Each season has it’s advantages and disadvantages, so there is no one best time to visit Cape Town. Summer (December to January) offers a pleasant, Mediterranean-like climate, but the city gets crowded and prices tend to rise. Winter (June to August) can be gray and chilly, but you’ll have the city to yourself. In Spring (September to November) roaring storms aren’t uncommon, but for some they become an unusual attraction. Autumn (February to May) is mild.

Though South Africa’s largest airport is in Johannesburg, more and more airlines are also flying to Cape Town. A flight from Europe takes upwards of 12 hours. Once on the ground, there are several shuttle services offering a fairly cheap way into Cape Town.

The easiest way to get out of town is with a hired car. Highways are reliable, public transport isn’t always. In Cape Town, there is a local bus service, but always use common sense and caution. There’s also a limited train service. Taxis can be pricey but are a good night-time option.

Cape Town offers all the usual attractions of a big city, and more. As well as museums, fine dining and wild nightlife, there are things only Cape Town can offer, such as a harbor cruise around Table Bay or a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, where you will find a privileged view of the city. Once on the mountain, rappel down its cliffs or bike its web of trails. On the eastern side, gawk at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where some 9,000 of Africa’s plant species are grown. On the water, enjoy amazing surfing spots and unique diving opportunities. Canoeing, white water rafting, kayaking and spelunking are all available nearby.

For those who prefer to seek out Cape Town’s culture, there is plenty to keep you occupied. The District Six Museum can be difficult to visit, but is a good starting place to understand the city’s troubled past. Both heart-wrenching and hopeful, this museum paints a clear picture of what Cape Town life was like for black South Africans during the Apartheid. Other museums, like the Bo-Kaap museum, focused on the city’s Muslim history, and the South African Jewish Museum, will give you an even more complete view of the culture here. Be sure to visit the lively Waterfront and take a walking tour of “the Bowl,” as the center of town is called. The Castle of Good Hope, a stone-walled and full of military history, is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Not far outside the city, you can visit the Cape of Good Hope itself and South Africa's oldest wine region, Constantia. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is a paradise for walkers.