Making the most of your stay at Cape Town requires a bit of planning, but you can be assured it will be worth the time and effort. Having a plan means you can see and do more, and visit places your entire family will enjoy.
To help make your job easier, we’ve developed a few simple plans to accommodate your stay.
For a weekend, or a mid-week trip, a three day itinerary might include a peninsula tour, wine tasting and a trip to Robben Island.
Spectacular 3-day tour
Day 1: Begin by taking a trip around the Cape Peninsula, following the False Bay coastline. Travel through beautiful Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, stopping at Cape Point. On your way to Hout Bay be sure to stop by Scarborough and Kommetjie, working your way down to Constantia via Silvermine and Ou Kaapse Weg.
Have your fill of fresh fish once you get to Hout Bay, take a boat trip off the harbor and then be sure not to miss the seal colony at Duiker Island.
Travel toward Llandudno and continue on to Camps Bay. Once there enjoy the beautiful beach, sit and watch the sunset at one of the beachfront restaurants or bar, and enjoy the evening. Camps Bay offers wonderful hotels, villas and other Cape Town accommodation, see our accommodation page for more.
Day 2: Day two includes wine tasting and leisurely travel through beautiful vineyard countryside. Stop at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Select one of several wine estates where you can enjoy history and explore the wine cellars. Signs along the routes will help you travel from one location to another.
Many of the estates also offer award-winning restaurants, so enjoy a delicious lunch or afternoon tea along the way.
For cafe’s and bistros be sure to stop off at Franschhoek and travel the main street. For less travel stay near Constantia and visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Either option offers spectacular scenery worthy of a day’s efforts. Kirstenbosch Gardens are especially beautiful during spring, when flowers are in full bloom.
Day 3: Travel to Robben Island for an historic glimpse of South Africa. Ferry’s travel to the Island daily and you can even purchase packages that include a tour of the island and the prison. Prison tours are led by previous inmates, though you may want to book these popular tours in advance. These tours provide a perfect opportunity for a view at the political history of the area.
After your Island tour spend some time shopping at the V & A Waterfront. This area offers a wide collection of markets and shops, and restaurants or cafe’s for your dining pleasures.
For a spectacular view at sunset take a ride on the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. The cars provide a unique view of the city and surrounding areas.
Leisurely 5 or more days
For a longer stay, try one or all of the following recommendations for a stay of five or more days. What can you accomplish in five days?
- Peninsula tour
- Bouders Penguin Colony
- Table Mountain
- Greenmarket Square
- Stellenbosch wine tasting
- Franschhoek
- Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Robben Island
- V&A Waterfront
Day 1: Begin your journey with a trip around the Peninsula working your way toward Boulder’s Beach. Along the way follow the coastline of False Bay, through Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town.
Once you’ve bid hello to the penguins, continue on to the Cape Peninsula National Park and to Cape Point. These reserves offer a range of indigenous fynbos and wildlife, including buck, the Cape zebra and baboons. At this point you’ll have found the southwestern most tip of Africa, where you can admire the cliffs and take in the view from the top of the old Lighthouse.
Day 2: Start with a spectacular ride on the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. The view offers a unique look at the city and surrounding area a well as the Atlantic Seaboard.
Visit Greenmarket Square for some fine shopping. You can peruse fine African art, jewelry and clothing as well as other fine African collectibles. For the evening spend a leisurely stroll along the beaches of either Camp’s Bay or Clifton Beach.
Day 3: Wine tasting and leisurely travel through beautiful vineyard countryside highlights day three. Stop at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Select one of several wine estates where you can enjoy history and explore the wine cellars. Signs along the routes will help you travel from one location to another.
Many of the estates also offer award-winning restaurants, so enjoy a delicious lunch or afternoon tea along the way.
For cafe’s and bistros be sure to stop off at Franschhoek and travel the main street. For less travel stay near Constantia and visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Either option offers spectacular scenery worthy of a day’s efforts. Kirstenbosch Gardens are especially beautiful during spring, when flowers are in full bloom.
Day 4: For day four, take your pick of a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. These gardens are home to South African flora, small streams, spectacular views, and amazing views.
Day 5: Day five includes a political outing to the famous Robben Island, home of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners. Tour the island, with a marvelous view of Table Mountain, and enjoy a tour of the prison from a former inmate.
Afterward, spend the day at V&A Waterfront for some shopping. Visit the many craft markets and shops, and then enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the many restaurants or cafes. If you still have some time on your hands, a trip to the Two Oceans Aquarium is never disappointing.
Seven or more days
If you have the opportunity for a week or more in Cape Town then you have many options available to you. Spend at least a couple days relaxing at one of the spectacular beaches, take an adventurous helicopter ride or join a mountain biking troupe for the day. See the sites, enjoy the outdoors, and of course, take in the marvelous shopping along Kalk Bay or Hout Bay.
For more information about our Cape Town Tours, visit www.cometocapetown.com/tours or contact us, and let one of our friendly representatives help you to plan a personalised itinerary.