Cape Town, South Africa – The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers

Planning your Cape Town itinerary?  I was lucky enough to visit Cape Town recently and I haven’t stopped raving about it since.  For starters, it has the most natural beauty of any city I’ve ever seen…anywhere in the world.  It’s absolutely stunning.

What else?  A cosmopolitan edge, incredible beaches, and phenomenal food and wine.  Not to mention a culture steeped in history, and nearly-perfect weather.  Cape Town is pretty much an ideal destination for any kind of trip.

Cape Town is also the perfect jumping-off point if you want to continue on to a safari!  I did a TON of research before my trip, and here’s the lowdown on the perfect Cape Town itinerary.

Before you go to Cape Town…

Make sure you get one of these.  They are specific to South Africa!  You’ll also want to check out my shop to make sure that you have everything you need for your trip! And if you’re going on safari during your time in South Africa, check out my very best African safari tips for first timers.

READ MORE: 5 Things You Must Pack for South Africa

Where to Stay in Cape Town

The selection of hotels in Cape Town can be absolutely overwhelming.  As a city that caters to high tourist volume, Cape Town has hotels to meet any budget and style.

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Cape Town

I would recommend staying either in Clifton, or near the V&A waterfront.  Clifton is a great location if you want to be close to beaches.  On the other hand, the V&A waterfront is very central, and close to plenty of shops and dining.

My absolute favorite hotel in Cape Town is the Cape View Clifton.  It’s perched up on a cliff overlooking Clifton’s beaches, so the view is STUNNING.

If you prefer to stay close to the V&A Waterfront, then I’d recommend the Protea North Wharf.  If your budget allows, The One & Only Cape Town is impeccable.

Cape Town Itinerary Day 1: Welcome to Cape Town!

Cape Town’s natural beauty is stunning, and there’s no better place to admire it from up above, atop Table Mountain.

Visiting Table Mountain

Book your tickets for the gondola ahead of time and plan to go first thing in the morning.  As the day goes on, the area can quickly get very crowded.

It’s a good idea to plan on doing Table Mountain your first day in Cape Town.  That way, you’ll be able to reschedule if the weather isn’t cooperating.

The trails on the top of the mountain are easy to explore, so it’s likely  you’ll end up spending an hour or two up on top of the mountain.  It’s a great spot to sit back and enjoy some snacks or even some wine too!   The restaurant on top of the mountain sells some snacks, but the selection is limited.  For that reason, you may want to bring your own to save a few bucks.

The Bo-Kaap Neighborhood in Cape Town

On the way down from Table Mountain, stop by Bo Kaap, Cape Town’s colorful Cape Malay neighborhood.  The neon-colored houses are eclectically charming, and you won’t be able to resist photos of the kaleidoscope streets.

After Bo Kaap, head over to Bree Street, my favorite boutique shopping street in Cape Town.   It’s devoid of the usual tourist souvenir offerings, and filled with independent shops, so it’s a great spot to hunt for gifts to take home.

For dinner, I would recommend Manna Epicure – an adorable bistro with a fusion of global creations.  I went here for dinner on Christmas Eve and we had the coziest dinner imaginable!

Cape Town Itinerary Day 2: Robben Island and The Waterfront

On day 2 of your Cape Town itinerary, book a morning tour to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.  The tours of the prison are given by former inmates, so the history that you will experience is quite moving.  Make sure to book your tickets online ahead of time.

Explore the V&A Waterfront

Once you return, spend some time strolling along the V&A Waterfront, and checking out the markets and boutiques.  Pop back to your hotel to grab towels and beach chairs, and then take a cab to Camps Bay, one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, and a great spot to spend the remainder of the day.

You’ll love the incredible views of Cape Town’s 12 Apostles as the backdrop to this stretch of sand.  The restaurants and cafes along the main street of Camps Bay are the perfect place to kick back for sundowners and dinner, all with a view of Camps Bay beach.

Cape Town Itinerary Day 3: Cape Day Trip

Pack up the car for the day trip of a lifetime!  Today you’re headed down to the Cape of Good Hope, and will explore Boulders Beach and its resident penguins on the way.

Boulders Beach Penguins

Yep, I said penguins!  For today, you’ll want to either rent a car for the day, or look into a group or private tour of the Cape, since public transportation isn’t really easily accessible for the entire route.

First stop is a view of the penguins on Boulders Beach.  It can get incredibly crowded on the viewing platform, so I recommend getting to the beach as early in the day as possible.  Also keep in mind that there are viewing platforms on BOTH sides of the beach – most people don’t realize this – so you can make use of the less-crowded platform by taking a short walk through the trees (watch out for sleeping penguins on the way!).

After Boulders Beach, continue on down south to the protected wildlife reserve at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can explore the indigenous plants and animals, and visit the lighthouse at the tip of the Cape.

Day 4: Explore The Winelands

Spend your last day in Cape Town enjoying South Africa’s winelands, which are about a 45 minute drive outside of the city.  Depending on how much wine you plan to taste, you might want to consider hiring a private driver for the day (link to company).

Best Wineries to Visit in South Africa

Start your day off with a wine tasting at Fairview Wine and Cheese – and give yourself plenty of time to watch the playful goats in front of the property!  They’re part of the unique charm at Fairview.

For the wine tasting, I recommend doing the tasting that’s paired with all different kinds of cheeses.  YES PLEASE.  It will please any Type A traveler out there.

Next, head over to Babylonstoren, an idyllic Cape Dutch farm-turned winery and hotel that is just begging to be instagrammed at every corner.  You can do another wine tasting there, or make a booking for lunch at Babel, a chic restaurant with all-white decor and incredible food.  Or…you can do both!

Either way, don’t miss a stroll through the incredible garden at Babylonstoren, too – it’s one-of-a-kind, and you’ll be tempted to pick all of the fresh fruits and vegetables.

After Babylonstoren, take a quick spin through the town of Franshoek, with it’s cute main street, cafes, and shops.  If you’re game for a third winery, I would recommend heading over to Stellenbosch to check out Tokara.  Of all the wines I tasted in South Africa (and I tasted A LOT), this place had my favorites by far.

For dinner, you cannot go wrong with the tasting menu at nearby Rust en Vrede – it’s an incredible experience but best saved for a special occasion, or a night when you want to go ALL OUT.   For something more casual, I’d recommend Reuben’s which is back in Franshoek.

There you have it – the Perfect Cape Town Itinerary!

Happy travels to South Africa!  Are you headed there soon?  Let me know in the comments below!

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