Tourism statisticsCity2026
Cape Town Tourism Statistics: 2.9M Visitors in 2023
Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa, recorded 2.9 million visitors in 2023, City of Cape Town reports. AirROI estimates 276,200 Airbnb stays in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026. The busiest month was December, and the quietest was June.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 2,005,704
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 7.3 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- December
- From abroad, among guests who left a review
- 66%
Key facts
Cape Town Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- City of Cape Town puts Cape Town at 2.9 million visitors in 2023.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in Cape Town at 276,200 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Cape Town added up to 2,005,704 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Cape Town lasted 7.3 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 50 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks December the busiest Airbnb month in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by February and March, with June the quietest.
- AirROI estimates the six busiest Airbnb months in Cape Town ran unbroken from October to March in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Cape Town in December were booked furthest ahead, about 72 days, against 24 days for June, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 66% of Cape Town Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 came from abroad, led by the United Kingdom at 13% and Germany at 13%.
- Among Cape Town Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, Cape Town was the top origin city at 9.8%, ahead of Johannesburg at 5.7%, AirROI estimates.
By place
- AirROI ranks Cape Town first for Airbnb stays among the 30 towns it lists in the Western Cape in the 12 months to October 2026.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit Cape Town?
City of Cape Town counted 2.9 million visitors in 2023.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 millionVisitors | Visitors to Cape Town | 2023 | City of Cape Town |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in Cape Town
Cape Town had 16,248 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 276,200 stays and 2,005,704 nights. A typical stay lasted 7.3 nights and was booked about 50 days ahead, longer than the worldwide stay of 5.2 nights.
- Airbnb homes
- 16,248
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 276,200
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 2,005,704
- Typical stay
- 7.3 nights
- Booked ahead
- 50 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Cape Town?
On Airbnb, December was the busiest month in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026, then February and March. June was the quietest. The six busiest months run unbroken from October to March.
December ranks first, June last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: December, February, March, January, November, October, April, August, September, May, July, June.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| December | 10.1% | 72 days |
| February | 10.0% | 62 days |
| March | 9.9% | 47 days |
| January | 9.9% | 64 days |
| November | 9.3% | 65 days |
| October | 8.6% | 58 days |
| April | 8.1% | 44 days |
| August | 7.3% | 44 days |
| September | 7.2% | 42 days |
| May | 6.8% | 37 days |
| July | 6.6% | 33 days |
| June | 6.1% | 24 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do Cape Town Airbnb Guests Come From?
Among Cape Town Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 66% came from abroad, led by the United Kingdom at 13% and Germany at 13%, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Cape Town was the top origin city at 9.8%, ahead of Johannesburg at 5.7%. The figures rest on 662,927 reviews, written over many years.
66% from abroad
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From abroad 66%
- From within South Africa 34%
Top countries abroad
Among guests who left a review
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Cape Town
How many tourists visit Cape Town?
Cape Town had 2.9 million visitors in 2023, according to City of Cape Town. AirROI estimates 276,200 Airbnb stays in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026, which is a separate count of bookings.
When is the busiest time in Cape Town?
The busiest Airbnb month in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026 was December, then February and March. The six busiest months run from October to March.
What is the quietest month in Cape Town?
June was the quietest Airbnb month in Cape Town in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and July ranked 11th. Stays in June were booked about 24 days ahead, against 72 days for December.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Cape Town?
A typical Airbnb stay in Cape Town lasted 7.3 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 50 days ahead. That is longer than the worldwide 5.2 nights. By month, stays ran from 4.9 nights in September to 8.8 nights in January.
Where do Airbnb guests in Cape Town come from?
Of Cape Town Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 66% came from abroad, AirROI estimates. The largest groups were the United Kingdom at 13% and Germany at 13%. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Cape Town at 9.8%, ahead of Johannesburg at 5.7%.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. City of Cape Town counts visitors (2.9 million in 2023). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 276,200 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights are stays times the typical stay: 276,200 stays at 7.26 nights. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 662,927 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.