Flights from Auckland (AKL) to Cape Town (CPT)

About Cape Town

Discover Cape Town

Why visit Cape Town?
Cape Town offers a striking mix of ocean, mountains, and city life, where dramatic scenery meets a relaxed coastal atmosphere. You can explore world-famous viewpoints, vibrant neighbourhoods, and sweeping beaches, all within a short distance of each other.

What to expect
You will find a compact city centre beneath Table Mountain, a historic waterfront district, and long coastal drives wrapped around cliffs and bays. Outdoor activities are part of daily life, with easy access to hiking trails, viewpoints, and seaside promenades, alongside galleries, cafés, and cultural venues.

Plan your trip
Cape Town works well as both a short city break and the starting point for a longer journey through the region. Many travellers combine time in the city with visits to nearby wine areas, coastal towns, and nature reserves, using Cape Town as a comfortable and well-connected base.

Top sights in Cape Town

Table Mountain

Ride the cableway or hike to the summit for sweeping views over the city, ocean, and surrounding peaks.

V&A Waterfront

Stroll a lively harbourfront filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions, with views across to Table Mountain.

Cape Point

Follow a scenic coastal drive to dramatic cliffs, viewpoints, and walking paths at the tip of the peninsula.

Boulders Beach

Visit sheltered coves and boardwalks that bring you close to a colony of African penguins in their natural habitat.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Wander landscaped gardens on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, with shaded lawns and a treetop walkway.

Camps Bay Beach

Relax on a wide sandy beach backed by palm trees and mountain views, with cafés and bars just across the road.

Bo-Kaap

Explore a hillside neighbourhood known for its brightly painted houses, cobbled streets, and heritage architecture.

Cape Winelands day trips

Take a short journey inland to discover vineyard landscapes, historic towns, and tasting rooms in picturesque valleys.

Experience Cape Town's everyday rhythm

Getting around
MyCiTi buses, metered taxis, and app-based ride services make it easy to move between the city centre, V&A Waterfront, and beaches. For a scenic overview, the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus follows a loop of key areas, while walking is ideal for exploring compact neighbourhoods.

Local life & culture
Daily life in Cape Town often blends outdoor time with creative, design-focused spaces. You can move from galleries and studios to seaside promenades in a single afternoon, and many districts feature small cafés, independent stores, and venues that host live music or performance.

Where to unwind
Sea-facing promenades in Sea Point and Mouille Point are popular for an early morning walk or late afternoon stroll. For quieter escapes, you can head into the city’s greenbelts, gardens, or low-level trails around Table Mountain, which are especially pleasant around sunrise and sunset.

A taste of Cape Town

Street food & local specialties
Cape Town offers a range of local specialities, from grilled seafood to savoury pastries and braised dishes. You will find casual vendors and small eateries in the city centre, along the Atlantic seaboard, and in neighbourhoods just outside the main business district.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Many of the city’s shopping centres and mixed-use precincts bring together cafés, bakeries, and relaxed restaurants in one place. These areas often serve everything from light bites to sharing plates, making it easy to try different flavours in a single meal.

Signature & scenic dining
For memorable meals, you can dine at venues overlooking the working harbour, the city skyline, or the ocean. Some restaurants and bars make the most of sunset views, so an early evening reservation can turn dinner into a relaxed end to a day of sightseeing.

Retail therapy in Cape Town

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central shopping centres combine international brands, local designers, cinemas, and casual dining, and they often act as social meeting points. These malls provide a comfortable environment to browse, take a break from the sun, and plan the rest of your day.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller markets and creative districts showcase handmade crafts, design pieces, and local labels. Areas in and around the city centre, the V&A Waterfront, and Woodstock are known for studios, market halls, and pop-up spaces where you can discover distinctive items.

Evening retail scene
As evening falls, some waterfront and central streets light up with a mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Night-time strolls along these areas pair well with dining or a relaxed drink, and public transport and taxis make them straightforward to reach.

Best time to visit Cape Town

Summer (December to February, peak season)
Cape Town’s summer brings warm, dry conditions, with average daytime temperatures around 25°C (77°F). Long days and clear skies are ideal for beaches, outdoor dining, and cableway rides, and there is a lively atmosphere in coastal areas and the city centre.

Autumn and spring (March to May, and September to November, shoulder season)
These months offer mild, comfortable weather, with average temperatures between 17°C and 22°C (63°F–72°F). You can enjoy fewer crowds at major sights, pleasant hiking conditions, and colourful landscapes, making it a balanced time for both city and nature activities.

Winter (June to August, low season)
Winter is cooler and can be wetter, with temperatures averaging 13°C to 18°C (55°F–64°F). Clear days still provide beautiful mountain and ocean views, while this season is well suited to exploring museums, indoor attractions, and nearby wine regions with cosy venues.

Frequently Asked Questions