Cape Town-7 Days Travel Route 🗓

berfinozelsel
5 days ago
9 min read

Day 1: First Step to Cape Town 🎉

✈️ Arrival and Airport Affairs

After landing in Cape Town, we handle passport and baggage procedures at the airport. If you rented a car from Hertz like we did, the process is over quickly. (Note: Be sure to check the car for minor scratches and fuel condition when you pick it up.)

🚗 Hotel Settlement; We settle into our hotel in the city center or around Sea Point. We do not have a heavy program as there may be jet lag (flight fatigue) on the first day.

🍴 First Taste Stop; V&A Waterfront

As soon as we dropped our luggage off in the room we headed straight to the V&A Waterfront!

This is both one of the liveliest spots in the city and a wonderful place where you can take a walk by the sea.
If you want, have a quick snack at the Food Market here. (I definitely recommend trying the "biltong", the famous dried meat of South Africa!)
For dinner, restaurants serving local delicacies such as Karibu Restaurant are a great option.

🌅 Sunset Enjoyment; After dinner, we take a light walk on the beach. If you're lucky, you can watch the orange sun setting over Table Mountain. It's literally like a painting!

😴 Early Bedtime; We return to the hotel early on the first day to get used to the city without tiring too much. Because a full program awaits us the next day! 🚀

Day 2: Table Mountain and City Exploration ⛰️✨

🌄 Early Morning: Table Mountain Climb or Cable Car Ride

If it's a clear day, we definitely go early in the morning because clouds (the famous "tablecloth" fog) can set in in the afternoon.
We have two options:
➡️ For the adventurous, climbing to the top on foot (Platteklip Gorge route) – takes about 1.5-2 hours.
➡️ For those who want a more comfortable route, a pleasant cable car ride with the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. (If you buy your tickets online, you can enter without waiting in line.)
Once you reach the top, panoramic views of Cape Town, Robben Island and Cape Point will be at your feet.
Don't forget to take lots of photos and walk on gentle hiking trails!

🛍️ Afternoon: Bo-Kaap Neighborhood and Colorful Streets

After Table Mountain, we head to Bo-Kaap , the most Instagrammable spot in the city.

Famous for its colorful houses, this neighborhood is the heart of Cape Malay culture.
We take a short walk and get lost in the narrow streets.
We can visit the Bo-Kaap Museum and learn about the history of the region.

🍛 Local Taste Tour You can find great tastes of "Cape Malay" cuisine around Bo-Kaap. My recommendations: bobotie (sweet and spicy minced meat dish) and samosa (triangular pastry)!

☕ Coffee Break: Truth Coffee Roasting

One of the must-visit places in the city center: Truth Coffee!

This place has a steampunk theme and was chosen as one of the best coffee shops in the world.
You can have a great coffee experience in its cool interior decoration.

🌅 Evening

Watch the sunset at Signal Hill .

Day 3: Cape Peninsula Exploration 🚗🌊🐧

🌞 Early Morning: Let the Cape Peninsula Road Trip Begin!

Today is a day where we will be one with nature and say "wow!" a lot!

🚘 We will get in our car early in the morning and set off towards the Cape Peninsula. We will take plenty of photo breaks along the route, accompanied by magnificent views.

📍 First Stop: Muizenberg Beach (Colorful Huts)

Here we will see those famous pastel-colored beach huts.
The beach is very quiet in the morning, ideal for taking photos.
If you want, we can walk on the beach for a while and dip our feet in the ocean (the water feels cool but fresh).

📍 Second Stop: Boulders Beach (African Penguins!)

We continue on our way and arrive at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.
Here we will see hundreds of African penguins roaming freely!
If you want, you can walk on the wooden walking paths and even get closer to the penguins in the protected area. (But of course we don't touch them.)

📍 Third Stop: Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

We arrive at one of the most extreme points of South Africa.
We take a short walk to Cape Point Lighthouse or take the mini funicular up to the top.
When we climb to the top, we see the fascinating view where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
The wind can be a bit harsh here, so dress accordingly!
Then we go down to the famous "Cape of Good Hope" cliff with its sign - taking photos here is a classic.

🍽️ Lunch: Two Oceans Restaurant

We can take a delicious seafood break at the famous Two Oceans Restaurant in Cape Point. A delicious break with a view!

🛣️ On the Way Back: Chapman's Peak Drive

On the way back, we definitely pass through Chapman's Peak Drive.
This is known as "one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world". It is one of the roads where James Bond famously drives.
Winding roads, giant cliffs and endless ocean views… We will want to stop and just watch the view for minutes.

🍷 Evening: Wine Tasting in Hout Bay or Constantia (If You Want)

If we still have energy towards sunset, we can sit at a beachside cafe in Hout Bay.
Or we can top off the day with a little wine tasting at one of the vineyards in the Constantia area!

Day 4 – Helicopter Tour & Robben Island Tour

Morning: Start your Cape Town adventure with a helicopter tour over the city. A bird's eye view of Table Mountain, the beaches and the city in general is a great start!

Robben Island Tour

Half Day: Visit Robben Island to understand South Africa's struggle against apartheid. You'll take a deep historical journey on this tour, seeing Nelson Mandela's former cell and hearing stories from former prisoners.

Afterwards, take a short walk in the Company's Garden.
You can visit museums around the park, such as the South African Museum or the Iziko Slave Lodge .

Day 5: Wine Valley Tour and Last Enjoyment in the City 🍇🍷🌸

🌞 Morning: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Wine Valleys Exploration

Today we are getting away from the city a bit and getting lost among the lush vineyards. We are heading towards the Cape Winelands region, which is approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour drive from Cape Town.

📍 First Stop: Stellenbosch

The second oldest town in South Africa.
If you wish, we can take a short walk here and have a coffee break.
Then we go to a vineyard and taste wine. (If we are driving, there are also non-alcoholic tasting or grape juice options.)

🍇 Tasting Suggestion: Popular and scenic places like Tokara, Delaire Graff or Spier Wine Farm are great options. Especially the view at Delaire Graff is mind-blowing!

📍 Second Stop: Franschhoek

After Stellenbosch, we move on to Franschhoek, famous for its “Wine Tram” tour, which resembles a wine train.
This is a town with a French influence, almost like a European village.
If we want, we can take the "Wine Tram" and visit a few different wineries.
Or we can wander around the town centre and explore the art galleries and tiny boutique shops.

🍽️ Lunch: Vineyard Dinner in Franschhoek

We take a long lunch break at the winery restaurants with a view of the vineyards.
This is one of the places where the "slow food" philosophy beats; everything is fresh, local and extremely delicious!

🚗 Afternoon: Return to Cape Town

After a wonderful day, we return to Cape Town feeling slightly exhausted.
If you want, we can also stop by small local markets along the way and buy small souvenirs.

🌆 Evening: V&A Waterfront

A delightful sunset dinner at a seaside restaurant at the V&A Waterfront!

Day 6: A Relaxed Day in the City – Shopping, Culture and Food Tour 🛍️🎨🍴

🌞 Morning: A Light Exploration in the City Center

The tempo is a little slower today, we both rest and enjoy the city.

📍 Greenmarket Square:

Afterwards we go to Greenmarket Square , one of the oldest markets in the city.
Here you can find handmade souvenirs, traditional masks, jewelry, artworks and fabrics.
Haggling is a must! 🎯 A great place to grab a few Cape Town souvenirs.

🍴 Lunch: Local Flavors

We stop at a local restaurant in the city centre for lunch.
I especially recommend the Cape Malay curry dishes or the fresh seafood.
Light, delicious and local flavors!

🛍️ Afternoon: Shopping and Sea Air at the V&A Waterfront

In the afternoon we head back to the V&A Waterfront .
There are both modern shopping malls (Victoria Wharf) and cute boutique stores here.
We can shop for beautiful souvenirs, designer items and African art.
Those who wish can take a coffee break by the sea or even take a small boat tour. 🚤

🌇 Evening: A Pleasant Dinner and Maybe Some Live Music

For dinner we can make a reservation at one of the seafood restaurants on the Waterfront. (I especially recommend "Mozambican prawns" or "Grilled Kingklip")
After your meal, you can listen to live music around the Waterfront or take a pleasant walk along the beach.

🎉 Thus, we complete the 6th day with lots of culture, shopping and flavor!

Day 7: Farewell to Cape Town – Enjoying the City One Last Time 🎈

🌅 Morning: We Start the Day Early and Enjoyably

📍 Sea Point Promenade Walk:

We head to the Sea Point coastal path for a light walk.
We breathe in the sea air, renting a bike and taking a short beach tour can also be very enjoyable! 🚴♂️
We take a coffee break at one of the cafes on the road and surrender ourselves to the calm morning rhythm of Cape Town.

🍽️ Late Breakfast / Brunch: At a Local Cafe

We stop by one of the city's most popular brunch spots.
Amazing croissants, fresh coffee and delicious breakfasts await at places like Jason Bakery or The Ladder on Bree .

🛍️ Latest Purchases:

If there is some space left in the suitcase, we can stop by the Watershed Market to buy small gifts and souvenirs from Cape Town.
It is possible to find handmade works of art, jewelry and natural products here. 🎁
(Rooibos tea, locally designed textiles and small art objects make wonderful souvenirs.)

🧳 Check-out and Transfer to the Airport:

We check out of the hotel and head towards the airport.
Cape Town will always remain a place we would like to return to one day.

You can also sprinkle in the following activities that you want to do.

Sunset Cruise : Opportunity to explore the city from the sea with a sunset boat tour
District Six Museum : An important stop to understand the effects of the apartheid era.
Shark Cage Diving : Come face to face with sharks.
All Day: Go on safari at Aquila Game Reserve near Cape Town. Get the chance to see the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino – and experience the South African wilderness.

📌 Small Tips:

For safety reasons, be careful in non-touristy areas during the evening hours.
Winds can be strong, bring a windbreaker/rain jacket, especially for Table Mountain and Cape Point.
Advance reservations are recommended for ferries, museums and some tours.
Always carry water with you; although the sun in Cape Town may seem gentle, it can be very hot.
Depending on when you go you may need to pack your bags, but Cape Town’s weather can be quite variable . Here’s a packing list :
Clothing: Comfortable, light clothing (cotton t-shirts, shorts, dresses, etc.) A light jacket or cardigan should also be taken, as it can be chilly in the evenings.
Shoes: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes for walking and exploring; sandals for beach days.
Sun: The Cape Town sun can be quite strong. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Medication: Bring your own prescription medications and common medications such as basic painkillers and stomach medicine.
Cash and Card: While credit cards are widely accepted, it may be easier to use cash in some cases. Carry both.

Security

Cape Town is a city where you need to be cautious in terms of security. Although tourist areas are generally safe, it is useful to take some precautions:

Try not to walk in secluded areas in the evening.
Do not carry your valuables in the open.
Request a ride with popular apps like Uber/Bolt.
Go for trusted places where you can get recommendations from locals.
Get area maps and safety information from tourist information centres.

Cape Town 7 Day Trip Plan

Day	Program	Detail
Day 1	Arrival & Getting Acclimated to the City	Explore the V&A Waterfront
Day 2	Table Mountain & City Centre	Table Mountain by cable car, Bo-Kaap streets, Company's Garden,
Day 3	Cape Peninsula Tour	Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, meeting the penguins at Boulders Beach, Chapman's Peak Drive. 🐧
Day 4	Wine Valleys	A fun day of wine tasting and vineyard touring of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine farms. 🍷
Day 5	Robben Island and City Tour	Robben Island tour, District Six Museum, coffee break on Long Street and a delightful restaurant in the evening. 🚤
Day 6	Shopping	Greenmarket Square
Day 7	Farewell & Last Moments	Sunrise at Signal Hill, walk along Sea Point Promenade, shop at Watershed Market and have a final coffee break. ☕

✨ Cape Town's Must Do List

✔️ Take a cable car up Table Mountain and watch the city from above.

✔️ Walk with the penguins at Boulders Beach. 🐧

✔️ Witness the meeting of two oceans at Cape Point.

✔️ Take lots of photos in the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap. 📸

✔️ Sample fresh seafood while watching the sunset at the V&A Waterfront.

✔️ Take at least one wine tasting tour in Stellenbosch. 🍷

✔️ Go to Robben Island and see Nelson Mandela's cell.

✔️ Have a cocktail while watching the sunset at Camps Bay Beach.🍹

✔️ Take a morning walk along Sea Point Promenade.

✔️ Buy local art or souvenirs at an open-air market. 🎁

✔️ Stroll along the treetop walkway in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. 🌳

✔️ Watch the sunset or sunrise at Signal Hill.