Cape Town Guide for First Timers
OUR FIRST VISIT TO CAPE TOWN
Cape Town was love-at-first-sight: the sun casting its orange rays on Table Mountain and the layered coastline lapped by aqua blue waters, had us hooked.
Cape Town will enamor you with chic hotels, world-class dining scenes, and Cape Dutch architecture wine estates, to its amazing cultural diversity and rich, if complex, history. Each time we are in the Mother City, it has us falling in love all over again. With this travel guide, you will be better prepared to visiting one of our favorite towns of all-time.
BEST TIME TO GO TO CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit South Africa depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. The temperatures vary by country, with the north seeing warmer temperatures than the south. The summer months last from December to March, while the winter months are from June to September. The winter months are ideal for animal tracking, but pack layering clothes for cooler nights. Regardless, it’s important to plan.
For our Cape Town tours, see here.
HOW TO GET TO CAPE TOWN
The best mode of transportation to Cape Town is via flights into Cape Town International Airport (“CPT“). Cape Town is the second most visited city in South Africa when it comes to tourism, right after Johannesburg. CPT is located around 12 miles away from Mother City. It is the second-busiest airport in South Africa and 4th busiest in Africa.
Flight times to Cape Town
| Destinations (direct, nonstop) | Time Duration |
| Washington Dulles to Cape Town | 14 hrs, 45 min |
| Newark, New Jersey to Cape Town | 14 hrs, 45 min |
| Dubai to Cape Town | 9 hrs, 40 min |
| London to Cape Town | 11 hrs, 35 min |
| Amsterdam to Cape Town | 11 hrs, 15 min |
| Frankfurt to Cape Town | 11 hrs, 45 min |
| Istanbul to Cape Town | 11 hrs, 10 min |
Contact us if you need to book airport transfers.
WHERE TO STAY
Cape Town is divided into these neighborhoods:
- Camps Bay (luxurious, near the water with Palm-tree lined main street, mash up of Maui and South Beach);
- Central Business Area (center of everything and affordable, but no local feel);
- De Waterkant (excellent cafes, nightlife, but not near the water);
- Gardens (cool, hip, near Kloof Street, views of Table Mountain, this is our favorite Cape Town neighborhood); and
- Green Point (relaxed, residential feel, sleepy, and secluded)
There is a neighborhood for everyone, but we personally love staying at the Mount Nelson and dining on Kloof Street. Boutique hotels are also popular for honeymooners or couples. For larger groups, we recommend villas at Camps Bay.
Contact us for Cape Town accommodations.
WHERE TO EAT
We love eating in Cape Town! In fact, Cape Town is one of our top five all-time favorite culinary destinations, that is how good it is here. We simply cannot list all the “best restaurants” in Cape Town, as it is constantly evolving and changing, however, we can list the current ones we keep talking about.
Kloof Street House – Set in a magnificent Victorian house, Kloof Street House is the experience for an intimate, bougie date night. We loved the opulent ambiance with lounge music and decadent decor. Their cocktails and seafood were amazing. Impressive extensive selection of small plates and wines.
Blondies – Imagine a refined college scene with the best Paloma’s and charred cauliflower appetizers. It’s become a favorite local hangout, with its friendly environment, Mediterranean-inspired food and affordable prices. The vibe is so cool, you’ll want to stay here all night.
Fyn – Extraordinary dining experience with Afro-Japanese dishes and great views overlooking Cape Town’s inner city.
Contact us to book a food, wine, or gin tour.
WHAT TO DO
Cape Town – We loved exploring different neighborhoods and of course, eating and drinking our way through. I would also recommend hiring a private guide for a more immersive approach to history and culture. It’s simply fascinating. We offer several Cape Town experiences, in case you wanted to book without the hassle.
Winelands – We found South African wines very compatible to our palettes! Usually organic and low in sulfates (our Founder is allergic to sulfates, so South African wines are ideal), we had the best wine tasting experiences in the Cape Winelands, in the Western province, approximately an hour from Cape Town. Idyllic scenery, elegant country estates and the best food in South Africa, spending time here is highly recommended. You can get there from Cape Town on the N2, you’ll land in Stellenbosch, in time for a quick coffee break or leisure lunch at one of Cape Dutch wineries. Get on the scenic Helshoogte Pass and in about a half hour you’ll arrive in Franschhoek, one of the country’s oldest towns and the center of its wine region.
Coastal Cruise – To see all the incredible scenery that Cape Town has to offer, make sure to cruise the Chapman’s Peak Drive. It is regarded as one of the world’s most scenic road trips, 5.5 miles between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Would also recommend checking out the African penguins at Boulders Beach and eating fish and chips at Fish on the Rocks.
Add-on’s to Your Cape Town Itinerary
Browse our Cape Town tours and safari packages to create your itinerary.
If you need help planning your trip to Cape Town, contact us! We have a team that can help you with Cape Town accommodations, transportation, and activities. Be sure to let Go Cape Town Travel’s experts know what you want: each Cape Town itinerary can be tailored and customized with add-on’s.