South Africa’s Western Cape welcomed 1.5 million international visitors in 2025, with Cape Town, Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route forming major parts of the province’s tourism landscape. International arrivals increased by 11.1% year on year, while visitors generated R25.9 billion in tourism revenue across the province.
The latest figures from the Western Cape Government, based on South African Tourism data, show how international travel continued to expand across the province during 2025. The R25.9 billion generated by international tourists represented around one quarter of South Africa’s international tourism revenue for the year.
For travellers, the numbers translate into a destination offering several different experiences within one province. A trip can begin in Cape Town, continue through wine country, move towards the southern coast and finish along the Garden Route, creating a multi-stop itinerary without leaving the Western Cape.
Cape Town Remains the Main Tourism Gateway
Cape Town provides the primary international entry point for many visitors, with Cape Town International Airport handling a record 11.1 million two-way passengers in 2025. The figure includes domestic and international passengers and reflects the scale of air connectivity supporting tourism across the province.
The airport is positioned around 20 kilometres from Cape Town city centre, making it practical for travellers heading directly into the city or continuing towards other parts of the province. Rental cars, taxis, airport transfers and public transport options connect visitors with the metropolitan area.
Cape Town itself offers a compact starting point for sightseeing. Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the city centre, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula can be incorporated into short stays, while longer visits allow travellers to explore beaches, neighbourhoods, museums and surrounding coastal areas.
Cape Winelands Add Food and Wine Travel
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South Africa Western Cape Beckons the World as 1.5 Million Visitors Ar …
South Africa’s Western Cape welcomed 1.5 million international visitors in 2025, generating R25.9 billion in tourism revenue across the province
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September 27
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South Africa Western Cape Beckons the World as 1.5 Million V…
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From Cape Town, travellers can reach Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl in the Cape Winelands. The region combines vineyards, historic architecture, restaurants, farm experiences and mountain scenery, creating a different travel rhythm from the coastal attractions of Cape Town.
Stellenbosch is approximately 50 kilometres from central Cape Town by road, while Franschhoek is around 80 kilometres away. Visitors can travel by private vehicle, organised tour or transfer services, with wine estates spread across several valleys and surrounding rural areas.
The Cape Winelands can also be added to a wider road trip. Travellers staying in Cape Town can make day trips, while visitors with more time can spend several nights among the vineyards before continuing towards the southern coast or Garden Route.
Garden Route Extends the Journey
The Western Cape’s tourism offer continues beyond Cape Town and the Winelands. The Garden Route provides a long-distance coastal itinerary linking destinations such as Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
George serves as an important transport hub for the region, with George Airport connecting the Garden Route to major South African cities. The airport recorded almost one million two-way passengers in 2025, its strongest year to date, according to the Western Cape Government.
Travellers using the Garden Route can combine beaches, forests, lagoons, wildlife experiences and outdoor activities. Knysna provides access to the Knysna Lagoon and surrounding forests, while Plettenberg Bay adds beaches and marine experiences to the route.
International Markets Continue to Support Travel
The United Kingdom and Germany remained the Western Cape’s largest international source markets in 2025. Their continued presence reflects the importance of European visitors to the province’s tourism economy.
The province is also connected to a broader network of international markets through Cape Town International Airport. Cape Town Air Access reported that the airport recorded 11.1 million two-way passengers during 2025, while international connectivity continued expanding through new and increased services.
For visitors from Europe, North America, Asia and other long-haul markets, Cape Town can function as both an arrival point and a base for travelling deeper into the province.
Domestic Travel Adds Another Tourism Layer
International visitors are only part of the Western Cape tourism picture. The province recorded approximately four million domestic overnight trips in 2025, representing a 15.4% increase from the previous year. It also recorded the highest average spend per domestic overnight trip in South Africa at R3,172.
This domestic movement supports destinations outside the main international gateways, including coastal towns, inland communities and smaller tourism centres. For travellers already in South Africa, the Western Cape can therefore be explored through shorter road trips, weekend breaks and longer provincial itineraries.
Travellers Can Build Multi-Destination Routes
The province’s geography makes it possible to combine several tourism themes in one journey. A traveller could spend a few days exploring Cape Town before heading to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, continuing towards Hermanus and the Overberg, then travelling along the Garden Route.
Each area brings a different experience. Cape Town combines urban attractions and coastal scenery, the Winelands centre on vineyards and food, Hermanus is known for its coastal setting, and the Garden Route brings forests, beaches, lagoons and outdoor activities.
The latest tourism data also shows the scale of spending generated by international visitors. With 1.5 million international tourists contributing R25.9 billion during 2025, the Western Cape enters 2026 with a tourism network spanning major cities, airports, wine regions, coastal towns and long-distance road-trip destinations.
