There are so many Cape Town travel guides on the market, it’s not easy to choose. Should you choose a 500-page one or a short and compact 150-page one? We love preparing for a trip and learning more about a country in advance. We’ve been to South Africa a few times, but somehow we just can’t get enough.

Whether it’s Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, the Kalahari Desert, the Wild Coast, the Garden Route, or Cape Town – the country is full of surprises and never gets boring. If you’re currently looking for a suitable Cape Town travel guide, then you shouldn’t miss the following article.

We present our favorite travel guides for your trip to South Africa and show you a few other cool books that make great travel reading. In addition, you’ll find over 60 articles on our South Africa travel blog that are sure to help you prepare for your trip. Enjoy browsing!

• 1. Short & sweet – Our DuMont favorite
• 2. More detailed – DuMont Cape Town travel guide & Cape Province
• 3. Cape Town travel guide with Garden Route & Winelands (travel know-how)
• 4. Very comprehensive – Mother City & the Garden Route (Iwanowksi)
• 5. Something different – An entertaining user guide for Cape Town
• 6. Cape Town travel guide – 111 must-see places
• 7. Entertaining South Africa faux pas guide
• 8. Exciting travel reading – books from and about Africa
• Our best tips for Cape Town

1. Short & sweet – our DuMont favorite

We are huge fans of the travel guides from DuMont Verlag and would therefore like to recommend the clear and compact Cape Town travel guide. On 120 pages you will learn more about the top sights of the “Mother City” and the Garden Route, about the Winelands, the Route 62 and about the excursions and activities.

So if you don’t feel like a really big tour, this guide will be just what you need. The author, Dieter Losskarn, has lived in Cape Town since 1994 and works there as a freelance journalist and photographer, among other things. He’s constantly on the move and therefore knows his way around Cape Town and the surrounding area very well.

2. More Detailed – DuMont Cape Town Travel Guide & Cape Province

Would you prefer something a little more detailed and want even more background information? Then this 308-page Cape Town travel guide might be more suitable for you. In this modern paperback, you’ll find all the information you need about the individual regions, authentic experiences, exciting tours, 3 city maps and 16 tour maps, plenty of addresses (restaurants, hotels, etc.), as well as travel tips for the top highlights of the city and the other surrounding regions.

Despite the many pages, everything is described briefly and concisely. We also really like the varied magazine section with exciting information and stories, as well as the many first-hand author tips.

3. Cape Town Travel Guide with Garden Route & Winelands (Reise-Know-How)

A similarly well-structured Cape Town travel guide (348 pages) is available from Reise-Know-How Verlag. This guide also presents the various regions in and around Cape Town in more detail, provides interesting travel routes, numerous activity suggestions, basic information on the top travel highlights, and specific hotel and restaurant recommendations.

However, if you are looking for more background information (history, economy, politics, etc.) and real insider tips, you should only buy this travel guide in combination with another travel guide (e.g., Stefan Loose or Iwanowski).

4. Very Comprehensive – Mother City & the Garden Route (Iwanowski)

A much more detailed travel guide about Cape Town is available from Iwanowski’s Travel Book Publishers. On more than 500 pages, you’ll learn everything about the beautiful Cape region, get plenty of good travel tips, and various route suggestions (one- to three-week round trips) for your individual trip to South Africa.

Nightlife, the art scene, shopping, excursion tips, sights, food, and drink are also covered in this Cape Town travel guide. This guide also includes around 40 detailed maps, which you can even download to your smartphone using a QR code. If you’re currently planning a trip to South Africa, you’ll be well prepared with this travel guide.

5. Something Different – An Entertaining User’s Guide to Cape Town

In addition to standard travel guides, you’ll also find other pretty cool books that are worth reading and tell you more about the country and its people. Highly recommended is the paperback by Elke Naters and Sven Lager entitled “User’s Guide to Cape Town and South Africa”.

The two authors don’t just show you the city’s top sights, but also reveal in an entertaining way which pitfalls you should avoid. In addition, their “instruction manual” provides you with numerous useful travel tips for everyday life. This paperback is a great addition to the well-known travel guides.

6. Cape Town Travel Guide – 111 Must-See Places

We also think the Cape Town travel guide “111 Must-See Places in Cape Town” by Rüdiger Liedtke and Laslo Trankovits is pretty cool. In this paperback, you’ll learn all about the city’s top highlights, cool excursion options, and exciting spots beyond the classic sights.

Those who have been to Cape Town once or more won’t necessarily find anything new in this book. However, if you’ve never been to the city, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your trip.

7. Entertaining Guide to South Africa’s Faux Puddings

Elena Beis’s “Faux Puddings Guide to South Africa” is more of an entertaining and fun travel preparation tool and informs you in a charming way about the country’s customs and traditions, the do’s and don’ts, and the country and its people. It is not a classic travel guide but can be used as a supplement.

8. Exciting travel reading – books from and about Africa

If you don’t just want to read and research in a Cape Town travel guide, we have some great book recommendations here:

• Breakfast with Elephants: As a Ranger in Africa*
• The Last Rhino: What I Learned About Life from an Endangered Species*
• An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the Herd Taught Me About Love, Grief, and the Courage to Live*
• The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Gentle Giants and What They Taught Me*
• The Wonderful Wild: What I Learn for Life from Africa’s Wilderness*
• Nelson Mandela – The Long Walk to Freedom*
• Lionhearts: Two on the Road in Africa*
• The White Maasai*
• Desert Flower*

Our best tips for Cape Town

You’ll also find numerous tips and highlights for Cape Town on our blog. Whether sights, excursion destinations, tours, or insider tips – we’ve collected many tips over the past few years.

We’ll answer questions like which district is best for staying overnight, what outdoor highlights await you, where you can go on a safari around Cape Town, and even which hiking routes we recommend for Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.

Cape Town Districts: Choosing the right district is crucial for your Cape Town experience. Cape Town is as diverse as its landscapes, and each district has its own charm. Learn more in our article.

Helicopter Sightseeing Flight over Cape Town: A helicopter flight over Cape Town is an absolute highlight, offering you breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. From Table Mountain to Robben Island and the dramatic coastline – the perspective from the air is unique. Learn more in our article.

Kitesurfing in Cape Town: Cape Town is a paradise for kitesurfers. The consistent wind and expansive beaches offer perfect conditions for beginners and professionals. The beaches north of Cape Town, such as Bloubergstrand and Big Bay, are particularly world-famous. Learn more in our article.

Hiking Table Mountain: A hike up Table Mountain is a must-do for every Cape Town visitor. There are various routes suitable for different fitness levels and preferences. Learn more in our article.

Cape Town Sights: Cape Town offers a wealth of sights. Here are our top 16 highlights you shouldn’t miss. Find out more in our article.

Activities in Cape Town: Cape Town offers a wealth of activities for every taste. From adrenaline-fueled adventures like shark cage diving and paragliding to leisurely wine tours through the Cape Winelands – the possibilities are endless. Find out more in our article.

Excursions from Cape Town: There’s also plenty to discover around Cape Town. Here are our top 10 excursions you can take from Cape Town. Learn more in our article.

Safari around Cape Town: There are several private game reserves around Cape Town where you can see the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino) without having to travel to Kruger. The Aquila Private Game Reserve or the Inverdoorn Game Reserve are ideal for a day trip or an overnight stay. Learn more in our article.

Outdoor Highlights: Cape Town also has an incredible amount to offer in terms of outdoor activities. Whether hiking, abseiling, boat tours, or sunset on Signal Hill – there’s something for everyone here. Learn more in our article.