Woman sitting next to stairs in Cape Town's Bo-Kaap neighbourhoud

3 to 7 Days in Cape Town Itinerary: Hidden Gems & Local Favorites You’ll Love

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Cape Town is a city that constantly pops up on every “must-visit in South Africa” list, and for good reason. On our first trip to South Africa, we had focused mainly on Johannesburg and the Panorama Route to Kruger, so we missed out on this vibrant coastal gem. But on our second visit to South Africa, we finally got to experience what makes Cape Town so special.

One thing we quickly noticed, though, is that most travel guides highlight all the same tourist hot spots. And if you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re all about uncovering unique, lesser-known adventures. Now having spent over two weeks exploring the ins and outs of the city, we’ve carefully crafted this 3 to 7 day Cape Town itinerary packed with hidden gems and refreshing alternatives to the usual attractions, some of which we think actually outshine the originals. Plus, we’ll share essential tips to help you explore safely while truly experiencing the city like a local.

sunset at Franschhoek

Best Things to do in Cape town

Before diving into the full itinerary, here’s an overview of what awaits during your 3 to 7 days in Cape Town. This itinerary is packed with off-the-beaten-path adventures, local favourite spots, underrated viewpoints, and alternatives to the city’s most popular attractions, showcasing a side of Cape Town few visitors get to see.

The best way to explore this itinerary is by renting a car for maximum freedom and flexibility. But if you prefer not to drive, don’t worry! Everything can also be enjoyed using Uber or through guided tours!

1) Walking Tour in Bo-Kaap

You can’t visit South Africa without learning about its powerful and complex history of the Apartheid era. And one of the best ways to understand this chapter is through a walking tour through Bo-Kaap. We were brought to key historical landmarks and the colourful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, which gave us meaningful insights into the country’s past.

2) Day Trip to Franschhoek Wine Region

You can’t visit South Africa without trying their world-class wines! You can easily join a day trip to experience the famous Wine Tram, which takes you through some of the region’s most beautiful vineyards.

3) See the Penguins

While most tourists flock to Boulders Beach to see penguins, here’s a little secret: there’s an even more breathtaking (and far cheaper and less crowded) alternative just a short drive from Cape Town. The Stony Point Penguin Colony offers an even more incredible experience without the crowds.

4) Paraglide from Signal Hill

Signal Hill is one of the best (and safest) viewpoints to soak in panoramic views of Cape Town, Lion’s Head, and Table Mountain. You can easily drive all the way to the top, park, and enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the city. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even paraglide down toward the ocean!

5) Guided tour up Table Mountain or Cable Car

Table Mountain is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cape Town. But before you start lacing your hiking boots, it is important to be aware of some important safety concerns with this trek. We’ll go into more detail below as well as in our guide on How to stay safe in Cape Town Guide.

6) Dinner at Nikkei Japanese

Ok South Africa has some of the best food in the world, but in Cape Town, these meals can be quite pricey. So we highly recommend checking out Nikkei Japanese Peruvian which offers an affordable and delicious tasting menu and has specials like Sushi Sunday with live DJ!

7) Explore Oranjezitcht Farm Market + V&A Waterfront

8) Sunset at The Rock

One of our favourite lesser-known sunset viewpoints. It is free, uncrowded, and shows a very different side than Signal Hill.

9) Experience a safari

One of the most unforgettable things to do in South Africa is go on a game drive and witness the magic of a real safari. While Kruger National Park is the most famous spot for it, it’s located all the way on the opposite side of the country near Johannesburg. So instead we would recommend visiting one of the Private Game Reserve near Cape Town.


5 Days in Cape Town Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick overview of how to spend 5 days in Cape Town. Overall, we found 5 days to be the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of Cape Town. If you have more time, we highly recommend continuing the adventure on the Garden Route road trip. We’ll also share in the following sections what to prioritize if you only have 3 days in Cape Town, and what extra experiences to add if you’re lucky enough to have more time in the city. 


5 Days in Cape Town Itinerary: Full Breakdown

In this section, we’ll break down exactly how to plan each day in Cape Town, including what to do, where to eat, safety and transportation tips, and where to stay. This itinerary includes all our favourite hidden gem experiences in Cape Town, alternatives to popular attractions, and some exciting day trips.

Day 1: Walking tour in Bo-Kaap + Sunset at The Boulder

Morning: Arrival in Cape Town Airport

One of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether to rent a car for exploring Cape Town or rely on Ubers and organized tours instead. We had just completed the Garden Route Road Trip before arriving in Cape Town so we already had our rental car to continue exploring Cape Town. If ever you’re not comfortable driving in Cape Town, you can instead rely on Uber and booking tours. 

Normally after a long flight, we don’t want to deal with figuring out Uber and finding the driver, so we will typically arrange our private transfer with Welcome Pickups

Our recommendation though would be to rent a car as it will give you flexibility and freedom to explore many of our recommended day trip spots outside of Cape Town. We booked our car through DiscoverCars and the rental office was right inside the airport, making it very convenient.  


Afternoon: Walking Tour in Bo-Kaap

Whenever we arrive in a new country or city, one of our favourite ways of getting oriented and figuring out important local tips is by starting with a walking tour. We did this Bo-Kaap tour and learned crucial recommendations about how to navigate the city, what attractions were not safe for tourists, food spots, all the while learning the rich history of Cape Town.

Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most colourful and historically significant neighbourhoods. Yes, it is a popular instagram spot for its rainbow-painted houses and cobblestone streets, but behind it is an important chapter of South African history.

Bo-Kaap was once the home to freed slaves brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and other parts of Africa. This was one of the few places they could rent or buy property, and over time it evolved into a tight-knit Muslim community that preserved its culture. Today, the bright coloured houses stand as a symbol of resilience, cultural identity, and freedom after centuries of oppression. 

Recommended Bo-Kaap Tour

This Bo-Kaap walking tour takes around 2 hours, which is perfect so you can catch the sunset at The Rock after. Alternatively, for a more fun way of navigating and learning about the city, you can do this Cape Town Cycling Tour which also visits Bo-Kaap. 

Finally, one experience we missed out on but would’ve loved to do is this Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap (which we’ll definitely do next time we return to Cape Town!)


Evening: Sunset at The Rock

We love chasing after sunsets, but one big issue we ran into in Cape Town was that many of the main sunset spots are not safe. We had initially wanted to hike up Table Mountain or Lion’s head to see the sunset, but we learned that the hikes are not safe unless if you’re going on a guided tour or in a group of 4 or more people. 

Rather than spending 450 rand each on the return cable car up Table Mountain, we opted for an off-the-beaten track alternative at The Rock

The viewpoint at The Rock offers a stunning panoramic view of the coastline and Cape Town’s iconic mountain ridges. You can reach there directly by car, park along the streets, and there is even a security checkpoint and guards to allow you through. It is located in quite a wealthy neighbourhood so you’ll get to appreciate the fancy homes along with the sunset views. The best part? It’s completely free to visit and totally safe!


Day 2: Day trip to Franschhoek + Wine Tram + Hiking

Franschhoek + Wine Tram Experience

South Africa is world-famous for their wines so a day trip to one of Cape Town’s most famous wine regions, Franschhoek, is a must! Here, you’ll find rows and rows of breathtaking vineyards with the stunning backdrop of South Africa’s famous mountain ridges, and the famous wine tram. 

Rather than worrying about driving between vineyards, you can take their fun wine tram that makes stops at many of the most famous vineyards of the region. So simply hop off the train, do your wine tasting, and hop right back on! We met some fellow travelers that spent the whole day wine-hopping on the wine tram and had already visited over 5 of them! They were definitely having a good time!

One of the easiest ways to do this Franschhoek day trip is by joining a full-day Wine Tram tour from Cape Town. This includes the roundtrip transportation from Cape Town, the tickets for the Wine Tram, and full flexibility to explore at your own pace.

If you’d rather have your own air conditioned vehicle to bring you to each vineyard with curated lunch and scenic wine tastings, this Full-day Winelands Tour is another great option!


Self-drive option: Franschhoek Day trip + Hiking

If you’re like us and prefer exploring the wine region on your own with your rental car, this itinerary will be perfect for you.

One of the best parts of doing it independently was being able to combine wine tastings with an absolutely stunning hike in the Mont Rochelle area, catch the sunset from the trails, and then make the scenic drive back to Cape Town. We felt like it made for a more complete day rather than just drinking wine all day (although that sounds fun too!)

Morning: Wine Tasting in Franschhoek

Make the 1 hour drive from Cape Town to Franschhoek and visit Old Wine Co. located just outside of the town. What we loved about it was that the homey and cozy atmosphere, with wood oven pizzas and snacks, as well as delicious wine. This was a nice contrast to the very posh atmosphere of some vineyards. It was also quite affordable, where we picked a wine tasting set paired with delicious biltong

If you would prefer something more fancy and upscale, you can check out the Rickety Bridge EstateHaute Cabrière, or le Lude Estate.   

Woman sitting drinking wine in Cape Town
Afternoon: Hiking at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve

Since we were driving, we opted for only one wine tasting before heading over to Mont Rochelle for an unforgettable 6km hike on the Uitkyk TrailMont Rochelle Nature Reserve is conveniently located just a 15 minutes drive from Franschhoek, with an entry fee of only 70 rand per person. 

The Uitkyk Trail took us through some of South Africa’s most dramatic mountain scenery, landscapes as breathtaking as the ones we explored on our Blyde River Canyon hike along the Panorama Route. The best part was not only the jaw-dropping scenery, but also that it was completely safe to do on our own! 

The Uitkyk Trail is 6km roundtrip, and should take between 2-4 hours. If you have more time, you can do the Perdekop Trail, but it is 13km long and takes close to 7 hours!

Finally, after the hike, we stayed high up on the mountain ridge right outside the entrance to admire a perfect sunset. 

Dinner Plans in Franschhoek

Food in the Franschhoek region can be pretty pricey, but for good reason. It’s packed with world-class restaurants and top-tier culinary experiences. We spent three days there, so we had to keep things budget-friendly, but if you have the chance to splurge, don’t miss the highly acclaimed tasting menu at La Petite Colombe.


Day 3: Farmers Market + V&A Waterfront + signal Hill

Today is all about experiencing Cape Town’s local scene, from bustling markets and waterfront shopping to one of our favourite sunset spots (with a dose of adventure thrown in).

Morning: Oranjezitcht market + V&A Waterfront for shopping

Start with Oranjezitcht city farm market, located only a short 10 minute walk away from the V&A Waterfront. Here, you’ll find local vendors selling everything from handmade leather goods, natural skincare creams, clothing, to an entire section of farm-fresh meals! 

And whatever you do, don’t miss Funki Fungi for an incredibly delicious mushroom skewer. We first saw it on Tiktok and thought to ourselves “how good can a mushroom skewer be?”. Well, turns out it is to die for!

Keep in mind that Oranjezitcht farm market is only open weekends from 8:00am-2:00pm, and Wednesday nights at 4:00-9:00pm. 

In our honest opinion, the Oranjezitcht market is a fun spot to hangout and experience the local vibes, but it is not the best place to shop as everything is super pricey. That’s why next up, you’ll be heading to the V&A Waterfront. Not only will you get some of the best views of Cape Town’s harbour, but you can also do a little retail therapy at one of the city’s top malls.

We were able to snatch quite a few good deals on clothing and is a great place to hangout for a few hours in total safety. 

Evening: Signal Hill Sunset + Paraglide

To end the day, we headed over to Signal Hill for one of our favourite sunset spots.

As we mentioned earlier, hiking up Table Mountain or Lion’s Head isn’t recommended unless you’re joining a guided group for safety reasons. We wanted something a little more relaxed, budget-friendly, and off-the-beaten-path, so Signal Hill was perfect. You can actually drive all the way to the top and park there, with regular patrols around to keep the area safe.

What we loved most about this viewpoint is the panorama. From up there, you can see Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, the glittering coastline, and the entire city spread out below you. Since it’s a full 360° lookout, you can just pick your favourite angle, sit back, and watch Cape Town glow under the setting sun.

And for a dose of adventure, we recommend trying out paragliding from Signal Hill. We met another traveler who loved the experience so much, she did it twice in two days! 



🦁 Want to discover more of Africa? Some of our most unforgettable experiences include driving the Panorama Route, staying at private game lodges in Kruger, and embarking on a self-drive camping adventure through Namibia. From awe-inspiring sand dunes in Sossusvlei, kayaking with seals in Swakopmund, to chasing the Big 5 at Etosha, Namibia is one of our favourite destinations EVER.


Day 4: Day trip to see the Penguins

After spending days chasing lions and cheetahs at some of South Africa’s best game lodges along the Garden Route, we honestly never expected to stumble upon Penguins! 

One of the top recommended spots you’ll see mentioned online is Boulder’s beach just a 1 hour drive from Cape Town. However, this once hidden gem has become incredibly popular over the years, and it shows. When we visited, the beach was packed, and visitors were no longer allowed to walk directly on the sand with the penguins. Instead, you’re now limited to viewing them from the raised boardwalks and designated viewpoints. On top of that, the entrance fee is 245 rand per person

Boulder's Beach
Boulder’s Beach

Stony Point Penguin Colony

Luckily, we discovered a hidden gem for penguin spotting just 75 minutes from Cape Town: the Stony Point Penguin Colony.

Here you’ll get to see way more penguins and get much closer to them! While you are still restricted to the boardwalks, the pathway weaves right through the penguin colony bringing you just a few feet away from these adorable little tuxedo birds. 

We also loved Stony Point more than Boulder’s Beach because it’s set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, making it feel far more scenic and peaceful. 

And if you need one more reason to go, entry costs only 45 rand per person! Plus, the drive itself is a highlight. You’ll cruise along Clarence Drive, one of the most stunning coastal roads we’ve ever driven, even more breathtaking than the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive!

Visiting the Stony Point Penguin Colony can take as little as 45 minutes. But with all those adorable wobbling penguins stealing the show, we easily spent 2 to 3 hours just watching and soaking it all in!

All in all, this was one of our favourite hidden gem discoveries during our trip to Cape Town and we would highly recommend it! 


Day 5: Table Mountain or Safari day trip + Dinner

On your final day, you’ll have the choice of either doing a guided hike up Table Mountain, or embarking on a fun day trip to chase after South Africa’s Big 5!

Of the two, we would recommend the Big 5 Safari experience as it is one of the few places in the world (apart from the African Continent) where you get see these majestic creatures! 

Safari at Game Lodge near Cape Town

We’ve been lucky enough to experience safaris multiple times over the years: first in Kruger National Park in South Africa, then in Etosha National Park in Namibia, and later at a few private game lodges along the Garden Route. And honestly, going on these game drives and spotting lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, and all the incredible African wildlife is nothing short of life-changing. 

It’s hard to describe, but it feels like stepping back in time, witnessing nature in its purest, most untamed form.

If you haven’t done a safari yet, we highly recommend visiting one of the private game lodges near Cape Town. While the experience isn’t quite on the same scale as the legendary Kruger National Park, it’s still absolutely worth it.  And we guarantee it’ll give you a taste of the safari magic that’ll have you planning your next trip back to South Africa!

🎁 Bonus Recommendation: Marine Safari + Shark Cage Diving

If you’re after another one-of-a-kind experience, make your way to Hermanus or Gansbaai for a Big 5 Marine Safari! Instead of spotting lions and elephants, you’ll be cruising the ocean in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and other incredible marine life. We got to experience it in Knysna and it was incredible! Or for the ultimate adrenaline safari experience, do Shark Cage Diving! 

Dinner: Nikkei Japanese Peruvian

There’s no shortage of amazing restaurants in Cape Town. In fact, the first time we came to South Africa, we were absolutely blown away by the incredible cuisine here! But dining in Cape Town can get expensive quick, so we wanted to recommend one of our favourite restaurants, Nikkei Japanese Peruvian! It was so insanely good and affordable that we went two days in a row! 

For just 599 Rand (equivalent of 34 USD), you can enjoy a 9 course tasting menu including dishes like crispy squid, yellowtail ceviche, tuna ceviche, braised sesame short rib, lamb anticuchos and more! At that price, it is a total steal! If that isn’t enough to convince you, arrive between 4:00-5:30pm and all Pisco cocktails are half price!

We enjoyed it so much that we immediately booked for the next day for their Sushi & Sake Sundays. A 22 piece sushi platter costs only 199 rand (12 USD) and all sake cocktails are at half price! To top it all off, there’s live music or a DJ to elevate the experience even more!

And that wraps up your 5-day Cape Town itinerary! But after experiencing all this, we’re pretty sure you’ll be craving even more adventures across South Africa!


What if you only have 3 days in Cape Town

If you only have three days in Cape Town, you’ll need to trim down the itinerary and focus on the highlights. For a well-balanced mix of adventure, scenery, and culture, here’s the 3-day itinerary we’d recommend:

  • Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, rent your car, Bo-Kaap Walking Tour or Cycling Tour, sunset at Signal Hill, Paraglide
  • Day 2: Day trip to FranschhoekWine Tram or self drive wine hopping, hike at Mont Rochelle, sunset there. You can also end the night with one of the most highly-rated tasting menus in Franschhoek at La Petite Colombe.
  • Day 3: Stony Point Penguin Colony day trip early in the morning if you’re self driving (or Boulder’s Beach + Cape Point day trip for a guided tour), return to Cape Town to enjoy the V&A Waterfrontdinner at Nikkei Japanese Peruvian at 4:00pm to benefit from the Pisco Happy Hour, sunset at The Rock or Take the cable car up Table Mountain

What if you have 7 or more days in Cape Town

If you have 7 or more days in Cape Town, great news! Because you’ll have no shortage of activities to fill up your time. With a week, you can complete the full 5 day Cape Town Itinerary plus add on a few epic day trips to experience the Safari at a Private Game Lodge, and maybe even attempt Shark Cage Diving in Hermanus! 

If you’ve got two weeks in Cape Town, then we would highly recommend doing the world-famous Garden Route. Rent a car, start from Cape Town, and road trip along one of South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal drives. It was one of our favourite travel experiences in South Africa: kayaking through Storm’s River Gorge, whale watching in Knysna, spotting dolphins while hiking Robberg Nature Reserve, and so much more!

📚 For a full detailed guide about planning this road trip, check out our Garden Route Guide!



This post is part of our series about South Africa. If you want to learn more about South Africa, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:


Is Cape Town Safe – Important Considerations

Cape Town often makes headlines as one of the top crime cities in the world, so it’s totally fair to wonder: is Cape Town actually safe for tourists? While the crime rate on paper sounds scary, most incidents happen in townships and neighbourhoods far from where travelers usually explore.

The main tourist areas like V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and Green Point are relatively safe during the day with normal precautions (keep valuables hidden, avoid flashy jewelry, and stick to busy streets). 

At night, however, the atmosphere changes significantly, and it is advised by all locals to take an Uber instead of walking. From our experience and what we saw at night, this is definitely something we agree with. 

Surprisingly, even famous attractions like Table Mountain and Lion’s Head have safety concerns. When we checked, there were a staggering 47 reported attacks on Table Mountain trails in just the first few months of 2025. Locals recommend hiking in groups of four or just taking the cable car straight up and back down. 

We drove in Cape town and felt it was generally safe in central areas, but made sure to avoid routes through townships. Fortunately, Uber in Cape Town is considered to be safe and reliable, and locals recommended it over other options like Bolt. 

Overall, we’d say Cape Town is safe enough for tourists, but it’s one of those places where staying alert really pays off. Want to know exactly what to watch out for and how to stay safe? Don’t miss our full Cape Town Safety Guide with 8 must-know tips.


Where to Stay in Cape Town

One of the biggest decisions when planning your Cape Town trip is choosing where to stay. We did a ton of research in order to make sure we picked a neighbourhood that is safe, close to major attractions, had private and secure parking, and ideally some visible street patrols too. Given Cape Town’s track record, safety was the most important consideration. 

With those criteria in mind, we narrowed it down to four main areas: Sea Point, Green Point, the V&A Waterfront, and the northern end of the CBD. We ended up staying in Sea Point and would highly recommend it. It is close to the beach, safe, filled with cute bakeries and shops, and just a short drive from downtown. 

where to stay in Cape Town map

To help you pick where to stay in Cape Town, we’ll share below our own curated list of hotels that we personally considered for our trip:

V&A Waterfront: Upscale + very safe

V&A Waterfront

Sea Point: More local + close to the beach

  • The Glen Boutique Hotel & Spa (Luxurious rooms, outdoor pool and spa facilities, breakfast buffet, a la carte dinner poolside, massage treatments)
  • Loloho Lodge (Adults only, 4 star B&B, lush garden, outdoor swimming pool, 8 mins walk to Rocklands Beach)

Green Point: Close to Downtown + Next to Lion’s Head


Northern CBD: Very Central but less safe than the other options

  • The Rockefeller Hotel by Newmark (Room with balcony, rooftop and indoor swimming pool, directly in CBD, very modern)
  • Cape Heritage Hotel (located in elegant Heritage Square, roof-top jacuzzi, central location very close to famous restaurants, paid parking across the street)

Should you drive in Cape Town

We would recommend renting a car and driving to explore Cape Town.

As you can see from the itineraries, many of the best experiences are actually day trips outside the city and would be harder to reach unless if going with a guided group tour. These include Boulder’s Beach, Stony Point Penguin Colony, Franschhoek wine region, Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve just to name a few. We found driving in Cape Town to be quite safe, even at night time, as long as you avoid the townships and stick to the main busy roads.

street in Cape Town with the road sign that says stop

How many days to visit Cape Town

To truly experience the best of Cape Town, we recommend spending at least 5 days, as outlined in our suggested itinerary. With only 3 days, you’ll get just a small taste of what the city has to offer.

We personally spent around 10 days exploring Cape Town and the nearby wine region, then added another week road-tripping the Garden Route. In total, our trip was close to 3 weeks, and honestly, we could’ve stayed even longer. There’s so much to do and see! 

For the ultimate South Africa adventure, start your journey in Cape Town, explore the nearby wine region, then hit the road along the Garden Route all the way to Johannesburg. From there, continue through the scenic Panorama Route and finish strong at the legendary Kruger National Park for an unforgettable safari experience!


Using WISE card in South Africa

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

Wise card

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.


Summary: 3 to 7 Days Cape Town Itinerary

After spending over two weeks exploring Cape Town and its surroundings, we can confidently say this city truly has something for everyone. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems that most visitors overlook, and from relaxing afternoons in the wine region to heart-pumping safari adventures, it’s easy to see why people keep coming back to South Africa. Whether you’ve got just three days or a full week in Cape Town, this guide will help you experience the best of the city beyond the usual tourist trail, all while keeping your trip safe and stress-free.


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