Buy a MyCiTi card at the airport desk and load at least R100; buses cover the Waterfront, Sea Point, and Camps Bay without the need for ride shares. Avoid walking alone after dark outside the busy beachfront promenade and rely on official taxis or e-hailing.
Table Mountain Strategy
Check @TableMountainCa on Twitter the morning of your hike to confirm cableway operations; wind closures are common. If you plan to hike Platteklip Gorge, start before 8:00 a.m., carry 2–3 liters of water, and log your route with the SANParks emergency WhatsApp (+27 87 087 7350). Descending via cable car saves knees, but bring exact cash or card for the one-way ticket.
City Neighborhoods
Bo-Kaap is best visited mid-morning when the light hits the pastel terraces. The Auwal Mosque welcomes visitors outside prayer times—dress modestly. For lunch, Bree Street has excellent cafes; Clarke’s serves affordable bowls and plug points if you need to work.
Peninsula Day Trip
- Pick up a rental car with comprehensive insurance; drive Chapman’s Peak between Hout Bay and Noordhoek (toll ~R57).
- Stop at Simon’s Town for the Boulders penguin colony—online tickets via SANParks reduce queue time.
- Continue to Cape Point; trails to Diaz Beach are steep and exposed, so pack sunscreen and lunch.
Return via Scarborough and Muizenberg for sunset surfers. Keep windows closed at viewpoints; baboons are notorious for jumping into cars when they smell food.