Embrace the Magic of Cape Town With This Epic 7-Day Itinerary

Nestled between the ocean and mountains, Cape Town is a paradise not to be missed. Not only does it offer breathtaking scenery with plenty to do outdoors, there’s also a world-class wine region, a fantastic food scene, and a very rich culture and history to be discovered. Because Cape Town genuinely has it all, planning a trip here can be a little overwhelming. Fortunately for you, our experts here at Plum Guide have just put together this extensive week-long itinerary for Cape Town, ensuring you won’t miss a thing.

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There’s no way any Cape Town itinerary is omitting this one from the list. Table Mountain is easily the most famous landmark and a climb to the top is a must. This is what the city does best – allowing you easy access to some of the best hikes and most picturesque viewpoints. The mountain is home to a variety of unique plant and animal species, many of which can only be found in this specific Cape Floristic Region. With a bit of luck, you’ll see some of these rare and endangered species in their natural habitat.

Naturally, at 1086 metres, Table Mountain offers breathtaking (and not just because you’re exhausted from the hike) panoramic views of Cape Town and the surrounding areas. From the summit, you can see as far as Robben Island, Lion’s Head, and the Cape of Good Hope. Make a note of the names — if you don’t know these landmarks yet, you will by the end of the week.

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Back down at sea level, you’ve earned yourself a feast. Head to the trendy neighbourhood of Woodstock for dinner, where you can take your pick from a host of international eateries. There's Asian fusion cuisine at Yum Yum Noodle Bar, tacos at Pearl Moon Woodstock or even Italian at Cucina.

On a side note, for the lazier holidaymakers among us, there's a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain…slightly faster than hiking.

We can't think of anything better than starting one of your mornings in Cape Town with a kayak tour. With enthusiastic guides from Atlantic Outlook Adventures, spend two hours paddling along the Atlantic Seaboard coastline, past the V&A Waterfront, Green Point lighthouse and back to base. Dolphins, seals, penguins, sunfish and occasionally even whales frequent Cape Town. While it's no guarantee you'll spot any wildlife, keep your fingers and paddles crossed. Regardless, the unique view of Cape Town from the water is unforgettable.

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Back on dry land, why not take some time to enjoy the comforts of the V&A Waterfront? It's located in the historic heart of Cape Town’s harbour and still retains many of its original buildings and features that date back as far as the mid-1800s. Home to more than 450 stores, ranging from high-end fashion boutiques to artisanal crafts and souvenirs, it's the perfect place for some mid-afternoon shopping. There are also dozens of restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as a cinema, aquarium, theatres, and music venues.

Spend the rest of your day checking out the city centre, where you'll find even more shops (not great news for the bank account), as well as the South African National Gallery and the District 6 Museum. The latter provides an important glimpse into this former multicultural neighbourhood which was forcefully removed during the apartheid years. Bree Street is the best spot to grab dinner – it's one of the coolest streets in the city and has no shortage of restaurants and bars to discover.

The third day of our itinerary for Cape Town is all about enjoying nature – don't worry, you won't need your hiking boots today. Start the morning with a visit to the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Nestled at the bottom of Table Mountain, you’ll be treated to some great views of Cape Town and the surrounding peaks. The real draw, however, are the flora and fauna. There are over 7,000 plant species all native to South Africa, including many rare and endangered plants unique to the Cape Floral Kingdom. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the many trails and make sure you get up top along the Boomslang Canopy Walkway, an elevated 130-metre walkway with some pretty special panoramas.

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It’s worth mentioning that during the summer months, Kirstenbosch hosts a series of outdoor concerts featuring local and international artists. The concerts are held on Sunday evenings, with the gardens providing a magical setting for a musical night out. If you get your timings right, this is not to be missed.

Assuming you’re not at a concert, head to the famous Clifton beaches for an afternoon of relaxing on the coast. The four beaches at Clifton are some of the best in all of Cape Town, boasting soft, white sand and perfect swimming conditions. After watching the sun go down, grab a bite at the eateries along Sea Point Promenade, a short drive away.

It’s no secret that Cape Town is home to some of the best wine regions in the world and we think you’ll agree that it’d be criminal to visit the city without taking a day to explore some vineyards. We recommend jumping on a full-day tour where you can visit several regions with a knowledgeable guide and enjoy plenty of tastings. The two most famous regions you don’t want to miss are Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

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Located about 50 kilometres east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is one of the oldest and most well-known wine regions in all of South Africa. Surrounded by rolling hills, oak-lined streets, and Cape Dutch architecture, you can taste a variety of wines here, including Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinotage (the country's signature red).

Franschhoek is about an hour's drive from Cape Town and is known as the 'food and wine capital' of South Africa. You can take your pick from a wonderful variety of wines to sample, including Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Méthode Cap Classique (South Africa's version of Champagne).

Alongside Table Mountain, the other most popular hike in Cape Town is heading up to Lion’s Head for sunrise. Yes, it’s an early start, but trust us – the panoramic views of Table Mountain itself, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range make the summit worth it. Bring the camera for this one.

Next up, head over to the neighbourhood of Muizenberg, a relaxed seaside suburb located along the False Bay coast. Surfers Corner and the pretty beach are hard to miss with all the brightly coloured beach huts lined up along the sand. Known for gentle tides and warmer waters, we’d recommend this as the perfect location for surf lessons.

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Feeling peckish? If you’re here on a Thursday or Friday, you have to check out Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market. It’s the cornerstone of the community, with plenty of delicious options from speciality cooks and bakers, local artisans, producers, and designers all selling their wares.

For a fancier dinner option, head back towards town and stop at Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, one of Cape Town’s most famous (most booked) restaurants. Set above the Constantia Winelands, renowned chef Liam Tomlin has received numerous awards for blending international flavours with locally sourced ingredients. To avoid disappointment, make sure you book well in advance.

Cape Town has a really rich history – and not all of it are things to be proud of. Although the regime of apartheid is gone, it’s important to learn about and remember its impact. On a trip to Robben Island, you can embark on a tour of the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela was famously incarcerated for 18 years. You can see his cell, and learn about the harsh conditions inmates endured. More often than not, the guides are ex-prisoners themselves, so the accounts are first-hand and harrowing. The island is a really important part of South Africa’s history and culture – a must-visit destination for anyone interested in social justice, political history, and the fight against apartheid.

Continuing with this history and social justice theme, you should head to the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood back on the mainland. This is the historic heart of Cape Town’s Cape Malay community, a group of people with roots in Southeast Asia who were brought to South Africa as enslaved people. The area has a distinct cultural heritage, including unique cuisine (some of the best in the city), music, and language – not to mention the many colourful houses. To learn more about how Bo-Kaap is a symbol of the country’s struggle against apartheid and a recognized national heritage site, check out the brilliant Bo-Kaap Museum.

No true itinerary for Cape Town is complete without a road trip. On your final day in the Mother City, take a drive out to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Here, you can hike among incredible views of the rugged coastline, pristine beaches, and dramatic cliffs that make up the Cape Point peninsula. The reserve is also home to baboons, antelope, zebras, and over 250 species of birds, so keep your eyes peeled.

Speaking of birds, you should make a stop at Boulders Beach along the way. This famous stretch of sand is home to an African Penguin colony that you’ve probably seen in photos of Cape Town. It’s great fun to watch them waddle around and dip in the ocean, which is what you’ll be doing plenty of yourself on the drive back.

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As you return to Cape Town, we recommend taking the M6 road (Chapman’s Peak Drive, followed by Victoria Road) back along the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. These roads are some of South Africa’s most epic, with dazzling Atlantic surf on one side and towering, golden peaks on the other. You’ll be stopping every five minutes for photos.

And if it’s not for photos, it’s for the beaches. You’ll pass through Hout Bay, as well as Llandudno Beach, Oudekraal Beach, and Camps Bay. Any and all of these make for a great stop to swim, sunbathe, and watch the sunset on your final Cape Town adventure.

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