Cape Town is a destination that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches, marine life, perfect weather conditions, and of course the iconic Table Top mountain.

Even though Cape Town checks all the points for being a dream location, certain aspects of the city disappointed me. To help you plan the perfect holiday in South Africa, I've made a list of 7 things I wish I had known before visiting Cape Town.

1.CHOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION

Choosing the right location in Cape Town is fundamental and it can make a big difference in your travelling experience. It’s good to know in advance where to stay and what areas it is better to avoid.

In total, I stayed 8 days in Cape Town, and It was enough time to explore everything.

The first four days I stayed in Simon’s Town, and then I moved to Sea Point.

Simon’s Town it’s a laid-back place with stunning nature, however, it isn’t the best place to stay. It’s quite far from Cape Town City and its main attractions (about one hour by car one way).

Moreover, there is not much to do except see the Penguins' colony and do some diving.

The biggest problem is moving around, in fact, it's very hard to find a taxi. Uber mostly accept longer distances, like people travelling from Cape Town to the Penguin Colony, but won't take shorter trips.

The best locations where to stay are Clifton or Camps Bay. These are the places that you see often on postcards or the first photos that appear when you google “Cape Town”, with the stunning coastline and white sandy beaches.

I thought that the whole city would look like that, but it’s good to know that only those two areas are like in the pictures.

If you can’t find accommodation available in Camps Bay or Clifton, or the prices are too expensive, another good option is Sea Point. You won’t have the same views as in Camps Bay, but it’s a lot more affordable, with incredible restaurants and hotel options. It’s also within short walking distance from Camps Bay — about half an hour along a panoramic road on the coastline.

The hotel where I stayed in Sea Point was —

Home Suite Hotels Station House

—and I loved it! It’s a very modern hotel with a hip and fun vibe. The best part is the food. Here I had the best breakfast during my whole trip!

It's also a very affordable hotel, compared to other choices in town.

BOOK NOW!

2. BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION IN ADVANCE

Cape Town is a very popular destination, therefore it is recommended to book at least 4-5 months in advance the accommodation where you want to stay, otherwise you will have very limited options. Popular hotels, lodges and vacation rentals fill up fast, and you don't want to be stuck without a place to stay in this stunning city. Once you've booked, you can start planning your itinerary.

3. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PENGUIN COLONY

Make the 30-minute drive south of Cape Town to Simon's Town, home to the Boulders Penguin Colony. Walk the boardwalks to see over 3,000 African penguins in their natural environment. The best time to visit is during breeding season from February to August. Even if you go during the off-season, you will see many penguins.

Take into consideration that on average between 2,000 – 5,000, tourists visit Boulders Beach per day, so the boardwalk can get crowded, especially at the weekends.

I recommend going during the week and early morning between 8-9 AM. When you want to purchase the ticket you will have two options, to see the penguins from the boardwalk or go directly to the beach.

Most people choose the boardwalk because you can see the larger penguin colony, however, I would recommend going on the beach instead; even though they’re are fewer penguins, it’s a lot more peaceful being away from the crows, and you can get a closer look to the penguins.

4. WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE ‘BIG-5 SAFARI’

For an exciting safari experience, most people book a tour with Aquila Game Reserve — the closest place to Cape Town, about 3 hours by car one way. On the 4-hour big-5 safari, you'll see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo roaming the sprawling 28,000-hectare reserve.

Even though we were able to see all the animals, it didn't feel like an authentic safari in the wild. The vehicle takes hundreds of tourists per day around the natural reserve. The lions are fed by humans, and there is a fence to separate the lions from other animals.

I didn't feel much difference between a zoo and this safari.

If you want an adventure in the wild, I would recommend a private safari in other parts of Africa.

5. THE TABLE TOP MOUNTAIN

Table Mountain is one of Cape Town's top attractions, also part of the 7 natural wonders of the world. However, the cable car that takes you to the top is frequently closed for maintenance or due to bad weather conditions, like wind or rain. Always check the official website for the cable car operating times and possible closures before you go to avoid disappointment.

During my stay in Cape Town, the cable car was closed for four days in a row. The weather was sunny, but a little bit windy, in that case, they always prefer not to take the risk.

I recommend buying the entrance ticket when you are there, instead of buying it online, since it's difficult to predict the weather conditions. If you buy it online the ticket is valid for one week. The ticket price is around 20 USD/pax two ways.

6. A WATHER SHORTAGE PROBLEM IN SOUTH AFRICA

A traveller visiting Cape Town needs to be aware that the city has faced water shortages in recent years due to drought. The municipal water supply can be inconsistent, especially in the warmer summer months from December through February. The lack of electricity has worsened issues created by poorly maintained infrastructure, which has led to vast leaks as well as sewage problems, and a supply of water that cannot meet demand.

During my stay in Simons Town, we didn't have water in our apartment for three days, and in the whole Cape Town district the electricity went off a couple of times per day. Locals are used to it, but it can be quite new and frustrating for tourists.

7. IS CAPE TOWN SAFE?

Cape Town has a high crime rate, so exercise caution, especially at night. Stay in a well-populated area, and avoid empty streets. Don't display valuables or large amounts of cash. Especially when withdrawing money you have to be aware of your surroundings.

Most visitors enjoy their trip safely by taking normal travel safety precautions. Just use some common sense.

Areas to avoid are the central business district and townships. Camps Bay, Cliffton and Sea Point are safe.

It is recommended to use Uber, rather than Bolt. There have been countless events in and around Cape Town where Bolt drivers have robbed and dropped off clients in the middle of nowhere. With Uber, you won't have any issues.

I hope I gave you enough information to plan your trip to Cape Town and have an unforgettable experience. Cape Town truly is a unique place with so much natural beauty and diversity. With a little preparation on where to stay, I'm sure you'll have an amazing time exploring all it has to offer.

Safe travels and enjoy your trip! Let me know if you need any other recommendations once you're there.

7 things I wish I had known before visiting Cape Town - South Africa