Editing Cape Town (section)

== Economy ==
{{see also|Economy of the Western Cape}}
{| class="toc" style="float:right; font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin:1em;"
|-
| colspan="6" style="background:#afa;" | '''Top publicly traded companies<br />in the Cape Town/Stellenbosch<br />region for 2021'''<br />(ranked by market capitalisation)<br />''with Metropolitan and [[Johannesburg Stock Exchange|JSE]] ranks''
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|| '''Metro'''|||| style="background:#ccc;" | '''corporation'''|||| style="background:#ccc;" | '''JSE'''
|-
| 1|||| |[[Naspers]]||||4
|-
| 2|||||[[Capitec]]|||||14
|-
| 3|||| |[[Sanlam]]||||20
|-
| 4|||||[[Shoprite (retailer)|Shoprite]]||||24
|-
| 5||||[[Pepkor]]||||30
|-
| 6||||[[New Clicks Holdings Limited|Clicks]]||||32
|-
| 7|||| |[[Woolworths (South Africa)|Woolworths]]||||35
|-
| 8|||||[[Remgro]]||||37
|-
| colspan="5"|'''Source:''' ''JSE top 40''<ref>{{Cite web |title=JSE top 40 |url=https://sashares.co.za/jse-top-40/#gs.adg1tc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228070902/https://sashares.co.za/jse-top-40/#gs.adg1tc |archive-date=28 February 2018 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=SAshares.co.za}}</ref>
|}
Cape Town is [[South Africa]]'s second main economic centre and [[Africa]]'s third main economic hub city. It serves as the regional manufacturing centre in the Western Cape. In 2019, the city's [[Gross metropolitan product|GMP]] of R489 billion<ref name="Cape Town 2020">{{Cite web |date=June 2021 |title=State of Cape Town Report 2020 |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/State_of_Cape_Town_Report_2020.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222152234/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/State_of_Cape_Town_Report_2020.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |website=City of Cape Town |language=en}}</ref> (US$33.04 billion)<ref name="SARS 2019">{{Cite web |title=Sars Rates Of Exchange |url=https://tools.sars.gov.za/rex/Rates/MultipleDefault.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222105417/https://tools.sars.gov.za/rex/Rates/MultipleDefault.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |website=tools.sars.gov.za |quote=US$-ZAR exchange rate for 1 July 2019}}</ref> represented 71.1% of the Western Cape's total [[Gross regional domestic product|GRP]] and 9.6% of South Africa's total GDP;<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> the city also accounted for 11.1%<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> of all employed people in the country and had a citywide [[GDP per capita]] of R111,364<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> (US$7,524).<ref name="SARS 2019" />

Since the [[Great Recession]], the city's economic growth rate has mirrored South Africa's decline in growth; the population growth rate for the city has remained steady at around 2% a year.<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> Around 80% of the city's economic activity is generated by the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]] of the economy with the finance, retail, real-estate, food and beverage industries being the four largest contributors to the city's economic growth rate.<ref name="Cape Town 2020" />

In 2008, the city was considered the most entrepreneurial city in South Africa, with the percentage of Capetonians pursuing business opportunities almost three times higher than the national average. Capetonians aged between 18 and 64 were 190% more likely to pursue new business, whilst in Johannesburg, the same demographic group was only 60% more likely than the national average to pursue a new business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2008 |title=Cape Town breeds entrepreneurs: Fin24: Business |url=http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-1786_2389511 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126202204/http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-1786_2389511 |archive-date=26 January 2009 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Fin24}}</ref>

With the highest number of successful [[information technology]] companies in Africa, Cape Town is an important centre for the industry on the continent.<ref name="IT leads">{{Cite web |date=27 March 2007 |title=Cape Town Leads In Information Technology |url=http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eng/pubs/news/2007/mar/154622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729151102/http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eng/pubs/news/2007/mar/154622 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |access-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> This includes an increasing number of companies in the [[space industry]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oni |first=David |date=15 June 2021 |title=Cape Town Startups Stake their Claim in the Small Satellite Industry |url=https://africanews.space/cape-town-startups-stake-their-claim-in-the-small-satellite-industry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827132445/https://africanews.space/cape-town-startups-stake-their-claim-in-the-small-satellite-industry/ |archive-date=27 August 2022 |access-date=4 August 2022 |website=Space in Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> Growing at an annual rate of 8.5% and an estimated worth of R77{{spaces}}billion in 2010, nationwide the high tech industry in Cape Town is becoming increasingly important to the city's economy.<ref name="IT leads" /> A number of entrepreneurial initiatives and universities hosting technology startups such as [[Jumo]], Yoco, Aerobotics, Luno, [[Rain (telecommunications)|Rain]] telecommunication and The Sun Exchange are located in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2018 |title=Eight SA startups to look out for in 2019 |url=https://ventureburn.com/2018/12/eight-sa-startups-to-watch-in-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829172645/https://ventureburn.com/2018/12/eight-sa-startups-to-watch-in-2019/ |archive-date=29 August 2019 |access-date=19 January 2020 |website=Venture Burn}}</ref>
[[File:2018-07-20 View from Wikicite meetup at Wikimania (6).jpg|thumb|Skyscrapers in [[City Bowl]]]]

The city has the largest film industry in the [[Southern Hemisphere]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Film Industry {{!}} IE3 Global |url=https://ie3global.org/internship/cape-town-film-industry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119070259/https://ie3global.org/internship/cape-town-film-industry/ |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> generating R5 billion (US$476.19 million) in revenue and providing an estimated 6,058 direct and 2,502 indirect jobs in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asad and Searching for Sugarman Have Done Us Proud |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/asad-and-searching-sugarman-have-done-us-proud |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627221007/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/asad-and-searching-sugarman-have-done-us-proud |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Western Cape Government |language=en}}</ref> Much of the industry is based out of the [[Cape Town Film Studios]].

As of 2024, Cape Town's labor force consists of 1.1 million workers. The largest sector in Cape Town is the professional and business services industry, which accounts for 29.61% of the city's workforce.

Within this sector, the professional, scientific, and technical services industry accounts for 23.34% (about 254,600 people) of the city's employment, which is the highest of any other industry.

The construction industry is the second-largest by number of employees, as it accounts for 9.29% (around 101,300 people) of the city's employment. The manufacturing sector, the second largest sector, also accounts for a large part of the city's employment opportunities as it provides 18.15% of the city's employment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroverse {{!}} Harvard Growth Lab |url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/3268/economic-composition |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=metroverse.cid.harvard.edu |language=en}}</ref>

Cape Town has significantly above-average economic performance amongst its South African metropolitan peers. In 2025, according to [[Statistics South Africa]] (Stats SA), Cape Town had the lowest unemployment rate out of all South African cities. Whereas unemployment increased in some cities across the country, in Cape Town, employment increased, with the city diverging from a national trend and adding 86,000 jobs. The [[Mayor of Cape Town]] attributed this growth to good governance and [[infrastructure]] investments, creating an attractive [[business]] environment and an increase in [[tourism]].<ref name= "Cape Town Deviates from National Labour Trends">{{cite web|url= https://www.enca.com/business-videos/discussion-cape-town-deviates-national-labour-trends |title= Cape Town Deviates from National Labour Trends |author= |publisher= eNCA |date= 14 May 2025 |access-date= 14 May 2025 }}</ref>

=== Major companies ===
[[File:Naspers Media24 building.jpg|thumb|The [[Naspers Centre]] is the headquarters of [[Naspers]], the largest listed company headquartered in Cape Town.]]
Cape Town is home to the headquarters of many of South Africa's largest companies, across a variety of industries. One major industry is [[retail]], with the city housing the headquarters of 9 of South Africa's major retail companies, including most of its largest [[supermarket]] chains. Another major industry for the city is [[technology company|tech]], with Cape Town being considered South Africa's tech hub. Other industries include insurance, publishing, design, fashion, shipping, petrochemicals, architecture, advertising, real estate, and tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Economic Development |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Pages/EconomicStatistics.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116103224/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Pages/EconomicStatistics.aspx |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=City of Cape Town: Economic Statistics |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>

Some of the most notable companies headquartered in the city are [[food]] and [[fashion]] retailer [[Woolworths (South Africa)|Woolworths]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Contact |url=http://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/media/media_contact.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102160839/http://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/media/media_contact.asp |archive-date=2 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Woolworths |publisher=Woolworths Holdings Limited}}</ref> major [[supermarket]] chains [[Pick n Pay]], [[Checkers (supermarket chain)|Checkers]], and [[Shoprite (South Africa)|Shoprite]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=EMIS |title=Pick n Pay Holdings Ltd |url=http://www.securities.com/Public/company-profile/ZA/PICK_N_PAY_HOLDINGS_LIMITED_en_2038423.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417092442/http://www.securities.com/Public/company-profile/ZA/Pick_n_Pay_Holdings_Limited_en_2038423.html |archive-date=17 April 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Emerging Markets Information Service |publisher=EMIS}},</ref> healthcare and personal care retail chain [[Clicks (South Africa)|Clicks]], fashion retailers [[Pepkor]], [[Ackermans]], [[Truworths]], and [[Foschini Group]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=http://www.foschini.co.za/foschini/content/en/foschini-contact-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116113904/http://www.foschini.co.za/foschini/content/en/foschini-contact-us |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Foshini Group |publisher=Foschini}}</ref> internet service provider [[MWEB]], [[Mediclinic Group]], [[Etv (South Africa)|eTV]], multinational [[mass media]] giant [[Naspers]], major [[financial services]] organizations [[Sanlam]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=http://www.sanlam.co.za/wps/wcm/connect/sanlam_en/sanlam/about+sanlam/who+we+are |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116114758/http://www.sanlam.co.za/wps/wcm/connect/sanlam_en/sanlam/about%2Bsanlam/who%2Bwe%2Bare |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Sanlam}}</ref> [[Old Mutual|Old Mutual Park]],<ref name="OM_history">{{Cite web |title=Old Mutual History |url=https://www.oldmutual.com/about/175-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517103515/https://www.oldmutual.com/about/175-birthday/ |archive-date=17 May 2022 |access-date=18 April 2011 |publisher=Oldmutual.com}}</ref> [[Allan Gray (investment management company)|Allan Gray]], [[Coronation Fund Managers|Coronation]], airline [[LIFT (airline)|LIFT]], major [[real estate]] company [[Pam Golding Property Group|Pam Golding]], South Africa's largest [[e-commerce]] company, [[Takealot.com|Takealot]], and the country's largest fuel company, [[Engen Petroleum]].

Other notable companies include [[Stodels]], [[Travelstart]], [[Wootware]], [[Xneelo]], [[Yuppiechef]], [[Belron]], [[Ceres Fruit Juices]], [[Coronation Fund Managers]], [[Vida e Caffè]], and [[Capitec Bank]]. The city is a manufacturing base for several multinational companies including, [[Johnson & Johnson]], [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[Levi Strauss & Co.]], [[Adidas]], [[Bokomo|Bokomo Foods]], [[Yoco]], and [[Nampak]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} [[Amazon Web Services]] maintains one of its largest facilities in the world in Cape Town, with the city serving as the Africa headquarters for its parent company, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff Writer |title=Amazon to set up South African headquarters in R4 billion Cape Town development |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/cloud-hosting/484385/amazon-to-set-up-south-african-headquarters-in-r4-billion-cape-town-development/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420082022/https://businesstech.co.za/news/cloud-hosting/484385/amazon-to-set-up-south-african-headquarters-in-r4-billion-cape-town-development/ |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon to set up African headquarters in Cape Town |url=https://www.iol.co.za/technology/software-and-internet/amazon-to-set-up-african-headquarters-in-cape-town-ccb9564b-cbe6-4f56-9c53-809ddb5dfcab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421133659/https://www.iol.co.za/technology/software-and-internet/amazon-to-set-up-african-headquarters-in-cape-town-ccb9564b-cbe6-4f56-9c53-809ddb5dfcab |archive-date=21 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref>

=== Inequality ===
The city of Cape Town's [[Gini coefficient]] of 0.58<ref>{{Cite web |last=Western Cape Government |date=2017 |title=SEP Socio-Economic Profile: City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153612/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2019 |access-date=16 February 2019 |website=westerncape.gov.za}}</ref> is lower than South Africa's Gini coefficient of 0.7. This makes it more equal than the rest of the country, including any other major South African city, although still highly unequal by international standards.<ref name="IOL inequality">{{Cite web |date=4 December 2012 |title=Cape Town least unequal SA city – Politics &#124; IOL News |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/cape-town-least-unequal-sa-city-1.1435199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112205522/http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/cape-town-least-unequal-sa-city-1.1435199#.UjdA9KwazCR |archive-date=12 January 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=IOL.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Geni2000">{{Cite web |date=August 2005 |title=A profile of the Western Cape province: Demographics, poverty, inequality and unemployment |url=http://www.elsenburg.com/provide/documents/BP2005_1_1%20Demographics%20WC.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624163440/http://elsenburg.com/provide/documents/BP2005_1_1%20Demographics%20WC.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2011 |access-date=30 January 2012 |publisher=Elsenburg}}</ref>

Between 2001 and 2010 the city's Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, improved by dropping from 0.59 in 2007 to 0.57 in 2010<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Regional Development Profile – City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/text/2011/12/dc0_city_of_cape_town_15_dec_2011_(mb).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616203157/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/Text/2011/12/dc0_city_of_cape_town_15_dec_2011_(mb).pdf |archive-date=16 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Western Cape Government |page=23}}</ref> only to increase to 0.58 by 2017.<ref name="Socio-economic profile">{{Cite web |last=Western Cape Government |date=2017 |title=SEP Socio-Economic Profile: City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153612/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2019 |website=westerncape.gov.za}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Clifton Beachs.jpg|thumb|[[Clifton, Cape Town|Clifton Beach]] is one of Cape Town's most famous beaches]]
[[File:Ciudad del Cabo, Kirstenbosch NBG 29.jpg|thumb|[[Table Mountain]] from the [[Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden]]]]
[[File:Boulders Beach 2019 2.jpg|thumb|[[African penguin]]s at [[Boulders Beach|Boulders Penguin Colony]]]]

The Western Cape is a highly important tourist region in South Africa; the tourism industry accounts for 9.8% of the GDP of the province and employs 9.6% of the province's workforce. In 2010, over 1.5{{spaces}}million international tourists visited the area.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.capetownroutesunlimited.org/ctru/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=18219 |title=Annual Report 2010 |publisher=Cape Town Routes Unlimited |isbn=0-621-35496-1 |format=PDF |access-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915071746/http://www.capetownroutesunlimited.org/ctru/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=18219 |archive-date=15 September 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

Cape Town is not only a popular international tourist destination in [[South Africa]], but [[Africa]] as a whole. This is due to its mild climate, natural setting, costal geography and well-developed infrastructure.

The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably [[Table Mountain]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table Mountain Aerial Cableway |url=http://www.thecape.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218093401/http://thecape.org/ |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=21 April 2008}}</ref> which forms a large part of the [[Table Mountain National Park]] and is the back end of the [[City Bowl, Cape Town|City Bowl]]. Reaching the top of the mountain can be achieved either by hiking up, or by taking the [[Table Mountain Cableway]]. [[Cape Point]] is the dramatic headland at the end of the [[Cape Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Point |url=http://www.capepoint.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071905/http://www.capepoint.co.za/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Cape Point}}</ref>

Many tourists also drive along [[Chapman's Peak|Chapman's Peak Drive]], a narrow road that links [[Noordhoek, Cape Town|Noordhoek]] with [[Hout Bay, Cape Town|Hout Bay]], for the views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains. It is possible to either drive or hike up [[Signal Hill (Cape Town)|Signal Hill]] for closer views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain.<ref>"[https://www.vibescout.com/za/post/botanical-gardens South Africa National Botanical Gardens] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006211524/https://www.vibescout.com/za/post/botanical-gardens |date=6 October 2017}}" .Vibescout.com. Retrieved 4 October 2017</ref>

Many tourists also visit [[Beaches of Cape Town|Cape Town's beaches]], which are popular with local residents.<ref name="CTbeaches">{{Cite web |title=Beaches, Cape Town, South Africa |url=http://www.safarinow.com/destinations/cape-town/places.aspx?tid=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903214936/http://www.safarinow.com/destinations/cape-town/places.aspx?tid=2 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Safarinow.com}}</ref> It is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere.
Both coasts are popular, although the beaches in affluent [[Clifton, Cape Town|Clifton]] and elsewhere on the Atlantic Coast are better developed with restaurants and cafés, with a strip of restaurants and bars accessible to the beach at [[Camps Bay]].

The Atlantic seaboard, known as Cape Town's [[Riviera]], is regarded as one of the most scenic routes in South Africa; along the slopes of the Twelve Apostles to the boulders and white sand beaches of [[Llandudno, Cape Town|Llandudno]], with the route ending in [[Hout Bay]], a diverse suburb with a fishing and recreational boating harbour near a small island with a breeding colony of African fur seals.

This suburb is also accessible by road from the Constantia valley over the mountains to the northeast, and via the picturesque [[Chapman's Peak]] drive from the residential suburb Noordhoek in the Fish Hoek valley to the south-east.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town: Chapman's Peak Drive |url=https://www.excessodebagagem.com.br/o-que-fazer-em-cape-town-principais-pontos-turisticos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727061636/https://www.excessodebagagem.com.br/o-que-fazer-em-cape-town-principais-pontos-turisticos/ |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> [[Boulders Beach]] near [[Simon's Town]] is known for its colony of [[African penguin]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The African Penguin |url=http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102120851/http://simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Simonstown.com}}</ref>

The city has several notable cultural attractions. The [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront]], built on top of part of the [[dock (maritime)|docks]] of the Port of Cape Town, is the city's most visited tourist attraction. It is also one of the city's most popular shopping venues, with several hundred shops as well as the [[Two Oceans Aquarium]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=V&A Waterfront |url=http://www.waterfront.co.za/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109225059/http://www.waterfront.co.za/ |archive-date=9 November 2013 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Waterfront.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Sinclair 2011">{{Cite web |last=Ingrid Sinclair |date=30 September 2011 |title=Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town, South Africa |url=http://www.aquarium.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928234331/http://www.aquarium.co.za/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Aquarium.co.za}}</ref>

The V&A also hosts the Nelson Mandela Gateway, through which [[ferry|ferries]] depart for [[Robben Island]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=Robben Island Museum |url=http://www.robben-island.org.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004093643/http://info@robben-island.org.za/ |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Robben-island.org.za}}</ref> It is possible to take a ferry from the V&A to [[Hout Bay, Cape Town|Hout Bay]], [[Simon's Town, Cape Town|Simon's Town]] and the [[Cape fur seal]] colonies on Seal and Duiker Islands. Several companies offer tours of the [[Cape Flats]], a region of mostly Coloured & Black [[Township (South Africa)|townships]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table Mountain Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail Cape Town |url=https://www.capetownmagazine.com/table-mountain-aint-no-mountain-high-enough/0_22_35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210212638/http://www.capetownmagazine.com/todonight/Western-Cape/Townships/Township-BaBs-Discover-what-true-African-hospitality-is-all-about~11 |archive-date=10 February 2010 |website=www.capetownmagazine.com |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Within the metropolitan area, the most popular areas for visitors to stay include Camps Bay, [[Sea Point]], the [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront|V&A Waterfront]], the [[City Bowl, Cape Town|City Bowl]], [[Hout Bay]], [[Constantia, Cape Town|Constantia]], [[Rondebosch]], [[Newlands, Cape Town|Newlands]], and [[Somerset West]].<ref name="CTtourismstats">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Tourism Statistics |url=http://www.capetown-direct.com/article/cape-town-tourism-statistics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107151526/http://www.capetown-direct.com/article/cape-town-tourism-statistics |archive-date=7 November 2006 |publisher=Cape Town Direct}}</ref> In November 2013, Cape Town was voted the best global city in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'s'' annual Travel Awards.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2013 |title=Telegraph Travel Awards 2013: Favourite cities |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10476790/Telegraph-Travel-Awards-2013-Favourite-cities.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202182330/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10476790/Telegraph-Travel-Awards-2013-Favourite-cities.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref>

Cape Town offers tourists a range of air, land and sea-based adventure activities, including helicopter rides, [[paragliding]] and [[skydiving]], snorkelling and [[scuba diving]], boat trips, game-fishing, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. [[Surfing]] is popular and the city hosts the [[Red Bull Big Wave Africa]] surfing competition every year, and there is some local and international recreational scuba tourism.<ref>[https://www.capetown.travel/cape-town-adventure/ Cape Town Tourism capetown.travel] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226144422/https://www.capetown.travel/cape-town-adventure/ |date=26 December 2019 }}, retrieved 26 December 2019</ref>

The City of Cape Town works closely with Cape Town Tourism to promote the city both locally and internationally. The primary focus of Cape Town Tourism is to represent Cape Town as a tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tenant of the month: Cape Town Tourism |url=https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/blog/entry/tenant-of-the-month-cape-town-tourism |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604161411/https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/blog/entry/tenant-of-the-month-cape-town-tourism |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=citysightseeing.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Fin24">{{Cite web |title=CT Tourism celebrates tenth birthday |url=http://www.fin24.com/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/CT-Tourism-celebrates-tenth-birthday-20141103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604100137/http://www.fin24.com/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/CT-Tourism-celebrates-tenth-birthday-20141103 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=Fin24}}</ref> Cape Town Tourism receives a portion of its funding from the City of Cape Town while the remainder is made up of membership fees and own-generated funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Tourism dealt budget cut blow |url=http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Africa/Cape-Town-Tourism-dealt-budget-cut-blow-20121019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220064600/http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Africa/Cape-Town-Tourism-dealt-budget-cut-blow-20121019 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=News24}}</ref>

The [[Tristan da Cunha]] government owns and operates a lodging facility in Cape Town which charges discounted rates to Tristan da Cunha residents and non-resident natives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tristan da Cunha Accommodation |url=https://www.tristandc.com/visitsaccommodation.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221135726/https://www.tristandc.com/visitsaccommodation.php |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government & Tristan da Cunha Association}}</ref> Cape Town's transport system links it to the rest of South Africa; it serves as the gateway to other destinations within the province. The [[Cape Winelands]] and in particular the towns of [[Stellenbosch, Western Cape|Stellenbosch]], [[Paarl, Western Cape|Paarl]] and [[Franschhoek, Western Cape|Franschhoek]] are popular day trips from the city for sightseeing and [[wine tasting]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Winelands |url=http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924231340/http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za/ |archive-date=24 September 2004 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Tourismcapewinelands.co.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Western Cape wine lands |url=http://www.winelands.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214131214/http://www.winelands.co.za/ |archive-date=14 February 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Winelands.co.za}}</ref>