3 Perfect Days in Cape Town 

Cape Town is one of those cities that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. You could easily spend a week exploring all it has to offer. We have built this guide to maximize your time in this beautiful metropolis. However, we wouldn’t hesitate adding a few extra nights in Cape Town on your next trip to South Africa.

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Cape Town Highlights
One of the best ways to explore the whole city is on the hop on hop off bus which will take you to all of the city’s top landmarks. Some lines will even bring you to the wineries on the other side of Table Mountain.

Start your morning by walking around the V&A Waterfront shops and market located in Cape Town’s famous Waterfront district. Get your fill of South African souvenirs in one of the many shops that fill the wooden piers over the bay. There are plenty of restaurants here to fuel your day.

After morning explorations, spend the afternoon in the Constantia wine region in the shadows of Table Mountain. The hop on hop off buses can bring you to a trio of wineries in the valley behind the mountain. Sip South Africa’s signature pinotage in a peaceful green valley among grapevines just outside the city.

Time your afternoon to make it to Table Mountain about 1-2 hours before dusk and take in the amazing sunset from the top. Ride the cable car to get there or hike the adventurous trails leading to the iconic flat-topped mountain. Either way you choose to get there, the views are nothing short of stunning and there is a small bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a Sundowner while waiting for the sun to sink below the horizon.

If you’re seeking something a little flashier than a bus, nothing beats seeing Cape Town by helicopter. Tours are available that bring you all the way around Cape Point and drop you off at one of the Constantia Wineries. A chopper is an amazing way to see the city and all of its beautiful landscapes. Youcan even hire a helicopter to bring you further afield to the wine region in Stellenbosch.

The late night crowd will find themselves on Long Street in the heart of Cape Town. Long Street is busy most nights of the week with the peak on Fridays and Saturdays.

One of the best places to stay for a perfect 3 days in Cape Town is the quiet and trendy Camps Bay neighborhood. Situated in the shadow on Lion’s Head, Camps Bay has easy access to all of the city’s best attractions but is away from the busy city center. In the evening, Victoria Street is full of restaurant options overlooking the water.

Cape point drive, Chapman’s peak drive, Cape of Good Hope, Penguins
Cape Town’s name is derived from the geological features of the area called capes, and day two isall about them. A cape is a high point of land that extends far into the sea. Cape Town is home to one of the world’s most famous, the Cape of Good Hope.

The road to Cape of Good Hope is lined with viewpoints and gorgeous landscapes. The stretch of pavement is literally carved into the side of the cliff. The road is known as Chapman’s Peak Drive, originally built in the early 1900s. This stretch of road is now one of the most scenic in the entire country.

The winding roads of Chapman’s Peak Drive lead to Cape Point, but first, you’ll enter a wildlife preserve. Take time to see wild ostrich and other animalswandering near the side of the road.

On the way back to the city stop off at Bolder Beach to see its well-dressed residents. Boulder beach is renowned for its massive penguin population, dressed to the nines in their little black and white tuxedos. A visit with thousands of these cuties is the perfect way to end your afternoon.

For dinner, if you are staying in Camps Bay head to Hussar’s Grill for a top end steak, or better yet, some delicious game meats like Kudu or Oryx. Alternatively, make a booking at one of Cape Town’s most famous eateries, Gold Restaurant. A meal at Gold is more than just food, it comes with live entertainment, a drumming lesson and about 14 courses spanning the African continent.

Adventure or relaxation StellenboschOn your final day, take it easy or turn up the excitement. For the wine enthusiast, booking a night in South Africa’s prized wine region, Stellenbosch is a must. Meanwhile, others might find it more thrilling to jump into a steel cage and swim with the world’s largest predator, the Great White shark.

For the wine connoisseurs, consider booking a room in Stellenbosch so you can thoroughly enjoy the wines of the region and not worry about making the 30-minute commute back to Cape Town.  Stellenbosch is home to more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms filled with local pinotages and chenin blancs, along with other wines found in Europe and around the world.

For the adrenaline junkies, set your alarm clock early and head out from Cape Town to Gansbaai where you can jump in the water with the world’s most feared fish. Climb overboard into the chilly waters several miles from shore where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.  The only thing keeping you from becoming a shark snack is a few steel bars of a shark cage.

Tagged: Africa, Uncategorized