54Modern but Car-Dependent
Johannesburg
South Africa
Middle East & Africa
Johannesburg has modern malls and gated areas with great facilities, but walking with a stroller between them isn't practical.
Best stroller: Compact
South Africa
Cape Town
56/100Doable with Planning🌱 Limited data
Cape Town's waterfront is excellent, but the city is spread out and varied - plan your areas carefully.
✅
Bring your stroller
This city is stroller-friendly. Compact strollers work best.
Key Factors
- •Generally manageable
- •Compact stroller recommended
Watch Out For
⚠️Table Mountain
Cape Town scores 56/100 on our stroller-friendliness scale. Below you'll find a full breakdown of terrain, transit accessibility, and family facilities — plus neighborhood-level tips and stroller vs. carrier advice for Cape Town.
📋 The Bottom Line
Cape Town offers some genuinely excellent areas for stroller families alongside some very challenging ones. The V&A Waterfront is world-class - flat, accessible, and packed with family activities. The City Bowl and Sea Point promenade are good. But Cape Town is very spread out, public transit is limited, and you'll need a car. Some areas have safety concerns. Table Mountain is stunning but not stroller territory. The diverse neighborhoods offer very different experiences.
Quick Facts
Overall Score56/100
Best StrollerCompact
Biggest ChallengeTable Mountain
Data Quality🌱 Limited data
Gear Recommendations
- 🎒Compact stroller for waterfront and malls
- 🎒Sun shade essential (Cape sun is intense)
- 🎒Wind protection - Cape Town wind is legendary
- 🎒Car seat needed - you'll be driving everywhere
Cape Town Stroller Score Breakdown
Smooth Surfaces6/10
Mostly smooth, some rough patches
Flatness5/10
Noticeable hills in places
Public Transit4/10
Limited accessible options
Elevators & Ramps5/10
Elevators hit-or-miss
Family Facilities6/10
Good facilities in main areas
Space & Comfort6/10
Manageable, some busy spots
Family Welcome7/10
Generally welcoming
Best & Worst Areas for Strollers in Cape Town
🟢 Where It's Easy ✓
- •V&A Waterfront - Flat, accessible, aquarium, restaurants, shops
- •Sea Point Promenade - Flat, long, ocean views, playgrounds
- •Constantia wine estates - Flat garden areas, family-friendly
- •Camps Bay beachfront - Flat promenade, stunning views
- •Canal Walk Mall - Large, accessible, family entertainment
🟡 Where You'll Struggle ⚠
- •Table Mountain - Not stroller territory at all
- •Bo-Kaap - Very steep cobblestoned streets
- •Long Street - Busy, narrow, nightlife-oriented
- •CBD on weekends - Deserted, safety concerns
- •Most attractions - require driving between them
🎒 When to Bring the Carrier 👶
- •Table Mountain (hiking territory)
- •Bo-Kaap steep streets (famous colorful houses but hilly)
- •Greenmarket Square during markets (crowded)
- •Kirstenbosch steep garden paths
Tips from Parents Who Visited Cape Town
❌ What Parents Wish They'd Known
- ✕Not having a rental car (public transit is very limited)
- ✕Table Mountain with a stroller (it's a mountain, use carrier)
- ✕Underestimating Cape Town wind (it can be extreme)
- ✕Wandering in CBD alone on weekends (safety)
- ✕Assuming everything is close (the city is very spread out)
- ✕Not applying sunscreen (UV at the Cape is intense)
⭐ Parent-Recommended Spots
- ★Two Oceans Aquarium - V&A Waterfront, accessible, excellent
- ★Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden - Flat main paths, stunning
- ★Boulders Beach penguins - Accessible boardwalk, kids love it
- ★Sea Point Promenade - Flat, playgrounds, pools, perfect walk
- ★Groot Constantia wine estate - Beautiful, flat gardens, family-friendly
Similar Scores Worldwide
Cities with a similar stroller experience to Cape Town
56Doable with Planning
New York City
United States
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NYC is challenging - street level is fine, but the subway will break you.
Best stroller: Compact
56Doable with Planning
Nicosia
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Europe
Nicosia is the world's last divided capital with limited infrastructure but warm Cypriot hospitality.
Best stroller: Compact
56Doable with Planning
Tirana
Albania
Europe
Tirana is rapidly developing with wide boulevards and incredible Albanian hospitality, but infrastructure is still catching up.
Best stroller: Rugged
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