21 Tips I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Cape Town

These 21 tips to know before visiting Cape Town are what I wish I knew before my trip to Cape Town, South Africa.

Hopefully these travel tips will help you from making some of my mistakes when traveling through Cape Town!

DISCLAIMER: I only express my opinion based on my experience. Your experience may be different. These videos are for educational and inspirational purposes only. Links above may include affiliate commission or referrals. I'm part of an affiliate network and I receive compensation from partnering websites. This video is accurate as of the posting date but may not be accurate in the future.

[RobertScott]

Thanks for the video. Well done. I live in Cape Town and can recommend everything he said. I would add (1) Do NOT climb Table Mountain on your own. It is a dangerous place - always tell someone exactly where you intend to hike and hike in a group. (2) The suburbs he mentioned are all fine for a tourist. There are however areas that are "no go"s, ask the locals first. (3) There is cold water on the Atlantic side (Camps Bay etc) and warm water in the Indian Ocean side (Muizenberg and Fish Hoek) which would be better advised for swimming, in summer obviously.

[Truthseeker]

Loadshedding is not the government conserving the electricity. It's mismanagement caused by the corrupted politicians and bureaucrats. In SA, you prepay for the electricity. Many users don't pay up the bill.

[landapanda]

Most important tip for hikers up Table Mountain… when the table cloth is over or it is windy. Do not attempt that hike as it can become dangerous and fatal.

[lethabop]

We drink tap water and we are alive. There are free spring water facilities in Cape Town you just need a huge bottle to refill. Plastic pollution is real and we can’t be encouraging single-use water bottles.

[thefullframefox]

Spot on with all your tips, well done. Just a tip to add, sometimes people's stomachs get upset when visiting our city because the food is really rich... a good thing to just have in your bag is activated charcoal tablets. It will help your stomach settle down. Another really great place to visit is Stellenbosch and Franschoek for the wine and gin lovers.

[qbmdhlk]

The water in Cape Town is brilliant and safe to drink as is the rest of south Africa . Consider the environment and reduce plastic and glass pollution

[etiennelouw]

The left side of the road is the correct side to drive on, this comes from when people ride horses and carried swords, most people are right handed so draw and defend themselves with that hand so that's why the right side is kept to oncoming people, you drive on the wrong side.

[Louisefenner]

As a Capetonian I always drink the tap water without hesitation.

[werner]

Im a Capetonian and i Approve of this, sucks that we have loadshedding but there's so much to do when there is load shedding. Many nice places to stay out side of the CBD area. If its cheap avoid it :)

[PZJBimha]

I live in Cape Town. This video is on point 👌For beautiful scenic drives I recommend Chapman's Peak Drive. One of the most beautiful underrated hikes is "Devil's peak" - just don't hike alone. Unfortunately safety is a major concern anywhere. Muizenberg beach for warm water. Camps bay is very beautiful but the water there is icy.

[jacqueshollands]

Best time to visit Cape Town is late Feb to May, but anytime is actually okay. December can be windy (south-easter) and it is cold and rainy from June through to Aug

[kaygee]

Oh em gee..I’m South African born and bred…I live in both Midrand and Cape Town, and sweedat 😮‍💨 you👏🏽 are👏🏽 absolutely 👏🏽on👏🏽 point 👏🏽
like literally

[garrithsmith]

Pro tip If you know someone in capetown( a local) Ask them to take you around. They will know all the best kept secrets, for example: Kalk bay Mountain with the boomslang cave.
Also dont just tip anyone as they might just rob/mug you. Dont wear facy clothing as you might make yourself a target.
Another tip is to always lock your car doors and keep your windows slightly open. Do NOT have them fully open as opportunists might try to rob you whilst you are in your car.
Many other tips but I only speak as a resident from muizenburg ek se!

[easy]

All really good tips, we travel to Cape Town every year, for 2 months, to get away from winter in London. I think you should also try Blouberg, it's where most pictures of Cape Town (Table Mountain) are classically taken, amazing beaches and restaurants, and it's safe.... great video

[faizalhamssin]

Thank you for this video; I’m visiting Cape Town next month, and the information here (especially about the areas to stay) is really helpful!

[jvanvuuren]

The Holiday Inn at St George's Mall (and other hotels close-by) in Cape Town CBD is great. The area is safe and the hotel does not see load shedding as it is next parliament. We go there often and so far so good.

[tshifhiwathovhakale]

South Africa is known to have one of the best water quality in the world, it is generally safe to drink Tap water, but i believe mostly Rural areas have clean water, because i once moved to Pretoria (city) and water there had some unusual smell... bt in my village it is as good as bottle water

[Van_Wilder]

You did a brilliant job here - well done…got my stamp of approval 👍🏻

[glynislailann]

Blouberg Beach is also a nice place to stay with beautiful beaches although a bit out of central Cape Town though.

[hkdollydesignstudio]

Cape Town doesnt only have the CBD, they have wine routes on Stellenbosch and Paarl's side. These places are just outside the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. The better mall to go to is Canal Walk, Century City - prices there will be more normal and that mall is huge. The V&A Waterfront mall is overrated in my opinion.