rent a car at Cape Town Airport (CPT) for more flexibility.
💵 Tipping: 10% in restaurants is standard. Of course, you can always give more at your discretion.
🔒 Safety: Cape Town is generally safe, but like any city, be aware of your surroundings, use trusted transport, and keep expensive valuables out of sight.

Getting to Cape Town

Flying this far south from anywhere is not for the weak. If there were an ultrasonic flight from the States, I would take it with little concern over safety or cost. The flight time is a marathon, and the adjustment is brutal, so give yourself at least 1-2 full days to connect your feet to the ground. But that’s why the beach is there—to lie horizontal.

If you’re coming from the US, you can expect at least one layover in Amsterdam, London, or Dubai. Delta, United, British Airways, KLM, and Emirates offer round-trip flights, typically ranging from $900 to $1,500, depending on the route and time of year. United Airlines has a nonstop route three times a week, which takes 14 hours and 55 minutes. All other one-stop flights can take between 20 to 24 hours.

Luckily, my Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card's bonus points covered my full roundtrip flight, so I saved a ton on that and could splurge on other parts of the trip. Don’t worry I won’t leave you out. Here are the top airline credit cards that can save you thousands.

Best hotel stays

I’m highlighting my stay at the One&Only Cape Town because the attention to detail and level of service deserve praise. From personalized welcomes to thoughtful touches in the room, every aspect feels curated for comfort and luxury. The stunning backdrop views of Table Mountain and the waterfront location only elevate the experience. It’s so breathtaking walking into the lobby, the view could make you drop your jaw and bags.

It’s the kind of hotel that’s so hard to leave, they’d need to evict me if I didn’t already have a ticket home.

cape town one&only hotel table mountain — One&Only Cape Town

The rooms and suites have king-size beds with pillow-soft linens, spacious bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and rain showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Table Mountain and the marina. Amenities include a minibar, flat-screen TV, yoga mats, robes, complimentary Wi-Fi, an in-room safe, coffee/tea, plus a nightly tchotchke on your nightstand that captures the essence of Cape Town.

The hotel has DELISH dining options, like Nobu for Japanese-Peruvian fusion (IMO better than the OG) and Isola for Mediterranean bites/breakfast by the pool. The hotel also has a full continental breakfast every morning which I definitely took to-go plates from.

If you need a break from all the travel, the heated infinity pool is perfect for lounging and has plenty of cabanas for shade. There’s also the One&Only Spa which has a long list of treatments at fair prices. I got a full-body lymphatic drainage with a body wrap, and it was hands down one of the best massage experiences of my travels. Worth the cost. It was around $85 for a 60-minute session. A pretty affordable compared to many spas in the States.

More hotel stays

The Bay Hotel - A luxury beachfront stay with 4 pools, a gym, indoor and outdoor Padel courts, and a spa.
Victoria & Alfred Hotel Cape Town - A 1904 warehouse-turned-luxury hotel right on the waterfront.
Gorgeous George - Offers 32 luxurious rooms with a cool mix of raw concrete, steel, and modern Victorian design right smack dab in Cape Town’s city center if you’re looking to be close to good eats and shopping.

🏨 Also, check out this list of some of the best stays in Cape Town.

Best things to see and do

The Mother City has so much to offer. You can hike up Table Mountain for head-in-the-clouds views and sunbathe on beaches like Camps Bay or Boulders Beach (where you can see penguins). The entrance fee to Boulders Beach is about $8.36 for adults and $4.20 for children.

You can also check out the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, visit the District Six Museum (apartheid museum), or take a ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Robben Island. For a slow day, head to the V&A Waterfront for shopping and the TimeOut Market or stroll around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. 🌼

Boulders Beach. There is a fee to enter.

Chapman's Peak Drive cape town — Chapman's Peak Drive

Spend a day in wine country

Cape Town’s wine country is a must-see, with over 300 wineries in areas like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The wine region dates back to the 1600s when Dutch settlers planted the first vines, so you’re sipping on centuries of heritage in every glass. It reminded me so much of Napa Valley, but more desirable (and much cheaper to visit).

stellenbosch cape town — Ernie Els Winery was 10/10

🍷 Top wineries to visit and tasting costs

Tokara Wine Estate: Offers a range of wine and olive oil tastings. Contact them directly for current rates.
Boschendal Wine Estate: Provides wine tastings with options to pair with chocolate, cheese, and charcuterie. No bookings are necessary and walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
Delaire Graff Estate: Offers wine tastings with options to sample three or four wines from their Luxury & Premium ranges. Prices are typically $6.50 for 3 wines and $8.50 for 4 wines.
Quoin Rock Wine Estate: Has a curated selection of five wines, presented by a sommelier. The tasting experience is priced at around $20 per person.
Babylonstoren Wine Estate: They offer a cellar tour with a tasting of their best wines, paired with fresh, farm-made treats. $25 per person, and that covers the tasting.

If you’re looking to explore beyond the polished wine parts of the Cape, here’s a guide to the Swartland, just an hour north and South Africa's most underrated wine region.