14 best cape town travel guides

Name: DK Eyewitness South Africa (Travel Guide)
Brand: DK Eyewitness Travel
Price: 198 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (250 reviews)

Cape Town, located in South Africa, is a popular travel destination known for its stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and rich history.Travel guides about Cape Town provide valuable information for tourists looking to explore this vibrant city and its surroundings. Here are some key points about Cape Town travel guides:

Overview of Cape Town: Travel guides typically start with an introduction to Cape Town, offering an overview of its geography, history, and cultural diversity. They often include information about the city's neighborhoods and regions, such as the Cape Peninsula, Cape Winelands, and the Cape Town city center.
Sightseeing and Attractions: Cape Town is famous for its numerous attractions. Travel guides provide details on must-visit places such as Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the V&A Waterfront, and the Cape of Good Hope. They offer insights into the historical significance and unique features of these sites.
Activities and Adventures: Guides highlight the various activities available in Cape Town, including hiking, surfing, wine tasting in the Cape Winelands, and wildlife safaris. They often include recommendations for adventure seekers, families, and solo travelers.
Cultural and Historical Insights: Cape Town has a rich cultural heritage, and guides delve into its history, including apartheid-era museums and landmarks. They also provide information about local customs, festivals, and events.
Dining and Cuisine: Travelers can explore Cape Town's diverse culinary scene, which includes a fusion of international and local flavors. Guides offer recommendations for restaurants, markets, and street food vendors, allowing visitors to savor South African dishes like bobotie, boerewors, and Cape Malay curry.
Accommodation Options: Travel guides list a range of accommodation options in Cape Town, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and boutique guesthouses. They often provide insights into the best areas to stay based on travelers' preferences.
Transportation: Guides include information on transportation options within the city, such as public buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services. They also cover tips on renting a car for those looking to explore the surrounding regions.
Safety and Travel Tips: Safety is an essential aspect of any travel guide. Guides offer advice on staying safe in Cape Town and provide practical travel tips on topics like currency exchange, weather, and local etiquette.
Maps and Itineraries: Many travel guides include maps and suggested itineraries to help travelers plan their days efficiently and navigate the city with ease.
Photography and Inspiration: Cape Town's natural beauty and scenic landscapes make it a photographer's paradise. Guides often include photography tips and inspiration for capturing the city's beauty.

Cape Town travel guides are valuable resources for travelers seeking to make the most of their visit to this captivating South African city. They provide insights, recommendations, and practical information to enhance the travel experience and ensure a memorable stay in Cape Town.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best cape town travel guides on the market

DK Eyewitness South Africa (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 54 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to South Africa

Explore South Africa’s swathes of savannah, scenic Winelands, cool coastal towns, golden beaches and so much more with the help of your DK Eyewitness guide. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or a grand tour, we’ll help you to navigate the very best this spectacular country has to offer.

In-depth area-by-area guides

Our in-depth area guides make traveling around South Africa easy, whether you want to enjoy close encounters with elephants; cross the chasmic Blyde River Canyon; immerse yourself in Zulu culture; or visit Nelson Mandela’s birthplace⁠—we’ve got you covered. And our selection of itineraries suggest several realistic ways to make the most of your time⁠—whether you’re staying for a week or just a few days.

Be inspired

With so much to see, we’ve created expert-led special features that showcase how to experience South Africa your way. Across detailed page spreads, we take a look at how to adventure outdoors, explore city life, sample the best food and drink, discover natural wonders, take scenic journeys, enjoy sporting events and get off the beaten track.

Insight Guides Pocket Cape Town (Travel Guide with Free eBook) (Insight Pocket Guides)

Insight Guides

Based on 9 reviews Check latest price

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cape Town and the Winelands (Pocket Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 36 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Top 10 Cape Town and the Winelands sights

Find out what to see and do at Company’s Garden, the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island, the District Six Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, the Cape of Good Hope, and Stellenbosch.

Make the most of your time in Cape Town and the Winelands

This Top 10 guide also features the best of local history and culture, parks and reserves, wildlife experiences, beaches, outdoor adventures and sports activities, activities for children, things to do for free, and must-see experiences off the beaten track.

Travel like a local

Discover the best sights, activities, shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants on offer in Cape Town and the Winelands. The pull-out map makes getting around a breeze, whether you are exploring Cape Town on foot, or traveling farther afield by road or rail.

Lonely Planet Cape Town & the Garden Route (Regional Guide)

Lonely Planet

Based on 135 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to Cape Town & the Garden Route

There's nowhere quite like Cape Town and the Garden Route - a coming together of the diverse cultures, cuisines and spectacular landscapes of Southern Africa.

Further afield, the delights of the Garden Route unfurl, with more with more inspiring scenery to be viewed on thrilling drives down the coast and over mountain passes.

This guide includes:

Fodor's Essential South Africa: with The Best Safari Destinations (Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 69 reviews Check latest price

Cape Town and Peninsula [South Africa] (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3200)

Natl Geographic Society Maps

Based on 29 reviews Check latest price

Product features

National Geographic’s Adventure Maps — Essential travel tools for destinations across the globe

With over 100 available titles, these detailed travel maps are the perfect companion for the trip of a lifetime. Sometimes an accurate, tough, waterproof map is the best travel tool you can carry. In areas without cell coverage, or when the data plan is running low, a National Geographic Adventure Map will quickly become an essential travel tool. Featuring detailed road networks, key points of interest, UNESCO World Heritage sites, a place name index, and beautifully rendered shaded relief these travel maps are perfect for pre-trip planning and on the ground navigation.