Cape Town: an itinerary for first-time visitors

 One of South Africa’s three capital cities, Cape Town is a southern-hemisphere destination that simply has to be on your travel bucket list. With sprawling coastlines, soaring mountains, and just about everything in between, Cape Town is full of things to do and places to see.

The city has a fascinating history, exceptional multi-culturalism, magnificent natural landscapes, and a modern, cosmopolitan flair. Cape Town, commonly referred to as “the Mother City”, really does have something to offer everybody – whether you enjoy nature or wine, there’s no way you’ll be bored down south.

How long should I spend in Cape Town?

Cape Town is the kind of place you could spend weeks (if not months) exploring if you had the time. Along with the city centre and nearby neighbourhoods, many small towns surround Cape Town proper, perfect for day trips or weekends away.

That said, three days will give you enough time to see the highlights of the city, while still leaving you time to explore the rest of South Africa.

Below, we’ve put together the perfect itinerary for few days in Cape Town. For this itinerary, you will need to hire a car, although we’ve suggested some tours you can book if you don’t have access to a vehicle.

Iconic Landmarks and Cultural Gems

Start your adventure with a cable car ride up Table Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for a hike via Platteklip Gorge.

Explore the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, famous for its colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage. Grab a traditional Cape Malay meal at a local eatery.

Head to the V&A Waterfront, a lively hub with restaurants, shops, and street performances. Visit the Zeitz MOCAA Museum for contemporary African art.

Enjoy dinner at The Waterside or Gold Restaurant, where you can experience a multi-course African dining experience with live drumming performances.

 Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap and the V&A Waterfront

One of the first things you’ll see when you get to Cape Town is the city’s iconic Table Mountain. Start your three days in Cape Town by hopping into the cable car and heading to the top of Table Mountain – from there, you’ll be able enjoy unparalleled views of the city, and observe the local fauna and flora that abounds.

Fun Fact: Table Mountain is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world, with some of its rocks dating back to 600 million years ago.

Visit the Bo Kaap neighborhood, located at the foot of Signal Hill (where you can watch the paragliders or give it a go yourself). With a history dating back to the mid-18th century, the Bo Kaap was originally used as an area to provide housing to Indonesian and other African slaves.

These people soon became known as the “Cape Malay” people, and many of the families that live there today have been there for generations. The houses in the neighbourhood are colourful, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the Bo Kaap is home to oodles of the city’s cultural heritage and history.

Fun Fact: The houses in the Bo Kaap used to have to be white, but after the local residents were released from slavery and given permission to purchase their homes, they painted them in bright colors as a symbol of their freedom and independence.

While you’re visiting the Bo Kaap, a few must-see attractions include:

  • Auwal Mosque: The first established mosque in South Africa.

  • Biesmiellah and Bo Kaap Kombuis: Two restaurants in Bo Kaap that serve traditional Cape Malay food.

  • The Noon Day Gun: A Cape Town tradition (since 1806), the cannon is fired at noon every day (other than public holidays) to signal the end of the morning.

  • The Bo Kaap Museum: Located in one of the neighbourhood’s oldest buildings (mid-18th century), the museum showcases Islamic heritage and culture and the history of slavery in the area and the Cape Malay people.

Continue your exploration of South African history by visiting Robben Island, an island located in Table Bay about eight kilometers from the mainland. The island was used as a stopping point for ships during the 16th and 17th centuries, and it holds plenty of history from the 1500s up until the present.

However, Robben Island is most famous for its time as a maximum-security prison – from 1960 until 1991 – and for being the place where one of South Africa’s most famous anti-Apartheid activists, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, was imprisoned for 18 years.

Today, visitors can tour the island and the prison, where you’re able to visit Mandela’s cell, visit the Robben Island Museum, and more. Ferries leave from the V&A Waterfront.

Spend the afternoon and evening at the V&A Waterfront, where you can stroll around the outdoor shopping centre, wander into the mall itself, and enjoy a meal at one of the many top-notch restaurants with stunning views. On the weekends, you’ll be able to watch local artists perform in and around the amphitheatre.

Restaurant Recommendations: For a unique Zulu fine-dining experience, make a reservation at Emazulwini Restaurant next door to the V&A and Maker’s Landing. Other great options include Sevruga, Brauhaus, and Harbour House, or try Mitchell’s if you prefer something more casual.

No car?Book this one-day tour to see the above attractions.

 See the two Oceans

Your third and final day in the Mother City will take you from one coast to the other, starting by looking out over the Indian Ocean and ending at the beaches of the far cooler Indian Ocean.

No trip to Cape Town would be complete without hiking Lion’s Head – ask any Capetonian or anyone who’s ever visited the city. It’s about 5km in total and will take you anywhere from two to three hours, depending on your fitness, and how long you spend enjoying the views.

From the top (and along the way), you’ll be able to enjoy panoramas of Table Mountain, the Twelve Apostles, and the entirety of the Atlantic Seaboard. Enjoy the unique fynbos flowers around you as you climb and keep your eyes peeled for little animals!

Safety Tip: Never hike alone, take plenty of water, and take a cell phone along just in case.

About 5km away lies the District Six Museum, and in it are stories that outline both general and personal experiences of people of color during the oppressive Apartheid era. In 1966, the District 6 Municipality, was legally declared a “white area” under the Group Areas Act of 1950, thus prohibiting the people of color who resided there to stay.

Consequently, 60,000 people of color were “relocated” to alternative (less favorable) areas and their homes were demolished. The mission of the District 6 Museum is to give life to the memories of once lively, multi-racial areas, and this fascinating museum is a great place for tourists to visit to gain valuable insight into South African social and political history.

Next up, it’s time to visit the west coast of Cape Town, referred to as the Atlantic Seaboard. As you drive over Kloof Nek, you’ll be able to look out at the Atlantic Ocean and its gorgeous coastline.

If the weather is good and you’re up for a beach day, head down to Clifton. Clifton has four different beaches, but the best one for just enjoying some fun in the sun is Clifton 2nd, while Clifton 1st is better for surfing – both are pretty sheltered when it’s windy (which is often in Cape Town).

Camps Bay, a few kilometres down the coast, has another beach with fancy hotels and restaurants all along the promenade. This is a fun place to have a meal, grab a drink, or just spend some time at the beach. Nearby, just off the beachfront but still in Camps Bay, you’ll find The Lawns at the Roundhouse, a favourite among locals and tourists in the area.

This is a great place to have a few afternoon drinks or a breakfast with a view! And if you want a really special fine dining option, make a booking at Salsify at the Roundhouse.

No car? You can go on an organised hike up Lion’s Head and take a tour of the District 6 Museum

Nature and Adventure

Take a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak to Boulders Beach, home to the famous African penguin colony.

Visit the Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch or Franschhoek) for a wine-tasting experience at world-renowned vineyards.

If you love adventure, try surfing at Muizenberg Beach or take a kayaking tour to see dolphins and seals.

Watch the sunset at Signal Hill or enjoy a beachfront dinner in Camps Bay.