7 Day Cape Town Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide
Planning a trip to Cape Town? We bet you are!
Whoever visits our country, falls absolutely in love and either stays longer or simply keeps coming back for yearly visits.
For those who have limited PTO but still want to visit Cape Town, this 7 day Cape Town itinerary is for you!
We recently covered a 14 day Cape Town itinerary on our travel blog and thought it would be ideal to create a 7 day Cape Town itinerary for those with limited time to experience Cape Town.
7 Day Cape Town Itinerary:
- iconic attractions
- hidden gems
- beaches
- wine farms
- food spots
And unforgettable experiences to help you make the most of your time in Cape Town – also known as the “Mother City,” a nickname locals use for South Africa’s oldest city.
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“Follow us on Instagram @offtwowander if you need travel advice. Lauren has experience working in the tourism industry & we have the right connections for you”
Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town & a Seafront Stroll
If you’re like us, the flight was long, you’re exhausted, but so excited to get your Cape Town vacation started, we’ve started your holiday on a chilled note.
Ease into Cape Town with a Sea Point Promenade walk, one of the city’s most scenic coastal paths & find some yummy coffee and food spots along the way.
- A light walk: Sea Point Promenade walks
- Coffee: Bootleggers, Seattle Coffee
- Healthy & wholesome food: Newport Deli
- Sushi: De Waterkant Sushi Box (so delicious)
- Market: Oranjezicht City Farm Market (very popular amongst locals and tourists)
- Park: Have a picnic, read a book and chill in the Greenpoint Park
Take a deep breath, and relax, your holiday has just begun!
Day 2: Iconic Views & Beach Bliss
The Table Mountain cable car experience is a must for locals and tourists! The views are out of this world!
Make sure to go early, as you can queue for hours. We would recommend you purchase your tickets online, and if you’re not one for standing in lines, there is an option to purchase a “fast track ticket”.
Cape Town’s weather is very unpredictable and can turn very quickly – the cable car can sometimes be closed depending on the weather and will close for the safety of passengers.
Always check the weather forecast when planning your day / week to avoid disappointment. You want clear conditions, with sunshine, little wind and not overcast.
**Sidenote: South Africans can get a free pass on their birthday month! Remember to take your ID with and if you have any questions, contact the team via their socials.**
Once at the top, you can find:
- Bathrooms
- Souvenir shop
- Restaurant
Top tip: We suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes, packing in layers of clothing and to take lots of pictures!
Once you’re finished with your cable car experience, drive down to Camps Bay Beach which is about 13 minutes away, where you will find an array of spots for coffee, lunch, sweet treats and/or dinner.
Our Favourite Food Options To Get Up To on Your 7 Day Cape Town Holiday:
Lunch:
- Tiger’s Milk (Camps Bay)
- Col’Cacchio (Camps Bay)
- The Pottery (Camps Bay)
- KAUAI (Camps Bay)
Sweet treats:
- Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt (Camps Bay)
- Gelato Mania (Camps Bay)
Dinner:
- Caprice (Camps Bay) – Sushi is GREAT
- Tiger’s Milk (Camps Bay)
Spend the rest of your day getting your vitamin D on the best beaches in Cape Town, or we suggest taking a scenic drive along the coastline.
Beaches:
- Camps Bay Beach
- Camps Bay Rock Pool (love this spot & safer to swim in)
- Clifton 4th
- Saunders Rock Beach (Sea Point)
Scenic Drive:
- Bakhoven Beach
- 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa (They have a great Spa & accommodation is lovely)
- Ouedekraal Beach
- Llandudno Lookout Point
- Llandudo Beach
Top tip: Always make a restaurant reservation during peak season, as they can be very busy!
For those feeling adventurous and have more time to explore South Africa and Africa, get some inspiration from our blogs below.
Perhaps considering a 5 day trip to the Victoria Falls, or a trip up South Africa’s West Coast to Langebaan? I am sure you have heard of Churchhaven and Kraal Baai, two spectacular beaches inside the West Coast National Park. For those who are time restricted, you can base yourself in Langebaan and do day trips from there.
Day 3: Cape Town City Tour & Wine Tasting
This is a really fun full-day outing, where you can hop on the bus by the V&A Waterfront and explore Cape Town, hopping on and off as you please (at the designated stops, of course!)
We recommend doing both the City Route and The Constantia Wine Route on this day.
Hope you had a great sleep, because this is going to be a full day outing. You will be driven through Cape Town City , learning about the landmarks and different cultures.
On this Constantia Wine Route you will visit the oldest wine farm in South Africa.
PS: The headphones on the bus offer a variety of languages for you to follow along.
We also recommend you make a lunch reservation at one of the wine farms, to avoid disappointment! Have a look at the bus routing beforehand, stalk the wine route Instagram profiles and choose which meal you’d love to experience!
This is a perfect outing to see so much of Cape Town’s beauty without having to drive – everyone can enjoy the wines! (be responsible though!)
Day 4: Adventure vs Relaxing
We love a good adventurous holiday, but also love a good chill day and sleeping in! Our nervous systems prefer the slower travel days amongst the busyness of travels. We try to mix up full outing days and half days, to make sure we get in all the good site-seeing spots and time to relax during the vacations.
Adventurers:
- See dolphins while kayaking along the Atlantic Seaboard
- Go hiking along the many trails that we have (always go in a group or do a guided tour)
- Paragliding off Signal Hill or Lion’s Head
- Seal Snorkeling
Top tip: Remember to contact the companies before booking so they can check weather conditions. Cape Town’s weather conditions can change so quickly and these activities need to be postponed until it is safe to continue.
Relaxers:
- Sun tan by the beach or have a pool day
- Spa day (The One and Only, The 12 Apostles Spa)
- High Tea (The One and Only, The 12 Apostles, Mount Nelson)
- Picnic in the park (Green Point Park)
Read our latest slow travel blog to see how we find ourselves traveling nowadays.
Find out more about us
Read more about our travel stories and the reason behind why we started our travel blog.
Day 5: Experience the Cape Winelands
Not to be snobby, but I do say that we have some of the most beautiful wine farms in the world! Have you ever been to a wine farm and been disappointed? I highly doubt it!
The Hop on Hop off Wine Route takes you from the V&A station, to Stellenbosch / Franschoek, with internal transfers via the tram or tractor, and a bus trip back to Cape Town at the end of your day.
This is a full, exciting day, filled with wine tastings, lots of delicious food & the stunning views of the winelands. An activity many tourists and locals thoroughly enjoy!
Discuss your route with the staff so you can book a lunch spot beforehand. The restaurants are very busy in peak season.
These winefarms are great for photoshoots, I mean, you might just get proposed to on this trip, who knows 😂If not, you’ll get hot piccies which is a win too!
Day 6: Cape Peninsula Road Trip
Thinking of a scenic Cape Town Day Road Trip, we’ve got you.
- Cape Point Nature Reserve: Funicular, walks/hiking, restaurant, pictures, beach
- Cape of Good Hope: pictures, walks/hiking, beaches, wildlife
- Chapman’s Peak: scenic route to drive along (very windy, so drive slowly)
- Simon’s Town: Swimming beach, shopping, restaurants
- Boulders Beach: home to the penguins – this also gets extremely busy during peak season
Top tip: If you prefer a more intimate 1-1 experience with a local driver and tour guide, pop us a message and we can share reputable tour guides with you.
Day 7: Last Minute Shopping & Departure
After a busy few days, spend your last day souvenir shopping at the V&A Waterfront. There are PLENTY of shops, cafes, souvenirs to pop into. You will often find local South Africans dancing and singing, a perfect farewell to your Cape Town trip.
Are 7 Days in Cape Town enough?
When you are here, you will fall in love & we of course say no, it’s not enough days in Cape Town! But, if work or life is calling back home, make sure to book your next trip ASAP.
Flights and accommodation fill up really quickly, because everyone is thinking like you and already wanting to come back before they leave…
From the best wine farms, delicious fresh produce food markets, beautiful beaches, iconic sunrises / sunset hikes, people and the vibe – see you soon!
Let us know if you will be using this itinerary for your next vacation to Cape Town! We would love to see your adventures, so remember to tag us on Instagram @offtwowander or #offtwowander.
xx
Julia
FAQ
Is 7 days enough time to explore Cape Town?
We would suggest staying longer as there is so much to do. But if you only have 7 days to visit Cape Town, what we have covered in this blog will be a perfect way to see as much as possible.
What is the best time of year to visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town is during the summer months (November to March) when the weather is warm and perfect for beach days. However, spring and autumn are also great for fewer crowds and wine tasting in the Cape Winelands. It really depends what kind of traveller you are.
Do I need to rent a car in Cape Town?
We would recommend renting a car in Cape Town. It gives you the flexibility to explore various places like Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Cape Peninsula at your own pace. Remember that we drive on the left hand side of the road in South Africa.
Is Cape Town safe?
As with any destination, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas at night, and follow local safety advice.
What should I pack for a 7 day trip to Cape Town?
Pack layers! Cape Town is known for its unpredictable weather. Bring comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, a light jacket, sunscreen, and something warm for evenings or windy days.
What are the must-see attractions in Cape Town?
Some must-see spots include Table Mountain, Camps Bay Beach, Boulders Beach, the Cape Winelands, and a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive.
off two wander
Lauren and Julia are twin sisters from Cape Town, South Africa, sharing their travel adventures & showcasing what South Africa and other countries have to offer. They are passionate about travel, wildlife, conservation, being surrounded by nature & holistic well-being. They are both currently working fully remotely - Lauren is a travel guru - her previous industry, before moving over to digital marketing. Julia is a qualified teacher and is currently working for a digital agency too! Lauren does the travel logistics and web development, where Julia does the travel blogging & finances (if it wasn’t for Julia, Lauren would be on holiday all the time). Their travel blog covers anything from travel tips, guides & to do’s, wine farm spots & them visiting their favourite coffee shops (they are both creatures of habit, so you’ll find them obsessing over the good coffee cafes).
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