Cape Town is where a mountain drops into the sea, history shares the table with modern cuisine, and penguins waddle past tidal pools. Founded in 1652 as a Dutch refreshment station, the “Mother City” has grown into South Africa’s cultural and culinary capital—ringed by the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest yet richest plant kingdom on Earth.

From the flat-topped icon of Table Mountain to the cliffs of Cape Point and pastel houses of Bo-Kaap, the city turns every corner into a postcard. Its story runs deep—from the indigenous Khoisan to the Dutch and British eras, and the long arc from apartheid to democracy that you’ll feel on Robben Island.

Expect a Mediterranean climate, strong summer winds (the “Cape Doctor”), world-class coffee, and a food scene that punches far above its weight. Uber is reliable, tap water is generally safe, adaptor type M is standard, and sunscreen is non-negotiable. Book popular sights early—especially Table Mountain on calm mornings and Robben Island tickets.

Cape Town

Why go now: A 7-day Cape Town itinerary lets you summit Table Mountain, meet African penguins at Boulders Beach, taste Constantia wine with views for days, and explore vibrant markets—from Oranjezicht Farm Market to the V&A Waterfront. Adventure is never far: paraglide off Signal Hill, snorkel in the Great African Sea Forest, or hike Lion’s Head at sunrise.

Top sights and neighborhoods: Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Robben Island, Bo-Kaap, Sea Point Promenade, Camps Bay, De Waterkant, and Woodstock’s creative hubs. Museums worth your time include Zeitz MOCAA (contemporary African art) and the District Six Museum.

Where to stay: Book hotels or apartments near the V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, or Sea Point for easy access to restaurants and transport.

• One&Only Cape Town – plush resort-style stay on the V&A canals; superb spa, large rooms, and views of Table Mountain.
• Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town – seaside sunsets, ocean-facing pool, easy promenade access.
• The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa – dramatic Atlantic seaboard setting between mountain and sea; beloved for sunsets.
• Mojo Hotel – fun, budget-friendly in Sea Point above a lively food market.
• The Backpack – social, design-forward hostel with private rooms and mountain views.
• Browse more stays: VRBO apartments in Cape Town | Hotels.com: Cape Town

Getting there: Book flights to CPT (Cape Town International). From Johannesburg it’s ~2 hours nonstop; from London ~11–12 hours nonstop; from New York typically 18–24 hours with one connection (prices often ~$700–$1,200 roundtrip, season-dependent). Search and compare on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, or if you’re starting in Europe, check Omio flights. Uber from CPT airport to the City Bowl runs ~20–30 minutes outside peak traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, V&A Waterfront, and Sea Breezes

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and stretch your legs at the V&A Waterfront. Pop into the Watershed design market for quality local crafts, then sip a welcome espresso at Origin Coffee Roasting (De Waterkant) or try nitro cold brew at Truth Coffee Roasting—a steampunk temple to beans, often called one of the world’s best coffee shops.

Evening: Take a golden-hour stroll along the harbor boardwalk. Dinner picks: Willoughby & Co (legendary sushi; expect a line), Baia (grilled crayfish, harbor views), or Ginja (modern South African plates). Nightcap at Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen (Cape botanicals in the glass) or the discreet Gin Bar hidden behind Honest Chocolate, serving South African gins with tonic on tap.

Day 2: Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, and Bree Street Flavors

Morning: Aim early for Table Mountain while winds are calm. Pre-book your ticket to skip lines: Cape Town: Table Mountain Cable Car Experience + Pre-Booked Tickets.

Wander the plateau’s trails to look down over Lion’s Head, the Twelve Apostles, and both oceans. If you prefer hiking up, take the Platteklip Gorge trail (steep; 1.5–3 hours) and descend by cable car.

Afternoon: Lunch in the City Bowl: Clarke’s (smash burgers, salads) or Hemelhuijs (seasonal plates, gorgeous juices). Explore Bo-Kaap for its candy-colored houses and Cape Malay heritage—then visit the Company’s Garden and, if time allows, the poignant District Six Museum.

Evening: Dinner along Bree or Kloof Street. Try Thali (Indian-inspired sharing plates), Kloof Street House (Victorian villa, candlelit vibe), or book ahead for FYN (contemporary Japanese-African tasting menu). For a post-dinner drink, head to The House of Machines (small, serious cocktails) or Tjing Tjing Rooftop (Japanese-inspired cocktails under a gabled roof).

Day 3: Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive, and Penguins (Full-Day Tour)

Take a classic full-day tour of the peninsula with hotel pickup: Cape Point Sightseeing Tour including Cape of Good Hope (full day).

You’ll sweep past Hout Bay and along Chapman’s Peak Drive (one of the world’s great coastal roads), explore the Cape of Good Hope, ride or walk up to Cape Point Lighthouse, and meet the tuxedoed residents of Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Tours typically include reserve fees; bring layers for the breeze. If you linger on the False Bay side, dinner in Kalk Bay at Harbour House comes with crashing waves beneath the deck.

Day 4: Robben Island, Waterfront Culture, Camps Bay Sunset

Morning: Ease in with art at Zeitz MOCAA (Silo District) or sea life at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Coffee and pastries at Jason Bakery (don’t miss the croissant “dossants”) or grab a sit-down brunch at Our Local (greenhouse chic).

Afternoon: Step into South Africa’s living history with a pre-booked visit: Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers.

Ferries depart from the V&A’s Nelson Mandela Gateway. Former political prisoners often guide parts of the tour, sharing powerful first-hand stories. Expect ~4 hours total including the ferry.

Evening: Head to Camps Bay for a palm-framed sunset. Early dinner at The Codfather (pick your fish at the counter), Paranga (Mediterranean plates), or sundowners at Chinchilla Rooftop. If you prefer city vibes, try Shortmarket Club for refined plates in a moody brasserie setting.

Day 5: Constantia Wine, Garden Walks, and a Mountain-View Dinner

Morning: Uber 20–30 minutes to the Constantia Valley, the oldest wine route in South Africa (1685). Start at Groot Constantia for a historic cellar tour and a flight of Cape blends. Alternatively, stop at intimate Constantia Glen for Sauvignon Blancs with sweeping valley views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Constantia Glen (charcuterie, flatbreads) or Buitenverwachting (garden seating, elegant fare). If you’re keen on fynbos and sculpture, detour to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and walk the “Boomslang” canopy walkway—spring (Sept–Nov) is floral fireworks.

Evening: Book a memorable dinner at Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia (tapas for two, with vineyard sunsets). Back in town, grab a gentle nightcap along the Sea Point Promenade or at Publik (if open) for natural wines.

Day 6: Ocean Adventure, Promenade Play, and Woodstock After Dark

Morning: Explore the Great African Sea Forest with a guided snorkel: Kelp Forest Snorkeling in Cape Town.

Expect crystalline fronds, curious fish, and playful seals in season. Operators provide wetsuits; waters are chilly year-round. Not into snorkeling? Consider a gentle cycle along the Sea Point Promenade or a tandem paraglide from Signal Hill on calm days.

Afternoon: Beach-hop along Clifton (2nd and 4th beaches are favorites) or stop at Beta Beach (Bakoven) for granite boulders and quiet coves. For a late lunch, hit The Lawns at the Roundhouse (Atlantic panoramas) or build a picnic from local vendors at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market (weekends and select evenings).

Evening: Explore Woodstock—murals, galleries, and excellent dining. Book The Pot Luck Club (crisp Asian-Latin flavors, famous for Sunday brunch) or try Woodstock Brewery Taproom for a casual pint and smoked brisket tacos. Desserts at Unframed (vegan sorbets and inventive gelato) back in the city.

Day 7: Lion’s Head or Markets, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: If you’re up for a quick summit, hike Lion’s Head (90–120 minutes round-trip; go early and avoid strong winds). Prefer something gentler? Return to Kirstenbosch for a shaded ramble, or browse local designers at the Watershed. Coffee at Bootlegger (Sea Point) or Deluxe Coffeeworks.

Afternoon (departure): Enjoy a farewell lunch: Harbour House V&A for seafood and harbor views, Fisherman’s Lane (Hout Bay) for classic fish-and-chips if you’re nearby, or Between Us (Bree Street) for seasonal plates. Grab biltong and local chocolate for the flight. Uber to the airport (allow 60–90 minutes before domestic flights; 3 hours for international).

Optional Swaps and Seasonal Ideas

• Table Mountain + Robben Island combo: If time is tight, bundle them in one guided day: Robben Island & Table Mountain Tour – Tickets & Transfers.

  

• Rainy day plan: Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz MOCAA, and a long lunch at FYN or The Shortmarket Club.
• Whale season (May–Dec): Consider a day trip to Hermanus for shore-based whale watching. Book early in peak months.
• Family fun: Ride the Sea Point mini-trains (seasonal), explore the Company’s Garden aviary, and enjoy the aquarium’s touch pools.

Practical Tips

• Safety: Stick to well-trodden areas after dark, use Uber, keep valuables out of sight, and hike with others on marked trails.
• Wind and weather: The cableway may close on short notice; check the morning status and pivot to museums or the Constantia wine route if it’s gusty.
• Payments: Cards widely accepted; tipping ~10–12% in restaurants is customary. Load-shedding is less frequent than before but bring a small power bank.
• Getting around: Uber is your friend; the MyCiTi bus is reliable on major corridors (airport–Civic Centre–Waterfront/Sea Point).

Adventure Add-On (choose one if you want more adrenaline)

• Paraglide from Signal Hill: Tandem Paragliding Cape Town Experience.

  

• Dunes near Atlantis: 1-Hour Small Group Quad Biking Adventure.

  

Booking Reminders: For flights, compare fares on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio (from Europe). For stays, browse Hotels.com and VRBO. For headline activities, secure tickets in advance for Table Mountain and Robben Island via the Viator links above.

Costs at a glance (approx.): Table Mountain cable car $20–$30 return (seasonal pricing), Robben Island $30–$40, Uber within town $3–$10, casual meals $8–$15, chef-driven dinners $35–$80+, Constantia tastings $5–$10 per flight.

Seven days in Cape Town gives you the full arc: mountain ridgelines, penguin-dotted beaches, living history, garden paths, and a dining scene that could carry a vacation on its own. With smart pre-booking and flexible mornings for the mountain, you’ll cover the essentials—and still leave with reasons to return.