Wow. Cape Town stole our hearts in an instant. It has everything you’d look for in a holiday—delicious food, friendly locals, mesmerising landscapes, and the wild Ocean. You will find a trendy, vibrant city, with lively bars, iconic landmarks and a rich history. Below we share our detailed 3 day Cape Town itinerary, including our hidden gems and much more!
Day 1
To start your 3 day Cape Town itinerary, we recommend booking a flight that lands early in the morning. We took an evening flight from the UK and managed to get some sleep on the plane, arriving in Cape Town ready to begin our adventure! After picking up our hire car, we drove to The Commodore Hotel, where they kindly held our luggage as it was too early to check in.
From there, we headed to the Table Mountain cable car, stopping on the way for photos at the beautiful Lion’s Head while enjoying the stunning views.
The cable car ride up Table Mountain is unique—the floor rotates 360° as you ascend! The views over Cape Town and the ocean were spectacular, with the 3,563-foot mountain dominating the city skyline. At the summit, you’ll find cacti, plant life, boulders, and hiking paths to explore. The sandstone and granite landscape felt otherworldly, I remember saying to Nick, “It is like we’re on the moon!”. It was windy, so we recommend bringing a hoodie, but luckily, we had a relatively clear day. After a short walk we enjoyed coffee and pizza while soaking in the views.
You can also hike to the summit of Table Mountain. Here are some recommended routes, but be aware of safety risks, including theft and criminal activity along the trails. We advise researching beforehand or booking a guided tour for a safer experience. If you enjoy hikes you can also hike Lions Head on a guided tour.
End your first day with an tasty dinner at Karibu at the V&A Waterfront and sample the local cuisine. We recommend the kingklip (a local delicacy) and the bobotie spring rolls. If you’re lucky, you may even witness local children singing and dancing, just as we did!
Day 2
Morning
We had an early start, enjoying breakfast at The Commodore Hotel before strolling through the V&A Waterfront to Nelson Mandela Gateway for our ferry tour to Robben Island.
👉 Pro Tips: 1. Do not forget your passport or ID when heading to Nelson Mandela Gateway for the Robben Island tour! I forgot mine, but thankfully, Nick had a copy on his phone, which they kindly accepted. 2. The sea can be bumpy, bring motion sickness tablets if needed.
As we set sail, we were waved off by the local seals! The further we sailed from Cape Town, the more spectacular the view of Table Mountain became—a great photo opportunity.
On the island, we boarded a coach for our guided tour. Along the way, we encountered South Africa’s second-largest tortoise (the African spurred tortoise), along with many smaller ones! The tour offered a deep insight into the island’s history, leaving us with a firm appreciation of the hardships that Nelson Mandela and the other inmates faced during South Africa’s past political struggles.
After returning to the mainland, explore the V&A Waterfront. Don’t miss the Watershed, a shopping centre showcasing local products, great for souvenirs! We had a cheeky Nando’s for lunch to see how it compared to the UK, the garlic bread was divine!
Afternoon
In the afternoon, we visited Sea Point, strolling along the boulevard that hugs the coastline. The South Atlantic Ocean shimmered in the warm sun, offering breath taking views of a seemingly never ending ocean. We ended up at the Sea Point Pavilion, where locals were enjoying a refreshing swim.
For lunch, we stumbled upon Mojo Market, a vibrant indoor space featuring plenty of food stalls, bars (craft beer!), live music, and boutique shops. The atmosphere buzzed as locals and tourists rubbed shoulders together—a true gem to add to your 3 day Cape Town itinerary!
That evening, we dined at Baia, it was honestly one of the best restaurants we’ve ever visited. Expect impeccable service, gorgeous views of Table Mountain, and exquisite dishes infused with local spices. Book in advance if you want a special table with a view!
Day 3
Morning
For the last part of your 3 day Cape Town itinerary, start your day with a visit to the District 6 Museum. This museum holds powerful stories about the forced removals of non-white residents under apartheid. It was shocking to realise how recent these events were—only with the end of apartheid in 1996 did things start to change politically. The visit offered a deeper understanding of Cape Town’s past and the challenges still faced by communities, particularly those in surrounding townships.
For lunch, head to New York Bagels and try a Rooibos Red Latte, a local favourite. Then, satisfy your sweet tooth across the street at the famous Charly’s Bakery, a family-run business since 1989 known for its quirky, colourful treats!
Afternoon
Exploring the Cape Peninsula was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. You could spend days exploring this incredible region.
Our first stop was Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world. It was hard to believe the views were real! We continued on to Boulders Beach, home to a colony of endangered African penguins since 1982. This sheltered beach, part of Table Mountain National Park, provides a wonderful opportunity to see these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. We strongly advise sticking to the designated walkways rather than entering the beach, as disturbing the penguins can negatively impact their population.
👉 Pro Tip: Chapmans’s Peak Drive is a toll road, click here to find out more.
Next, we visited the Cape of Good Hope, a vast national park within Table Mountain. Along the way, we spotted a family of baboons foraging by the roadside. Driving through the park was a serene experience, and we were lucky enough to see wild ostriches roaming along the mountainous coastline—they were enormous!
We also hiked up Cape Point, a short, steep climb that took around 15 minutes. The panoramic views at the top were worth the effort!
Our final stop was False Bay Viewpoint, renowned for its spectacular ocean views. If you’re lucky, you may even spot whales or sharks in the distance!
After an adventurous day, take a taxi to Kloof Street House for dinner and dinner. It’s a stylish, trendy spot, and Nick claims it’s one of the best steaks he’s ever had, perfect after undertaking an exciting 3 day Cape Town itinerary.
👉 Pro Tip: Kloof Steet House – Book a table ahead of time. It gets busy!
Where to Stay in Cape Town
- V&A Waterfront: The Commodore Hotel, The Marly
- Cape Town City Centre: Kloof Street
- Sea Point: Blackheath Lodge by The Oyster Collection
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Cape Town
- Baia
- Karibu
- Kloof Street House
- The Grand Pavilion
- New York Bagels
- Charly’s Bakery
- The Codfather
- Mojo Market
If You Have More Time…
- Camps Bay Beach – At the foot of the 12 Apostles Mountains lies this Blue Flag beach known for its white sand, lively atmosphere, and stunning views. Grab a meal at The Codfather, where you can choose your fresh fish of the day and have it prepared to your liking—one of the best meals we had in South Africa!
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – Acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens, set against a breathtaking mountain backdrop. We stopped here on the way to the airport before our flight home and wished we had more time—it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch or a stroll through nature.
- Two Oceans Aquarium – The Two Oceans Aquarium is an aquarium located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. We liked the fact it was more of a ‘conservation center’ – marine life has been rescued and they aim to release back into the ocean – they also support endangered marine life and educate visitors on the impact of waste in the ocean, and what you can do to reduce it.
- 👉Pro Tip: If you want to save money click here to book a tour that includes the Aquarium and Robben Island tour.
Cape Town truly has it all, and this 3 day Cape Town itinerary gave us memories to last a lifetime. Tell us in the comments about your experiences or what you’re most looking forward to on your trip to Cape Town.
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