Table Mountain Cable Car
Ride to the summit for views over the city and ocean.
Cape Town
South Africa's Mother City pairs the flat top of Table Mountain with beaches, penguins, world-class wine country and the Cape of Good Hope. It is ranked #6 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.
- Metro population
- 4,900,000
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Africa
Overview
Why visit Cape Town
Cape Town was founded in 1652 as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to the East Indies, making it South Africa's oldest city. Its mix of African, Dutch, British and Malay heritage shows up everywhere, from the colorful houses of Bo-Kaap to Cape Malay cuisine.
Table Mountain rises more than 1,000 metres above the city. A rotating cable car reaches the top in minutes, while hikers climb routes like Platteklip Gorge. Below, the V&A Waterfront mixes shops, restaurants and harbour views, and ferries leave for Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
The surroundings are just as famous. Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African penguins, the Cape of Good Hope marks the dramatic southwestern tip of the continent, and the Constantia and Stellenbosch wine regions are a short drive away.
Things to do
Top things to book in Cape Town
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Cape Peninsula Day Trip
Boulders Beach penguins and the Cape of Good Hope.
Stellenbosch Wine Tour
Taste wines in South Africa's most famous wine region.
Robben Island Tour
Ferry to Mandela's prison island with a former inmate guide.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Cape Town
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Side by side in Cape Town
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Cape Town
- 01
The Mother City
Locals call Cape Town the 'Mother City', a nickname linked to its status as South Africa's first European settlement.
- 02
A Flat-Topped Mountain
Table Mountain's plateau stretches about 3 kilometres, and its 'tablecloth' of cloud is caused by a famous local wind.
- 03
Penguins On The Beach
A colony of African penguins has lived at Boulders Beach since 1982.
- 04
South Africa'S Oldest City
Founded in 1652, Cape Town predates every other major city in the country.
- 05
Two Oceans Nearby
The Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet near Cape Agulhas, southeast of the city, at one of the world's famous maritime crossroads.
- 06
Robben Island
Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison on Robben Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 07
A New Wonder Of Nature
Table Mountain was voted one of the New7Wonders of Nature in 2011.
- 08
The Colorful Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap's bright houses were historically home to Cape Malay residents, and the area is known for its cuisine and culture.
- 09
A Medical First
The world's first human heart transplant was performed at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1967.
- 10
A Floral Kingdom
The Cape Floral Region is the smallest and, for its size, richest of the world's six floral kingdoms.
Random Cape Town fact
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FAQ
Quick answers about Cape Town
Where is Cape Town located?
Cape Town is in South Africa, in Africa.
What is the population of Cape Town?
The greater Cape Town area is home to about 4,900,000 people.
What is Cape Town famous for?
South Africa's Mother City pairs the flat top of Table Mountain with beaches, penguins, world-class wine country and the Cape of Good Hope.
Is Cape Town worth visiting?
Yes — Cape Town was ranked #6 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.
Did IShowSpeed stream from Cape Town?
Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Cape Town during his 2025 Africa tour. See his full world tour map.
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