Travel advisory · South AfricaCape Town is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Cape Flats.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Alexandra (Johannesburg) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Berea · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Cape Flats · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Hillbrow · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Pretoria Central · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Sunnyside (Pretoria) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Yeoville · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
Also named by one government: Arcadia (Pretoria) (Spain), Area near Phabeni Gate and Numbi Gate (Hazyview) (France), Atteridgville (Pretoria) (Italy), City centres (general) (Spain), Durban CBD (Germany), Durban marginal neighbourhoods (Spain), Johannesburg CBD (Germany), Mamelodi (Pretoria) (Italy), Marabstad (Pretoria) (Spain), Old city centre (France), Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) CBD (Germany), Pretoria CBD (Germany), Rotunda bus terminal (Johannesburg) (Spain)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No specific advice against travel; general precautions only | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | May 27, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Keine generelle Warnung für das gesamte Land (regional advisories) | Oct 28, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to violent crime | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (zone de vigilance renforcée pour l'ensemble du pays) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Cape Town
Cape Town is South Africa's oldest city, known for Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula coast and a historic center on Table Bay.
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Cape Town is South Africa's oldest city and the capital of the Western Cape. It sits on Table Bay on the south-west coast, with the Atlantic to the west and False Bay to the south. Table Mountain, with its flat top and sheer cliffs, forms the backdrop to the City Bowl, the central business district and oldest urban area. Table Mountain National Park lies within the city limits.
Visitors come for the mountain, the Cape Peninsula coast and the city's history. The Castle of Good Hope, built between 1666 and 1679, is the oldest surviving European building in South Africa. Bo-Kaap, a hillside neighborhood, has been a cultural center of the Cape Malay community since the 18th century, and its colorful houses are a popular sight. Summer, from December to March, is dry and warm, while winter, from June to September, is mild and wet. In spring and summer, a strong south-easter called the Cape Doctor blows through the city.
Cape Town in five
- Keep the mountain flexibleThe cableway closes in strong wind or cloud. Check its status that morning and go on the first clear day.
- Book Robben Island aheadFerries leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and sell out, and sailings are canceled in rough seas.
- See the penguins at BouldersBoulders Beach near Simon's Town is part of Table Mountain National Park and has a separate entry fee.
- Hike with others and a planTell someone your route, hike in groups on the mountain and start early. Weather can close in fast.
- Use ride-hailing at nightRide-hailing apps are cheap and safer than walking after dark, even in central areas.
Things to do in Cape Town
See all attractions in Cape Town
Need to know
- Airport
- Cape Town International (CPT), about 20–30 min to the city
- Getting there
- Flights from Europe, the Gulf and Johannesburg
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing, MyCiTi buses, a rental car for the Cape
- Best base
- City Bowl or Sea Point for a first trip
- Time needed
- 4–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Hot, busyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Warm, dryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, calmerMarchClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°MildAprilClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°CoolMayClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°RainyJunePartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°RainyJulyPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°RainyAugustPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Flowers, coolSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flowers, cool
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Mild, windyOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, windyNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Hot, busyDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
Average daily high and low in Cape Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jan Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Right now in Cape Town
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Cape Town
11:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°16°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue28°13°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed30°16°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu22°16°79%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri20°15°73%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sat20°13°49%Saturday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun29°13°5%Sunday: Clear. High 29°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 10:38 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JanCape Town Minstrel CarnivalCape Town
Day trips by train
- Cape Winelandsabout 45–75 min by carStellenbosch and Franschhoek wine estates.Read the guide
- Cape Point and Bouldersabout 1–1.5 hours by carThe Cape of Good Hope, Chapman's Peak and the penguins.
- Hermanusabout 1.5–2 hours by carShore-based whale watching in the southern winter and spring.
Before you go to Cape Town
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Rules for Cape Town, checked
- Check visa rules and passport validity with South Africa's Department of Home Affairs before you book flights, as requirements depend on your passport.Source
- The UK Foreign Office advises avoiding the R300 and Borcherds Quarry Road to and from the airport because of high crime. Use the M3 or N2 instead.Source
- Before hiking Table Mountain, consider the Hikers Network SafetyMountain Tracking service, a volunteer WhatsApp group that tracks hikers and runners and gives access to emergency help.
- Minibus taxi routes can be closed temporarily in high-risk periods, and taxi strikes have caused deaths. Check current local news before you travel by minibus taxi.
Plan around Cape Town
Safari, cities and the road routes
Read the guideCape Winelands guideStellenbosch and Franschhoek, about an hour away
Read the guideGarden Route guideThe coastal road trip east of the Cape
Read the guideJohannesburg travel guideWhere most onward flights connect
Read the guideTransport planningCar rental, ride-hailing and domestic flights
Read the guideTravel insuranceHike rescue, theft and canceled sailings
Read the guideCape Town FAQ
How many days do I need in Cape Town?
Four or five days covers the mountain, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula and a day in the Winelands, with a spare day for weather.
Where should I stay in Cape Town for a first trip?
The City Bowl for food and the center, Sea Point for the seafront, or the V&A Waterfront for easy logistics.
Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
Most visits pass without trouble. Use ride-hailing after dark, keep valuables out of sight and hike in groups on the mountain.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
February to April is warm with less wind and fewer crowds than December and January. Winter, June to August, is cool and rainy.
Do I need a car in Cape Town?
Not for the City Bowl, Sea Point or the Waterfront, where ride-hailing is cheap. Hire one for Cape Point, Chapman's Peak and the Winelands, or join a tour.