| City: | Cape Town |
| Location: | Africa > South Africa |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| Cape Town has won a few awards over the years and it really is easy to see why. Few cities in the world can boast such excellent access to the mountains and to the coastline. Blessed with both the dramatic Table Mountain National Park and a whole array of beautiful beaches – some of which are indeed surfer friendly, it’s no wonder that outdoor-urban enthusiasts have been raving about the area in recent years. But it’s not just its adventure pursuits that make Cape Town a winner. As well the city’s colonial history and easy access to the vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, Cape Town is packed with funky bars and hip hangouts just waiting to be discovered – most of which are very reasonably priced if you’re at all familiar with similar scenes in Europe. However, like most locations in South Africa the public transportation system is somewhat lacking, and if you don’t have your own transport (or friends or family in the area to help out) you’ll no doubt find it difficult to access a good deal of what’s on offer. The metro trainline does help out in this respect, and it’s cheap too! But the combination of endemic inequality and poor maintenance means that many tourists might not feel completely comfortable using it. Yet despite its reputation for criminality, Cape Town feels for the most part friendly and very safe. Indeed, provided you follow the basic maxims of travel, you shouldn’t run into any trouble at all during your stay here. What’s most likely to happen is that you’ll fall earnestly for this city and its surroundings, just like so many have done before you. – Daniel |
| Cape Town is one of the most likeable cities in the word. With an abundance of scenic coastline and a wonderful national park, it’s easy for any nature or sports enthusiast to love their time here. Although surrounded by nature, the city centre has just enough high-rise powerhouses, colonial-era buildings, and dapperly dressed individuals to give it a real feel of economic importance. The hip crowd of craft beer and coffee drinkers are certainly visible, as is the prime real estate that goes with them. But alongside this disposable-income community are the impoverished. While such a dichotomy is common in many cities the world over, for Cape Town the slum-like townships that populate the city’s outer edges are a reminder of its recent history and the strains that this young country is under. Ultimately though, the sheer beauty of Cape Town coupled with the pride of its residents creates an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere for any lucky traveller who finds themself passing through. – Sarah |
Top Tips
| Cape Town is a large (and beautiful) city with lots to do, so plan on spending as long here as you possibly can. Even after a month in an Airbnb, there was still plenty left for us to explore. |
| Try to stay somewhere on the Southern Line if you don’t have your own wheels. The train is cheap and you can access quite a few attractions from that line, especially in conjunction with Uber. |
| If you like hiking, don’t miss out on the Muizenberg Peak to St James Peak Hike or especially the Skeleton Gorge to Platteklip Gorge Hike. Table Mountain National Park offers lots of great hiking within the city limits. |
| If you have a tip about Cape Town and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The City
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | Add Data |
| Also known as: | Add Data |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Add Data |
| Port(s): | Add Data |
| Station(s): | Cape Town Station, Kenilworth Station, Muizenberg Station |
| Terminal(s): | Add Data |
| Environment type: | beach, coast, forest, mountain, ocean, scrub |
| Location type: | city, town, urban |
| Religion type: | Add Data |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data |
| Services: | Add Data |
| Shops: | Cape Union Mart, Pick n Pay, Spar, Woolworths |
| Animals: | rock hyrax |
| Birds: | penguins |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Average daily budget: | ZAR432 |
When should we go there, and for how long?
| Average time taken: | 28 nights |
| High season: | December, January |
| Low season: | Add Data |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | Afrikaans, English, Xhosa |
| Timezone: | UTC+02:00 |
| Country calling code: | 27 |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of locations visited: | 7 |
| Number of attractions visited: | 33 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 35 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 3 hours, 30 minutes |
| Size: | Add Data |
| Altitude: | 0 to 1,085m |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Cape Town |
| Wikitravel: | Cape Town |
| Tripadvisor: | Add Data |
| Local tourism: | Cape Town Travel |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | Uk Government |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Cape Town Magazine |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | ZAR17 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | ZAR15 |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | ZAR13 |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | ZAR20 |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR190 |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | |
| Milk | 1 litre | ZAR10 |
| Oil | 1 litre | ZAR26 |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR180 |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR145 |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | |
| Water | 1 litre | ZAR8 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR160 |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | |
| Wine | 1 bottle | ZAR35 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | ZAR43 |
| Apples | 1kg | ZAR19 |
| Bananas | 1kg | ZAR17 |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | ZAR40 |
| Bread | 1 loaf | ZAR10 |
| Carrots | 1kg | ZAR10 |
| Chillies | 1kg | ZAR35 |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | ZAR14 |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | ZAR8 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | ZAR22 |
| Cucumber | 1kg | ZAR0 |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | ZAR19 |
| Garlic | 1kg | ZAR150 |
| Ginger | 1kg | ZAR79 |
| Honey | 1 jar | ZAR47 |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | ZAR15 |
| Jam | 1 jar | ZAR18 |
| Onions | 1kg | ZAR8 |
| Oranges | 1kg | |
| Pasta | 1kg | ZAR24 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | ZAR27 |
| Peanuts | 100g | ZAR13 |
| Potatoes | 1kg | ZAR12 |
| Raisins | 100g | ZAR10 |
| Rice | 1kg | ZAR20 |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | ZAR19 |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | ZAR18 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | ZAR75 |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | ZAR50 |
| Condoms | 1 pack | ZAR0 |
| Deodorant | 1 can | ZAR22 |
| Floss | 1 pack | ZAR28 |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | ZAR0 |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | ZAR0 |
| Razors | 1 pack | ZAR45 |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | ZAR15 |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | ZAR52 |
| Soap | 1 bar | ZAR11 |
| Tampons | 1 box | ZAR22 |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | ZAR0 |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | ZAR10 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | ZAR18 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | ZAR40 |
| Bandages | 1 pack | ZAR24 |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | ZAR16 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | ZAR0 |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | ZAR21 |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | ZAR0 |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | ZAR0 |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | ZAR46 |
| Plasters | 1 pack | ZAR17 |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | ZAR70 |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | ZAR110 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | ZAR65 |
| Chilli powder | 100g | ZAR0 |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | ZAR38 |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | ZAR25 |
| Coriander | 100g | ZAR27 |
| Cumin | 100g | ZAR32 |
| Fuel | 1 litre | ZAR0 |
| Internet | 1 hour | ZAR0 |
| Lighter | 1 unit | ZAR0 |
| Matches | 1 pack | ZAR0 |
| Paprika | 100g | ZAR22 |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | ZAR0 |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | ZAR30 |
| Turmeric | 100g | ZAR22 |
| Stock | 1 pack | ZAR7 |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bao | ZAR50 | |
| Breakfast (continental) | ZAR42 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | ZAR13 | |
| Burger | ZAR82 | |
| Burger (cheese) | ZAR88 | |
| Burger (vegetarian) | ZAR117 | |
| Cake (slice) | ZAR67 | |
| Calamari | ZAR125 | |
| California roll | ZAR68 | |
| Cheesecake | ZAR40 | |
| Chicken wings | ZAR52 | |
| Crème brûlée | ZAR56 | |
| Curry (generic – meat) | ZAR125 | |
| Curry (generic – vegetable) | ZAR80 | |
| Dumplings (Asian – meat) | ZAR65 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | ZAR55 | |
| Fillet (beef) | ZAR180 | |
| Fillet (fish) | ZAR170 | |
| Fish and chips | ZAR86 | |
| Fishcakes | ZAR125 | |
| French fries | ZAR43 | |
| Fruit salad | ZAR43 | |
| Goulash (fish) | ZAR150 | |
| Grilled (chicken) | ZAR110 | |
| Hot dog | ZAR65 |
| Dish | Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cream (scoop) | ZAR32 | |
| Ice cream (sundae) | ZAR42 | |
| Kimchi | ZAR30 | |
| Lamb chops | ZAR160 | |
| Lobster | ZAR495 | |
| Mashed potatoes | ZAR25 | |
| Mussels | ZAR116 | |
| Nachos | ZAR62 | |
| Noodles (meat) | ZAR125 | |
| Noodles (vegetable) | ZAR95 | |
| Omelette | ZAR50 | |
| Oysters | ZAR113 | |
| Pancake (simple) | ZAR25 | |
| Pasta (meat) | ZAR80 | |
| Pasta (vegetable) | ZAR73 | |
| Pie (sweet) | ZAR45 | |
| Pizza (simple) | ZAR63 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | ZAR112 | |
| Prawns | ZAR242 |
| Dish | Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ribs | ZAR170 | |
| Roasted (chicken) | ZAR125 | |
| Roasted (pork) | ZAR130 | |
| Roasted (vegetable) | ZAR68 | |
| Salad | ZAR63 | |
| Salad (meat) | ZAR81 | |
| Sandwich (basic) | ZAR40 | |
| Sandwich (loaded) | ZAR61 | |
| Sausage and mash | ZAR85 | |
| Skewers (Brochette) (meat) | ZAR65 | |
| Shwarma | ZAR65 | |
| Spring roll | ZAR45 | |
| Squid | ZAR104 | |
| Steak | ZAR140 | |
| Waffles (sweet) | ZAR20 | |
| Whole (fish) | ZAR146 | |
| Wraps | ZAR78 |
| Beverage | Cost | Restaurant Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic mixed drink | ZAR46 | |
| Bailey’s (shot) | ZAR28 | |
| Beer (multinational) | ZAR30 | |
| Beer (national) | ZAR23 | |
| Brandy (shot) | ZAR18 | |
| Cappuccino | ZAR21 | |
| Cappuccino (red/rooibos) | ZAR21 | |
| Cider (bottle) | ZAR22 | |
| Coffee | ZAR17 | |
| Champagne (bottle) | ZAR238 | |
| Champagne (glass) | ZAR48 | |
| Espresso | ZAR15 | |
| Fruit juice (concentrated) | ZAR24 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | ZAR25 | |
| Gin (shot) | ZAR22 | |
| Guinness | ZAR25 | |
| Hot chocolate | ZAR23 | |
| Iced coffee | ZAR25 | |
| Iced tea | ZAR19 | |
| Milkshake | ZAR25 | |
| Red Bull | ZAR35 | |
| Rum (shot) | ZAR18 | |
| Smoothie | ZAR39 | |
| Soft drink | ZAR21 | |
| Tea | ZAR20 | |
| Tea (herbal) | ZAR17 | |
| Tequila (shot) | ZAR25 | |
| Vodka (shot) | ZAR16 | |
| Water (2L) | ZAR52 | |
| Whisky (shot) | ZAR17 | |
| Wine (bottle) | ZAR154 | |
| Wine (glass) | ZAR37 |
Cape Town Forum
Please use this forum to tell us about any new or out-of-date information about Cape Town or to ask or answer any questions specific to this page. Or join our World Forum for more general information.
