Experience hosted by Gilbert, Elizabeth & other locals
Private Tour
Carbon Neutral
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Cape Town, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Cape Town.
Destination
Cape Town, Republic of South Africa
Category
City Highlight Tours
Duration
5 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English, Hindi
Included
Private guide
1 Local snack or drink
Public Transport
All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral
Excluded
Entrance tickets
6 reasons to book this tour
All the must-see sights & highlights
Tons of local insights & hidden gems
Take your time to discover Cape Town
Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
Connect with your local private host
Inspiring stories on the city’s history & culture
What you can expect
If you're wondering how to get a broader picture of Cape Town, you only need this private city tour and a knowledgeable city expert by your side! Go to the city's must-sees and cover more ground on this extended city tour of Cape Town. See the essentials and learn what makes Cape Town such a fascinating place, from the most interesting landmarks to hidden gems, local food recommendations, and inspiring stories.
Get to know Cape Town like the back of your hand and let your local host give you a more in-depth understanding of the city. Check out The Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap, and Cape Town City Hall, and many more highlights that your host has in store for you. Embrace the local culture as you get orientated with the city, thanks to the incredible insights, stories, and recommendations of the local host of your choice.
What makes this tour more attractive is each one of the hosts available will show you their city. Depending on the host, your tour will vary according to their expertise and passion, of course, also taking into consideration your interests and requests, making it a more personal and fulfilling experience. The best way to discover Cape Town in just one day!
After this complete Cape Town tour, you can enjoy the rest of your stay going further, off the beaten path, and taking in the local culture. So, why not a food tour or an evening experience? Now that you know everything about Cape Town, it's time for you to enjoy it away from the touristy spots!
Any questions? Pick your favorite local and go ahead, ask them about anything that pops into your mind. Get all the answers you need for the perfect Cape Town trip. Locals always know best. Did you know that this private tour can be personalized? Yes! Get in touch with your local host, and they'll make your wishes come true.
Choose your local
Get to know these 11 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.
Gilbert
The Neighbourhood Host
4.9185 reviews
English
Elizabeth
The Hide-Away Seeker
5.027 reviews
English
Parinita
The Social Host
4.731 reviews
Hindi・English
Rushdi
The Cape Town Guru
5.051 reviews
English
Trevor
The Wine Professional
4.926 reviews
English
Christopher
The Cultural Buff
4.944 reviews
English
Bulelani
The Outdoorsy Historian
4.418 reviews
English
Veliswa
The Adventurous Outdoorsy
4.615 reviews
English
Daryl
The Outdoor Photographer
4.815 reviews
English
Sebastian
your fun holiday guy😊
4.9151 reviews
English
Safwaan
The Chef Guide
5.08 reviews
English
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.
Meeting point
Meet at In front of the City Hall - Cape Town to start your journey
Itinerary
This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
City Highlights
See The Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town City Hall, and more must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots of the city so you can get the perfect overview to what makes Cape Town so special
Hidden Gems
long the way, your local host will show you treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Get to know the city through a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that not many tourists get to experience
Special Treat
Follow your host to one of their favorite eateries for a snack or a drink beloved by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend and get the answers to all your travel questions
More Things to See
With more time, you’ll have the chance to enter some of the landmarks and attractions your host has planned for you. Get in touch with the host of your choice to hear more about their plan
Make it yours
Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
Flexible cancellation policy
Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Robert🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
21 February 2025
Gilbert was extremely knowledgeable and friendly . If you want to see and learn about Cape Town he is the perfect host.Cape Town Tour
Sally🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
6 January 2025
Gilbert was very friendly and informative about central Cape Town and it's transformation over the years. He answered all our questions . We tasted local foods. He was particularly informative about political issues over time.
Great local insite into Capetown.
Jan🇳🇱 Netherlands
(About local )
4 March 2025
Gilbert, onze gids heeft met veel passie en overgave verteld over het Six-district tijdens de wandeling van ruim 3 uur door dit gebied. Wat is daar veel gebeurd wat maar weinig mensen weten, onthullend en soms ook wel hartverscheurend.Beleving
Rupert
(About local )
4 March 2025
We had a wonderful few hours with Bulelani who was a brilliant guide getting us to chomp our way under the skin of cape town. An excellent mix of history and modern culture while also being great company. Highly recommended. Fantastic experience
Joel🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
3 March 2025
We spent 2 days walking with Parinita and got a great exposure to the old part of the city. She was knowledgeable, friendly and a pleasure to be with. She had a plan but also made adjustments to accommodate any request we made. Wonderful time with Parinita
Sharon🇸🇬 Singapore
(About local )
3 March 2025
If you are a foodie, this is a must do tour whilst you are in Cape Town. Gilbert is an excellent guide and truly it felt like we were just hanging out with a group of friends, learning about the local South African food as well as culture and history.
We met up at city hall and was already introduced to the Nelson Mandela statue. We walked around the city eating at places we would never have gone if we were not with Gilbert. We went to 5-6 different eateries and ate/drank about 15 different food items. All of it was just so tasty. One of the highlights was the malva pudding that Gilbert made himself.
Because he brought us walking through the whole city, we really got to see and experience the place like locals do. The people were so friendly. We spent time walking off what we ate which was needed. The gardens was lovely and we also got to spot the white squirrels.
We were very lucky to have gotten Gilbert as our tour guide. He was so passionate and knowledgeable. Also with a good sense of humour. What was better was for the food we couldn’t finish, Gilbert did not hesitate to pack it up and to give it to the homeless people who came up to us.
Highly recommend this tour! Best Food Tour in Cape Town
sherri🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
2 March 2025
So helpful and fun and knowledgeable! We loved our experience with Sebastian! We would book again! Excellent guide!
Julien
(About local )
1 March 2025
loved this experience with Sebastian ! It was much more than just a tour—it was a full immersion into the local culture, filled with fascinating stories and hidden gems. Sebastian is truly passionate and knows how to share their love for Cape Town with enthusiasm and kindness. I discovered incredible places and learned so much about the history and local life. A unique and authentic experience that I 100% recommend!
Nick🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
28 February 2025
Our tour with Christopher was interesting and informative. Christopher was the perfect guide and we learnt lots of interesting facts about Capetown. We enjoyed the food particularly the bunny chow. Highly recommend Chris as a guide, he has a great sense of humour and you felt that you were travelling with a friend. Thank you.Food and culture tour Capetown
Ingo🇿🇦 South Africa
(About local )
26 February 2025
The tour with Gilbert through District Six, Salt River, and Observatory was absolutely outstanding! Gilbert is an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable guide who leads the tour with passion and deep insight into the history and culture of these fascinating neighborhoods. The tour was full of interesting facts, captivating stories, and unique perspectives that you wouldn’t get without such a dedicated guide. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to explore Cape Town beyond the usual tourist spots! Thank you Gilbert!!!Diving into real Cale Town
Paul🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
25 February 2025
What a wonderful start to our time in Cape Town. We would recommend doing this tour at the start of your visit. A great way to get your bearings and to learn about the culture and food of Cape Town. Gilbert is a great guide who is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the City. Gilbert is very responsive and also gives great tips and advice. It really was the perfect start to our holiday. Culture and food
Peter
(About local )
22 February 2025
It was a absolutely pleasure you get WithLocal to support us with a guided trip though Cape Town. Theo was more than a guide, he was our best buddy in down town Cape Town. Like a brother, who knows every details, every small corner and stories in the city. It was fantastic to drop in to random shops, get out though the backdoor, taste food the right places and with a gentle gestus make sure that any left-overs was shared with the right people. Theo listed to what we would like to see and explore and meet our wish to more than perfection. If you have a few hours available in Cape Town and want to learn more about the fascinating history of Cape Town then hire Theo. 200% worth the investment A knowledgeable gentle rock in central CT
Bruce🇨🇦 Canada
(About local )
22 February 2025
Thank you for taking us on an informative tour of Capetown. Well done Great walking toyr
Pelin🇹🇷 Turkey
(About local )
21 February 2025
I had a fantastic time in Cape Town thanks to Elizabeth. She is not only a great character with the kindest heart but also a wonderful guide who made my trip in Cape Town unforgettable. She knows so much about the city, and gives her full self to make you have the best experience out of it.
Thanks Elizabeth for everything ❤️AMAZING WOMAN, FANTASTIC GUIDE
Amanda🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
20 February 2025
Gilbert was fantastic. We asked to start our tour late in the day as our plane landed at midday. He accommodated us and made sure we still had the full experience. We had amazing local delights, some of which had even been made by Gilbert himself. Some places we went stayed open late to feed us, all arranged in advance. On top of the food we learned everything we could about the city, the culture and history of Cape Town. We certainly didn’t go hungry and were even able to support the locals in need with our leftovers. A highly recommended tour.Perfect combi - Food and sights
Colin
(About local )
15 February 2025
Bulelani guided us through District Six and Woodstock, telling us about the areas and their history, with plenty of personal stories and anecdotes to bring it to life. A rewarding and enjoyable few hours.Full of insights
Catriona🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
14 February 2025
We had an outstanding 4 hour walking tour with Sebastian - a detailed historical tour of Cape Town matched with an openness about South Africa past & present. A joyful and informative afternoon to be repeated next time in SA. Outstanding afternoon tour with Sebastian
Jasmine
(About local )
13 February 2025
Veliswa made us feel really comfortable on the Table Mountain hike. She was warm, knowledgeable, helpful and just generally a great guide.
We would recommend her for any tours around Cape Town!
Thank you Veliswa! Excellent tour guide for Table Mountain
rpc6b2mgsk
(About local )
12 February 2025
Gilbert was a fantastic host and guide. We learned so much as he was able to share not just the food culture of SA but also his personal experience and understanding of the recent history and politics of the city and country with lots of personal insights and anecdotes. A truly interactive and fascinating day. Wonderful host and great experience
Julia
(About local )
10 February 2025
Gilbert provided an interesting tour of Woodstock and surrounding areas, blending history, art, and culture. He was knowledgeable, shared interesting details and was happy to answer all our questions along the way. The tour had a good pace, and he adapted well to our group’s interests and needs. At the end, Gilbert also gave us some great food recommendations, which rounded off the experience nicely. We had a great time with Gilbert! Great woodstock tour with Gilbert
Roswitha
(About local )
10 February 2025
We enjoyed every minute with Theo who took us around the heart of Cape Town and shared his immense treasure of insides with us: history, politics, architecture, social issues, in addition an introduction into local botanics and inside stories over stories…. All this at a very relaxing and agreeable pace, no rush, always mindful of his clients interests and preferences…. No questions remained unanswered and his explanations truly broadened our perspectives…. He provided us a broader perspective on life in Cape Town and a view behind the scenes! All in all a very worthwhile experience…. time flew and we could have continued much longer… finally his restaurant recommendation was spot on too!!!! And above all he is a very nice guy….. Many thanks Theo …. Three cheers to you!! Rosie and JogiThoughtful, informative and entertaining
Nathalie
(About local )
8 February 2025
Gilbert is a very Nice person. He made us discover plenty of things. Thank you !Wonderfull.
Clint🇳🇿 New Zealand
(About local )
26 January 2025
We arrived late in Cape town, and Gilbert accommodated us, even meeting us on the side of the road to find parking as we drop in from the airport. It was an amazing day, learning all the history and the food was really tasty. Thanks for sharing your wonderful history with us. God bless, Clint and Louise. An amazing day
Flemming🇧🇪 Belgium
(About local )
25 January 2025
We had the absolute pleasure of spending two days with Trevor as our private guide, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience! From the moment Trevor arrived, it was clear that he was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely kind and passionate about sharing the beauty and history of the Cape Town area.
On our first day, we started with a visit to the colorful Bo-Kaap, where Trevor shared fascinating insights into the rich cultural history of the area. Then, we made our way to the iconic Cape of Good Hope. On the drive there, Trevor pointed out so much local wildlife that we would have easily missed on our own. His keen eye and deep understanding of the natural environment really made the journey come alive! Once we reached Cape of Good Hope, Trevor’s knowledge of the history, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes made the experience even more special. We then wrapped up the day at Boulders Beach, where Trevor gave us a deeper understanding of the penguin conservation efforts—such a memorable visit!
On our second day, we headed to Stellenbosch, where we visited some incredible wineries. Trevor’s expertise in wine truly made the experience stand out, and his recommendations were perfect. We enjoyed fantastic wines in beautiful vineyard settings while learning about the wine-making process from Trevor’s knowledgeable perspective.
Trevor was always punctual, thoughtful, and accommodating, ensuring we were comfortable and making the most of every moment. If you’re looking for a guide who knows Cape Town inside and out, can show you both the iconic sights and hidden gems, and is a genuinely kind person, we highly recommend Trevor!
Amazing
Andrew
(About local )
16 January 2025
Parinita really cares about her city and tailoring the experience to suit your proclivities.Warm and friendly
Catherine
(About local )
15 January 2025
Gilbert was sensational and taught us about the cultural history and found it very interesting to learn about the food and cultural heritage. He was engaging with my 2 teenage boys and we were able to orientate around the city. Thanks Gilbert!!
Katja🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
14 January 2025
We had a great afternoon with Gilbert. He arrived at the allotted time and place.
We walked from the Old Town Hall towards District 6, dropping in on a cultural centre ( very interesting) on the way.
Gilbert gave us excellent historical context to buildings and street art. He is a font of knowledge and answered all our questions. It became very clear that the sad history of District 6 clearance is very close to his heart as his own parents and grandparents used to live here.
From District 6 we took an über to the areas of Woodstock and Saltriver where gentrification is setting in which became the topic.
We would have never dared to visit these areas without Gilbert… and that would have been our great loss. Such interesting buildings and friendly people everywhere. A big thank you to you, Gilbert, for sharing this with us! Katja&Chris Off the beaten track in District 6
Jaime
(About local )
9 January 2025
We really enjoyed our walking tour with Sebastian! We asked for the tour to be history focused and throughout the walk he gave us so many interesting facts, stories and insights. A really nice man and it was a pleasure to spend a few hours chatting with him. Highly recommend booking a tour with Sebastian if you are visiting Cape Town! Fantastic walking tour
Patrick🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
9 January 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. It covers so much and provides a terrific overview of Cape Town and the history and culture. Sebastian is so well prepared and yet so casual and conversational. He’s very enjoyable to be with and does a great job introducing you to the city he clearly loves so much. Great tour; wonderful guide
Darren🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
8 January 2025
A wonderful and informative day with Gilbert
We were met right on time in the Town Hall and then continued for most of the day on a walking tour of the city.
Loads of information about the city and south Africas history.
Then the food a whole menu of Cape produce
One highlight was the Bunny Chow a Cape Malay curry served in a scooped out loaf of bread - vart tasty
The whole trip was brilliant - eating at places and choosing things we may have not tried otherwise.
Tastes of Cape Town
Maryam🇶🇦 Qatar
(About local )
6 January 2025
It was my first local tour and I had such a great time with Gilbert. He showed me some hidden gems and I learned a lot about SA history. He was able to customize my experience to my needs and I really felt I was safe and welcomed. I feel like I gained a friend and I will definitely book him again next time I visit. I also appreciated all the extra advice and suggestions he gave me to enjoy for the rest of my trip.
Karina🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
6 January 2025
We had an absolutely fantastic time exploring Woodstock with Gilbert as our guide! He is incredibly knowledgeable, super friendly, and highly flexible, making the entire experience both informative and entertaining. You can tell he truly knows what he's talking about and has a deep passion for the area.
The tour was full of fascinating insights, hidden gems, and unforgettable moments. Gilbert’s storytelling brought the history, culture, and street art of Woodstock to life in a way that made everything so engaging. His warm and welcoming personality made us feel comfortable from the start, and we had so much fun along the way.
If you're in Cape Town and want an authentic, insightful, and enjoyable tour, we highly recommend booking with Gilbert. This was hands down one of the highlights of our trip!Gilbert is the best!
Amy🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
5 January 2025
Sebastian was knowledgeable, fun, and entertaining! He took good care of our family with two teenagers. The tour combine history, culture, and local businesses of interest. He shared stories of his life and family that provided an intimate perspective of Cape Town. Thank you!!!Amaxing experience with Sebastian!
Stephen🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
4 January 2025
We did a walking tour for three hours where we learned and saw many things related to the history of Cape Town.Bulelani knows his town
Paul🇿🇦 South Africa
(About local )
2 January 2025
We had a great day out with Trevor. Apart from visiting some beautiful wineries and tasting some great wines, we also learnt so much about the area. We found Trevor really friendly and knowledgeable. We also went to a really nice restaurant in Stellenbosch for lunch. All in all 100% great.Great day out
Beatrice🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
2 January 2025
It was our first day in Cape Town and Sebastian gave us a great tour. He shared many information on the city's history as well as of his family, and many tips useful for the upcoming days. He made us feel very safe and at ease the whole tour Great tour
Steven🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
1 January 2025
Trevor is knowledgeable about Cape Town, but really well versed in wine. He picked out 3 vineyards that were all excellent and kept us entertained the whole day. I give him my highest recommendation if you wish to book a wine tour on Withlocals. Fun day with Trevor
Marie🇮🇪 Ireland
(About local )
27 December 2024
We booked Sebastian for two days , the first was a day spent between table mountain and Cape towns historic areas , the second day was a trip to The Cape of good Hope , Cape point and Boulders beach . We had an absolutely fantastic time . Sebastian made out trip to Cape Town . He was extremely knowledgeable, professional , warm , friendly and a very safe driver with very comfortable transport. He advised us about many other aspects of our holiday prior to our arrival from the time that we booked him . I would highly recommend recommend him Best guide in Cape town
Tom🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
7 December 2024
We did definitely enjoy and went into some venues where we never would have been on our own. All in all it just looked like it was everything on Coincidence, and not really planned. We are doing lots of Foodtours all over the World, so we have some expectations. Bulelani is a very nice Guy and knows a lot about SA History.Great local food
Valerie
(About local )
6 December 2024
Gilbert was a fantastic tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He showed us all the local spots and introduced us to different foods we would not have found on our own. He went above and beyond to make sure we had a great first time in Cape Town. 10/10, would highly recommend him and this tour to anyone visiting looking to have a great time, experience delicious food and learn lots of history! Amazing Tour!
David
(About local )
4 December 2024
Gilbert was a really good guide, very informative. Local residents we met while on the tour were happy to engage and Gilbert had a great rapport with everyoneBrilliant
Hanne🇧🇪 Belgium
(About local )
29 November 2024
The tour was a great way to experience Cape Town in a new light. Buleani not only introduced us to great local food, but also provided us with a fascinating look into the history of his country. He also took our food preferences into account and we got a lot of food during the tour, some of which we took in a doggy bag for later. Overall great experience.Great way to experience Cape Town
Tiago🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
28 November 2024
Sebastian is a true local and can guide you thoroughly through Cape Town's history and add the contemporary insight into it.It's Sebastian's Hometown
Marion🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
25 November 2024
Gilbert was the perfect guide for our tour and helped us with his knowledge and insights to not only understand the historical background of Cape Town, but to feel the vibe of it.
Thanks so much for this entertaining and interesting afternoon - we can highly recommend Gilbert!Our way into the heart of Cape Town
Peter🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
22 November 2024
We were lucky to have Sebastian as our tour guide. It was very informative and interesting with him. We learned a lot about history of CT/SA and the life of today in CT/SA. We strongly recommend Sebastian as a tour guide, also because he has a very positive personality. Extremely goog guide
cathy🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
21 November 2024
This was booked as a food tour, but with Bulelani, it was so much more. A wide variety food but also lots of history, culture and personal experiences as well.
A great day in Cape Town. Great day with Bulelani!
Mathilde
(About local )
17 November 2024
We had an awesome time with Gilbert. He took us to try a lot of local food (all delicious!) and give us lots of explanation on the town history and daily live. We could feel his passion of this city and it was great to meet all of his shop friends. Everyone was very welcoming and very nice. We also greatly appreciated that no food was wasted (leftovers were given to homeless). In addition Gilbert also gave us lot of recommendation on where/what to eat for our trip- that was greatly appreciated! We highly recommend this tour with Gilbert if you are a food/history loverAwesome tour
Astrid
(About local )
12 November 2024
Sebastiaan geeft je een interessante en andere kijk op Zuid Afrika en haar geschiedenis. Hij is breed geïnformeerd en deelt graag zijn kennis. Het was een erg informatieve tour.Interessante kijk op Kaapstad en Z Afrika
Julia 🇩🇪 Germany
(About local )
9 November 2024
Wir hatten eine tolle Tour, die zum einen geschichtliches aber auch viel vom Kapstädter Leben preisgab. Daryl ist ein echter Glücksgriff für diese Tour gewesen. Jemand der Geschichte auf eine wunderbare Art und Weise vermittelt und dir das Leben in Kapstadt näher bringt. Wir können diese Tour jedem empfehlen der sich für das Leben hinter den touristischen Kulissen interessiert.Super abwechslungsreich und spannend
Hal
(About local )
7 November 2024
Lots of food to sample, lots of information to digest about waves of peoples brought to South Africa through slavery or otherwise...information about apartheid and how it affected people socially, economically,culturally... way more than just a food tour. The only complaint was a 3 hour tour turned into a 5 hour tour leaving no time to walk around Bo Kaap.
Food and then some!
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