Cape Town is one of the coolest cities in the world I’ve had the opportunity to visit. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. This Cape Town itinerary for 5 days will go through some of the best things you can do while there and offer options, depending on what type of traveler you are.
My husband and I chose South Africa for our honeymoon, and it did not disappoint! Throughout this itinerary, I hope you discover how special South Africa is and find the perfect things to do for your own Cape Town itinerary!
Table of Contents
Tips for Visiting Cape Town
Before getting into the itinerary, let’s discuss some of the planning tips and suggestions for making the most of your trip.
- You can easily DIY a trip to Cape Town, but there are day trips I’d recommend booking with a tour company. I think the safari would have been the most difficult one to do alone.
- Be realistic about how much you can do and see in five days. There are a lot of amazing things you can do and day trips from Cape Town. It’s easy to fill your five-day itinerary or even overdo it.
- Hot water, electricity, and wifi are available everywhere, but outages are possible, even in the nicest parts of town. Stay flexible and plan to go with the flow!
- You may need an adapter when visiting South Africa. Here’s a great universal adapter. If you are from the UK, Australia, or South Korea, bringing one along on your trip is unnecessary.
- The standard voltage in South Africa is 230C with a frequency of 50Hz. The plugs are type C, D, M, and N. Most sockets take a type M plug, but your hotel should also have other sockets. If you are bringing a hair dryer or straightener, invest in a converter.
- Cape Town does not have a subway or metro, but Uber is readily available. A hop-on, hop-off tour bus company stops at nearly all the tourist spots.
- Renting a car is easy in Cape Town, but like many places, you will pay more for an automatic. They also drive on the left side of the road, which is an adjustment for those of us used to driving on the right! Leave your car doors locked, and when leaving the vehicle, leave nothing of value visible in your car.
- Rand (ZAR) is the currency (approximately 1 USD = 15.11 ZAR), and while it is easy to use your credit card, having some cash on hand for tips and shops is a good idea.
- ATMs are easily accessible in most shopping malls, petrol stations, and supermarkets if you want to withdraw money. It’s best to avoid traveling to South Africa with large amounts of cash.
Where to Stay in Cape Town
There are many great neighborhoods in Cape Town to consider for your trip. Some areas to consider staying in are Foreshore, V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, The Gardens, or De Waterkant. Below are some hotel suggestions, starting with luxury to basic.
Twelve Apostles Hotel is a luxury hotel near Hout Bay along the ocean. It has a beautiful ocean view and is well known for its many different pools, spa, and restaurants. We did a massage and lunch here, but I want to return and stay! $$$ luxury
Park Inn by Radisson Foreshore is a 4-star hotel in Cape Town’s business district. Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore is just minutes from the International Convention Centre (CTICC) and the iconic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Centrally located and affordable while still very nice! We enjoyed staying here and loved their rooftop for drinks. $$ mid-range
Urban Oasis Aparthotel Urban Oasis Aparthotel is a sustainable condo hotel in the center of Cape Town. The units at the condo hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area, and a private bathroom with a hair dryer, a walk-in shower, and complimentary toiletries. $ budget
Day 1: Get to Know Cape Town
You’ll explore the city for the first few days of your trip. Cape Town has plenty of cool neighborhoods, history, and things to do to keep you busy on your first few days! Day one will be dedicated to seeing some of the top sites around town and getting oriented with the city.
Morning at Table Mountain
We’re starting off strong with one of the coolest places in Cape Town: Table Mountain. This is a must for anyone visiting; the views are breathtaking! There are so many different beautiful views at the top and I’ll share more about some options below.
Visit Options
You can visit by taking the cable car or hiking to the top. I’d recommend taking the cable car since you have limited time while here and may want to do other activities throughout the day.
We visited via cable car and loved the views as we ascended to the top. I’ve heard the hike is very rewarding and amazing! Here are the details if you’d like to hike.
Tickets cost R60 – R1050 and can be combined with the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. If you decide to do this as well, I recommend getting the combo ticket to save some money and enjoy both! There are morning and afternoon tickets available for the cable car.
I’d recommend planning in advance for this since it is a popular attraction in Cape Town, and changes can happen due to weather. Cape Town can get extremely windy, so you’ll want to check the chance for strong winds before going.
Even if you can get to the top, the cable car could close while you are up there, and you may have to walk down or wait at the top. This is something to note when thinking about a risky wind day! This is why I included it first on the itinerary, too; you can always come back later in the five days.
Getting There
There are several ways to get to Table Mountain Cableway. If you’re using public transport, you’ll get dropped off at the Lower Tafelberg Road stop. If you’re using Uber, Bolt, or City Sightseeing Hop on Hop Off Bus, you can hop off at the Upper Tafelberg Road stop.
At the Top
Once at the top, there are several different trails to walk along, and the view continues to get better as you walk around. The longest trail is about 45 minutes. There’s also a gift shop and cafe at the top that offers food and alcohol.
Take your time here and enjoy the views! It’s also a great place to orient yourself with the city and learn about nature and history – the perfect start to your trip!
If you love an adventure, consider paragliding or taking a helicopter ride over Table Mountain!
Lunch and Shopping in V&A Waterfront
After spending the morning at Table Mountain, head to the V&A Waterfront! The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is located right on the Atlantic Shore, with views of Table Bay Harbor, the City of Cape Town, and Table Mountain. You’ll find great shopping here and many restaurants with great views.
For a casual, delicious lunch option, check out the V&A Waterfront Food Market. There are several different great food options here. There’s something for everyone inside this food hall, and I had a super delicious pasta here!
There’s excellent shopping in V&A Waterfront as well. After grabbing some food, check out some shops and pick up a few art pieces while here. There are well-known designers and boutiques in the area.
The Watershed is an indoor market on the waterfront that offers a variety of treats, including artist exhibitions, workshops, and products for your mind and body.
Just so you know, I did get food poisoning somewhere along this trip; I likely got it in Cape Town, so I am suggesting you be extremely careful with food on this trip!
Afternoon Trip to Robben Island
Robben Island is a must-visit while in Cape Town. It is a unique symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering, and injustice” with a rich 500-year-old multi-layered history. It will help you understand and honor the essential aspects of South Africa’s history.
The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The tour takes 3.5 hours, including the ferry trip to and from the Island (depending on the boat used, as they have different travel times). You have to book a tour to go, and it’s highly recommended that you book in advance due to how popular it is to visit. You can buy your tickets here.
One of the most powerful things about visiting is that former prisoners of the island conduct tours. Many ex-prisoners were actively engaged in the post-apartheid political scene, and three of them were elected South African presidents: Nelson Mandela, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Jacob Zuma.
You’ll hear their first-hand stories of the impact of apartheid and how South Africans actively fought against it. This was a powerful part of our trip and something everyone should do when visiting Cape Town.
Dinner on Kloof Street
Kloof Street is one of the cutest areas in Cape Town, known for its dining and shopping scene in a historical setting. Situated in the heart of the fun City Bowl area, Kloof Street runs on the other side of Lower Long Street and is positioned just off Buitensingel via Orange Street.
If you want a cute and romantic spot for dinner, head to The Gardens at Kloof Street House. Kloof Street House is a very special experience set in a magnificent Victorian house.
It is a collection of interesting rooms and spaces, each bursting with its own character. The venue offers something for every occasion—romantic candlelit dinners in the dining rooms or cocktails under the trees in our garden. Delicious meals, cozy ambiance, and friendly staff will make you feel at home!
Find even more good recommendations from this local guide.
Day 2: Beaches and Relaxation in Cape Town
Morning in Camps Bay and Clifton Beach
Start your first morning with a coffee from Mynt Cafe and take a walk along one of the best beach neighborhoods in Cape Town. The white sand, beautiful blue water, and mountains in the background make for a lovely walk!
We loved going earlier, around 9 am, before many people were out and about to have the area all to ourselves. It was a great way to get started with seeing the natural beauty and beaches there.
I recommend walking from Mynt Cafe to Maiden’s Cove for a great view of Camps Bay. If you want a longer walk, keep walking to The Rock.
The water here tends to be very cold, so you won’t see many people swimming, even if it seems warm enough to get in! It’s still worth strolling along the beach and enjoying the views!
Mid-day Massage and Lunch at Twelve Apostles Hotel
This was by far the most romantic and relaxing thing we did in Cape Town. Twelve Apostles Hotel is a luxury hotel near Hout Bay along the ocean. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive from Camps Bay, where you’ll stroll in the morning! Consider staying here as well for a luxury stay.
The views from this hotel are incredible, and the service is impressive. We booked an experience through the spa called the Outdoor Bliss Package. It included a 90-minute massage in a gazebo overlooking the ocean and lunch with champagne at the hotel’s cafe.
When I tell you, this was the best massage of my life… It was amazing!
We also had the best French fries at the restaurant. We loved them so much that we asked for the spices to make them later on our own. This was the perfect thing to bring home from our trip; every time we use it, it reminds us of our time in Cape Town!
This is a great way to relax on your trip and take in a stellar view just outside the city.
Afternoon: Choose an Activity
Option 1: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
They also have concerts and events in the evenings, so check the schedule for things that might be happening. Picnics are allowed in the gardens, which could be an additional way to make your visit even more fun.
Standard Adult tickets are R210 and can easily be bought when you arrive or online. We chose to take an Uber to get there, which was around $4 from V&A Waterfront. I would highly recommend this!
Photo by Bella The Brave on Unsplash
Option 2: Explore Street Art
If you love street art, consider a tour of Woodstock. Since 2010, it has been the epicenter of street art. You can hire a guide to take you around to see more than 40 pieces of artwork from local and international artists. Truly a place to get inspired!
Most tours last 90 minutes, and you’ll learn all about the area’s history from a local who knows it well while checking out all sorts of vibrant murals. You’ll also visit the celebrated Old Biscuit Mill, known for its variety of artisanal shops and dining options.
Option 3: Explore Bo Kaap
Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, is situated at the foot of Signal Hill. The colorful houses date back to the 1760s, when rental houses were leased to enslaved people.
While here, you’ll find plenty to do. You can visit the BoKaap Museum, located in the town’s oldest building. You can also grab a traditional Cape Malay meal at one of the restaurants and find great artist studios here.
Consider this walking tour with a local while exploring!
Evening on Long Street
Long Street is a historic, 2-mile (3 km) street in Cape Town, South Africa, known for its arts, entertainment, and nightlife. Here, you’ll find Victorian buildings with intricate ironwork, fun bars, and cute restaurants.
End your second day in Cape Town with a great dinner and some drinks on a rooftop here!
Obi serves some of the city’s best ramen and sushi. Reservations are essential, and deposits are required for large groups. Another option is Souk, which offers South African-inspired tapas, platters, and an expansive cocktail menu.
For drinks, try Sky Bar at the Grand Daddy. It has engaging theme nights that change and movies on Monday nights. Make sure to check out their super cute vintage airstreams on the roof!
For beer lovers, head to the Beerhouse, which has 99 different local and international beer types. They offer tasting trays, allowing you to sample a bit of everything, and a fantastic menu is designed to complement the brews.
Day 3: Safari Trip or Atlantis White Sand Dunes
Photo by Wade Lambert on Unsplash
I highly recommend a game reserve safari if you’re not visiting the Kruger National Park or KwaZulu-Natal while in South Africa. While not as impressive as other South African reserves, it is worth taking a day trip.
If you’re combining Cape Town with a safari elsewhere, I recommend visiting the Atlantis White Sand Dunes for an adventure.
Option 1: Aquila Game Reserve
Aquila Safari isn’t as spectacular as some of the other reserves like Kruger, but you’ll still get to see animals like lions, elephants, and more within just a few hours of Cape Town. Aquila Safari Tour will pick you up in the morning from your hotel in Cape Town and take you out on a day safari to explore!
Day trips include drinks and a huge buffet before going out for a game drive. Guides will teach you about animals and help you find amazing animals.
It runs year-round, so no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll have fun! In the summer, they have a beautiful infinity pool in the reserve.
Tour Option: Aquila Game Reserve Safari with Park Fees, Transport & Lunch
Option 2: White Sand Dunes
Located northwest of Cape Town, the Atlantis Dunes are renowned for sandboarding and outdoor adventures! The area is a vital conservation zone that safeguards the Atlantis Aquifer, which provides water to the surrounding region.
It supports diverse plant species and birdlife, including the Black Harrier. The dunes feature soft, white sand formations that reach up to 35 meters in length and 50 meters in height, making them really fun for adventures like quadbikes and sandboarding.
Adventure operators based in Cape Town offer sandboarding, quad biking, 4×4 handling, and other activities in the Atlantis Sand Dunes. These are great options for beginners and advanced outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a day here.
Strict regulations apply to tourist activities, as the sand dunes are a conservation area. This aligns with the intention of keeping tourism and conservation in harmony.
Day 4: Winery Day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Wine has a long tradition in Cape Town, with wine farms beginning production in the 1600s. The wine regions are stunning and offer many unique experiences near Cape Town.
There are lots of areas known for wine near Cape Town. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, and Wellington are the most popular.
One of the easiest to visit from Cape Town is Franschhoek. It was the closest to Cape Town, and you could take the wine tram from farm to farm during the day. It was straightforward to plan and do on our own!
To do this, we rented a car for two days for the wineries and the coastal drive the next day. We opted to do this because we wanted to explore at our leisure and not rush our visits to wineries. We also opted to stay here overnight to relax and make a giant loop through the region.
Driving from Cape Town here and then to False Bay also makes an easy loop. More on that in day five of the itinerary!
If you don’t want to stay overnight, you can also book a day trip with a tour guide who will take you from Cape Town. You can also get a transfer from Cape Town to the wine tram for an additional fee. It was such an easy way to get around and enjoy the wineries at our own pace.
The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a hop-on-hop-off tour and is the best way to explore Franschhoek Valley’s vineyards. You can choose from eight different lines and spend as much time as you’d like at each stop.
We loved using this to get around to the different wineries. Our overnight stay picked us up and dropped us off from Vrede en Lust, making it even easier!
Check In to Angala
If you’d like to stay outside Cape Town for the last night of your trip, I’d recommend Angala! This is a very gorgeous property, and we recommend staying here! Here’s a whole list of where to stay on the Franschhoek Wine Tram as well.
We were able to check in early to our stay at Angala, and they drove us directly to the wine tasting room where their property was located – Vrede en Lust. From here, we continued on to explore a few other beautiful wineries for the day.
Wine Tasting on the Deck at Vrede en Lust
We arrived around 10:30 am and began our winery trip at Vrede en Lust. This winery had the best view of the Franschhoek Valley of all the wineries we visited! Sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view with some delicious wine.
Picnic at Boschendal
Boschendal is one of the oldest and largest wine farms in Franschhoek. They offer several different tastings, but we loved having a picnic and restaurant lunch there. Make sure you stop by their wine-tasting room and shop for handmade goods at their store!
Charcuterie at Babylonstoren
The prettiest charcuterie board I’ve ever seen was at Babylonstoren! They offer a variety of boards along with wine tasting in their tasting room right when you arrive.
Do a tasting and enjoy a charcuterie board with farm-made goods, the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Their wine farm also has many beautiful gardens and spaces to walk through.
Dinner and Relaxation at Angala
Angala offers beautiful views, luxury rooms, multiple pools, a sauna, a steam room, delicious meals, and more. This is such a romantic place to stay and truly a luxurious experience. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a hot tub with such a beautiful view.
The spa and hot tub led to a romantic and relaxing start to our evening. We also added dinner at sunset to add to the romance, which we loved!
We had a delicious three-course dinner here (additional charge) while the sun was setting, which was absolutely a highlight of the trip. This is a very romantic hotel, and we recommend staying here!
The following day, they had a full breakfast ready for us and helped send us back toward Cape Town with full stomachs and happy hearts!
Day 5: Drive the Coast
Cape Town is a coastal city (as you’ve probably figured out), and the Western Cape is breathtaking. On your last day, explore some nearby areas of Cape Town at your own pace. To do this, we started our drive in Franschhoek and headed along the Cape Peninsula.
If you did not stay in Franschhoek, you will do this list in reverse order. This drive has several stops, and it’s definitely possible to do it all in a day, but don’t be afraid to take away a spot or spend more time somewhere if it interests you more!
The Cape Peninsula has several great places that you’ll recognize throughout the rest of this post. You’ll interact with penguins on Boulder Beach, see the famous colorful beach bungalows, and be inspired by coastal views… this really is the perfect way to end your trip!
While this is an easy drive to do on your own if you want to rent a car, several tour companies offer tours of the Cape Peninsula. Don’t want to do the drive on your own? Here are some tour options:
Stop 1: Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg Beach is a famous surfing beach, and you can enjoy the beautiful views, watch the surfers, and even surf yourself! Bring a blanket to relax on the beach, or plan and book a surfing lesson for some fun!
While the little houses on the beach are cute, most were falling apart when we visited, so I would not recommend trying to go inside one. They add a nice, colorful, and fun vibe to this beach!
There’s also a long beach walkway above the beach if you want to take a nice walk without being in the sand.
Stop 2: Boulder Beach
You can’t go to Cape Town without seeing the famous penguins, which you’ll find at Boulder Beach. These African penguins are only found on the coastlines of Southern Africa (South Africa and Namibia) and are on the verge of extinction, so it’s a unique experience to see them!
We chose to book a kayaking trip to see the penguins. This extraordinary adventure is responsible and the best way to meet the Penguins and learn more about sharks and the beautiful creatures that inhabit the unique kelp forests.
If you don’t want to do a whole excursion, you can visit Boulder Beach on your own. The penguins are protected by the Cape Nature Conservation and are part of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). The Boulders section of TMNP consists of 3 pristine beaches, one penguin viewing of 3 pristine beaches, one penguin viewing area, and three boardwalks.
The boardwalks were built to allow for safe viewing of these wonderful birds boardwalks were built to allow for safe viewing of these wonderful birds while keeping them safe from poking fingers, so please stay on the boardwalks at all t times within the viewing area.
Nearby, Folly Beach offers a space to swim and get close to the penguins. These are endangered animals, and you always need to stay 6 meters away (about 20 feet).
Boulders Gates is a cash-free environment that only accepts debit and credit card payments. It costs R176 per adult per day to visit. More on the TMNP website here.
Stop 3: Kalk’s Bay
Of all the towns along False Bay, Kalk’s Bay was our favorite! It’s home to many cute boutiques, shops, and fishing boats. You can easily spend an afternoon shopping and strolling through the cute streets of this small fishing town. There are also many vintage shops and antique stores here that are so cute.
Kalk’s Bay is also known for its fish and chips. There are several options in the harbor, so stop in for a fancy or quick option at one of the spots along the water! After grabbing some food, stop at Cape to Cuba for great Mojitos and vibes along the water.
I recommend getting lunch here and then walking around because most things in town close by 5 pm. We struggled to find any shops and things open after 5!
Stop 4: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point
If you’re running out of time, you can skip this stop. Many confuse the Cape of Good Hope with being either the most southern point of the African continent or where the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet (a bit of a tourist trap, if you ask me!). The southern point of Africa is Cape Agulhas, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic.
The Cape was initially named the Cape of Storms in the 1480s by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. It was later renamed the Good Hope to attract more people to the Cape Sea Route that passed people to the Cape Sea Route that passed Africa’s southern coast.
Briefly hike around the vegetation and keep your eyes open for wildlife—seafowl, ostrich, and chacma baboons are common here. You can also go to the Two Oceans Restaurant for a glass of wine or an early dinner.
More details on visiting can be found on South Africa’s National Park website.
Stop 5: Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak is a famous drive road located between Noordhoek and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast on the southwestern tip of South Africa. It’s now a toll road, so bring road, so bring some cash with you. It’s a beautiful 30-minute drive without stops, but you will want to stop along the way!
This drive is best done at sunset, with amazing views along the cliffs and ocean. That’s why I recommend it as the last stop of your day along the peninsula. Many people stop along the road before sunset in anticipation of the sun slipping over the ocean.
I’d suggest getting some picnic foods and wine from a winery you visited the day before and stopping your car along the drive in a great spot to enjoy the sunset with a picnic! Perfect last evening of your trip! with a picnic! Perfect last evening of your trip.
Most vehicles are R 57R; buses and larger vehicles cost more.
If you’re worried about driving in the evening, you can head back into Cape Town and get a drink at the Radisson Foreshore‘s rooftop hotel.
The rooftop bar has great views of Cape Town! It has couches, seating areas, and a small indoor area as well, but you want to sit outside for the view. They had a massive menu of mojitos and other drinks with a view, which was fun to enjoy after a day in Cape Town.
Other Options and Ideas to Extend:
- Head to Johannesburg for history and more fun! From there, head to Kruger National Park on a safari.
- Take a day trip from Cape Town to the beaches in West Coast National Park to some beautiful beaches.
- Check out the Iziko South African Museum, the country’s oldest museum with over 1.5 million items, including fossils, stone tools, and traditional clothing.
- Explore Two Oceans Aquarium which celebrates the unique marine animals that live off South Africa’s coasts, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
- Get more ideas for great day trips from Cape Town here.
I hope this itinerary helps you think about the best five-day Cape Town itinerary for your trip. No matter what you choose to do, Cape Town will be special. I know it was for me, and it will be for you too!
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Amazing itinerary for Cape Town, so many things to do there. I’ve been to South Africa, but did not get a chance to visit Cape Town yet. Will definitely put it on my itinerary when I’m in the area again. Thanks a lot for sharing the tips.
Thank you! It’s definitely worth a visit.
Hello! Natural landscapes are unbelievable! Especially the bay, of course! Thanks for sharing your experience!
It’s definitely a beautiful and unique landscape!
Wow- I have never wanted to hop on a plane so fast. I had no idea Cape Town was so beautiful. Added the bucket list! Thank you for some great ideas.
Cape Town is definitely a stunning city with so much to do!
I’m planning a trip to S.A and Southern Africa in general and the tips are quite helpful. I love that there’s a great mix of landscape, wildlife, wine and culture in general.
Agreed – South Africa has so much to offer!
I have always dreamed of an African Safari and this makes me dream more. Great ideas and photos.
Cape Town is a great launching point and contrast to a safari. Thank you so much!
Cape town looks like an amazing destination. I would never have thought of it as a wine destination or having so much to do. Thanks for the tips
Cape Town has so many amazing things to do! The food and wine were one of my favorite parts for sure.