Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, nestled between the Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 4.6 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 35 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 ZAR ≈ 0.059 USD; major currencies accepted at some tourist spots. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, but bottled water is recommended for tourists. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type M sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | MTN, Vodacom, and Cell C are popular options offering prepaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Standard Bank, Absa, and FNB are widely used; ATM networks are robust. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels to Airbnbs; average monthly rental for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is around ZAR 12,000. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental platforms such as SafariNow are popular. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | The Backpack and The Cape Town Lodge Hotel offer budget-friendly options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cape Town Creative and Workshop17 are popular coworking locations. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Company’s Garden Cafe offers great coffee and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are frequent; look for events on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like Cape Town Expats host regular gatherings to build community. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is the go-to for on-demand transport. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Social Bike Cape Town offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Camps Bay Beach is approximately 10 minutes away from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Airlink services popular regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | South African Airways and British Airways are major carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | N1 and N2 highways provide access to surrounding areas. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Cape Town Central Station is the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | MyCiTi bus system offers preloaded cards for easier travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services available to nearby cities like Stellenbosch and Paarl. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Groote Schuur Hospital is a leading facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga House near the city center provides classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Virgin Active at Cavendish Square is a popular chain. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Lady offers pickup and drop-off services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Mr D Food and UberEats offer diverse options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Don't miss Bobotie, a traditional Cape Malay dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Green Goose and Plant are popular vegetarian spots. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Charly's Bakery is well-known for its delicious cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Oranjezicht City Farm Market is great for local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Takealot.com is South Africa's leading online store. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Checkers 60/60 delivers groceries to your door. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Long Street is famous for nightlife with numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Devil's Peak Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Winehouse offers an extensive wine list from local vineyards. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at the Atlantic Seaboard are popular for quick bites. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Centro in the city serves excellent Italian fare. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Table Mountain and Robben Island are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Zeitz MOCAA showcases contemporary African art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Castle of Good Hope is one of the oldest structures in South Africa. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. George's Cathedral is known for its beautiful architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a highlight each year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Bo-Kaap is known for its vibrant colors and history. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Artscape Theatre Centre presents a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Neighbourgoods Market on Saturdays offers local crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Assembly hosts local and international acts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Woodstock area is known for its vibrant street art scene. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Cape Town Cooking Company offers hands-on culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Goodman Gallery features contemporary artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The District Six Museum presents the history of a once vibrant community. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Cape Malay culture is an integral part of the local heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cape Point Nature Reserve offers stunning coastal views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Table Mountain National Park encompasses a variety of landscapes. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Sea Point Promenade is ideal for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Signal Hill provides breathtaking views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas at Noordhoek Beach are popular for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and USPS provide reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair offers device repair services across Cape Town. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Cape Town hosts games across various venues. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Language School offers various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Cape Town Central Library is a great place for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Cape Town Community Centre hosts various local events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Giga Gaming Lounge offers modern setups for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | GrandWest Casino is the premier gaming venue in Cape Town. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 30,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 1,200,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 20,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ZAR 800,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 28,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 1,680,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 18,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ZAR 1,080,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ZAR 25,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 2,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ZAR 15,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ZAR 1,200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28% flat rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on municipal valuation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 7% on property transactions. |