Few cities deliver as much contrast as Cape Town: a 1,055-meter mesa of sandstone older than the Himalayas, two oceans in constant conversation, and a cosmopolitan food scene shaped by Malay spice routes and Cape Dutch farms. In one week you’ll stand atop Table Mountain, sail past the Atlantic-hazed skyline, meet endangered African penguins, and head inland for a Big Five safari—then exhale among Franschhoek’s vines.

History hangs in view everywhere. Robben Island—where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years—sits in Table Bay, stark and essential. The Cape Peninsula’s fynbos belongs to the smallest yet richest floral kingdom on Earth, while Franschhoek (“French Corner”) still echoes its 17th-century Huguenot settlers across gabled homesteads and cellar doors.

Practical notes: English is widely spoken; tipping 10–15% is customary. Drives are on the left. Expect microclimates—pack a light shell even in summer. Intermittent power outages can occur; most hotels and restaurants have generators. Book marquee restaurants and Table Mountain early in peak season (Dec–Mar).

Cape Town

Flanked by Table Mountain and the Atlantic, Cape Town blends outdoor thrills, heritage neighborhoods, and a flourishing culinary scene. Explore Bo-Kaap’s rainbow cottages, hike Lion’s Head at sunrise, and watch sunset paint Camps Bay gold. The V&A Waterfront is your launchpad for ferries, sailing, markets, and easy dining.

• Where to stay: City Bowl for walkability, De Waterkant for cafes and boutiques, Sea Point/Camps Bay for ocean breezes. Browse VRBO Cape Town stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly into CPT. Check fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to City Bowl takes ~25–35 minutes by rideshare (~$12–20).

Day 1: Arrive, V&A Waterfront, and Sunset on the Water

Afternoon: Touch down, check in, and stretch your legs along the V&A Waterfront boardwalk. Browse the Watershed (local design) and watch seals near the Clock Tower. Coffee at Origin Coffee Roasting in De Waterkant for single-origin pours and fresh bakes.

Evening: Toast your first night on a harbor sunset cruise—champagne in hand and Table Mountain silhouetted.

Sunset Champagne Cruise from Cape Town

Dinner: At the Waterfront, book Baia (grilled linefish, Mozambican prawns) or Harbour House (sushi and seafood platters with harbor views). Nightcap at Willaston Bar (Silo Hotel) for skyline panoramas.

Day 2: Table Mountain, Penguins, and Cape Point (Full-Day Highlights)

Morning: Early pickup for a greatest-hits loop of the Cape Peninsula, starting with Table Mountain’s cable car (weather permitting) for 360-degree city and ocean views.

Afternoon: Continue to Boulders Beach to see endangered African penguins waddling through boulder-studded coves. Then ride Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads, en route to the Cape of Good Hope. Lunch in Simon’s Town at The Lighthouse Café (pan-fried hake, Cape Malay curry).

Evening: Return to the city. Dinner at Kloof Street House (Victorian manor, fairy-lit garden; order the ostrich fillet or bobotie spring rolls) or The Pot Luck Club (small plates—tuna tataki, broccoli with miso and nut crumb—book well ahead).

Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town

Day 3: Robben Island and City Culture

Morning: Ferry to Robben Island for a sobering, essential museum visit led in part by former political prisoners. Pre-book to secure your spot and transfers.

Cape Town: Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers

Afternoon: Lunch at Clarke’s Bar & Dining (all-day favorites; try the smashed burger or chicken salad). Dive into Zeitz MOCAA for contemporary African art, then wander the Company’s Garden for a quiet green interlude.

Evening: Head to Camps Bay for sunset on the beach. Dinner at The Codfather (choose-your-own fresh catch, sushi conveyor) or The 41 (Mediterranean plates, sea views). Gelato from Unframed on Kloof for dessert.

Day 4: Breede River Valley Scenery and Big Five Safari

Morning: Early pickup out of the city toward the Breede River Valley—think vineyards, mountains, and classic Cape Dutch estates. Your guide handles the logistics, leaving you to watch the scenery roll by.

Afternoon: After a relaxed valley stop and lunch in Robertson (look for Karoo lamb or roosterkoek), you’ll continue to a private reserve for an afternoon Big Five game drive. Keep an eye out for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and giraffe against red-gold light.

Evening: Return to Cape Town. Light late dinner near your stay—Tiger’s Milk (pizza and ribs) or Bao Down (Asian plates) if you’ve got energy, otherwise a quick bite at your hotel.

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

Franschhoek

Welcome to the Cape Winelands’ culinary heart. Franschhoek’s mountains funnel cool breezes over vineyard rows, while village streets brim with galleries, bakeries, and cellars. The wine is superb; the dining scene is among South Africa’s best.

• Where to stay: Vineyard cottages and Cape Dutch farmhouses near the valley floor, or in-village guesthouses for easy walks to dinner. See VRBO Franschhoek stays or browse Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Cape Town: Morning departure; self-drive via the N1/N2 and R45 (~1h15–1h30). Car hire runs ~$30–45/day; rideshare/private transfer is ~$35–90 depending on vehicle and time of day.

Day 5: Transfer to Franschhoek and First Sips

Morning: Pick up your rental car after breakfast (Bootlegger Coffee—Sea Point roast and a flaky almond croissant). Drive to Franschhoek via the scenic Helshoogte Pass if you’d like a Stellenbosch coffee stop en route.

Afternoon: Check in, then ease in with a picnic under the oaks at Boschendal (reserve baskets; charcuterie, farm cheeses, garden salads) or casual rotisserie at Leopard’s Leap (family-friendly, airy space). Ride the local Wine Tram in the afternoon—choose a line that suits your mood (e.g., Purple/Orange for La Bri, Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence). Tastings usually ~45–60 minutes per stop; plan two to three estates.

Evening: Dinner at Protégé (creative small plates; pork belly with apple gel, coal-roasted cauliflower) or Reuben’s (a local institution—Cape Malay lamb curry or West Coast mussels). Nightcap at Tuk Tuk Microbrewery for a crisp lager brewed on-site.

Day 6: Hike, Vineyards, and a Tasting-Menu Finale

Morning: Coffee at Terbodore (try the “Dirty Chai”) before a short hike in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. The Du Toitskop trail offers sweeping valley views without a full-day commitment.

Afternoon: Tastings at La Motte (elegant Syrah), Haute Cabrière (Pinot Noir and Cap Classique with vistas), and Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines’ Wine Studio (textural Chenin and Syrah; intimate appointments recommended). Lunch at The Country Kitchen (Mont Rochelle; garden seating) or a light plate at Maison Estate.

Evening: For a showstopper finale, book La Petite Colombe (multi-course tasting; oysters, delicate fish courses, wagyu—expect art on a plate) or Le Coin Français (innovative Franschhoek terroir menu). If you prefer casual, head to Col’Cacchio for pizza and a glass of local rosé.

Day 7: Farm Gardens and Departure

Morning: Check out and stop at Babylonstoren’s gardens and farm shop en route to the airport. Stroll through structured hedgerows and orchards, then enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast—think stoneground sourdough, garden preserves, and seasonal fruit.

Afternoon: Drive back to Cape Town International (allow ~1h30 plus fuel/return time). Check flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, a last coastal lunch in Sea Point—Seabreeze Fish & Shell for Saldanha Bay oysters—makes a perfect goodbye.

Optional Adventure Add-On (fit where it suits): Lion’s Head Golden Hour

If you’re chasing that iconic city-meets-ocean panorama, schedule a sunrise or sunset hike on Lion’s Head. The route is a 60–90 minute spiral to the top with a few ladders; carry water and a light jacket. Guided hikes are available if you prefer company and local insight.

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike

Food & Drink Shortlist (Save These)

• Coffee & breakfast: Origin Coffee Roasting (single-origin pours), Loading Bay (eggs and sourdough), Bootlegger (reliable roasts), Terbodore (Franschhoek favorite).
• Lunch: The Lighthouse Café (Simon's Town), Boschendal picnics, Leopard’s Leap rotisserie, Clarke’s (city comfort classics).
• Dinner: Kloof Street House (Cape Town), The Pot Luck Club (Old Biscuit Mill), The Codfather (Camps Bay), Protégé / La Petite Colombe / Le Coin Français (Franschhoek).
• Drinks: Willaston Bar (skyline), Cause | Effect (cocktails inspired by fynbos), Tuk Tuk Microbrewery (craft beer in Franschhoek).

Practical safari tip: For day safaris, bring a light jacket, hat, sunglasses, and a 200–400mm lens if you’re into wildlife photography. Animals are most active early and late; guides will position you for the best sightings.

With mountains, ocean, wildlife, and wine packed into one week, this Cape Town and Franschhoek itinerary captures South Africa’s essential contrasts. You’ll leave with penguin footprints in your memory, sunset-silhouetted peaks in your photos, and a list of bottles you’ll be chasing for years.