Cape Town, founded by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, is a coastal city where centuries of history meet epic landscapes. It’s where Bo-Kaap’s candy-colored homes, the story of Robben Island, and a living mosaic of cultures coexist beneath the ancient sandstone of Table Mountain. Today, the city is a playground of beaches, markets, gardens, and a coffee scene with global acclaim.

Nature is never far. The Atlantic seaboard rolls past Clifton’s sheltered coves to Camps Bay’s palm-lined sand; the Cape Peninsula ends at dramatic cliffs where cold Benguela and warmer Agulhas currents swirl (the official meeting of the two oceans is at Cape Agulhas, a little further east). Penguins waddle at Boulders Beach, fynbos perfumes the slopes, and sunsets feel like an evening ritual.

Practically speaking, tap water is safe, rideshare apps are abundant, and venues often have backup power for occasional outages. Spring to autumn (Oct–Apr) bring beach days and outdoor concerts; winter (May–Aug) is great for whale watching along the coast. Expect hearty Cape Malay curries, excellent seafood, and an easy-going rhythm that rewards slow travel.

Cape Town

Welcome to the Mother City—equal parts beach town and cosmopolitan hub. Start at the V&A Waterfront for easy shopping and harbor views, then roam the cobbles of Bo-Kaap for spice-scented history and photo-ready facades. When clouds lift, a revolving cable car whisks you up Table Mountain for 360° views.

Top sights include the Sea Point Promenade at golden hour, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden’s tree canopy walkway, and Kalk Bay’s indie shops and working harbor. Sports fans catch rugby or football (soccer) at Cape Town Stadium; music lovers picnic at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts (seasonal, usually Sundays).

• Coffee & bites: Truth Coffee Roasting (steampunk espresso temple), Origin (artisan roastery), Jason Bakery (legendary pastries), and Deluxe Coffeeworks (no-fuss, great beans).
• Beaches: Clifton 2nd for calm coves, Camps Bay for buzz, Muizenberg for colorful huts and surf schools.
• Markets & shopping: The Watershed at V&A (local designers), Oranjezicht City Farm Market (fresh + food stalls), and the Old Biscuit Mill (design, food, weekends).
• Sports & live music: Fireman’s Arms (big games), Mitchell’s at the Waterfront (pub vibe), Mojo Market (nightly live music, multiple food vendors).

Where to stay (budget-friendly first, with options to upgrade):

• Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Cape Town—Sea Point, Green Point, and Gardens are walkable, central bases.
• Check deals on Hotels.com Cape Town.
• Value stays: Mojo Hotel (Sea Point; food hall + live music downstairs), The Backpack (stylish, social, sustainable hostel).
• Mid-to-upgrade: Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront (oceanfront boardwalk), The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (mountain-and-sea views), or go big at One&Only Cape Town (private island feel at the Waterfront).

Getting there and around: Fly into CPT (Cape Town International). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. In town, use Uber/Bolt, the MyCiTi bus for key corridors, and taxis from known ranks; driving the peninsula is straightforward if you prefer to rent.

Day 1: Arrival, Waterfront Stroll, Easy Eats

Afternoon: Land, check in, and stretch your legs on the V&A Waterfront boardwalk. Browse South African design at the Watershed and catch buskers by the amphitheater.

Evening: Keep dinner casual: the V&A Food Market mixes Cape Malay curry bowls, biltong snacks, and burgers—ideal if you’re jet-lagged. For a sit-down pub with sports on TV, Mitchell’s pours local brews and does hearty pies.

Nightcap: Take a slow walk along the marina or grab gelato while the mountain silhouette darkens behind the city lights.

Day 2: City Orientation by Hop-On Hop-Off, Bo-Kaap, Kloof Street

Morning: Start with flat whites at Truth Coffee or Origin, then get your bearings with the Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise (multiple routes cover Table Mountain base, Camps Bay, and the City Bowl). It’s budget-friendly, flexible, and perfect for a relaxing overview.

Afternoon: Hop off in Bo-Kaap for samoosas and koesisters from local bakeries, then wander the colorful streets and learn about Cape Malay heritage at the neighborhood museum. Lunch ideas: Eastern Food Bazaar (wallet-friendly global canteen) or Giovanni’s Deliworld (excellent sandwiches) in Green Point.

Evening: Kloof Street beckons with buzzy choices: Kloof Street House (Victorian garden setting, South African comfort dishes) or El Burro Taqueria (casual, bright Mexican plates). If there’s a big match, Fireman’s Arms has screens everywhere and a lively, local crowd.

Day 3: Robben Island, De Waterkant, Sunset Promenade

Morning: Light breakfast at Jason Bakery (get the “doughssant”) or Deluxe Coffeeworks. Head to the Nelson Mandela Gateway for your ferry time.

Afternoon: Take the Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers—former political prisoners often guide parts of the visit, making the history unforgettably personal. Expect moving narratives and panoramic views back to the city.

Evening: De Waterkant has cozy spots for dinner: The Charles Café (seasonal plates) or Gold Restaurant (set African tasting menu with djembe drumming—festive, worth the splurge once). End with a leisurely stroll along the Sea Point Promenade at sunset.

Day 4: Beach Day—Clifton Coves, Camps Bay Sundowners

Morning: Coffee and a simple breakfast at Bootlegger in Bakoven or Sea Point. Pack a light picnic and head to Clifton 2nd or 3rd beach—calmer coves sheltered from wind, great for reading and sunning.

Afternoon: Move to Camps Bay for lunch with a view—The Lawns at The Roundhouse (grassy terrace, casual mains) or Kauai (healthy wraps and smoothies) if you want to keep costs down. Nap, swim, repeat.

Evening: Bite-friendly dinner at Tiger’s Milk (pizza, burgers, game on TV) or head to Mojo Market for a budget-friendly feast plus live music most nights.

Day 5: Penguins and Cape Point (Half-Day), Kalk Bay Antiques

Morning–Afternoon (tour): Join the Half Day Boulders Penguins and Cape Point Small Group Tour. See African penguins up close at Boulders Beach and trace the peninsula to the Cape of Good Hope. Short walks, big views, and great photo stops—without a dawn start.

Late Afternoon: If time allows, pop into Kalk Bay on the way back for antique browsing and harbor scenes. Grab fish and chips at Kalky’s or a pastry at Olympia Bakery.

Evening: Back in the city, keep it relaxed at El Burro Taqueria or a simple pasta at Villa 47’s ground-floor eatery. Early night, or a calm cocktail at a rooftop bar if you have the energy.

Day 6: Gardens & Green: Kirstenbosch + Constantia, Sunset at Sea

Morning: Brunch at Starlings Café (leafy, neighborhood favorite) before wandering Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The Boomslang canopy walkway gives soft, sweeping mountain views.

Afternoon: Continue to Constantia for a leisurely wine tasting at one of the historic estates (Groot Constantia and neighbors offer accessible, good-value tastings). Non-drinkers can enjoy estate gardens and chocolate pairings.

Evening: Cap the day with the Sunset Champagne Cruise—watch Table Mountain turn rose-gold from the water and toast an easygoing day.

Day 7: Sea Point Promenade, Green Point Park, Sports Night

Morning: Coffee at Jarryds Espresso Bar & Eatery, then join locals walking, skating, or cycling along the Sea Point Promenade. Free outdoor gyms and tidal pools make it easy to linger.

Afternoon: Pack a picnic for Green Point Urban Park—lakes, lawns, and fynbos sections invite a lazy afternoon. If stadium tours or an event are on, this is the time to duck over to Cape Town Stadium.

Evening: Game night: Fireman’s Arms near the Foreshore is a classic for rugby, cricket, or football, with solid pub grub. For something lighter, The Poké Co does fresh bowls on a budget.

Day 8: Woodstock Street Art, Markets, Zeitz Views

Morning: Explore Woodstock’s murals and maker studios. If it’s a Saturday, swing by the Old Biscuit Mill; on weekends (and some weekdays), Oranjezicht City Farm Market at Granger Bay is excellent for local produce and food stalls.

Afternoon: Head back to the Waterfront: browse the Watershed’s design stores, then consider an hour in Zeitz MOCAA for contemporary African art (great lookout spots from the museum’s sculpted windows). Lunch can be a market graze or budget-friendly ramen/sushi in the Silo District.

Evening: Keep it mellow with dinner in Gardens—Café Paradiso (homestyle Italian with herb garden) or Three Wise Monkeys (ramen and sushi). If it’s concert season, pack a blanket for a Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert.

Day 9: Last Sips, Last Views, Departure

Morning: Final Cape Town coffee crawl: Kamili Coffee on Long Street or a return to your favorite spot. Grab pantry treats (biltong, rooibos, locally roasted beans) for souvenirs.

Afternoon: A light lunch at Giovanni’s Deliworld or Eastern Food Bazaar, then it’s airport time. Check flight options and online check-in via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Departure. If you have extra time, one last slow loop on the promenade is a perfect goodbye.

Optional swap-ins (if you want to tweak days): On a windy day, trade the beach for the District Six Museum and a cozy café crawl. If seas are choppy, consider the Company’s Garden, Iziko South African Museum, or a glass-blowing demo in Woodstock. For more boats and budget, the pre-sunset cruise is slightly earlier and often a bit cheaper than true sunset.

Another great tour pick (full-day alternative to Day 5 if you prefer more stops): Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour—you’ll tick the peninsula highlights in one go and adjust other days for extra beach time.

Wherever you land each day, keep things unrushed: sip the coffee, linger at viewpoints, and let the city’s easy rhythm set your pace. With central stays via Hotels.com or VRBO, and a few well-chosen tours, Cape Town reveals itself beautifully—and without rushing your days.

Safety & tips: Use rideshares at night, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid isolated areas after dark. Sunscreen, a hat, and a light windbreaker are everyday essentials. Book Robben Island and popular cruises in advance during peak months (Dec–Mar).

Included Viator picks in this itinerary:

• Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise
• Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers
• Half Day Boulders Penguins and Cape Point Small Group Tour
• Sunset Champagne Cruise

In nine days you’ll have sipped world-class coffee, breathed mountain air, heard the surf, and watched the city glow from a boat at dusk. Cape Town rewards an easy tempo—and this plan balances headline sights with restorative beach time and budget-friendly eats.