CAPE TOWN
Discover Cape Town: Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary
There’s more than one reason why they call it the Mother City. Cape Town is the absolute mother of all cities from stunning beaches backed by Table Mountain, a Natural World Wonder, to rowdy nightlife, some of the best hikes, and icy swims that will make you feel alive.
Cape Town travel guide, a 2-week itinerary
I spent four years living and adventuring in Cape Town. Together with my South African husband, we put together this epic guide of all our favorite things to do in this most beautiful city.
Our 2-week Cape Town travel guide includes all sorts of adventures like hiking Lion's Head for the best sunset views of Camps Bay, following Chapman’s Peak for one of the world’s best ocean drives, cage diving with sharks, kayaking in Green Point, taking a walking tour of colorful Bo-Kaap, and learning Gumboot dancing in Langa. There’s something everyone will want to do in Cape Town.
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
CAPE TOWN
itinerary
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Day 1: Hanging out with penguins at Boulders Beach
Spend the day lazing in the sun, watching penguins waddle past, hop from rock to rock, and swim into the blue sea. You can even get into the water and join them! Just remember not to feed them, try to approach them, or disturb them in any way. They can be curious, but they are still wild animals.
.png)
Tickets:
R152 per international visitor and R39 per SA local
Try fish and chips, shop local, and watch the sunset in Kalk Bay
After swimming with the penguins, head just 20 minutes north along the coast to Kalk Bay. Your first stop is Kalky's for the best fish and chips in Cape Town. The long queues are well worth the wait for the R75 fish and chips they’ve been serving since the 1950s.
Tip:
They don't take cards and the ATM doesn't always work, so bring cash.
After lunch, walk around Kalk Bay, shopping and supporting local, before grabbing a coffee and watching the sunset at Dalebrook Tidal Pool. (Lekker, Dalebrook, and Salt are all firm coffee standouts.)
If you're feeling artsy, visit Soul Design Jewelry to make your own beaded jewelry or buy their Africa-inspired designs.
CAPE TOWN
Day 2
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Day 2: Take it in from the Red Bus
There’s no better way to get to know the city than from the Red Bus. Hop on at the V&A Waterfront or Long Street, and take in the sights from the top deck. I recommend the Red Route City Tour, which stops at Table Mountain. Buy your Red Bus and sightseeing cruise tickets together online to save money and skip the queue.
Tickets:
R245 for one of five routes and R655 for the Table Mountain combo, or
R320 in the afternoon and R390 in the morning for just Table Mountain
Stand atop a natural world wonder
Have you even been to Cape Town if you haven’t been to the top of Table Mountain? Whether you hike up or take the cable car (no judgment here!), visiting the top of this Natural World Wonder is a must-do. Once at the top, there’s a restaurant, a gift shop, and even a wine-tasting room. Try to find the dassies climbing the cliff edges. Their closest relative is the elephant!
​
Take the cable car back down to rejoin the Red Bus. Enjoy the sunshine and salty air as you breeze through Camps Bay past the Twelve Apostles and around the corner towards Sea Point and the V&A Waterfront.
Tip:
Want to hike up Table Mountain instead of taking the cable car?
Read >>>
Platteklip Gorge is touted as the "easiest" hike to the top; it’s a winding 2.5-3 hours over a 650m climb. There’s joy in reaching the top, gazing out at the city below as you catch your breath and wonder how this beautiful city is even real.
Another favorite hike up Table Mountain is Kasteelspoort. You get the added bonus of “Surfboard Rock” jutting out into thin air for jaw-dropping photos.
If you're feeling extra adventurous, come back to Table Mountain for an abseiling tour.
Safety:
Never hike alone and make sure to bring plenty of water.
CAPE TOWN
Day 3
Day 3: Hike and swim in Cape Point
Cape Point is the most southwesterly point in Africa. Walk or take the tram to the lighthouse and listen to the power of the ocean as waves smack the rugged cliffside. Don't forget to stop at the Cape of Good Hope sign, and if it's low tide, check for octopus and pyjama sharks hidden in the rocks. Just make sure to purely observe them and not disturb them in any way.
Cape Point is a truly wild area. If you have time to make your way to Buffels Bay for a picnic and to brave the tidal pool, see how many ostriches, baboons, and elands you can spot. Woolworths (or "Woolies" depending on how local you're feeling) is a favorite for stocking up on picnic goodies before your visit.
​
​
Tickets:
R376 per international visitor and 188 per SA local
Tip:
Make sure to stop at the quirky and iconic Scone Shack after you leave Cape Point.
CAPE TOWN
Day 4
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Day 4: Hike Lion's Head
Start your day early with a sunrise hike of Lion's Head. It's cooler in the morning and less crowded, so the early start is worth it. The trail takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours roundtrip (not including your golden photo session at the top, basking in the glory of Table Mountain). The 360° view from the top is well worth it. Standing on top of Lion’s Head, watching the cars of Sea Point go by, the waves rolling into Camps Bay, and the sun rising over the Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain is a must-do Cape Town experience.
Safety:
Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you plan to hike before sunup.
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Tip:
Bring your camera; Lion's Head is one of the best places in Cape Town to take photos.
Brunch local and visit Robben Island
After brunch at favorites like Jason Bakery and Coco Safar, head to the V&A Waterfront for a visit to Robben Island, one of the most historically significant places in South Africa. During apartheid, Robben Island was a prison for political activists, including Nelson Mandela. If you're visiting Cape Town, you have to visit Robben Island, not just to pay tribute to the great activists who were imprisoned there but also to learn about South Africa's important history. Each tour is led by a former political prisoner.
.png)
Tickets:
R1,400 per international visitor and R400 per SA local
CAPE TOWN
Day 5
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Day 5: Visit colorful Bo-Kaap
This colorful neighborhood with steep, cobblestone streets, the rhythmic call of the adhan, and brightly painted homes is my favorite part of Cape Town. Snap a photo with the iconic “blue car” and search for spices at Atlas Trading Co. Tour the nearby Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, take a free walking tour, and learn how to use your new spices at one of Bo-Kaap’s cooking classes, where’ll you learn to roll rotis, craft samoosas, and attempt your own Cape Malay curry.
Socially Responsible Travel:
Don't take photos of people without their permission.
Read >>>
Remember to be respectful of the people who have made this beautiful, colorful neighborhood their home for generations. Bo-Kaap’s heritage is as colorful as its buildings, and the difficulties facing this tight-knit community are as clearly marked as the contrast between one house and another. Spend time getting to learn their history and the issues they face today, including gentrification.
Tip:
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com
Stroll along the Sea Point Promenade
One of Cape Town’s best walks is the Sea Point Promenade (or “The Prom” depending on how local you’re feeling). Start at Mouille Point or the Sea Point public pools and continue all the way to Clifton. Once you round the bend, you’ll know you’ve made it as Lion’s Head juts out from among cascades of white, modern homes. Pause to listen to the calls of the seagulls and the lapping of the waves, and bring your “cosi” if you want to take a quick swim at Saunders Rock’s Beach tidal pool.
CAPE TOWN
Day 6
meganthetravelingwriter.com
meganthetravelingwriter.com