Discover Cape Town
Cape Town in numbers, from safety and the cost of living to rainfall and dam levels.
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Understanding Cape Town
Six guides to Cape Town in numbers, each with named sources and current figures.
The Hard Facts
4.98 million people across suburbs, coastal towns and semi-rural areas. See the population, density, languages and growth.
The Economy
Mansions and fine dining next to informal markets and underserved communities. See the numbers on inequality, jobs and the main industries.
The City Bowl
The CBD between Table Bay and Table Mountain, with Gardens, Tamboerskloof, Vredehoek and Bo-Kaap: nightlife, culture and the business district.
Weather & Water
Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Live dam levels, rainfall patterns, and the best time to visit.
The South African Spirit
Ubuntu (community and shared humanity), Mandela's legacy and the places that remember it, from Robben Island to the city's memorials.
Townships
Apartheid still shapes Cape Town's townships. See the numbers on poverty, services and the informal economy.
Cost of Living
What it costs to live here, by neighbourhood: rent, electricity, groceries, transport and more, for a single person, a couple, or a family.
The Data Calendar
When South Africa's economic numbers land: inflation, GDP, jobs, interest rates and trade, from Stats SA, the Reserve Bank, SARS and BER.
Essential Resources
Important guides to help you stay safe and navigate local requirements
Safety Guide
Neighbourhood safety scores, crime maps and practical tips for your visit.
Data updated: 6 September 2026
Visas & Immigration
Tourist visas, work permits, study visas, and tips for dealing with Home Affairs.
Getting Around
Buses, traffic and commute times
MyCiTi Bus Guide
Routes, fares, myconnect cards, and tips for using Cape Town's rapid bus system.
Traffic & Commute Data
How long the drive between the V&A Waterfront and the airport typically takes at each hour, from three weeks of Google Maps readings in March 2026.
Things to Do
Things worth doing in and around Cape Town
Adventures In & Around Cape Town
Beach Days and Water Sports
- Wind & Wave Surfing: Head to Bloubergstrand, Muizenberg, or Big Bay for big waves.
- Chilling on the Beach: Camps Bay and Clifton offer golden sands and turquoise waters (though the Atlantic can be icy).
Cultural Experiences
- Drumming Circles: Regular open sessions around the city; visitors are welcome to join.
- Museums and Galleries: Visit the Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront for contemporary African art.
Outdoors
- Table Mountain: Hike up Platteklip Gorge or take the cable car for panoramic views.
- Cape Point: Sheer cliffs at the tip of the peninsula, about ninety minutes from town.
- Day Trips: Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Hermanus. Whale-watching June to November.
Wine and Food
- Cape Winelands: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl offer world-class wines.
- Local Cuisine: Braai, Cape Malay dishes in Bo-Kaap, fresh seafood on the coast.
Why Cape Town?
Cape Town sits between a thousand-metre mountain and two coastlines, and has three centuries of history. It has real problems, which this site documents in numbers, and it is still one of the best cities anywhere to spend time in.
Most first-time visitors start planning a return trip before they leave.