Cape Town sits at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, crowned by flat-topped Table Mountain and fringed with beaches like Clifton and Camps Bay. Founded in 1652 as a Dutch resupply station, the city is also shaped by Indigenous Khoisan heritage, Malay influences, and centuries of migration—visible in its food, music, and color-drenched neighborhoods.

It’s a city of superlatives: Table Mountain is older than the Himalayas; the Cape Floristic Region packs astonishing biodiversity into a compact area; and where else can you pair a morning penguin encounter with an afternoon wine tasting? Expect dramatic coastal drives, trailheads that start inside the city, and a dining scene that punches far above its weight.

Practical notes: Cape Town is at its sunniest October–April; winter (June–August) brings green mountains and occasional rain. Uber is reliable, tap water is potable, and most venues accept cards (tip 10–12% for table service). Pack layers, sunscreen, and a windbreaker—the “Cape Doctor” breeze keeps vistas clear. Always check Table Mountain cableway weather and Robben Island ferry status on the day.

Cape Town

Welcome to a city where fynbos-covered slopes tumble to turquoise bays, and where the V&A Waterfront’s harbor heritage now anchors galleries, markets, and sunset cruises. Iconic highlights include Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach’s African penguin colony, Robben Island, and the sculpted grounds of Kirstenbosch.

Eat your way across the city: savor Cape Malay spices in Bo-Kaap, wood-fired small plates at The Pot Luck Club in the Old Biscuit Mill, refined Japanese-African flavors at FYN in the CBD, and seafood-with-a-view along the Atlantic Seaboard. Coffee culture runs deep—Truth Coffee’s steampunk roastery, Origin in Green Point, and Deluxe Coffeeworks keep locals buzzing.

• Where to stay (handpicked): Resort luxury at One&Only Cape Town on the V&A canals; oceanfront serenity at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town; dramatic sunsets and spa time at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa above Camps Bay; creative, social vibes at The Backpack (award-winning hostel); great-value, fun atmosphere at Mojo Hotel in Sea Point.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Cape Town | Hotels.com Cape Town
• Getting there: Fly into CPT. Typical one-stop flights from the U.S. East Coast take ~17–21 hours (from ~$900–$1400+ in peak months). Direct seasonal flights from London run ~11–12 hours. Compare fares on Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, and (if traveling to/from Europe) Omio flights. Uber from CPT to the city center takes ~20–30 minutes.

Day 1: V&A Waterfront Welcome, Harbor Views, and Easy Eats

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs along the V&A Waterfront: browse South African design at the Watershed, then grab a first bite at the V&A Food Market—try Bunny Chow from Durban-style stalls or a koesister (spiced doughnut) if on offer. Coffee pick-me-up at Origin’s kiosk or a classic flat white from Bootlegger.

Evening: Choose dinner with a view: Willoughby & Co (legendary sushi in the mall proper), Baia (seafood with harbor outlook), or The Ginja for Cape-inspired plates. For cocktails, head to Gigi Rooftop Bar (at Gorgeous George) for botanicals-forward signatures or Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen (Atlantic fare-driven mixology) for terroir-inspired drinks. Early night to beat jet lag, or a stroll past the swing bridge to watch Table Mountain glow at dusk.

Day 2: Full-Day Cape Peninsula—Cape Point, Penguins, and Chapman's Peak

See the best of the Cape in one sweeping day. Your guide handles the logistics so you can focus on lookouts, wildlife, and photos.

Recommended tour: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town

Typical route: scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguin colony, plus coastal towns like Kalk Bay. Lunch stops often include Kalky’s (paper-wrapped fish and chips by the harbor) or Harbour House (elevated seafood with ocean spray). If cableway weather is perfect, some itineraries add Table Mountain—otherwise your guide swaps in equally stunning viewpoints.

Dinner back in town: Keep it casual at The Lawns at the Roundhouse (alfresco burgers, prawns, and sea views) or The Codfather in Camps Bay (choose your fish at the counter, then watch waves break across the road).

Day 3: Robben Island, Bo-Kaap Colors, and Cape Town’s Culinary Edge

Morning: Ferry to the former prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years. Tours are led partly by former political prisoners—moving, contextual, and often sold out.

Secure your spot: Robben Island Half Day Tour with Pre-Booked Entry Tickets.

Afternoon: Bo-Kaap for cobbled streets, candy-colored houses, and Cape Malay spice shops. Pop into the nearby District Six Museum (powerful community history) and wander Company’s Garden for squirrels and heritage architecture. Coffee options: Truth Coffee Roasting (steampunk espresso bar) or Deluxe Coffeeworks (purist beans, no fuss).

Evening: Book FYN for Japanese-meets-South African tasting menus overlooking the city, or Kloof Street House for fairy-lit gardens and bistro comfort. Nightcap and live music at The Blue Room (Grub & Vine’s jazz lounge) if you’re in the mood.

Day 4: Kirstenbosch Canopy Walk, Constantia Wine & Atlantic Sunset

Morning: Start at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Stroll the Centenary “Boomslang” Canopy Walk for mountain-to-vineyard views and explore fynbos sections unique to the Cape Floristic Region. Breakfast options en route: Molten Toffee on Kloof (excellent toasties, great flat whites) or Kleinsky’s Delicatessen in Sea Point (latkes, bagels, shakshuka).

Afternoon: Head to the Constantia valley—South Africa’s oldest wine region. Book lunch at Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia (seasonal small plates and valley panoramas) or Foxcroft (precise pâtisserie and modern plates). Taste cool-climate sauvignon blanc and elegant blends at nearby estates before gliding back to the coast.

Evening: Sink toes in the sand at Camps Bay. Golden hour cocktails at The Leopard Bar (at The Twelve Apostles Hotel; famed for sunset views), then an easy dinner: The Bungalow (sea-meets-sushi energy) or Tigers Milk Camps Bay (burgers and craft beer) if you want it low-key.

Day 5: Full-Day Winelands—Ride the Franschhoek Wine Tram

Let someone else drive while you sip through Cape Dutch valleys, cellar doors, and postcard estates.

Recommended tour: Full-Day Franschhoek Hop On Hop Off Wine Tram Tour from Cape Town

Expect hotel pickup, time to explore the village, and a hop-on/hop-off tram route linking storied wineries. Suggested stops: Boschendal (farm-to-table deli and shaded lawns), Haute Cabrière (cap classique with valley vistas), and Rickety Bridge (riverfront tastings). If routes allow, La Petite Ferme pairs seasonal cuisine with a sweeping view. Bring a hat; reserve tastings where possible on weekends.

Back in the city: Book The Pot Luck Club for dinner (wood-fired, Asian-inflected small plates; try the iconic tuna tataki) or Belly of the Beast (nose-to-tail tasting, set menu) if you prefer an intimate chef-led experience.

Day 6: Full-Day Safari—Big Five near Cape Town

Trade ocean for Karoo scrub and scan for elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and more—no internal flight required.

Recommended tour: Aquila Game Reserve Safari with Park Fees, Transport & Lunch

It’s about a two-hour drive each way with hotel pickup. On arrival, tuck into a buffet lunch, then join a guided 4x4 game drive. Pack binoculars and a light jacket—the Karoo can be warm midday and cool in the breeze. Return to Cape Town by early evening.

Evening eats: Keep it flexible after a big day. Mojo Market (Sea Point) is perfect for a casual graze—ramen, poke, Cape Malay curries, artisanal gelato—plus live music most nights. If you’ve got energy, stroll the Sea Point Promenade for fresh salt air.

Day 7: Sea Point Promenade, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Sunrise walk or bike along the Sea Point Promenade—locals jog past tidal pools with Lion’s Head glowing behind you. Coffee and a flaky pasteis de nata at Ground Art Caffé in De Waterkant or a bagel at New York Bagel (East City). If it’s a Saturday or Sunday, detour to Oranjezicht City Farm Market at Granger Bay for seasonal produce, Cape cheeses, and small-batch treats.

Afternoon (departure day): Last-minute shopping on Bree Street (local design and wine shops) or a quick dip at Clifton 2nd Beach if the weather’s kind. Grab a light lunch at The Shortmarket Club (elegant classics) or Willoughby & Co if you missed it earlier. Transfer to the airport—aim to leave the city center ~3 hours before an international flight.

Optional Add-Ons & Rainy-Day Swaps

• City + Table Mountain focus: If the cableway was weathered out on Day 2, book a city-and-Table-Mountain half day the next clear morning: Table Mountain & Cape Town City Half Day Private guided Tour.
• Thrills: Quad biking on the Atlantis Dunes for rippling-white-sand vistas: Quad biking Atlantis Dunes Cape Town & Photo Shoot. Or lift off for a coastline flyover: Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast.
• Dinner with a beat: For a flavor-and-rhythm finale, consider this immersive feast: From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience.

Where to book transport: For international and regional flights compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; travelers to/from Europe can also compare with Omio. Stay near the Atlantic Seaboard or V&A Waterfront for easy access to beaches, restaurants, and tour pickups. Browse VRBO and Hotels.com for more options.

In a single week, you’ve traced the curve of the Cape from mountain to penguins, sipped through storied valleys, and listened to waves tumble in Camps Bay. Keep this guide handy—you’ll find yourself plotting a return for hikes you missed, wines you loved, and sunsets you can still taste.