Cape Town Tourism in 2026: Record Numbers, New Hotels, and the Risks Ahead
March 31, 2026
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Cape Town Tourism in 2026: Record Numbers, New Hotels, and the Risks Ahead
The airport hit 11.1 million passengers. International arrivals rose 11%. Loadshedding is effectively over. Global awards keep stacking up. But overseas visitors are still 9% below 2019. A data-driven look at a tourism boom that is real, uneven, and fragile.
The Headline Numbers
Cape Town's tourism sector entered 2026 on a run of milestones that would have seemed improbable three years ago. In 2023, the city was battling Stage 6 loadshedding, international visitors were still below pre-pandemic levels, and hospitality businesses were investing in diesel generators instead of guest experience upgrades. By the end of 2025, the picture had transformed.
Cape Town airport passengers: the pandemic crash and recovery
Source: ACSA, Wesgro, Cape Town Airport statistics. Total two-way passengers (domestic + international). 2020 estimate based on partial-year data.
International passenger recovery: surpassing 2019
Source: ACSA, Wesgro, Simple Flying, Cape Chamber. International two-way passengers only. 2025 estimate based on +11% growth and Dec data. International capacity now 38% above 2019 levels.
The festive season of 2025 was, by every available measure, a sell-out. Cape Town International Airport handled 1.12 million two-way passengers in December 2025 alone, an 8% increase over December 2024. International arrivals rose 11%, regional arrivals from other African countries climbed 13%, and domestic travel grew 6%. Key attractions reported strong growth: Table Mountain cableway visitors were up 6%, Robben Island saw a 10% increase, and Chapman's Peak Drive recorded higher footfall.
Nationally, South Africa welcomed 10.48 million visitors in 2025, a 17.6% increase that earned the country the Best Destination: Africa 2025 award from Travel Weekly. New routes announced for the period include Qantas direct from Perth to Johannesburg, Air France seasonal daily service to Cape Town, SAA's Cape Town to Mauritius route, and FlySafair's Hoedspruit to Cape Town connection serving the safari market.
Hotels, Restaurants & What's New in 2026
Where to find them: an interactive map
Gold = established hotels. Wine = fine dining. Teal = new openings 2025/26. Blue diamond = tourist attractions. All coordinates verified via Google Places. For a curated guide to Cape Town's best experiences, see our Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town and Tourist Icons Locals Actually Love.
Major hotel openings
Cape Town's hotel sector is experiencing a development rush not seen since the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The most anticipated opening of 2026 is The Cape Town Edition, Marriott's first Edition hotel in Africa, located at the V&A Waterfront. Other notable openings and recent additions include Tintswalo Summer House (opening April 2026), Palm House Boutique Hotel in Wynberg, and the Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, which opened in May 2025 off Kloof Street.
The restaurant scene: world-class and growing
La Colombe
Perched on Silvermist Estate in Constantia. #13 on TripAdvisor's global "Best of the Best." Known for the iconic "Tuna La Colombe" tinned miniature yellowfin creation. Consistently ranked as Africa's best restaurant.
FYN
Selected as one of four restaurants globally for a UNESCO biodiversity pilot in February 2026. Chef Peter Tempelhoff serves kaiseki-style menus featuring indigenous Cape ingredients: abalone, fynbos, and Kalahari truffles.
Amura at Mount Nelson
The most talked-about opening of the 2025/26 season. Inside the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Mediterranean-Japanese fusion in one of Cape Town's most storied settings.
Ouzeri
Greek and Cypriot dishes with native Western Cape ingredients. Awarded a nod from the World's 50 Best Discovery programme. New Akra Bar upstairs opened for cocktails and natural wines.
Other standout additions include Seebamboes (the new venture from the Belly of the Beast and GALJOEN team, focused on surf-and-turf with no printed menu), Terrarium at the Queen Victoria Hotel (chef Chris Erasmus's elevated farm-to-table concept with a full vegetarian Flora menu), Ongetem by Bertus Basson at the Canopy by Hilton (South African nostalgia meets Kloof Street cool), Maru (PAN Collection, opened December 2025), and Bus Cuisine, a double-decker dining experience with four and six-course meals and Cape wine pairings while touring the coast.
The ChallengeSummer vs Winter: The Seasonality Challenge
Cape Town's Mediterranean climate creates a sharp divide between summer (December to February) and winter (June to August). Seasonality remains, in the words of Cape Town Tourism's former CEO, "the biggest threat" to the industry. The gap between peak and low season occupancy can be as much as 30-40 percentage points, forcing many hospitality businesses into a feast-or-famine cycle.
Summer: Beaches, Crowds, Premium Prices
Peak international arrivals. Beach season. Kirstenbosch summer concerts. Restaurant reservations booked weeks in advance. Hotel rates at their highest. Temperatures 25-35+°C. The Cape Doctor (south-easterly wind) blows strongly. Table Mountain cableway queues can stretch for hours. Camps Bay and Clifton packed.
Winter: Quiet, Affordable, Underrated
11-18°C with rain. Hotel rates drop up to 50%. Flights can be half the summer price. Fewer tourists at attractions. Whale watching season begins (June). Wine estates offer fireside tastings and winter menus. Peak safari season in the bush. Table Mountain closes for maintenance in late July. The savvy traveller's window.
Cape Town month by month: temperature, rainfall, and tourism intensity
Average daily high temperatures and relative rainfall volume by month. June and July are the wettest months. February is typically the hottest. The south-easterly "Cape Doctor" wind is strongest December to March.
The shoulder seasons: March-May and September-November
The Sweet Spot
Warm days (19-25°C), minimal wind, golden light. Cape Town Cycle Tour (March), Two Oceans Marathon (April), CTIJF (March). Wine harvest season in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Restaurant availability improves, hotel rates start dropping. Many locals consider this the best time to be in Cape Town.
Wildflowers and Whales
Temperatures rising (18-25°C), rain tapering off. West Coast wildflower season (August-September). Peak whale watching (southern right whales in False Bay and Hermanus). Kirstenbosch in bloom. Hotel rates still low. The best combination of good weather, low prices, and open availability at top restaurants.
What each season is best for
Cape Town Tourism has worked to combat seasonality through event programming (Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March, cycling and running events in autumn) and campaigns targeting markets whose high season aligns with Cape Town's winter, including the Middle East and India. Business tourism and the conference sector at the Cape Town International Convention Centre also help fill winter beds. But the structural challenge remains: Cape Town's brand is overwhelmingly associated with summer, sun, and beaches, making the winter sell a perpetual uphill battle.
RecognitionGlobal Recognition Stacking Up
Cape Town has accumulated an almost absurd volume of international accolades in recent years. The Time Out ranking as Best City in the World 2025 (up from second place in 2024) was perhaps the most attention-grabbing, citing the city's beauty, varied attractions, and resident happiness. The Telegraph named it Top City for Travel for the eighth consecutive year, highlighting mountain-meets-sea landscapes, wine routes, culinary scene, and affordability. And AirHelp ranked Cape Town International Airport as the Best Airport in the World.
Multiple Cape Town hotels received Forbes Travel Guide star ratings in the 2026 edition. Cape Town dominated South Africa's listings, with only two non-Cape Town properties making the national grade. The recognition reinforces the city's positioning as Africa's premier luxury tourism destination.
Game ChangerThe Loadshedding Before & After
No single factor has transformed Cape Town's tourism prospects more dramatically than the end of routine loadshedding. Major daily loadshedding ended on 26 March 2024. In the entire calendar year of 2025, South Africa experienced only 26 hours of loadshedding total, spread across four evenings in April and May. As of March 2026, the country has gone 689 days without major daily power cuts.
Stage 6 and Diesel Generators
2023 was the worst year for loadshedding in South African history. Hotels ran generators around the clock. A Tourism Business Council survey found 40% of hospitality businesses invested in diesel generators, diverting funds from guest experience. Small guesthouses and Airbnbs without backup left guests in the dark. Reports of cancellations during peak season were widespread.
26 Hours in an Entire Year
By 2025, the power crisis was effectively over. Large hotels had already invested in solar and battery systems. Safari lodges, many of which had been off-grid for years, were unaffected throughout. Cape Town's own energy independence programme put the city ahead of other metros. The tourism industry's biggest operational headache vanished.
The Airbnb Paradox: Tourism's Growth Engine or Housing's Worst Enemy?
One of the most contentious threads running through Cape Town's tourism boom is the role of short-term rentals. Our own detailed analysis of Cape Town's Airbnb tax surfaced a data point that crystallises the tension: in popular tourist areas like Sea Point, a University of Waterloo researcher estimated that 26% of housing has been lost to Airbnb-style rentals. In the CBD, the figure is even more stark: roughly 70% of residential units are either hotel-managed or listed on short-term platforms.
The industry pushes back: dedicated short-term rentals represent just 0.9% of Cape Town's 818,000 formal housing units, a fraction too small to meaningfully drive the housing crisis. The real problem, they argue, is insufficient supply: Cape Town's population grew 28% since 2011 while housing stock has not kept pace. The sector contributes R14.4 billion to GDP and supports 42,000 jobs.
Risks: Oil, Rand, and the Recovery Gap
For all its momentum, Cape Town's tourism boom rests on foundations that are not as solid as the headline numbers suggest. Several structural and cyclical risks deserve attention.
Tourism recovery vs 2019 levels: SA lags East Africa
Source: SATSA, Stats SA, ACSA, Wesgro. Recovery as a percentage of 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels. Kenya and Tanzania data from 2024. SA overseas = long-haul arrivals only. Cape Town's international terminal is 18% above 2019, masking the national overseas shortfall.
The Overseas Recovery Gap
While total arrivals are above 2019 levels, overseas arrivals (the highest-spending segment) remain 9% below pre-pandemic numbers. Growth has been driven by regional African and domestic travel. Kenya and Tanzania have recovered to 134% and 142% of 2019 levels respectively. South Africa is stuck at ~82%.
Oil Prices and Long-Haul Airfares
Middle East tensions have pushed fuel costs higher and weakened the rand (R16.47/$). Long-haul airfares are directly linked to oil prices. A sustained oil spike would make Cape Town less competitive against closer destinations for European and North American travellers. Air access remains Cape Town's Achilles heel.
Airbnb Crackdown Uncertainty
The City's plan to reclassify full-time short-term rentals to commercial rates (135% increase) may push costs up for tourists. 26,500 Airbnb listings account for a huge share of accommodation supply. Higher nightly rates could affect Cape Town's affordability advantage.
Geographic Concentration
Cape Town and Kruger account for 69% of all tourist bed nights in South Africa (up from 60% in 2019). This concentration creates risk: any disruption specific to Cape Town (water crisis, political instability, extreme weather) would hit the national tourism economy disproportionately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything visitors, residents, and industry watchers need to know about Cape Town tourism in 2026.
Is Cape Town safe for tourists in 2026?
Cape Town's main tourist areas (V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Winelands) are generally safe with standard urban precautions. The City deploys tourism safety monitors at key sites during peak season. Private security and CIDs (City Improvement Districts) patrol commercial and tourism zones. The most common risks for tourists are petty theft, car break-ins, and opportunistic crime, not violent crime. Use ride-hailing apps after dark, avoid displaying expensive items, and lock valuables in hotel safes. Township tourism is best done with a reputable local guide.
Is loadshedding still a problem for tourists?
Effectively no. Major daily loadshedding ended on 26 March 2024, and the country has gone 689 days without sustained power cuts. In all of 2025, there were only 26 hours of loadshedding total. Most hotels and restaurants invested in solar, battery, and generator backup during the 2022-2023 crisis, so even if occasional outages return, the tourism sector is far more resilient than before. Small guesthouses and budget Airbnbs are the most likely to be affected, so it is worth asking about backup power when booking self-catering accommodation.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
It depends on what you want. Summer (December to February) offers the best beach weather (25-35°C), but it is peak season with highest prices and biggest crowds. Shoulder seasons (March to May, September to November) offer the best value: mild weather, fewer tourists, lower prices, and most attractions open. Winter (June to August) is the budget traveller's window, with flights up to 50% cheaper and hotel rates at their lowest. Winter also brings whale watching, fireside wine tastings, and the best safari conditions in the interior. Average winter temperatures are 11-18°C with some rain, but many days are clear and sunny.
What are the must-visit restaurants in Cape Town right now?
The current standout list includes: La Colombe (Constantia, best in Africa, #13 globally), FYN (CBD, kaiseki-style indigenous ingredients, UNESCO biodiversity partner), Amura (Mount Nelson Hotel, hottest new opening 2025/26), Ouzeri (Wale Street, Greek-Cape fusion, 50 Best Discovery nod), Terrarium (Queen Victoria Hotel, farm-to-table with a vegetarian menu), Seebamboes (surprise surf-and-turf, no menu), Ongetem (Canopy by Hilton, Bertus Basson's SA nostalgia), and Bus Cuisine (double-decker dining with coastal views). Book well in advance for peak season. Winter is the best time to get a table at top restaurants, often with special seasonal menus.
What new hotels are opening in Cape Town in 2026?
The biggest opening is The Cape Town Edition, Marriott's first Edition hotel in Africa, at the V&A Waterfront. Tintswalo Summer House opens in April 2026 with Mediterranean seafood and "dopamine decor." Palm House Boutique Hotel in Wynberg offers a converted 1920s grand home with boutique wines. The Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof opened in May 2025 and is already drawing attention. Cape Town's hotel development pipeline is the busiest since the 2010 World Cup.
How many tourists visit Cape Town each year?
Cape Town International Airport processed a record 11.1 million two-way passengers in 2025. Not all of these are tourists (the figure includes business travellers and residents), but it is the best proxy for visitor volume. December 2025 alone saw 1.12 million passengers. The city receives 228 international flights per week from 24 airlines. Tourism contributes an estimated R27.3 billion to Cape Town's economy and supports approximately 91,000 direct jobs, or about 7% of the workforce.
Will rising oil prices affect travel to Cape Town?
Potentially, yes. Cape Town is a long-haul destination for its biggest overseas markets (UK, Germany, USA). Airfare is the single largest cost component for European and North American visitors. A sustained oil price spike would increase long-haul airfares, making Cape Town less competitive against closer alternatives (Mediterranean, North Africa, Indian Ocean islands). The rand's weakness (R16.47/$) partially offsets this by making in-country spending cheaper for foreign visitors, but it does not help with the airfare barrier. Regional and domestic tourism, which drove most of the 2025 growth, would be less affected.
Why are overseas arrivals still below 2019 levels?
Several factors. South Africa's visa regime remains cumbersome for key growth markets (India, China). The country does not serve as a transit hub like Dubai or Istanbul, meaning travellers must make Cape Town a deliberate destination choice. Loadshedding damage to the brand (2022-2023) takes time to repair even after the problem is solved. And competing East African destinations (Kenya, Tanzania) have recovered faster, reaching 134% and 142% of 2019 levels respectively while South Africa sits at ~82%. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system being rolled out for India, China, Mexico, and Indonesia may help close the gap.
Is Cape Town's water supply secure for tourism?
Dam levels are a concern in 2026. Storage crossed below 50% in late March 2026 and is tracking significantly below 2025 levels. Cape Town has not imposed formal water restrictions yet, but usage has been elevated above the 1,000 million litres per day target. The 2017-2018 "Day Zero" crisis forced hotels and tourism businesses to invest in water-saving measures that remain in place. Most hotels have implemented low-flow showerheads, dual-flush toilets, and water recycling. Visitors should be mindful of water usage, but the tourism sector is well-prepared for managed restrictions.
What about the Airbnb crackdown? Will it affect tourists?
The City of Cape Town plans to enforce commercial rates on properties used primarily for full-time short-term letting, a 135% increase over residential rates. This targets full-time Airbnb operators, not occasional hosts. The likely effect on tourists is moderately higher nightly rates on Airbnb and Booking.com properties as hosts pass on increased costs. Hotel prices may also rise slightly as competition shifts. However, with 26,500 listings in Cape Town, supply remains abundant. The policy is still in draft form as of March 2026 and has not yet gone to public comment.
Sources & References
- Airport & Arrivals: IOL: 11M passengers (Jan 2026); InboundSA: Dec arrivals +11% (Jan 2026); Travel & Tour World (Jan 2026)
- National Tourism: NovaNews: 10.48M visitors (Jan 2026); SATSA: Recovery & geographic spread (2025); Stats SA: International tourism Jan 2025
- Awards: Wikipedia: Cape Town Tourism; Time Out: Forbes star ratings (Feb 2026)
- Loadshedding: es-capetown.com loadshedding tracker; EcoFlow: Loadshedding impact data; Cape Town Tourism: Loadshedding FAQ
- Hotels & Restaurants: The Points Guy: Cape Town Edition (Dec 2025); Best Fine Dining CT 2026; Happy Traveller: CT restaurants 2026; Cape Tourism: New restaurants 2026; InsideGuide: Top restaurants 2025
- Seasonality & Travel: Time Out: Why CT trails top cities (Dec 2025); Wesgro: CT visitor trends H1 2025
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