Why visit
Cape Town is Table Mountain rising from the sea, Cape Point's meeting of oceans, Bo-Kaap's painted houses, Cape Winelands at Stellenbosch, and Kalk Bay's fish.
Cape Town at a glance
City population
4.8 million
Elevation
25 m
82 ft
Time zone
UTC+2
Africa/Johannesburg
Airport
CPT
Cape Town International
Founded
1652
Getting around
MyCiti BRT + trains + Ubers; rental car recommended for region
Signature dish
Bobotie, braai, bunny chow, Cape Malay curry, biltong
Neighborhoods for travelers
Bo-KaapV&A WaterfrontSea PointCamps BayConstantia
South Africa at a glance
Country center
-29.0°, 24.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,221,037 km²
471,445 mi²
Country population
63.2 million
52/km²
Subregion
Southern Africa
Currency
South African rand (R)
ZAR
Dial
+27
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele
Demonym
South African
Internet
.za
UN
Member state
ISO code
ZA / ZAF
Where in the world
-29.0° · 24.0°
South Africa
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Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Table Mountain is 3× older than the Himalayas. The flat top is one of the oldest exposed landscapes on earth.
- Cape Town is one of three capital cities of South Africa (legislative).
- The city has two oceans meeting at its peninsula: Atlantic and Indian: with visibly different water.
- South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
- Table Mountain is 3× older than the Himalayas, and its flat top is one of the oldest landscapes on earth.
Bordering South Africa
Traveler notes
- Table Mountain cableway book for morning
- Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the world's great coast roads
- V&A Waterfront is touristy but Zeitz Mocaa there is worth it
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Cape Town
What currency is used in Cape Town?
Cape Town uses the South African rand (R), ISO code ZAR.
What languages are spoken in South Africa?
The primary languages are Afrikaans, English and Southern Ndebele.
What is the international calling code for South Africa?
The calling code is +27.
What airport serves Cape Town?
Cape Town International (IATA: CPT).
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