Cape Town brings together some of South Africa’s greatest experiences in one place: Table Mountain, Robben Island, colourful neighbourhoods, wine regions, and dramatic coastal scenery.
The city is full of charm and feels more European than South Africa’s other major cities, yet it retains a relaxed atmosphere that keeps it from feeling like a sprawling metropolis.
You can sense Cape Town’s unique spirit as you wander along the vibrant harbour promenade or delve into its powerful history, for example with a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. If you’re looking to unwind, head for the great outdoors and take in the sweeping views from Table Mountain, or continue on to the Winelands, where fine wines and lush landscapes create a feast for the senses.
In short, Cape Town is a destination that truly has it all – and even more!
“In my opinion, Cape Town is the ONLY city that can truly compete with Sydney for the title of the world’s most beautifully located metropolis. Perhaps it’s the water that makes it so special? Or maybe it’s the fact that nature is so close to the city itself? It could be the charming little suburbs strung together like pearls, tempting you with great restaurants. Or perhaps it’s the many museums – or the wine country, just a short drive from the city centre? Maybe it’s the combination of it all – Cape Town has EVERYTHING it takes to be one of the most delightful cities in the world!”
– Winnie, travel expert and Product Manager for Africa – first visited Cape Town in 2007.
All our tours to Cape Town are combination tours, allowing you to pair the city’s magic with other wonderful adventures, such as a safari in South Africa, the Victoria Falls, or a relaxing beach holiday on Mauritius.
During our tours to Cape Town, your days are at your leisure, giving you the freedom to explore exactly what you wish – either independently or on one of our exciting optional tours.
Cape Town’s many attractions range from powerful historical experiences to breathtaking natural scenery and vibrant culture. Below, you can read more about some of the highlights that await you on a tour to this remarkable city.
Cape Town holds a dramatic past that gives the city extraordinary depth and leaves a lasting impression on many travellers.
One of the most iconic historical attractions is Robben Island, which has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1999. For many years, the island served as a prison for opponents of apartheid – among them Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned here for 18 years. A guide with in-depth knowledge of the island’s 500-year history will lead you through the old prison cells and offer a moving insight into life as a prisoner.
If you want to delve further into the city’s history, you can also visit the Slave Lodge or the Castle of Good Hope – the oldest remaining colonial building in South Africa.
Cape Town is surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, making it one of the most beautiful city destinations in the world.
The iconic Table Mountain rises 1,086 metres above sea level and rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view, whether you reach the top by cable car or on foot. For example, read our Booking Specialist Kenneth’s travelogue about how he conquered Table Mountain.
Venture just outside Cape Town and discover South Africa’s stunning wine country, guaranteed to take your breath away. Here, you can visit vineyards in popular regions such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, savouring a refreshing glass of locally produced wine while taking in the rolling green vineyards around you.
We also highly recommend a drive along the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak Drive, just a short distance from Cape Town. This coastal route, known as one of the most scenic drives in the world, takes you all the way to Cape Point, where the waves crash dramatically against the rugged shoreline.
Cape Town is renowned for its fascinating array of museums, shopping options, and culinary experiences.
Art enthusiasts can explore the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, while the District Six Museum offers a moving insight into the city’s more recent past.
If you’re in the mood for a bit of shopping, there are plenty of great places to indulge. Highlights include the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, and The Bay Harbour Market – all well worth a visit.
When hunger strikes, immerse yourself in Cape Town’s vibrant food scene, offering everything from fresh, local produce and multicultural flavours to fine dining. In fact, Cape Town was voted one of the world’s best food cities in 2026 by Time Out magazine. For example, you can wander along the lively harbour promenade, home to a fantastic selection of restaurants and fragrant food markets, or visit the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood, where traditional Cape Malay curries simmer alongside the trendy eateries of Bree Street.
We offer Cape Town exclusively in combination with one or more of our other destinations in Africa.
Our most popular combinations include Cape Town with a safari holiday in South Africa and a beach holiday in Mauritius, a safari holiday in Botswana, or spectacular experiences at Victoria Falls.
Below, you can read more about some of the selected combination options.
On a safari holiday in South Africa, you can enjoy thrilling wildlife encounters in some of the country’s magnificent national parks.
The majority of our tours to Cape Town can be combined with a safari adventure in Kruger National Park, renowned for its stunning scenery and rich wildlife. Here, you can experience Africa’s Big Five along with classic safari animals such as giraffes, zebras, and hippos.
If you dream of a safari in malaria-free surroundings, you can also enjoy an atmospheric game drive in Kariega Game Reserve, where open safari jeeps take you through varied landscapes and bring you close to incredible wildlife – or visit Nambiti Private Game Reserve, whose impressive natural scenery is home to countless bird and mammal species, including the iconic Big Five.
On a tour to Mauritius, you can treat yourself to a relaxing beach holiday on this exotic tropical island in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius is famous for its breathtaking beaches, framed by crystal-clear turquoise waters. Here, you can bask in the soft sand while listening to the gentle ripple of the waves or dive into a range of exciting water sports such as diving and snorkelling.
Beyond its beaches, Mauritius enchants visitors with an abundance of natural and cultural experiences. You can, for example, spot endemic bird species in Black River Gorges National Park, admire the striking hues of the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, or explore the island’s many museums and vibrant street markets in Port Louis.
Combine your tour to Cape Town with a visit to Victoria Falls and experience one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders up close.
Victoria Falls, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Every second, an average of more than 1,000 cubic metres of water cascades into the gorges below the 1.7-kilometre-long waterfall with such force that the spray rises several hundred metres into the air.
You can take in the breathtaking view of Victoria Falls on a walk around the area or choose to add an optional helicopter flight, offering you a spectacular panoramic view of the thundering waters.
Combine Cape Town with the Garden Route and experience one of the most stunning coastal drives in the world.
The Garden Route stretches between Mossel Bay (Western Cape) and Storms River (Eastern Cape), taking you through some of South Africa’s most magnificent scenery and offering countless experiences along the way – from lively ostrich farms and impressive caves in Oudtshoorn to atmospheric seafood restaurants and the picturesque lagoon in Knysna.
If you visit the Garden Route between June and November, you can also experience the whale season in Hermanus, where you’ll have a great chance of spotting playful whales from the coastline.
Embark on a safari in Botswana and trade the bustling city streets for the vast, open savannah.
In Chobe National Park, widely regarded as one of Africa’s very best national parks, you’ll find spectacular safari experiences and an abundance of wildlife, including zebras, lions, giraffes, hippos, leopards, and countless colourful bird species.
Chobe National Park is also home to Africa’s largest elephant population, making it one of the continent’s top places to witness these magnificent animals up close.
Cape Town is one of our most popular destinations in Africa. Not only is it a firm favourite among our guests, but we also know the city inside out. We’ve featured Cape Town in our itineraries for many years – and it was actually in South Africa that our adventure as a tour operator began back in 2006. In addition, we work closely with a highly experienced local partner in Cape Town, who knows the city like the back of their hand.
Over the years, we have visited Cape Town countless times, and we regularly return to relive the city’s unique atmosphere. We know what it feels like to stand atop Table Mountain as the sun casts its first rays over the city, to feel the goosebumps while listening to stories on Robben Island, and to savour a chilled glass of pinotage surrounded by lush vineyards.
On our tours, the days in Cape Town are left unscheduled. The city calls for flexibility, allowing you – if you wish – to add optional tours (which we know provide fantastic insights into the city), or to create your own itinerary and explore whatever you dream of at your own pace.
A lot of questions can arise when booking one of our combined tours including Cape Town – particularly if it’s your first visit to the city.
Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Cape Town.
We recommend setting aside 3–5 days to experience Cape Town and its surroundings, which is also the number of days included in our tours featuring Cape Town.
Cape Town is packed with attractions, and with that amount of time, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the city at your own pace and take in its many highlights.
The best time to visit Cape Town is between December and February, when the South African summer is at its peak, offering perfect conditions for exploring the city.
However, Cape Town is a year-round destination, and the ideal time to travel depends on your personal preferences and which destinations you wish to combine your tour with.
Read more about Cape Town’s seasons.
Yes, Cape Town can be enjoyed safely as a visitor, as long as you take the necessary precautions and exercise common sense when moving around the city.
We recommend that you avoid walking alone after dark or wandering through areas you’re not familiar with. We also encourage you to always follow the advice and recommendations of the locals, as they know the city and current conditions best.
If you need assistance during your trip or have any questions, you can always contact our travel specialists or local partners through our 24-hour emergency hotline.
If you’d like to know more, you can read our travel specialist Cat’s first-hand experiences with safety in Cape Town.
As a British citizen, you will be issued a visa upon arrival in South Africa for stays of up to 90 days, provided your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond the duration of your stay and contains at least two blank pages.
For detailed information on passports and visas, we recommend visiting our page with practical information about South Africa or staying updated via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
Yes, you may need to be vaccinated before travelling to South Africa and Cape Town.
The vaccinations you need depend on which ones you’ve already had, as well as whether you’re travelling to Cape Town via a country affected by yellow fever. For an accurate assessment, we recommend contacting a specialist, your GP, or an authorised vaccination clinic.
Would you like to experience spectacular scenery, captivating history, and a rich mix of cultures in one of South Africa’s greatest cities?
At TourCompass, we offer tours to Cape Town combined with other exciting destinations. If you need help finding your dream tour or have any questions, please get in touch with our experienced travel specialists, who are ready to assist you!
It’s safe to explore the world with TourCompass – we’re with you all the way!
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
You can check out the itinerary and dream yourself away in photos and videos of all our tours. You can read more about accommodation, combination options and all the practicalities – and see prices and departure dates for the next 18 months.
You are always welcome to call or write to us. We are here to answer all your questions, listen to your wishes and provide you with honest and competent advice based on our extensive travel experiences with Africa, Asia and Latin America.
You will receive a detailed quote for the tour, which you can save, print out or share with your travelling companions. If you decide to go ahead and book the tour, you can do this easily via the quote itself.
Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!
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