If cities were romances, Cape Town would be the love-at-first-sight kind: That first glimpse of Table Mountain from the sky, presiding over a gently curving coastline lapped by brilliant blue waters, is an image that leaves you instantly hooked. But there’s plenty to pull you in long after landing, from its chic hotels, world-class restaurants, and thriving art scene, to its dazzling cultural diversity and rich, if complex, history. Each day in the Mother City will see you unearthing new details that will have you falling in love all over again.
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Cape Town Travel Guide
Plan Your Cape Town Trip
Featured
Is Cape Town the New Global Gin Capital?
A South African plant is giving new life (and flavor) to one of your favorite spirits.
Where to Stay in Cape Town, South Africa
These historic properties—each in a different neighborhood—offer a window into the port city’s rich and varied past.
Where to Eat in Cape Town, South Africa
A local chef shares his latest favorites.
16 Best Hotels in Cape Town
Helping you make one of the hardest decisions about visiting this fine city.
Editor Hotel Recommendations
- Cape Grace: First In$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, West Quay Rd.Read full reviewThere's perhaps no better place for a soft landing in Cape Town.
Readers Choice Awards - Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town$$$ | South Africa, Gardens,Read full reviewThe Mount Nelson holds many trump cards, not least its historic location, unique garden setting, and old-school vibe.Readers Choice Awards
- Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town,Read full reviewYou won't find a smarter room in a more brilliant location anywhere else in Cape Town.Readers Choice Awards
- Ellerman House$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 180 Kloof RdRead full reviewThis adults-only property in Bantry Bay houses a private modern art collection.Readers Choice Awards
Gold List - The Cellars-Hohenort$ | South Africa, Cape Town,Read full reviewThe best of both worlds—halfway between the city and Waterfront.Readers Choice Awards
- One&Only Cape Town$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town,Read full reviewThe One&Only’s prime location in the V&A Waterfront offers the best of both worlds when it comes to balancing convenience with exclusivity.Readers Choice Awards
- Future Found Sanctuary$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 10 Hunters WayRead full reviewThe tranquility of a private estate combined with the comforts and safety of a boutique hotel.
Hot List - The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa$$ | South Africa, Cape Town,Read full reviewIf you’re planning to visit the Constantia wine route and tour the Cape Peninsula, you’ll be very well placed here.Readers Choice Awards
- The Silo Hotel$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town,Read full reviewThis boldly decorated hotel on the V&A Waterfront is like living in a modern art museum—with the best views in Cape Town.Readers Choice Awards
Hot List - More Quarters Hotel$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 2 Nicol St.Read full reviewThis comfortable, quiet hotel offers the best of both worlds: apartment living with a slate of services and amenities.Readers Choice Awards
- The Table Bay$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, Quay 6, Victoria & Alfred WaterfrontReaders Choice Awards
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The Best Things to Do in Cape Town
- 14 Best Things to Do in Cape TownBetween its rich and complicated past and modern cultural edge, Cape Town is one of the most exciting cities to explore right now.
- 3 Best Day Trips From Cape TownThe wild landscapes and coastline outside of the city are ripe for exploring
- 15 Best Museums in Cape TownThe city's art scene is on fire, from cultural touchstones to cutting-edge contemporary.
- The 6 Best Beaches in Cape Town, South AfricaCape Town is fringed by countless stretches of sand, and while many visitors find the waters too icy for a swim, the coast is still well worth visiting. For one, the South Africa shores are gorgeous. Two? Whatever you’re into, the "Mother City" has a beach for that...yes, even if what you're into is penguins. Plus: Vote for your favorite hotels, cities, airlines and more in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.
- Top 10 Things to Do on Your First Trip to South AfricaTraveling coast to countryside, from Cape Point to Kimberley, you'll see penguins on a Cape Town beach, track sable across a private game reserve, and stay in a five-star hotel near the Cradle of Humankind. Consider this a primer to your first-ever trip to South Africa.
Editor Recommendations
- South African Jewish MuseumRead full reviewLocated next to the Holocaust Museum, the South African Jewish Museum offers deeper insight into the country's multicultural population.
- Iziko South African MuseumRead full reviewThe Iziko South African Museum, the national museum of the country and home to thousands of interesting artifacts, is a retrophiliac's nirvana.
- Castle of Good HopeRead full reviewA sprawling building near the shoreline of Table Bay, the Castle of Good Hope is a 17th-century site that draws large crowds.
- Southern GuildSouth Africa, Cape Town, Silo 5, Unit 5B, South Arm RoadRead full reviewDevoted to local craftsmanship, this distinctly African gallery exhibits everything from jewelry to furniture by some of the country's most exciting makers.
- Smith StudioRead full reviewAlthough this gallery has a stable of established artists, it's constantly on the lookout for brave new talent—that's why locals love it.
- Norval FoundationRead full reviewHome to a gallery, a sculpture garden, a library, an amphitheater, and a restaurant, this complex features more than art.
- Everard Read - Cape TownRead full reviewThe oldest commercial gallery in the country has garnered a stellar reputation for exhibiting emerging and established artists.
- Vergelegen EstateRead full reviewA conservationist’s paradise, Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West, encircled by rugged mountains, is much more than a wine farm.
- Evita Se PerronRead full reviewThis is a cabaret hall slash restaurant slash satirical museum slash garden slash den of political incorrectness—slash everything else.
- West Coast National ParkRead full reviewThis is a great destination for wildlife lovers, with gorgeous hiking trails, beaches, and vast, colorful fields of spring flowers.
- District Six MuseumRead full reviewThis museum pays homage to District Six, a mixed-race community in Cape Town whose residents were forcibly evicted in the 1970s.
- Robben Island MuseumRead full reviewThis island off the coast of Cape Town is where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27-year prison sentence.
- Camps Bay BeachRead full reviewCamps Bay is Cape Town's party beach: A beautiful, long stretch of white sand bordered by restaurants, clubs, and hotels.
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4 South African Safari Destinations You Can Get to from Cape Town
The Big Five are only a short drive away.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Cape Town
- 21 Best Restaurants in Cape TownThe maturity and diversity of the food here has given the city a well-earned reputation.
- 13 Best Bars in Cape TownIn this city, a night out can be as classy or as crazy as you want it to be.
- 10 Best Wineries & Tasting Rooms in Cape TownThese area wineries are at the top of their game.
- 10 Best Coffee Shops in Cape TownCapetonians have become as particular about their coffee as they are about checking the wind direction before heading to the beach.
- 10 Best Food Markets in Cape TownMake like the Capetonians do, and check out these thriving markets while they're in full swing.
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Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
- Belly of the Beast$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 110 Harrington St
- Nikkei$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 87 Bree St, Cape Town City CentreSuddenly, Sydney's oldest neighborhood feels fresh again.Hot List
- Emazulwini$$$ | South AFrica, Cape Town, Makers Landing, The Cruise Terminal, V&A WaterfrontContemporary Zulu and Nguni cuisine in a swanky setting.Hot List
- Hemelhuijs$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 71 Waterkant St.A design-forward restaurant that looks like it could be a gallery, but happens to serve seasonal comfort food drenched in nostalgia.
- The Skotnes Restaurant$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 4 Steenberg Rd.A glorious museum café that pays homage to traditional South African food through deconstructed variations and modern twists.
- The Kitchen$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 111 Sir Lowry Rd.A charmingly cluttered lunch mainstay that’s popular for its hearty, creative salads.
- The Foodbarn Restaurant$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, Village Ln.Flavors are bold and the portions are hearty at this rustic-chic restaurant in Noordhoek Farm Village.
- Fyn Restaurant$$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 5th Floor, Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament StEach course is a taste explosion that leaves you wanting more—just don’t forego the cheese sandwich before the sweet kaiseki.
- The Test Kitchen$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 375 Albert Rd.It’s as much about the drama as it is the food at South Africa’s top restaurant, resulting in a meal you’ll be talking about for years to come.
- Grub & Vine$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 103 Bree St.A bistro that's got finesse to spare without the fuss.
- Kyoto Garden Sushi$$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 11 Kloof Nek Rd.Cape Town’s best sushi, found in an unassuming spot with interiors that are appropriately Zen.
- Nourish'd$ | South Africa, Cape Town, 177 Kloof St.A vibey, vegan-friendly spot with fresh food that’s, well—nourishing.
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My Favorite Airbnb in Cape Town: A Modern Apartment Minutes From the V&A Waterfront
Stroll over to the V&A Waterfront or relax at the rooftop pool.
More from Cape Town
Destinations
Ask a Local: Designer Sindiso Khumalo on Cape Town’s Coolest Spots
From eclectic art galleries to creative concept stores, designer Sindiso Khumalo recommends the best spots around Cape Town.
Destinations
South Africa's Vibrant Cape Malay Community Is Synonymous With Creativity
How Cape Town's innovative artists, designers, and chefs are bringing attention to the city's Cape Malay heritage.
Style & Culture
On Location: ‘The Woman King’ Takes Viewers to South African Game Reserves, Beaches, and Castles
Lifting the curtain on the destinations behind the season’s most exciting new releases.
Inspiration
How South Africa’s First Black African Free-Diving Instructor Spends a Day in Cape Town, From Sunrise Swims to Solo Hikes
Unsurprisingly, Zandile Ndhlovu—who is also the founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation—likes to hang out by the water.
News & Advice
United Airlines Just Launched the U.S.'s Only Nonstop to Cape Town
The only nonstop route between North America and the South African city saves a whopping eight hours of travel time.
News & Advice
United Returns to Africa With a Direct Flight to Cape Town
The airline plans to launch the only non-stop flight between the U.S. and Cape Town in December.
Destinations
What to Do in Cape Town This Spring
Here's what's happening in the city in April, May, and June 2019.
Adventure
Africa Is Surfing's Next Frontier
A Cape Town surf brand that draws on inspiration from across the continent is making waves from Morocco to Mozambique.
Destinations
South Africa’s Other Big Five
The animals have competition from the country's vibrant culture, food, design, fashion, and art scenes.
Inspiration
South Africa's Top Sommelier on Where to Find the Best Wine
One&Only Cape Town's Luvo Ntezo tells us the most underrated wine regions in South Africa.
News & Advice
You Can Have Dinner With Cape Town's Top Chef
Do you love to eat? You'll love this trip.
News & Advice
Cape Town Has Avoided 'Day Zero,' But Water Conservation Is Still in Effect
Here's what to know when planning your visit.
Destinations
Beyond the Basics: Cape Town
Plan your trip to Cape Town with Condé Nast Traveler’s guide to the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do.
News & Advice
Cape Town Is Running Out of Water
The city is suffering from the worst drought in over a century—and it will affect your trip.
Shopping
Brother Vellies Founder Aurora James On Her Favorite Things to Do in Cape Town
The designer shares her South African hit list—plus advice for first timers.
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