25/07/2026
Shared from Visiting Cape Town’s page
Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Cape Town
Cape Town had always looked incredible in photos, but nothing really prepares you for seeing it in person. Between the mountains, the coastline, and the different neighborhoods, it ended up being one of the most beautiful cities we've ever visited. Looking back, though, there are a few things I wish we'd known before our first trip.
THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE SEVERAL TIMES A DAY
This caught us off guard more than anything. We'd leave the hotel in bright sunshine, drive to another part of the city, and suddenly it would be cloudy, windy, or much cooler. Packing a light jacket every day turned out to be one of the smartest things we did.
DON'T ASSUME TABLE MOUNTAIN WILL BE OPEN
I thought we'd just pick a day and ride the cable car to the top. Then we discovered that strong winds can close it with very little notice. If visiting Table Mountain is high on your list, don't leave it until your last day. Give yourself a couple of chances in case the weather doesn't cooperate.
RENTING A CAR WAS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT
Cape Town itself is easy to explore, but some of our favorite places were outside the city. Driving along Chapman's Peak Drive, visiting Cape Point, stopping at Boulders Beach, and exploring the Cape Winelands would have been much harder without a car.
DISTANCES TAKE LONGER THAN THEY LOOK
Looking at a map, everything seemed fairly close together. In reality, we'd often stop for viewpoints, beaches, or cafés along the way, and what looked like a short drive turned into a half-day adventure. In Cape Town, getting there is often part of the experience.
THE SCENERY NEVER GETS OLD
Every time we thought we'd seen the best view, another one appeared around the next corner. Whether we were driving along the coast or simply having breakfast with Table Mountain in the background, we found ourselves constantly reaching for our camera.
THE FOOD WAS BETTER THAN I EXPECTED
I expected good seafood and wine, but I wasn't prepared for just how good the restaurant scene was. We had several meals that easily ranked among our favorites from any trip, and compared with many other major cities, we felt the quality was excellent for the price.
START YOUR DAYS EARLY
The mornings quickly became our favorite time to explore. Popular attractions were quieter, the light was beautiful, and it felt much more relaxed before the crowds arrived.
DON'T SKIP THE SMALLER STOPS
Before the trip, I focused on the big attractions, but some of the places we remember most were the unexpected ones—a quiet beach, a scenic lookout, a small café, or a roadside market we hadn't planned to visit. Leaving room for those spontaneous stops made the trip feel much less rushed.
BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR PLANS
Some activities depend heavily on the weather. We ended up swapping days around more than once because one morning was perfect for Table Mountain while another was better for exploring the city. Having a flexible itinerary made everything much easier.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cape Town ended up exceeding every expectation we had. It wasn't just the famous landmarks that made the trip memorable—it was the scenic drives, the incredible food, the dramatic coastline, and the feeling that every day looked completely different from the last. If I were planning my first visit again, I'd stay longer, rent a car from the beginning, keep the schedule flexible, and never assume tomorrow's weather will be the same as today's. That's one of the things that makes Cape Town such an unforgettable place.
