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Sophistication and tradition
Honeymoons in the city
Couple relaxing, Table Mountain, Cape Town.
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is Africa’s busiest airport.
Honeymoons in the city bring the opportunity for unique experiences: there is no other country in the world where cities merge the best of 1st-world sophistication and African culture ... and the result is enthralling.
Like most cities, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein have a long menu of cultural, shopping, sporting, dining and nightlife options.
Pretoria and Cape Town are strong on museums, Johannesburg has an ever-increasing number of heritage sites, while Durban has a dominant beach culture. Vast shopping malls stocking international brands are to be found all over the urban face of the country.
City honeymoons also offer the chance to explore new layers of urban culture in the townships that adjoin every major town.
A result of our segregated history, the story of such towns is in fact a tale of 2 cities. From Johannesburg you can travel out to the world-famous Soweto, a vibrant city in its own right; from Cape Town you can visit destinations such as Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Langa; from Durban you can explore KwaMashu and Inanda; and on Port Elizabeth’s doorstep sits New Brighton and Zwide.
The townships will introduce you to traditional South African culture, including local cuisine and hospitality, sangomas (traditional healers) and shebeens (taverns).
Honeymoons in the city mean world-class hotels and service. You’ll find banking to beat many Western countries, good road networks and tour operators who provide a wide variety of sightseeing options. The cuisine is cosmopolitan and there's plenty of entertainment, including theatre, culture and a vibrant nightlife.
And our coastal cities place all these amenities near some of the world’s best beaches, too.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Joburg Tourism Company
Tel: +27 (0)11 214 0700
Email: info@joburgtourism.com
Cape Town Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)21 487 6800
Email: info@capetown.travel
Durban Experience
Tel: +27 (0)31 322 4164
Email: funinsun@iafrica.com
Tshwane Tourism Association (Pretoria)
Tel: +27 (0)12 841 2593
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (Port Elizabeth)
Tel: +27 (0)41 582 2575
Email: info@nmbt.co.za
How to get here
South Africa's major cities are all serviced by international airports. Johannesburg, and to a lesser extent Cape Town and Durban, are serviced by international carriers. They are all accessible via major motorways.
Get around
Having your own car will give you the freedom to move around as you wish.
Length of stay
Five days should be sufficient for a city honeymoon (if you are sticking to just 1 urban destination). If you want to include multiple cities on your honeymoon, then book 2 to 3 weeks in South Africa.
Where to stay
Accommodation is varied in South Africa's cities. Why not do something different and book a township stay?
What to eat
Whatever you do, try to eat local. So if you're in Cape Town, try Cape Malay food; when in Port Elizabeth go for a seafood platter; or try shisa nyama (township barbeque) in the townships and boerekos (farmers' food) in the Free State.
What's happening
Visit the local tourism board of each city and take a look at the calendar of events on offer.