VISITING CAPE TOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME – 5 DAY CAPE TOWN ITINERARY

As a Capetonian, I can definitely confirm that this beautiful city has it all and that is another reason why CNN Travel labelled it as ‘one of the world’s most beautiful cities’.

From ocean views, natural landscapes, Winelands, wildlife safaris, marine wildlife safaris, birdlife, tourist attractions, and never-ending tour activities, and of course to the Table Mountain and reliable public transport. The Mother City will make you fall in love with it. You can never get bored because there will always be something to do or see.

No matter how much you Google about Cape Town or things to do and see in and around this city, you are still going to feel overwhelmed by information, its beauty and many things you can do or see, and the “limited” time you have. One thing you should never do when you visit Cape Town for the first time is to spend most of time at your accommodation or sun-basking at the beach for most of your stay. You can always do this on your next or third visit. You need to explore as much as you can and spend as less as you can on your first visit. Sounds crazy right?

Cape Town has plenty to offer to different travellers, so there is no “one-itinerary-fits-all” when it comes to itinerary planning. You can visit Cape Town multiple times and never have the same itinerary. In this quick guide, I will explain how you can experience Cape Town like a local and on a budget.

DAY 1: FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE CITY AND ITS LANDSCAPE

I highly recommend arriving by an early morning flight (08:00 am) at Cape Town International Airport. This will not only make you feel like you woke up in Cape Town but it will give you an opportunity to maximise time on your first day. Drop off your bags at your accommodation (reception usually have a storeroom where they keep guests’ luggage before check-in time) and head straight to the City Sightseeing station, number 82 in Long Street, Cape Town CBD to begin your hop-on hop-off open-top red bus experience.

City Sightseeing bus tour is a great way for you as a first time visitor to take in as much of the city and its surroundings as you can, you will have an almost 360-degree tour of the city passing through the city bowl, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Constantia, mini peninsula including Hout Bay, Twelve Apostle, Camps Bay, Clifton, Sea Point Promenade, Green Point and ending in V&A Waterfront.

Remember you can hop-off at any point and hop-on into another bus when you are ready to move to the next point, there is a bus every 15 minutes. Book your City Sightseeing ticket online to skip the line or purchase a City Pass card, it allows you free access and discounted rates to over 70 attractions and tour activities.

DAY 2: FULL-DAY CAPE PENINSULA TOUR

Hire a car, book a tour guide, or arranged with a local buddy to join you on this fully-packed day tour because there is so much to do and see, and you still need to focus on the road especially when you drive on Chapman’s Peak Drive.

On this day, get an early start. Leave your accommodation in Cape Town at exactly 08:00 am or 07:30 am if you stay around Bloubergstrand area and make your way to Simon’s Town harbour for a 09:00 am 1 hour guided Water Bike tour (booking in advance is essential). Next, carry on further and pass and don’t enter Boulder Beach, home to the colony of African Penguins. The water will still be cold for swimming with the penguins.

Don’t worry, you will come back to a warmer beach later on your way back from Cape Point. You are welcome to enter Boulders Beach if you just want to admire the penguins over the protective fence or wooden walkway inside the enclosed park.Your next spot and one of the ultimate reasons for this tour is the beautiful Cape Point National Park. Here, you’ll find a spectacular sight with towering stone cliffs, endemic fynbos, breath-taking bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys, and both the old and the new lighthouses. The climb to the lighthouse is steep and requires some moderate fitness, but there is a Flying Dutchman Funicular (“train”) to take you to the top.Don’t spend too much time at the top, go down the rock path to enjoy the views of the cliffs and the new lighthouse. When you are done admiring the spectacular views, go to the edge of Diaz Beach (you don’t have to go all the way down unless if you are prepared for a mini hike up the wooden stairs) to enjoy more views of the endless ocean.After enjoying lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant if it’s open – they sell delicious food with amazing ocean views (I suggest you call to find out or carry a snack box). Your next spot is Cape of Good Hope before driving back to Boulders Beach. As you enter Simon’s Town on your way back from Cape Point National Park, look for the first brown signboard pointing to Boulders Beach and turn there, you will find a parking lot and entrance to Boulders Beach, home to the colony of African Penguins.

The water will be warm at this time and you can take a dip with these cute creatures. When you are satisfied, drive to Muizenberg Beach, here you will find the popular rainbow beach huts and the sun will be shining at the back of the huts. This will give you the best Instagram pictures (these huts look cute and newer from the back than in front – you will be able to capture both the huts and the beach).

DAY 3: GO WINE TASTING IN FRANSCHHOEK – WINE TRAM

This is another full-day activity, but you can leave your accommodation at 10:00 am and you will arrive at the Wine Tram ticket office in Franschhoek just before 11:00 am. You can drive or use City Sightseeing red bus.

Franschhoek is one of the prettiest wine routes and home to the popular Franschhoek Wine Tram, which allows you to enjoy wine tasting from 8 wine estates (no one I know, including myself have completed tasting from all 8 in a single day), you will probably taste from 4 – 5 unless you rush the entire experience. So, take it easy and fully enjoy the experience.

Most wine estates have restaurants on-site, while others have pre-packed picnic baskets or more casual eateries. No matter your taste or budget, there will be something that appeals to you.

DAY 4: TAKE A BREAK

This day gives you a chance to slow down and reflect on things you have done so far. By now you should have an idea of where most of the things/places are including beaches, bars, restaurants, markets, malls, museums, art galleries, etc. You can use this day to sun bask at the beach, read a book, go shopping, go for a massage or do whatever makes you feel happy and relaxed.

DAY 5: LIVE LIKE A TOURIST

Start your day with a Robben Island tour followed by a boat cruise in V&A Waterfront and a stroll on the Sea Point Promenade, and end off your day with a night out around the city bowl (Long, Bree, and/or Kloof Streets) or Victoria Road in Camps Bay. Treat this night as your farewell celebration, so go all out and make it your best night out.

Planning a trip anywhere around the Western Cape? Book flights and browse accommodation or hire a car now to get the best rates. The Cape Town City Pass gives you access to over 70 of the top Cape Town attractions, tours, and things to see and do, including the popular hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing bus.

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