Quick answer: On day 1, do Table Mountain (if it’s calm), the V&A Waterfront and a Signal Hill sunset. Day 2 is the Cape Peninsula: Chapman’s Peak, Boulders Beach and Cape Point. On day 3, visit Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and the city. On days 4–5, spend time in the Winelands and Kirstenbosch, and hike Lion’s Head. On days 6–7, go whale watching in Hermanus (June–November) or relax on the beaches. Keep the plan flexible, because wind decides Table Mountain days.
Cape Town’s weather changes fast, so build in flexibility. Treat any clear, calm morning as your Table Mountain day and swap the other days around it.
3 days in Cape Town
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Table Mountain cableway at opening (tickets) | Bo-Kaap, Company’s Garden | Sunset on Signal Hill, dinner at the V&A Waterfront |
| 2 | Chapman’s Peak Drive, then Cape Point | The Boulders Beach penguins, lunch in Simon’s Town or Kalk Bay | Back via Muizenberg |
| 3 | Robben Island, ideally the 9am ferry (tickets) | Zeitz MOCAA, the Waterfront | The Sea Point Promenade, Camps Bay sundowners |
5 days in Cape Town
Follow the 3-day plan, then add:
- Day 4, the Winelands: Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, either on a tour or with a designated driver. Many people take the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
- Day 5, gardens and hike: Kirstenbosch Gardens in the morning, the beach in the afternoon, and Lion’s Head for sunset in a group, with a headlamp.
7 days in Cape Town
- Day 6: Hermanus for whale watching (roughly June–November), or Constantia wine estates and Muizenberg surf lessons.
- Day 7: A spare weather day, used for anything the wind cancelled, or the District Six Museum and a food market.
Itinerary tips
- Check the cableway status and the wind forecast every morning.
- For the Peninsula and Winelands days, book a day tour or rent a car.
- Book Robben Island several days ahead in summer.
- Choose your base from our where to stay in Cape Town guide.
For events, opening hours and official visitor information, see Cape Town Tourism.
More Cape Town guides
- Cape Town travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Cape Town
- Where to stay in Cape Town
- Table Mountain cableway tickets and hikes
- Cape Point and Boulders Beach day trip
- Robben Island tickets and tour
- Cape Town Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Cape Town
FAQ: Cape Town itinerary
Is 3 days enough in Cape Town?
It’s enough for the highlights if the weather cooperates, but 5 days gives you the Winelands and a buffer for wind closures.
Should I rent a car in Cape Town?
It’s useful for the Peninsula, the Winelands and Hermanus. Within the city, Uber and Bolt are easier and avoid parking hassles.
Can you do Cape Point and the penguins in one day?
Yes. It’s the classic Peninsula loop of about a full day. See our Cape Point and Boulders Beach guide.
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