Our visit to Cape Town, South Africa was part of our maiden Around the World Trip as we made our way from the island of Mauritius to Europe.
As Cape Town was our only destination in Africa, we wanted to make the most of our time and we didn’t want to drive.
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So we devised a Cape Town Itinerary that allowed us to see the sights while never having to get behind the wheel!
Cape Town Itinerary 3 Days
Our Cape Town Itinerary is designed for the first-time traveler who wants to partake in the best sightseeing without driving.
We’ve included a helpful Cape Town map of sights at the end of the post, as well as advice about getting around without a car and where to stay.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Cape Town Travel Guide for your trip to South Africa!
Day 1 in Cape Town
On the first day of your Cape Town, South Africa Itinerary, go to the top of the famous Table Mountain and marvel at the incredible views.
Then join one of the guided tours of the city – or set out on your own to see the highlights. End your day at the V&A Waterfront, the top entertainment hub in Cape Town.
Table Mountain
Start your adventures by climbing to the top of Table Mountain – either by foot or cable car.
The plateaued mountain features dramatic cliffs, stunning vantage points and is one of the most prominent Cape Town landmarks.
Located within the Table Mountain National Park, which extends to the southern end of the cape, its most notable characteristics – aside from its flat top – are Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.
The ‘Back Table,’ which runs along the Atlantic Coast from Table Mountain to Hout Bay is often referred to as The Twelve Apostles.
The top of Table Mountain is often shrouded in a thick layer of clouds – called the ‘Tablecloth’ – which forms when the colder south-easterly wind condenses air over the summit.
Travelers looking for adventure activities in Cape Town can hike to the top of Table Mountain in about 2 to 3 hours.
Those seeking an easier accent can hop on the cable car that whisks you to the top in just five minutes.
How to get to Table Mountain without a car: Public Transport, Cape Town Tour Bus or Group/Private Tour.
{Read all about our experience Visiting Table Mountain}
Cape Town Walking Tour
Now set off to explore Cape Town on foot and discover the most historic sites in downtown.
The Castle of Good Hope, the Company’s Gardens, St. George’s Cathedral and the Slave Lodge Museum are just a few of the top destinations for visitors.
Wandering through the bright and colorful Bo-Kaap District, home to the city’s Malay population, is one of the unique things to do in Cape Town.
There are numerous options for sightseeing covering a range of interests and budgets. Start your search on Viator for Cape Town private tours as well as guided group walks.
How to get to downtown Cape Town without a car: On Foot (if staying downtown), Public Transport or Group/Private Tour.
{Find your way on your own with our Self-Guided Cape Town Walking Tour}
V&A Waterfront
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – the oldest (and still operational) harbor – is also Cape Town’s premier entertainment district.
Boats still bring in the fresh catch of the day and the structures along the harbor are occupied by posh accommodations, restaurants, bars and shops.
Additionally, the V&A is home to many excellent Cape Town museums and the Two Oceans Aquarium – as well as serving as the departure point for Robben Island Tours.
Furthermore, spending an evening at the V&A Waterfront is one of the fun things to do in Cape Town at night!
How to get to the V&A without a car: Public Transport or take a guided tour to learn more about the history of Cape Town and the V&A Waterfront!
Day 2 in Cape Town
On day 2 of your 3 days in Cape Town, take a stroll through the beautiful Botanical Gardens before setting off on one of the popular Cape Town wine tours. End your day watching a stunning sunset from Signal Hill.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
The Cape Town Botanic Gardens were established in 1913 to preserve and study indigenous plants, but parts of it date to 1660. In fact, a hedge that was planted around the Dutch colony still stands today.
The Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens cover an expansive 1,300 acres featuring the unique flora of the region, interesting animals, a Canopy Walkway and intriguing art installations.
The paths that crisscross through Kirstenbosch are also a starting point for trails that lead to the top of Table Mountain.
Hiking to the peak from the gardens is one of the more adventurous things to do in Cape Town!
How to get to Kirstenbosch without a car: Cape Town Tour Bus or Group/Private Tour.
{Read more about Visiting Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens}
Wine Tasting Cape Town
Cape Winelands is South Africa’s most popular wine-growing region, and it attracts wine connoisseurs from all over the globe.
The history of wine in South Africa began when the Constantia Estate was established in 1685. It later became famous in the late 1700s when their wine was favored by kings around the world.
Home to some of the oldest vineyards in South Africa, Constantia Valley is easily accessible from Cape Town – as it is less than 10 miles from the city center.
Other nearby Cape Town wine regions include well-known Stellenbosch, Franschhoek Valley and Paarl.
How to get to the wineries without a car: Cape Town Tour Bus or Group/Private Tour.
{Read about our experience visiting Cape Town Wineries Without a Car}
Cape Town Sunset Tour at Signal Hill
One of the romantic things to do in Cape Town is to watch the sun set. The most picturesque places to catch a sunset in Cape Town is from Signal Hill.
The naturally elevated viewpoint sits between the stoic Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its latitude, sunsets here are known to be particularly fiery orange and then fading to a deep purple.
Travel Tip for Day 2: None of the Cape Town activities for Day 2 can be reached by public transportation, but they can be visited by the City Sightseeing Cape Town Bus or Group Tour.
Day 3 in Cape Town
On day 3 of your Cape Town, South Africa travel itinerary, go on an excursion to see penguins in the wild! Then spend the afternoon and evening on the coast at one of the pristine beaches.
Penguins on Boulders Beach
Take a Cape Town day trip to Simon’s Town, an area located 25 miles south on False Bay.
Home to the South African Navy, it is the tuxedo-feathered residents on Boulders Beach that draw tourists here.
Nearly endangered, two pairs of African penguins settled on the sandy shores of Boulders Beach in the 1980s. Since then, the Cape Town penguin colony has grown to nearly 3,000 birds.
The Boulders Beach penguins roam freely on the sand and in the water. Elevated platforms have been constructed so visitors can watch them without disturbing their natural habitat.
How to get to the Cape Town penguins without a car: Train or Group/Private Tour
{Read about our adventure seeing the Boulders Beach African Penguins}
Best Cape Town Beaches
The coastline in Cape Town is an appealing combination of rocky shores and white sand beaches.
With the teal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean lapping at the shoreline under the watchful eye of Table Mountain, the beaches are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cape Town.
Afternoons at the beach are one of the fun activities in Cape Town. You can spend time soaking in the rays, braving the chilly waters for a swim (or surf) or just walking on the sand and admiring the views.
Sunsets can also be amazing from the shoreline and dinner at an ocean-view restaurant in Sea Point is ideal. That said, our favorite beaches in Cape Town are Clifton (2nd Beach), Hout Bay and Camps Bay.
How to get to these beaches without a car: Public Transport, Cape Town Tour Bus or Group/Private Tour
{Read more about where to find the best Cape Town Beaches}
Travel Tips & Tourist Map of Cape Town
Use this Google Map to find all our recommended Things To Do in Cape Town, SA!
Getting To Cape Town, SA
The Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the sixth busiest in Africa and is located 12 miles from downtown.
While the majority of long-haul flights arrive from top European hubs (like London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam), there are direct flights from the US to Cape Town via Atlanta and NYC.
Read our tips for finding the Best Deals on Airline Tickets and then hop over to Skyscanner and book that flight to Cape Town!
Getting Around Cape Town
Cape Town is a sprawling city wedged in along the coastline and between the mountains.
Many of the top sights cannot be reached by foot or bicycle from the city center, meaning some form of transport is required.
Travelers have a few choices of how to get around Cape Town without a car – options that range from expensive to economical.
Taxi and Cape Town Uber
Hiring taxis in Cape Town is a standard option – but it can be a mighty expensive one! Rather than hailing a cab, we recommend using Uber.
MyCiTi Bus
The Cape Town public transport system is actually quite good. The buses are clean, efficient, inexpensive and have free Wi-Fi.
Routes to many tourist destinations originate in the city center, making it easy for those staying in the downtown to get around.
MyCiTi bus fares are calculated on distance traveled and are paid using a pre-loaded MyConnect Card. Check the official Cape Town transportation website for the most up to date information on fares and routes.
Cape Town Train Trips
Trains are not an ideal method of public transport in Cape Town for visitors – as the railway is mostly useful to commuters.
That being said, the Southern Line Rail Route on the Metrorail connects to Simon’s Town and is just a short walk from the penguins!
CPT Airport Shuttle
There are many Cape Town airport shuttle options. Private airport transfers can be booked in advance of your arrival, which is especially convenient after a long-haul flight.
Cape Town Tour Bus
Although not nearly as affordable as the public buses, the tourist bus is a viable option for traveling around Cape Town without a car.
The City Sightseeing Cape Town Bus has three routes to top attractions – one of which travels to wine country.
In addition to the being able to get to the wineries without a car, the Hop On Hop Off Cape Town bus conveniently makes stops exactly where visitors want to go!
{Find out more about the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Cape Town!}
Cape Town Tours
There are more things to do in Cape Town than we could squeeze into a 3-day itinerary. Here are a few highly-rated Cape Town Tours that you might want to add on!
Whale Watching and Winelands Tours
One of the best outdoor things to do in Cape Town is to board a boat for a Whale Watching Tour!
Wine Tasting Tours in Cape Town are one of the most popular day tour activities. They can be organized as half-day or full-day trips – depending on how far you want to go and what kind of experience you want to have.
Township Tours
Visiting townships with a guide has become one of the top cultural attractions in Cape Town. Many visitors rank a trip to Langa Township as one of the best tours in Cape Town.
Top Tip: Combine Robben Island and a Township Tour into a full-day trip!
Adventure Activities
Cape Town is an adventure-seekers paradise! Shark diving, paragliding, surfing and snorkeling are just a few of the heart-pumping action tours. Check out these options!
3-Day Garden Route Tour
Get a wild introduction to South Africa’s most picturesque region on a 3-Day Safari from Cape Town. Learn more here!
22-Day Cape Town to Victoria Falls Tour
Travel from Cape Town to Namibia on this incredible journey to the world-famous Victoria Falls. Find out more!
Where To Stay in Cape Town
During our visit to Cape Town, we stayed in a super Airbnb. With our budget accommodation, we had an entire apartment with a kitchen and outdoor space.
Travelers can also find everything from luxury to affordable hotels in Cape Town. Check out the amenities at these top-rated properties: Taj Hotel, Urban Chic Boutique Hotel and One&Only Hotel.
Final Advice For Your Trip to Cape Town
- Cape Town is a walkable city…but only if you pack the right travel shoes! I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia and Reef. Kris prefers wearing Merrell and Sanuk.
- We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your Cape Town trip! Rather than relying on your phone, upgrade to an actual camera. We travel with a Canon Rebel.
- It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city! Make sure to have a good guidebook before arriving.
- Get (and stay) organized for your SA vacation by using our Travel Planning Printables!
- Whether you travel with a backpack or suitcase, you’ll want a great day bag to keep all of your essential everyday travel items secure.
- If you haven’t already obtained coverage for your trip to South Africa, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Cape Town! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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