Cape Town holidays

When to go to Cape Town

There’s never a bad time for a holiday to Cape Town – it just depends what you’re looking for. December to March are the warmest months to visit, when temperatures can sit in the high 20s (but keep in mind that the beaches can be busy over the peak season of December to mid-January).

If you’re keen to avoid the crowds but still hanker after warm weather, try October or November, which are particularly good months for a cheap break.

Winter (from May to August), can sometimes be wet but the moderate temperatures in the mid-teens and early 20s make it a great time for active holidaymakers, particularly those keen to walk in the Table Mountain National Park.

Cape Town offers some of the best whale-watching in the world, and a trip between the months of July and November gives you a chance to see the southern right whales migrating to nurse. If you’re a wildlife lover, or just keen to see witness this spectacular moment, this is the time to visit.

What to do in Cape Town

Whether you’re looking for adventure in the great outdoors or just want a chilled out city break, a holiday to Cape Town delivers the lot. Take on Table Mountain, make friends with penguins, brush up on South Africa’s history and more.

Table Mountain

The majestic Table Mountain is hard to miss – you’ll spot it looming over the city from many streets around town – but a visit to Cape Town wouldn't be complete without conquering it.

There are various walking routes up but Platteklip Gorge is the most direct, with an easy-to-follow ascent up its front face. If a hike doesn’t appeal, opt for the cable car: it’s a speedy ascent to the top where you’ll get the best views of the city and its beaches.

Robben Island

Book online and in advance to secure your place on a tour of Robben Island, a site of exile and imprisonment for more than five hundred years. Most notably, from the 60s to 1991, the island was a maximum-security prison for political prisoners opposing apartheid.

Ex-prisoners often guide the sobering tours, which visit the cell where revolutionary and former president Nelson Mandela was detained, as well as the old graveyard and the Lime Quarry. Boats leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

Boulders Beach

Cape Town is fringed with gorgeous beaches, but for something extra special take a trip down the coast to Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can get close to African penguins, with approximately 3,000 of them now calling the beach home.

You’ll be able to snap pictures from the boardwalk, which leads over the sand, then take a dip at one of the pristine family-friendly beaches nearby. The penguins are most active in summer but you’re likely to spot them all year round.

Bo-Kaap

On the slopes of Signal Hill is Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town’s oldest residential areas. The multi-coloured 19th-century Dutch and Georgian terraces that line the streets are Bo-Kaap’s drawcard, but look beyond the Instagram-friendly facades and you’ll find a neighbourhood peppered with historical gems.

The area was originally a garrison for soldiers in the mid-18th century and was the part of town where slaves settled following their emancipation in the 1800s. It’s a short stroll from the bars of Long Street and De Waterkant.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

This entertainment complex and harbour is brimming with glitzy shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions – and you could easily spend the day hopping between the lot.

Sample South African street food at the V&A Food Market, visit the aquarium and brush up on your history at Nobel Square, a tribute to South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates: Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.

Where to stay in Cape Town

For families

Warm water beaches are located in the peaceful suburbs around False Bay, so if beach fun is part of the agenda, it’s one to consider. Muizenberg is also a great choice for families with older children; not only is it home to colourful beach huts you see on Cape Town postcards, it’s one of the best surf spots in the country.

Elsewhere, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is handy for having everything you might need within walking distance. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from, along with a lit-up Ferris wheel, aquarium and a range of accommodation options, from ultra-luxurious hotels to modern self-catering apartments.

For travellers on a budget

Backpackers and younger travellers tend to gather near Long Street, where there are plenty of bars, inexpensive restaurants and hostels to choose from. It’s a great budget option in Cape Town, particularly for those who are happy to hop on public transport to the city’s beaches and main sights.

Otherwise, try the suburb of Greenpoint. It has good bus transport links around the city and inexpensive burger joints and bars. It’s also right next to the city’s stadium.

For food and drink

Kloof Street, which is effectively an extension of Long Street, is home to the city’s highest concentration of bars and restaurants. Whether you fancy sipping cocktails in candle-lit courtyards or mingling with the city’s hipsters with a pint of beer, you can do so here. There are also plenty of independent restaurants, with creative takes on BBQ, Indian and more.

Although not officially located in Cape Town – it’s approximately 30 miles east – food and wine lovers should consider Stellenbosch, home to excellent wine estates and sensational scenery.

For nightlife

Cape Town is a brilliant city for a ‘jol’ – local slang for a party. Bree Street and Long Street are two parallel roads handily located just a couple of blocks from each other. Long Street is a great choice for the backpacker crowd, with live music and plenty of ice-cold beer. Bree Street, on the other hand, is a swankier choice, with cocktail dens and bars where you can pair craft beer or wine with sharing boards.

Camps Bay, right on the coast, is also a favourite. The ritzy part of town is dotted with trendy cafes and cocktail bars.

For culture

Cape Town is a city that’s brimming with culture, and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is where to experience a good portion of it. It’s not only home to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, but it’s also the gateway to Robben Island.

The city centre is also a great choice. This is where you’ll find more museums and galleries, including the District Six Museum, the Iziko South African National Gallery and the Iziko South African Museum.