Discover Cape Town and Its Surroundings: Full Itinerary and Guide

So you've booked a flight to South Africa and now you're wondering what to do with one week in Cape Town? We've got you covered! Cordt and me have spent several months in both Cape Town and the surrounding areas. We now tend to go back every year because it's simply such a great place to be in. In this article, I've compiled our favourite places to visit - museums, wine estates, restaurants, hikes, beaches.

One note before we dive in - there is so much to do in the Cape Region that you could easily spend a whole month here and not get bored. In order to make the most of your time, I would recommend to base yourself in Cape Town and get a rental car for a few days to do several of the day trips mentioned in this itinerary. Alternatively, you can also join tours to get to Stellenbosch and Hermanus.

For a full overview of our favourite restaurants, vineyards, hotels and hidden spots, check our Travel Guide!

Days 1-2: Exploring the Heart of Cape Town

Begin your trip in the vibrant streets of Cape Town: Start with a stroll through the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. It is known for its brightly painted houses and cobblestone streets and makes for some good photo opportunities!

Next, make your way to the V&A Waterfront. This is a commercial and residential area lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. Here, you can visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, a modern art museum in a converted grain silo, that showcases cutting-edge African art. If you are visiting during the weekend, don't forget to visit Oranjezicht City Farm Market. We regularly spend half a weekend day there just eating and browsing the stalls. End the day strolling around the beaches of Sea Point.

No visit to Cape Town is complete without experiencing the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens! I love Botanical Gardens and visit them in almost all cities that we travel to, but no garden I have been to even comes close to Kirstenbosch. On the foothills of Table Mountain it looks out over the valley towards the sea and you can easily spend a day here just wandering around, having a pick-nick and/or reading on one of the many benches. If you are visiting during the South African summer, check the gardens website for their sunset concerts. It is just a beautiful experience to listen to live music, sip a glass of wine, and sit with the view of the Table Mountain.

Day 3: Hiking Table Mountain

I strongly advise to allocate one full day to visit Table Mountain (if you are short on time, you can also do it in a morning/afternoon by taking the cable car up and down).

The adventurous should definitely not miss the India Venster trail - this has the most spectacular views of the city and coastline we've seen on our hikes up Table Mountain. However, it is a very challenging route, so be prepared for a workout. Before hiking this trail for the first time, we read a lot of horror stories about it being close to impossible, but - even though it is definitely a challenge and Cordt struggled due to his fear of heights - it is 100% worth it and you do not need to have a supernatural fitness level. You will manage if you are a regular hiker and have a bit of confidence in yourself. However, we would not recommend to take this route down, as the sheer drops you need to climb down make it quite dangerous.

Alternatively, the Platteklip Gorge trail offers a more direct path to the summit - it should also not be underestimated though! If you are looking for an easy hike in this region, the Pipe Track from Kloof Nek is more suitable. If you are going for a trail that does not go up Table mountain, you can take the Cable Car up and down Table Mountain after your hike. On top of the Table Mountain you can also do a small loop hike to appreciate the views from all angles.

In the afternoon, head to Camps Bay (you can even walk there if you are still feeling like it). The beaches here are a perfect spot to relax and watch the sunset. For dinner, consider visiting o-Vine Wine & Grill House - we had some delightful seafood and very good steaks there. Due to its location it's a bit more expensive though.

Days 4-5: Cape Peninsula

The next two days are all about exploring the breathtaking Cape Peninsula. Start driving from Cape Town downtown and along the coastal road from Camps Bay to Hout Bay. Then wind your way along the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive. There are several points where you can stop to admire the dramatic ocean views and rugged cliffs.

Once you reach Noordhoek, stop for some delightful ice cream at Kristen's Kick-Ass Ice Cream. If you're there during the summer and on a Thursday evening, plan your trip so you can go to Cape Point Vineyards for sunset. This is when the vineyards fill with food trucks and music - it has an amazing atmosphere and you can eat different foods and sip wine while watching the sunset and people dancing on a stage in their small pond.

Continue to Simon's Town to visit the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach. If you want to save some money, you can just skip the fenced-off area that requires an entry fee and instead wander the beach and you will see plenty of penguins.

You can spend a full day at the tip of the Cape: drive all the way to Cape Point and hike the Kaap die Goeie Hoop-voetpad. Take a picture at the Cape of Good Hope sign and walk up to the Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse. If you feel like taking a dip in the ocean, you can head to the Venus Pool or to Buffels Bay Picnic Site and Tidal Pool.

Day 6: Wine and/or Dine in Stellenbosch

No trip to this region would be complete without a day in Stellenbosch and the surrounding wine heartland of South Africa. You can tour the vineyards either by yourself or join an organised tour from Cape Town. Even if you do not like wine, I would recommend you to allocate one day to this region as it's also got beautiful nature and the wine estates are worth a visit just for their beauty. Have a look at our Travel Guide for our recommendations!

If you have a bit more than one day, I'd recommend to add Old Nectar Gardens and Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden to your itinerary. Dylan Lewis creates fascinating sculptures of animals and human bodies - they are displayed in a large park that you can wander around in.

For a memorable meal, book a table at The Table at De Meye. It's a beautiful estate and you dine outside sitting on tables in their picturesque garden. They offer a menu filled with fresh, organic ingredients.

Day 7: The coast along False Bay and Hermanus

Conclude your week with a scenic drive around False Bay. From Cape Town Center, make your way up Sir Lowrys Drive and in Bot Rivier turn towards the coast. At Stony Point Nature Reserve you can again see many penguins, and in Pringle Bay you could get lunch at Hake Away and sit on the beach to eat.

If you feel like an adventure, you could head to the Cape Canopy Tour. We thought it was really worth the money - you get to zipline through the beautiful mountains, and even though we went on a cloudy day, the landscape and experience was marvelous!

Alternatively you could drive a bit further and include Hermanus in your itinerary. From June to November, it's whale watching season and the detour is well worth the additional time. You can either join a tour or just wander the Hermanus Cliff Path. Even if you don't venture onto the ocean you are bound to see some whales as during the season they come incredibly close to the shore.

I would argue that Hermanus is worth the trip even if you're not visiting during whale season. The above-mentioned cliff path is beautiful all year round and there are quite a few hikes you can do in the area, as well as some vineyards that are worth going to - for the full list, see our travel guide!

Drive back slowly, taking in the views of False Bay from the other side of the bay.

If you have a few days more

If you have 2-3 days longer, I would advise to drive a small loop around Cape Town: Spend one to two nights in the Wine Region (Stellenbosch or Franschhoek both have some beautiful accommodations!) and then add another night on the coast in or close to Hermanus. This will give you more opportunities to explore these places a bit more in depth. If you are visiting between July and November, don't miss a Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus!

And if you have even more time, consider taking a roadtrip down the marvellous Garden Route.

You can also add one day for an outdoor adventure: Depending on the season, there are many amazing outdoor adventures to be had in the Cape Region. We loved the Cape Canopy Tour, you could go abseiling with Frixion Adventures or snorkeling with seals.