Flights from Beijing (BJS) to Cape Town (CPT)

About Cape Town

Discover Cape Town between ocean and mountain

Cape Town sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the dramatic rise of Table Mountain, creating one of the most striking city backdrops in the world. From its working harbour and lively waterfront to peaceful beaches and green city parks, you will find a variety of neighbourhoods and landscapes close together. The atmosphere is relaxed yet creative, with a growing art scene and a strong café culture.

You can move from a coastal drive along Chapman s Peak to a harbour-front dinner at the V and A Waterfront in a single day, with time to stop for viewpoints and local markets. Historic streets in the City Bowl, former warehouses turned into galleries, and modern food halls give you many ways to explore at your own pace.

Beyond the city, the Cape Peninsula and nearby winelands offer easy day trips with wide-open scenery and coastal villages. Whether you are travelling for a long holiday, a shorter escape, or to visit family and friends, Cape Town invites you to slow down, explore outdoors, and enjoy its distinctive setting by the sea.

Top sights in Cape Town

Table Mountain

Ride the revolving cable car or hike to the flat-topped summit for sweeping views across Cape Town, the oceans, and the Twelve Apostles range.

V and A Waterfront

Stroll around this harbour-front district lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, with views of working docks and Table Mountain.

Robben Island Museum

Take a ferry to this island in Table Bay to learn about its layered history and explore the former prison buildings with a guided tour.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Wander through indigenous plant collections on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and walk the curved treetop canopy walkway for elevated views.

Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Follow the coastal road through the Cape Peninsula to dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and viewpoints where the Atlantic swells meet rugged headlands.

Experience Cape Town s outdoor lifestyle

Cape Town is ideal if you enjoy spending time outside. You can hike popular trails such as Lion s Head at sunrise, explore the contour paths of Table Mountain, or choose gentler walks through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and the coastal boardwalks of Sea Point. Scenic drives along Chapman s Peak and around the Cape Peninsula offer regular stops for viewpoints, coastal villages, and photo opportunities.

The city s beaches each have a distinct character, from the palm-fringed sands of Camps Bay to the sheltered coves of Clifton. You can try surfing lessons in Muizenberg, go sea kayaking from the Atlantic seaboard, or join a boat cruise from the V and A Waterfront to see the city skyline from the water. Inland, day trips to the Cape winelands combine vineyard landscapes with tastings, picnics, and historic towns.

For a closer look at local culture, explore neighbourhoods such as Bo-Kaap with its colourful terraces, or visit modern art spaces and markets to meet designers and artisans. Food tours, guided cycling routes, and township heritage tours provide structured ways to understand the city s past and present, with local guides adding context and personal stories.

A taste of Cape Town

Cape Town s dining scene brings together coastal ingredients, local produce, and influences from around the world. You can enjoy fresh seafood along the harbour, farm-to-table menus in the city, and inventive tasting menus in the winelands. Many restaurants make the most of the setting with terraces that look towards the ocean or the mountain.

Casual dining is a highlight, from food markets at the V and A Waterfront and Woodstock to neighbourhood bakeries and coffee shops in the City Bowl and the Atlantic seaboard. You will find everything from grilled fish and locally inspired comfort dishes to plant-forward menus, all in laid-back, welcoming spaces.

Vineyards just outside the city in Constantia and beyond pair meals with tastings of local wines, often in historic manor houses or modern glass-fronted dining rooms. Whether you prefer a relaxed beachfront café or a long lunch in the winelands, Cape Town offers many ways to explore its flavours over several days.

Retail therapy in sight of the mountain

Cape Town offers a mix of polished malls, design markets, and independent boutiques. The V and A Waterfront is a convenient starting point, with fashion brands, bookshops, and speciality stores arranged around the harbour, plus craft markets and galleries that focus on regional makers.

In the city centre and Woodstock, former industrial buildings now house studios and concept stores where you can browse ceramics, textiles, jewellery, and contemporary art. Neighbourhood markets often combine food stalls with craft vendors, giving you a relaxed way to find gifts and keepsakes while sampling local snacks.

For a slower-paced experience, visit smaller shopping areas in seaside suburbs such as Kalk Bay and Hout Bay, where antique shops, vintage clothing, and décor stores sit close to cafés and the water. Many visitors choose to pair shopping with a scenic drive, making the journey between districts part of the experience.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Cape Town summer (December to February, peak season) brings long, sunny days with average temperatures around 25°C to 27°C (77°F to 81°F). The city is lively, with beach days, outdoor events, and late sunsets, making it ideal for coastal drives, evening walks, and alfresco dining by the sea.

Cape Town autumn (March to May, shoulder season) offers mild weather with averages of 18°C to 23°C (64°F to 73°F). Skies are often clear, the wind eases, and vineyards turn golden, creating excellent conditions for hiking, winelands visits, and exploring the city with comfortable daytime temperatures.

Cape Town winter (June to August, low season) is cooler, with average temperatures of 12°C to 18°C (54°F to 64°F) and occasional rain that brings fresh, green landscapes. It is a cosy time for indoor attractions, dining, and gallery visits, and it aligns with the nearby whale-watching season along parts of the coast.

Cape Town spring (September to November, shoulder season) sees temperatures climbing to around 17°C to 22°C (63°F to 72°F) with lengthening days. Wildflowers bloom in nearby regions, and the combination of comfortable warmth and lighter crowds makes it a welcoming time for outdoor activities, scenic drives, and city sightseeing.

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