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Cape Town is South Africa’s crown jewel and the most European city you’ll find on the continent.

Today it’s one of South Africa’s three capital cities.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in Cape Town

Credit: Chiara Salvadori/Getty Images

The metro area covers 950 square miles and is home to 3.5 million people.

Time Zone

GMT +2

Best Time to Go

Cape Town is worthvisiting year-round.

That said, it looks different each season.

View from a bathroom at Twelve Apostles Presidential Suite

Courtesy of 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa

Late December through March is South Africa’s summer.

It’s sunny, dry, and warm enough to warrant a dip in the ocean.

Pack a raincoat because winter means wet.

Exterior of One&Only Capt Town with a Table Mountain View

Rupert Peace/Courtesy One&Only

If your goal is to see whales, check out the Hermanus Whale Festival usually held in late September.

However, July and August are also considered great months for whale watching.

Finally, the shoulder seasons can be just as unforgettable.

Dinging in the wine studio at One&Only Cape Town

Courtesy of One&Only

Spring, September through early December, is when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

If the service is good, 10% is customary.

Sometimes gratuity is added at restaurants, especially for groups, so check your bill before accidentally tipping twice.

Surfing at Muizenberg with Stoked Surf School

Jonas Hegmann/Courtesy of Stoked Surf School

Language: Most sources say there are 11 official languages in South Africa (some say 12).

Xhosa, English, and Afrikaans are among the most spoken.

That said, most people speak English, and all signs in Cape Town are in English.

Penguins Boulders beach South Africa

ICHAUVEL/Getty Images

There’s no need for Google Translate.

However, it can be helpful to know a few common terms.

Lekker: great or nice; “That was a lekker surf session.”

Young woman in Cape Town on top of mountain looking at view

swissmediavision/Getty Images

Bru: friend/pal; “My bru works at a winery in Stellenbosch.”

Pack an adapter or be prepared to buy one in Cape Town.

The voltage is 230V and standard frequency is 50Hz.

Aerial view of Robben Island

Charles O’Rear/Getty Images

So, you may also need to buy a converter if you’re using an appliance requiring more voltage.

If you ask locals, they can also be unsafe.

It’s not recommended to ride them alone, especially at night.

A vineyard with towering mountains behind it in Franschhoek

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

Tickets can be purchased at stations or from Metrorail officials with portable ticket machines.

They connect with the airport and serve scheduled stops in high traffic tourist areas.

Fares are loaded onto myconnect cards which can be purchased at station kiosks and select retailers and ATMs.

Cape town and Table mountain as viewed from the Victoria & Albert waterfront.

George Pachantouris/Getty Images

Another option is the City Sightseeing Bus.

These Hop-On-Hop-Off buses also make scheduled stops at popular tourist destinations and include commentary in 15 languages.

Tickets can bepurchased online.

Colored Houses In Bo Kapp, In Cape Town, South Africa With Houses Painted In Vibrant Colors

Giulio Mignani/Getty Images

Taxis/Rideshare:Ubers are everywhere in Cape Town.

They’re reliable, safe and extremely affordable.

A 45-minute Uber from downtown Cape Town to a Muizenberg can cost as little as $12.

They also service the airport.

Dozens of shops and restaurants are within walking distance.

Rooms are generous in size and include apartments available for long-term stays.

The property boasts several swimming pools, including the largest infinity pool in the city.

This pool is home to two private islands with several suites ideal for families.

But they’re so well-appointed they even feature pillow menus.

The property is located in the eclectic Bo-Kaap, formerly the Cape Malay quarters, neighborhood.

While there’s live music every night and plenty of TVs, the best entertainment here is people watching.

Food is served buffet style with signature dishes being flavorful plays on traditional Xhosa meals.

Open seven days a week, the cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There are several locations throughout Cape Town, and they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It also boasts great beginner waves all day every day.

It’s also possible to swim with the penguins, but be forewarned; the water is frigid.

But this infamous island has 400 years of its own fascinating history.

Other attractions on the island include a penguin sanctuary and lepers' graveyard.

Whether you’re looking for Adidas, Armani, or Crocs, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre probably has it.

Spend the afternoon browsing in independent bookstores or hunting for antiques.

This is where shoppers find souvenirs that aren’t mass produced.

They’re made by entrepreneurial locals selling everything from leather bags to soaps and sustainable fashions.

Of course, there’s also fresh seasonal produce and delicious street food.

This lowland area is home to Cape Town’s most infamous suburbs or townships.

It’s where the black and colored populations were forced to relocate during the Apartheid years.

Most visitors start with a walking tour of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay.

Weather

Cape Town has four seasons although they’re not as distinct as northern destinations.

It has a Mediterranean climate.

Summers are dry and not too hot, and winters are rainy, but mild.

The highest temperatures occur in February when it can reach the mid-80sF.

The coolest temperatures occur in July when temperatures are typically in the mid-50sF.

June is usually the wettest month with around 14 days of rain.

Cape Town is famous for its strong winds.

Today, they’re good for kitesurfing.

Hundreds of years ago they were the cause of many historic shipwrecks.