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Cape Town is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and to say we are glad to be based here is an understatement! Rising up behind the city bowl is unmistakable Table Mountain, source of beautiful views and endless hiking opportunities. Pound the quirky streets of the city centre for boutique shops, respected galleries and delectable restaurants, or peruse the V&A Waterfront for food with a view. More of a sand-between-your-toes sort of person? Head for the golden beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, or south along the peninsula to Simonstown, with its naval history, bouldered beaches and more than a few penguins. Add gorgeous sunshine and welcoming people and you’ve got yourself a pretty spectacular holiday destination!
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Ever heard the phrase, “a world in one country”? Well, Cape Town is a world in one city! Surrounded by craggy mountains, ocean, plenty of lush greenery and rolling countryside, but also a bustling city scene, vivacious cultures and history, you won’t be short of things to do. We recommend starting in the city with a guided tour. Choose your focus from history, food or art (or all three), and discover the spots away from the guidebooks. If a guide isn’t your thing, wander the streets and seek out your own gems. Follow it all up with a connoisseur gin tasting and dinner in an award-winning restaurant and you have Cape Town in a nutshell. Then there’s the great outdoors. Table Mountain dominates the landscape and with several hiking routes to choose from (guided or un-guided), and the cable car, there’s no excuse for not reaching the top. Other highlights around the city include the Southern Peninsula, home to African penguins, cliff-carved roads, lighthouses and incredible views, and the sun-kissed beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard. And we haven’t even started on the markets, paragliding activities, surfing or shopping yet…
Original, varied and with a surprise around every corner, Cape Town can be everything and anything you’re looking for, whether that’s a honeymoon heaven or a place for a family shindig, a cultural break or an active adventure, the perfect end to a safari or a holiday destination in itself.
Drag yourself away from the mountain and explore the Atlantic coast towards Cape Point. Find tiny, sand-strewn villages lining the dreamiest beaches, and even book yourself into one of the quaint guesthouses.
With seasons directly opposing those of the northern hemisphere, Cape Town is one of the best winter breaks out there. However, if you don’t fancy sharing it with most of mainland Europe, steer clear of the Christmas period and look to November or February/March instead.
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Dry Season
The weather is consistent with plenty of sunshine, a handful of rainy days and the potential for stronger winds.
The beaches are primed and ready to go, with fluffy white sand and deep blue oceans, spend your days relaxing on a towel or playing beach volleyball.
If you are going to climb Table Mountain, leave first thing in the morning, or catch the cable car and enjoy a meal overlooking Cape Town.
Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season.
Boulder's beach enjoys an interesting spectacle at this time of year with juvenile penguins moulting and the adults fattening up for the breeding season.
On the second of January, the Cape Minstrels Second New Year Street Parade takes place, an occasion full of local music, colourful dress and high excitement.
Dry Season
This is the hottest month of the year in Cape Town, with little to no rain expected and occasional winds.
One of the best months to head to the beach, for a little sunshine relaxation with the festive season crowds now gone and the ocean water at its warmest.
Summiting Table Mountain is approximately a 2 hour journey, via Platteklip Gorge, its shortest route. For those looking for a less arduous journey take the cable car to the top.
Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season
For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap or Robben Island, the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.
Dry Season
In this month rain is unlikely with long hours of sunlight and the potential for windy afternoons.
Head to the picturesque beaches with white sand, deep blue oceans and fresh seafood readily available.
If you are going to climb Table Mountain, leave first thing in the morning, or catch the cable car and enjoy a meal overlooking Cape Town.
Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season.
Meet the 'Mother City' by helicopter providing a unique bird's eye view of her natural and architectural beauty.
Dry Season
In Cape Town temperatures are mild and comfortable at this time of year, with the first rains of the season in the form of occasional showers.
Take advantage of the last of the dry season's weather by heading to the beach and soaking in a few rays before indulging in a freshly caught seafood platter.
If you get your timing right the perfect month to climb Table Mountain with cooling temperatures, enjoy sweeping views of the city and harbour and sea beyond.
The odd day of rain is not wasted with beautiful coastal roads or a trip along the famed Chapman's Peak Drive.
For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap, Rands in Khayelitsha a festive township restaurant or Robben Island the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.
Wet Season
Expect some rain in Cape Town over the course of a lengthy stay, with day length shortening and temperatures remaining mild.
The shift in the weather means beach relaxation is not always an option, leaving the many boutique shops and beachfront eateries a must, especially in the nearby coastal towns of St James and Kalk Bay.
This is the perfect time of year to indulge the taste buds with culinary delights and wine tastings, both readily available with relatively few tourists around.
The indoor markets bursting with fresh produce and homemade delights combine well with cultural explorations or a trip to the trendy V&A Waterfront.
If you are wanting a little adventure the winter months are considered to be the best for Great White shark cage diving, with the sharks at their most active.
Wet Season
The wet season has arrived with almost half the days experiencing some rain with temperatures dropping and evenings becoming quite chilly.
With the high potential for poor weather, coastal explorations are great way to stay dry, while enjoying beach views, fresh seafood and the numerous boutique shops and stores in towns like Kalk Bay and St James.
Take advantage of the relatively low densities of tourists and indulge your senses with local culture, the finest cuisine and wine farm tastings and pairings.
Visit the fresh food markets bursting with local flavours, local craft beers and the sounds of home grown talent.
This is the month for thrill seekers, cage dive with Great White sharks at their most active.
Wet Season
Cape Town is experiencing the peak of its wet season with colder temperatures and a one in two chance of rain.
The poor weather means beach relaxation is an unlikely option, leaving the many boutique shops and beachfront eateries a must, especially in the nearby coastal towns of St James and Kalk Bay.
This is the perfect time of year to indulge the taste buds with culinary delights and wine tastings, both readily available with relatively few tourists around.
The indoor markets bursting with fresh produce and homemade delights combine well with cultural explorations or a trip to the trendy V&A Waterfront.
Shark cage diving is at its best with Great Whites at their most active at this time of year.
Wet Season
In Cape Town it is still the wet season, with high chances of rainfall, lower average temperatures and cold nights.
Coastal explorations are great way to stay dry, while enjoying beach views, fresh seafood and the numerous boutique shops and stores in town like Kalk Bay and St James.
Take advantage of the relatively low densities of tourists and indulge your senses with local culture, the finest cuisine and wine farm tastings and pairings.
Visit the fresh food markets bursting with local flavours, local craft beers and the sounds of home grown talent.
Take a scenic drive to the blooming Namaqua wildflowers creating a sea of reds, oranges, whites and yellows.
Dry Season
The weather begins to shift, with less rain falling and a slight rise in average daytime temperatures, evenings still have the potential to be chilly.
Although there are a few days days of warm whether scattered across this month for beaching, we would recommend exploring the boutique shops and coastal town's famed for their quality seafood and rich culture.
Table Mountain awaits, whether it is on foot or by cable car that you reach its summit, the views are equally spectacular.
If you are wanting a little adventure the winter months are considered to be the best for Great White shark cage diving, with the sharks at their most active.
The seasonal wild flowers of the Namaqua region are in bloom producing waves of orange and yellow.
Dry Season
Enjoy the first days of the warm dry summer, temperatures climb and the last of the seasonal rains fall in the form of sporadic afternoon showers.
Take advantage of the first days of the dry season by heading to the beach and soaking in a few rays before indulging in a freshly caught seafood platter.
Cape Town's most prominent feature, Table Mountain, enjoys prime hiking conditions with the cable car an ideal alternative.
This is the month for thrill seekers, with paragliding from the top of table mountain, sky diving and shark cage diving with Great Whites at its best.
Dry Season
In this month the days are warm and sunny with patches of wind and little to no chance of rain.
Get down to the beaches of Cape Town with fine white sand and deep blue oceans.
For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap, Mzoli's Place a festive township restaurant or Robben Island the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.
Cape point and the West Coast National Park are rich in local history and natural beauty and close enough to the CBD to explore in a morning.
Warm summer nights of late November at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents.
Dry Season
Enjoy ideal weather with hot sunny days, very little rain and the potential for short-lived gusty winds.
For beach relaxation and a seafood delight head to Camps Bay or Clifton, just two of Cape Town's popular beach locations.
Take in the local hot spots by hopping on and off the the City Sightseeing Tour buses which drive through the centre of town, stopping at Table Mountain, The Waterfront and nine other local attractions.
Meet the 'Mother City' by helicopter providing a unique bird's eye view of her natural and architectural beauty.
Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season.