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Cape Town 5 Day Itinerary
When you have a limited time to visit a city, you need to have a plan to get the most of your visit and time there.
Cape Town has won The Telegraph Travel Readers "Best City In The World" Award for 8 years and for very good reason. It is stunningly beautiful, from mountains, sea, wildlife, adventures, wine farms, delicious food, friendly locals and great hikes.
As anyone who has visited Cape Town will attest, it really is very special and if you have not visited yet, then what are you waiting for?
Luckily for you the exchange rate is very favorable, for anyone not earning rands - around $1 to R18, so you can afford to have a wonderful holiday on almost any budget.
Fun Things To Do In Cape Town
When To Go
I love, love, love going to Cape Town! It is like a beautiful European city but with nature surrounding you 24/7. It will give you an unforgettable travel experience, there is just so much to see and do that you won't know where to start. Have a look at multiple tours here.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate so its best only done in the Summer months - November through to April. It can get very hot but the Winter months will be wet and cold.
1st Day
With just one or two days in Cape Town your top priority will be to see Table Mountain. If the weather is good and the mountain is not wearing a tablecloth (mist) then book your cable car ride, a hop on and hop off tour is excellant to see the city too.
Once you have been up Table Mountain then see as much as you can in the City Bowl - from Bo Kaap, District Six Museum, The Castle, see the squirrels in the Company's Garden, and if you have time enjoy high tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel.
The V&A Waterfront has stunning views of Table Mountain and has lots of shopping and restaurants. See the seals darting in and out the harbour.
Go for a drink at Grand Africa on the beach and then head to Long Street (which comes alive at night). There are multiple tours you can take, so if you have limited time then rather choose one of these tours.
Remember to stay safe - do not walk around at night, keep to the touristy areas and be vigilant. For a more detailed article about safety in South Africa - read this.
2nd Day
Then for your 2nd day we recommend you rent a car so you can drive along Chapmans Peak. Go past Clifton Beach, Camps Bay to Hout Bay, which is a working fishing bay. There are lots of seals at Hout Bay on the harbour too.
Drive along the impressive and beautiful Chapmans Peak drive to Simons Town - see the penguins at Boulders Beach, stop at Kalk Bay to see the fishermen and seals, onto Cape Point National Park and sunset at Lions Head on the way back to Cape Town.
If you have extra days include as many of these suggestions as you can.
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is made up of 4 beautiful beaches. The beaches are great for chilling & sun tanning or for sundowners/evening picnic. The Bungalow restaurant has great views overlooking the beach.
Lions Head
Hike to the top of Lions Head, stunning views especially at sunset. Stay safe and be vigilant.
Signal Hill
Drive to the top of Signal Hill.
Seapoint
Seapoint has a lovely promenade to stroll along. There is also the Mojo market (open to midnight).
V&A Waterfront
The Victoria And Albert Waterfront is a lively area on the water - a walk around is great, don't forget to visit the new Silo District on with Silo Hotel and the Zeitz Art Museum).
Safety is paramount, stick to the tourist areas and read this article for more information. Safety Conscious in South Africa.
Bo-Kaap and District Six Museum
A very interesting area and the museum showing the history of apartheid South Africa.
The Castle Of Good Hope
The Castle was built in the 17th century and it is the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa.
Boulders Beach
For an amazing animal encounter head to Simons Town Boulders Beach to enjoy the resident African Penguins.
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Drive around from Kommetjie side to the lighthouse at Cape Point and continue past Simons Town back to Fishhoek.
Cape Peninsula
Cape Point Nature Reserve is home to Cape fur seals, baboons and birds. The Cape Point Lighthouse was built in 1859
Table Mountain
Table Mountain has been named one of the 7th natural wonders of the world. At 1086m above sea level - is a world heritage site as it has unique flora and fauna. It has amazing hiking trails to explore and the views from the top of the mountain are spectacular. Book your ticket ahead on tablemountin.net - the cost of the ticket is about R400 - $21.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden covers over 528 hectares and is an amazingly beautiful destination with lovey hiking trails and it hosts a lot of events over summer like concerts.
Robben Island can be seen from the top of Table Mountain best known now as for where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned.
Noordhoek
Noordhoek Farm Village - great takeaway coffee at the local roastery and Kristen's Kickass ice cream (best around). Wednesday evening market (4 to 9pm) quite vibey, especially The Toad pub
Noordhoek beach - walk to the Kakapo shipwreck
On the road to the beach - Aegir Craft Brewery & Eatery - craft beer tasting plus lunch/dinner etc
A drive around the Peninsula is beautiful - From Noordhoek to surfers paradise Kommetjie (can stop for gin-tasting on the way at Deep South Distillery) and then around to Simons Town via Misty Cliffs, Scarborough (Village Hub here is great for lunch - either downstairs in the café or upstairs at Sopra Italian restaurant).
Simons town - penguins at Boulders Beach
Labia Theatre - for movies in a quirky, rustic old cinema - can buy Vodka slushies or other drinks to take into the movie.
Eating Out
Groot Constantia (one of the oldest wine estates covers more than 300 hectares and includes a working vineyard, cellars, museum, restaurant and beautiful gardens) - winetasting, Simons Restaurant or Jonkerhuis for lunch - both are good options.
Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen - both at the top of Constantia Nek with beautiful views and great wines. Food not too badly priced at Constantia Glen.
Note: La Parada at the top of Constantia Nek is very hip and happening on a Sunday evening - food, drinks, music, etc
Kalk Bay - Cape to Cuba for cocktails as well at the Brass Bell pub and restaurant, Also LiveBait at the Kalk Bay harbour or Kalky's for a very relaxed fish & chips etc. Olympia Café is another renowned local food spot.
In town:
The Gin Bar (situated in an old mortuary) - gin, cocktails, MCC bubbly etc
Leo's - Bree St (trendy bar/club)
Fat cactus Mexican restaurant - has 1 litre Marguarita jugs
Bombay Bicycle Club (Kloof Street) - quirky, fun restaurant / bar
South China Dim Sum - unpretentious, great food
Woodstock:
The Biscuit Mill - food market (Saturday and Sunday) and other shops
Hope-on-Hopkins gin tasting
The V&A food market plus the Watershed market is worth a look.
Drinks at the rooftop Bar at Radisson Red.
Cabo Beach Club - formerly Shimmy's - great location but food is pricey
Sevruga restaurant has half-price cocktails (12 to 6pm) and often also half-price sushi/dim sum.
Den Anker (Belgian restaurant) is well-renowned but more pricey (offers Belgian beers).
Near the Waterfront is Grand Africa Cafe & Beach - great for drinks or meals - with its own private beach - open till midnight.
Camps Bay:
The strip - lots of vibey restaurants. Cafe Caprice a popular spot.
ACCOMODATION
There are so many places to stay during your visit to Cape Town.
You can choose between luxury to backpackers.
Camps Bay Accomodation is plentiful and it is a very beautiful area.
Wine Farms
Stellenbosch Wine Estates
There are many wineries and many tours
Choose between:
Boschendal
Peter Falke
Warwick
Spier
Tokara
Babylonstoren
Meerlust
Zevenwacht
JC Le Roux
Amani
Bottelary Hills
Meerlust
Bergkelder
Oude Libertas
Neethlingshof
Vergenoegd Löw
Welmoed
Blaauwklippen
Franschoek Wine Tram
The Franschoek Wine Tram is a wonderful way to experience the Cape wine farms without worrying how to get there or back as you can hop on and off the trams as it travels between the wine farms.
Book ahead the line you wish to go on. See below for a list of the wine estates that are on each line. The cost of the tram is R300 (+- $16) per adult.
Each wine farm offers a wine tasting at varying fees and a lot of the estates have restaurants but it is better to book ahead as well.
Blue Line -
- La Bri
- Holden Manz
- Mont Rochelle
- Atlas Swift
- Klein Goede
- rust
- Grande Provence
- Rickety Bridge
- Franschoek Cellar
Orange Line
- Boschendal
- Plasisir
- Vrede en Lust
- Noble Hill
- Babylonstoren
- Bacco"
- Anura
Pink Line
- Chamonix
- Dieu Donne
- Pigcasso
- Eikehof
- Leopard's Leap
- Grande Provence
- Rickety Bridge
- Farnschoek Cellar
Red Line
- Haute Cabriere
- Le Lude
- Maison
- Lynx
- Paserene
- Grande Provence
- Rickity Bridge
- Franschoek Cellar
Navy Line
Allee Bleue
Camberley
Bartinney
Le Pommier
Zorgvliet
Boschendal
Plasisr
Vrede en Lust
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