The Ultimate 5-Day Cape Town Itinerary

You may be wondering? How can I spend 5 days in Cape Town? Because let's face it there is so much to see and do in and around Cape Town, South Africa's premier holiday city, whether it's simply lounging around on one of its fabulous beaches or taking in the spectacular views that await you when you disembark from a wonderful cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, you have an almost bewildering choice of activities, sightseeing and dining from which to choose.

Lying within close proximity to the city, a few kilometres into the interior the world-famous Stellenbosch Winelands are spread out in lush greenness, while even fairly close by in Constantia you can also enjoy tasting world-class wines. Up the coast is Camps Bay or why not take a visit to Cape Point with its untamed beauty and stand next to the old lighthouse, above sheer cliffs fairly near to the tip of Africa on the western Cape Peninsula, the place where two oceans meet?

Getting to Cape Town couldn't be easier for South Africans.  You can get rental car, self-drive, take a bus trip or fly there from Johannesburg, for example, in a couple of hours.  All the major car rental companies are well represented visiting cape town and offer special rates for rentals longer than a day.

There is a whole array of accommodation options on offer.  Some of the world's top-rated hotels are spread in and around the city, there are boutique hotels, rustic residences, self-catering establishments, B&Bs, boarding houses, and camping sites – something to suit everyone's lifestyles and pockets.

Take a drive up Signal Hill or to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens found nestling at the foot of Table Mountain and enjoy tea and scones in its restaurant. And if you are energetic enough you can even take a hike up the mountain!

Looking across Table Bay from this elevated vantage you will see Robben Island and no doubt will want to visit the place where Nelson Mandela spent so many years in prison. A ferry ride from the V&A Waterfront gets you there safely and you will be astounded by the history of this place when you take the tour. It is worth remembering that the V&A Waterfront is rich in its own very rich cultural heritage and attractions, with the stunning aquarium surely featuring as one of Cape Town's top places to visit.

You will be rushed off your feet chasing all that Cape Town has to offer and since most of us have only limited time available to us for our annual holidays we have to choose very carefully what we can take in during our visit to the aptly named “fairest Cape of all”! 

 

How many days do you need in Cape Town?

If you are looking for a destination that offers adventure, family fun, history, culture and awe-inspiring natural beauty, Cape Town should be at the top of your list. With the majestic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife the City invites you to come and see for yourself why it remains popular year after year.

We at Flight Centre recommend a minimum of a 5-day visit in the "Mother City", alternating between taking in the sights and taking it easy. Rent a car and see some of what this world-class city has to offer.

We have drawn up a sample itinerary for you which we hope will guide you in your plans to see as much of the wonderful city and its surrounding areas as possible during a short break. 

Here's a look at our take on the ultimate 5-day Cape Town itinerary: Day 1 – Arriving in Cape Town Day 2 - Seeing the sights Day 3 - Life's a beach Day 4 - Picnic in nature Day 5 - History and shopping

Day 1 - Arriving in Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town, take delivery of your rented car (if need be) and settle into your accommodation. Be captivated by Cape Town, one of the country's most beautiful jewels.

Here you are spoiled for choices and experiences in a melting pot of natural and cultural attractions. There is an air of easy living and simple sophistication. Crisp mountain and ocean freshness permeate every moment.

Each attraction cannot be viewed in isolation. There are artisan shops with quality locally-produced crafts and culinary delights (and wines) from surrounding farmlands. The friendly service of upbeat and laid-back Capetonians and undeniable attention to detail work in well-run harmony to enhance every experience beyond your expectations.

Visit one of the many restaurants nearby for a meal. Return to your accommodation while marvelling at the beauty of Table Mountain being lit up with floodlights at night.

 

Day 2 - Seeing the sights

Get to the ground-level cable car station as early as possible. Pre-booking the first trip in the cable car is highly recommended. Wander around the not-so-flat-top of Table Mountain taking in the views and the many photo opportunities available. Return to the ground station and then take a short ride and head for the world-famous Kirstenbosch gardens and enjoy cream scones and tea on the grounds.

For some serious retail therapy, the V&A Waterfront offers over 450 shops where you can indulge in international fashion brands, or explore the quaint craft and curio stores. If visiting Robben Island is on your list of things to see, take the ferry boat trip across the sea. Take in all that the tour of this historic site offers remembering that it was not always a prison!

Arrive back at the waterfront and stroll around its many attractions and pay a visit to its fabulous aquarium.

Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants on the quayside.

 

Day 3 - Life's a beach

After breakfast head to one of the nearby beaches, like Clifton Beach and spend the day in the sun, catching some fresh air, a quick dip in the sea and getting a carefully sun-blocked tan. 

Maybe even take a waddle on the wild side and visit Boulders Beach to watch the African penguins at play, while a drive along the scenic Chapman's Peak will take you to the splendid, wide, open Noordhoek Beach.

There are several stables in the vicinity and if horse riding is your thing, you can turn your "relaxing day by the seaside" into a horse ride along this amazing stretch of sea sand.

 

Day 4 - Picnic in nature

A great day trip from Cape Town is visiting the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Take a picnic lunch with you and enjoy it at one of the lovely picnic spots in the reserve. After a scenic drive around the reserve, walk up the steep path to the lighthouse from the parking ground and remember, leave the baboons alone and they will leave you alone! But if you want to experience the Cape's nectar, the Cape Winelands are absolutely stunning and just waiting for you to visit. Enjoy a wine tasting of their products (which sometimes stretch to great homegrown cheese) and a sumptuous lunch in either a laid-back on-site bistro or maybe even take in some elegant dining. Take a road trip either to Stellenbosch or Constantia, not only is the destination worth it, the trip there is just as memorable. No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip to the beautiful Cape of good hope so make sure you make a stop there if you have time.

 

Day 5 - History and shopping

Take a leisurely trip around the beautiful city, and visit its museums, and art galleries and not to be missed is a visit to The Castle. There are numerous statues dotted around the place, so there is enough to keep a wide, happy smile on any history buff's face. Some fabulous old buildings like the Houses of Parliament and Koopmans de Wet House add to the historian's tick-list. Markets abound in Cape Town, so why not visit them? The most famous of which is the Long Street market which takes place every Saturday from 3pm to 12am. Here you will be met with colourful, enthusiastic stall holders, music, busking, snack foods and a wealth of bargains. This market is a celebration of Cape Town culture. Hout Bay Harbour is a picturesque waterfront destination near Cape Town, offering stunning views of the bay, a vibrant fish market, and opportunities for boat trips to explore nearby attractions like Seal Island.

Your loved ones will be green with envy when they see your holiday pictures, so try to keep the peace by taking back a few souvenirs.  For antique stores and vintage vibes take a stroll down Long Street and Bree Street in the City Centre, or haggle with the traders at the Green Point flea market for some authentic African keepsakes.

Try not to cry! Today the final day as you leave this wonderful city taking with you memories that will last a lifetime and photos that will last even longer. As you stand on the gangway when entering your plane take in a final deep breath of Cape Town air and relax in comfort as you are whisked back home.

Farewell to The Fairest Cape

In closing, visiting Cape Town's famed beauty comes as no surprise with its famous landmark majestic Table Mountain, a World Heritage Site, golden beaches and bountiful vineyards of wine country and award-winning wine estates. It's clear why Cape Town is Africa's most visited holiday destination.

The ‘Mother City' is often rated one of the best places to sample South Africa's most delectable cuisine — its streets filled to the brim with top-rated restaurants and popular cafés serving up a selection of dishes plated with a local flair. For travellers who like the finer things in life, the the Cape region of Winelands is the place to go, and when you do, be sure to order a glass of full-bodied Pinotage, the country's signature variety.

Speaking of the Winelands, Stellenbosch, with its ancient oak trees and white Dutch buildings, still proudly display these roots of community spirit with a robust town-like feel - ideal for walking before settling in on a slow meal at one of the bustling restaurants.

For a completely different Winelands adventure, the cultured valley-town of Franschhoek is a French-influenced delight. The views from the Franschhoek pass leading down to the town are spectacular. On entering the village, you can stop at the gardens surrounding the Huguenot Monument.

The monument is full of empowering symbolism, representing freedom and hope. Beyond some of the best art shops and galleries in South Africa, you will not miss the tram ticket office. The hop-on-hop-off tour open-air tram-bus stops at some of South Africa's oldest and most distinguished wine estates.

The private boat tour then takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, the private tour, with a narration focusing on the 300-year history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards.

Cape Town's beaches are also worth a mention, from the powdery sands of Clifton and Camps Bay to the surfer's paradise of Muizenberg. Kalk Bay – a fishing village on the coast of False Bay – is an underrated and oh so scenic!

A highlight on any Cape Town holiday itinerary is a trip around the edge of the Western Cape's Peninsula and for those wanting to learn more about the life and legacy of the former president, Nelson Mandela, a trip to Robben Island is a must.

There is more to do than just the above so make sure you explore the below options when planning your Cape Town holiday Itinerary:

• Colorful houses at Muizenberg beach

• Boulders Beach

• Hike Lions Head and Table Mountain

• Wine and cheese tasting

• Kirstenbosch botanical gardens

• Two oceans aquarium

• Camps Bay Harbour

• Chapman's peak drive

• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

• Simon's Town

Are you interested in a 5-day Cape Town itinerary with boutique hotels or other accommodation and flights? Flight Centre's friendly and skilled Travel Experts will gladly answer any questions to make this your best holiday experience ever in one of South Africa's most beautiful cities.

 

We have a whole variety of options from which to choose and we can easily tailor one to meet your specific requirements if you need us to. So, why not contact one of our travel experts and book your Cape Town holiday today?