• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-514192064008
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "south-africa/cape-town",
  "destination": "Cape-Town",
  "title": "cape-town",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Cape-Town",
  "region": "South-Africa,-Lesotho-&-eSwatini-(Swaziland)",
  "country": "South-Africa",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Cape Town

South Africa

South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
View of the beach and Twelve Apostles mountain in Camps Bay near Cape Town in South Africa.

Getty Images

Overview

A coming-together of cultures, cuisines and landscapes, there's nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Cape Town? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your South Africa trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

South Africa’s Stunning South: Cape Town, Wine Country, and the Garden Route

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1Cruising through the Cape Peninsula to witness the seal pups of Seal Island
  2. 2Summiting Cape Town’s spectacular Lion’s Head Mountain for panoramic city views
  3. 3Sipping regional wines from generations-old vineyards in South Africa’s famous wine country
from $3,100

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • South Africa in 10 Days: Cape Town, Kruger & a Luxury Train Safari
    South Africa

    10 days / 9 nights

    South Africa in 10 Days: Cape Town, Kruger & a Luxury Train Safari

    FROM $6,500

    per person

    See Trip Details

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-435242444854
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "south-africa/cape-town",
  "destination": "Cape-Town",
  "title": "cape-town",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Cape-Town",
  "region": "South-Africa,-Lesotho-&-eSwatini-(Swaziland)",
  "country": "South-Africa",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Cape Town’s top sights and activities, from hiking up Table Mountain to visiting the best wine estates.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

From whale-watching and hiking to some glorious beach time, here's when to visit Cape Town.

Read full article

Things to Know

Cape Town offers paragliding and rappelling, thriving arts and dining scenes, and more. Here are nine tips to help you plan your visit.

Read full article

Transportation

Travel safely around Cape Town with this guide to the city’s transportation options.

Read full article

Free Things to Do

Thanks to vibrant markets, picture-perfect neighborhoods, urban hikes and glorious beaches, it doesn’t cost anything to see the best of Cape Town.

Read full article

Best Neighborhoods

Get to know Cape Town's unique mix of cultures and beautiful landscapes through its neighborhoods. These are 7 of our favorites to help you decide.

Read full article

Day Trips

Cape Town is hard to leave, but take a day trip outside the city, and you'll be glad you did.

Read full article

Money and Costs

Cape Town is home to some of the most spectacular attractions in the world and we want you to see them all without breaking the bank.

Read full article

Traveling with Kids

The best places for family fun in the South African capital.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-223274568981
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "south-africa/cape-town",
  "destination": "Cape-Town",
  "title": "cape-town",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Cape-Town",
  "region": "South-Africa,-Lesotho-&-eSwatini-(Swaziland)",
  "country": "South-Africa",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Cape Town

Cape Town and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-415134696295
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "south-africa/cape-town",
  "destination": "Cape-Town",
  "title": "cape-town",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Cape-Town",
  "region": "South-Africa,-Lesotho-&-eSwatini-(Swaziland)",
  "country": "South-Africa",
  "continent": "Africa",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}