Cape Town is such a lively city all year round that the weather shouldn’t really dictate when you decide to go. There’s no real tourist season, although the most manageable time to visit is between in March and April, when the wind is low and temperature warm. September to November usually promises everything from strong gales to sandstorms (and some brilliantly sunny days too!), while winter (June to August) often reaches highs of 18C.
Housed in a former 19th century prison, this hotel lies on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront. Modern guestrooms are decorated in light colours with bright fabrics, and the Treadmill Restaurant offers pub lunches alongside stunning views of the harbour and Table Mountain.
The Camps Bay Resort has two swimming pools and a modern café overlooking the sea. Set on a palm tree-lined promenade, this seaside resort is set in Cape Town’s vibrant Camps Bay area. The 40 guestrooms and apartments are decorated in fresh light tones with smart contemporary furnishings, and all include satellite television and DVD players.
A former warehouse, Victoria & Alfred Hotel is just a few hundred meters from shops and restaurants. There are 94 guestrooms – spacious, air-conditioned and featuring modern furniture and rich coloured fabrics.
This 15-storey hotel is situated in the St George’s pedestrian centre and offers impressive city and mountain views. Guestrooms are decorated in simple white and earth tones. There is also a gift shop on site.
This modern, high-rise property overlooks the Atlantic Seaboard and is situated 300m from the beach. Guests can take in panoramic views from the hotel’s revolving rooftop restaurant, or relax in simple but modern rooms.
The most dominating of all of Cape Town’s landmarks, there are a variety of activities around Table Mountain. You can abseil off it, go ‘kloofing’ (a combo of hiking, cliff-jumping and abseiling), or simply catch a cable car ride to the top and enjoy the views.
Home to one of the most infamous prisons in the world, and also the place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 incarcerated years. The guided tours are led by former inmates, and take you right to Mandela’s tiny cell.
Many of South Africa’s wine cellars are open to the public, thanks to their popularity and rich history. A popular way of seeing them is to hire bikes and make your way through the villages at your own pace.
On the way to Cape Point, it’s worth stopping off at Boulders Beach, which is famous for its penguins. You can either check them out from afar or join them on the beach itself for a spot of sunbathing.
Hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars line the waterfront and play host to an estimated 20 million visitors per year. A short distance from central Cape Town, the lively atmosphere is bolstered by street entertainers and musicians.