Cape Town is one of my favorite cities as it offers the perfect blend of city and nature. The views from anywhere in the city are absolutely stunning and it is such a vibrant place between the food, culture and people. You really can't go wrong in anything you do, but this is how I would plan the perfect week in Cape Town.
For the purposes of this itinerary I am going to assume you'll get a full 7 days in at Cape Town, so 9 days total including travel days. Obviously you can condense this list and move some stuff around, but I wanted to include the specific days as certain places/activities are only open on certain days (and I've noted as such below). I've tried to keep this itinerary as condensed as possible because there is a lot of information in here but feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
I would advise staying the Tamboerskloof area as it is a lively neighborhood with lots of cute cafes and restaurants, but still very central to everything you'll want to do. The waterfront is a popular spot to stay but too touristy for me. Sea Point is lovely but a little bit farther from the city center (although everything in Cape Town is relatively close). Camps Bay is another great area with some very nice hotels, but still a bit farther. I've included some hotel recommendations below.
Day 1 (Friday)
Arrive and check-in
Tamboerskloof accommodations: The Cape Milner, The Walden House, Kaap Mooi Luxury Guest House
Sea Point accommodations: The Clarendon, Olaf's Guest House, Peninsula All-Suite Hotel
Camps Bay accommodations: POD Camps Bay, Central Beach Villas, The Bay Hotel
Dinner at Toni's on Kloof
This is the perfect first dinner in Cape Town - it is a blend of Portuguese and Mozambiquan food in a laid back atmosphere, great for after a day of traveling.
I would recommend getting the peri-peri chicken. It takes a while to prepare but it is worth it.
Day 2 (Saturday)
Wander around the Waterfront
Lunch at Oranjezicht City Farm Market
Only open on Saturdays! Great food and shopping options.
Drinks at Grand Africa Beach Café
Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art
Dinner at Kloof Street House
Make a reservation in advance and try the grilled ostrich
Head to the 'Texas' bar located across from the District 6 museum (doesn't show up on maps) for a live DJ, drinks, and vinyl for sale all in an outdoor venue
Day 3 (Sunday)
Hike up Table Mountain and take the cable car down
Lunch and shop at the Old Biscuit mill - arrive around 1-2pm to see the DJ (only on Sundays!)
This is my favorite market in Cape Town, they have the best food options in my opinion. There are also lots of little clothing stalls with cool stuff, and a vintage shop.
Openwine for wine, cheese, and live jazz music
They only do live music on Sundays and it starts at 5pm. Make sure you arrive earlier than 5pm if you want a seat.
Café Caprice for nightlife, if that is your thing (they are known as a Sunday spot - it's a beach café that turns into a club)
Day 4 (Monday)
Take a free walking tour of Bokaap at 10am
Walk around Greenmarket square and look at the crafts
Lunch at Our Local
You've probably seen this place on Instagram if your algorithm knows you're planning a trip to Cape Town. It's super cute and the food is great!
Afternoon coffee and brownie from Honest Chocolate
Visit the District 6 Museum
Dinner at Addi's Ethiopian food - be prepared to eat only with your hands!
Day 5 (Tuesday)
Breakfast at Bokaap diner
These guys won best brunch in Cape Town in 2023
Faezee's home kitchen cooking class
Must book ahead of time! Such a fun experience and you meet some really cool people over the lunch afterwards as well.
Check out my reel and all the info on it here
Hike Lion's Head
Leave 2-2.5 hours for this - you'll have to "scramble" up some rocks for the last 30 minutes but it is safe and doable for all ages
Watch the sunset from Signal Hill
Dinner at the Black Sheep
I would recommend making a reservation ahead of time because they are always packed during prime dinner time
The menu is always rotating based on what is in season, but if they have the Sticky Toffee pudding on the menu when you go, it is a must!!
Drinks at the Gin Bar (speak easy through Honest Chocolate)
Gin is a very popular spirit in Cape Town and this place has a wide variety of gin & tonics
This bar is in an old morgue and they do Tarot card readings on the last Thursday of every month!
Day 6 (Wednesday)
Breakfast at Nourish'd or Conscious Café (both vegan spots but insanely good!)
Spend the morning wandering around Kirstenbosch
Wine tasting in Constantia
I would recommend Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen
Or a guided tour, if you prefer (linked here)
Dinner at Nelson's Eye
Live music at the Blue Room (check the schedule ahead of time to make sure it's something you like!)
Day 7 (Thursday)
Pick up bagels from New York Bagels for your hike
Hike the diving board
The starting point is 27 Theresa Avenue Cape Town WC 8005 - for some reason when you plug the "Kasteelspoort Trail to Diving Board" into Uber it drops you off in the wrong location
Use All Trails for the exact route, though it is fairly straight forward
Relax at Clifton 4th after your hike
Make sure to pack a bathing suit and change of clothes
Walk over to Camps Bay
About a 15 minute walk with beautiful views of Camps Bay!
Drinks and dinner at Chinchilla for sunset
The perfect rooftop for sunset views
Day 8 (Friday)
I would recommend hiring a driver for this day - we were able to ask one of our Uber drivers to drive us around the whole day for $90 USD, otherwise you can book a full day tour through GetYourGuide (linked here) but they don't hit all the spots below.
Brunch in Kalk Bay at Olympia café
Must order the iced coffee!!!
Walk around the lovely shops on the main road
Head to Simon's Town / Boulder's Beach to see the penguins
Continue on to Cape of Good Hope and hike down to Diaz beach (takes ~20 minutes one way) and the lighthouse
Head back and go to Bay Harbour market for dinner and live music
Only open Friday-Sunday, make sure you check the opening days and times before you go!
Great place to get gifts and a bite to eat - lots of fresh fish options
There are some nice breweries in this area too if that is your thing
Stop at Dues Ex Machina for a drink and some shopping
Day 8 (Saturday)
Brunch at Jarrdy's in Sea Point
Walk along the Sea Point walking path
Hike to Kloof Corner for sunset
About a 20 minute hike up to the best of Table Mountain. Gorgeous views, but make sure you start hiking down prior to the sun setting as you don't want to be hiking in the dark.
Dinner at Timbuktu
More Ethiopian food if you enjoyed Addi's! This place has a great atmosphere and is much less touristy than Addi's.
Day 9 (Sunday)
Breakfast at Blue Café
The cutest neighborhood cafe where everything is prepared fresh in house - you can see the chefs cooking in the kitchen if you go downstairs! Most of the tables are outside on the sidewalk, and there is a little store with snacks, teas, dishware, and treats.
Depart
Some other notes for your stay:
A lot of the food spots on this itinerary are affordable but still nice. If you're looking for some finer dining, try: The Nines (Sea Point), Fyn, Test Kitchen Fledgling, Belly of the Beast (highly recommend this one and it is still pretty affordable), or La Colombe.
Other hikes to do (check All Trails app for the exact routes):
Devil's Peak
Skeleton Gorge
Elephant's Eye
If you're in to wine, I highly recommend doing a day trip or an overnight to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch. You can Uber if you're doing an overnight or book a day trip through GetYourGuide (linked here).
Some other good nightlife spots:
Harrington St: live music
Modular: club
Cargo: they have a live DJ Thursday-Saturday
La Parada in Constantia on Sundays
Athletic Social club: bar with a DJ and different rooms to hang out in - one of my favorites
Power & the Glory: great spot for a lowkey drink before or after dinner. Always crowded and a good vibe!
As always you can reach me in my Instagram DMs or by email if you have any questions!
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