Forty 8 Backpackers

Best time is December to February, when days reach 27-28°C with only 2-5 rain days and lower humidity. March and November are also pleasant, slightly cooler. The rainiest stretch runs June to August, with 10-12 rain days a month and highs around 17-19°C. The famous Cape Town International Jazz Festival in late March falls in a still-dry period. Plan for late spring through early autumn.

Stay in the V&A Waterfront for easy access to the harbor, dining, and sights like the Two Oceans Aquarium, with hotels like One&Only and Lawhill. The City Centre suits first-timers who want history and walkability, with the Taj Cape Town nearby. Camps Bay is great for beach lovers, featuring the South Beach Camps Bay Boutique Hotel. Southern Suburbs is ideal for a quieter stay near Kirstenbosch, with options like Nova Constantia and The Cellars-Hohenort.

Must-sees are the V&A Waterfront, a historic harbor with Table Mountain views; Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden on the mountain's slopes; Boulders Beach, where a penguin colony lives in sheltered coves; the Two Oceans Aquarium, with marine life from the Atlantic and Indian oceans; and the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa.

Full-day tours head to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for wine tasting, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point for dramatic coastline, and Aquila or Breede River Valley for Big Five game viewing. The Elgin Railway Market on a vintage train is another option. If you prefer, well-known trips include the winelands around Paarl and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Plan 4 to 5 days. In 3 days you can cover the V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch, Boulders Beach, and the Castle of Good Hope. Add a fourth day for Lion's Head or the Two Oceans Aquarium. If you want a day trip to Cape Point or a wine region, add one more day.