Cape Town in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Cape Town, known for being the legislative capital of South Africa, is a place with a wide range of tourist destinations and activities to enjoy. You will find amazing natural spaces with unique flora and fauna. Also, in the city center you will discover several monuments, museums and historic buildings.

You can take a walk through the historic center and visit the Greenmarket Square, St. George's Church, among others. Enjoy a wine tour in the villages of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and explore the attractions of the V&A Waterfront. In addition, among the best things to see and do in Cape Town you will have the option to go to Table Mountain National Park, the Cape of Good Hope and other natural areas.

After your transfer from the Cape Town airport to the city center, you will start your itinerary by discovering the old town of the South African capital. You will find fascinating places such as Greenmarket Square, St. George's Church, the Town Hall, the Garden Company, the Castle of Good Hope and the Iziko South African Museum.

Greenmarket Square

The first stop of the day is Greenmarket Square, built in 1696 and considered one of the oldest squares in Cape Town. It is located in the central area of the city and is a lively public space.

As you walk through the pedestrian streets of this square, either on your own or through a guided tour of Cape Town, you will come across a picturesque market, where you can buy souvenirs, fashion, handicrafts, jewelry and much more. In addition, the place is dotted with cafes, restaurants and bars, where you can sample local and international cuisine.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: The market is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

St. George's Church

From Greenmarket Square, walk approximately 5 minutes in the direction of St Georges Mall and you will find St George's Church. This is a representative building of the neo-gothic style, where Mandela gave his first speech after his release from prison.

The exterior of the church is notable for its sandstone facade and 40-meter high tower. Meanwhile, inside you will see a series of stained glass windows that narrate some passages from the bible, the high arches and an antique organ of 4,000 pipes.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday), 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (Saturday), 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 5:00 am to 7:00 pm (Sunday).

The City Hall

The next destination is the City Hall. You will have to walk about 7 minutes in the direction of Plein St. This building used as the seat of local government, is a true example of Edwardian architecture, which is worth contemplating inside and out.

You will be amazed with its facade of about four blocks long, built entirely in Paar sandstone. In addition, this building stands out for its clock tower and for having Table Mountain as a backdrop.

• Price: the average entrance fee is €9 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and guided tours Monday to Friday (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).

The Company's Gardens

To get to the next attraction you will have to walk about 550 meters from the Town Hall in the direction of Longmarket St and Adderley St. This way you will find the Company Gardens, established by the Dutch in Cape Town in 1652.

In this small oasis you will be surrounded by lush plants, picturesque flowers and some statues. You can walk along the paths and sit on the benches and enjoy the view. Also, don't miss the garden of the senses, designed for the visually impaired .

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (daily).

Castle of Buena Esperanza

The 17th century fortification known as the Castle of Good Hope is the next destination to visit on your first day in Cape Town. You will have to walk about 11 minutes from the Company's Gardens following Darling St.

This former colonial castle is a must-see. In fact, it is often incorporated into the route of Cape Town bike tours. Here, you'll see the dungeons and walk along the walls. In addition, you can witness the changing of the guard and enjoy the exhibits of the Iziko Military Museum.

• Price: approximately €12 per person.
• Hours: daily from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.

The aim of day 2 in Cape Town is to visit the wine villages of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to discover the South African wine culture in their wineries.

Stellenbosch Village

The day's journey begins with an approximately 45-minute drive from the center of Cape Town to the town of Stellenbosch. This is a town with a picturesque scene, given by its vineyards, which cover miles of land.

In this town you will have dozens of family-owned wineries, some of them being the following:

• Lanzerac Winery, recognized for being the first to be dedicated to the production of the traditional South African wine, Pinotage. There, you will have the opportunity to taste wines, cheeses and handmade chocolates.
• Hidden Valley Winery, located 26 minutes away from the previous winery. In addition to guided tastings, this winery offers picnic areas, vineyard landscape trails and restaurant.

The village of Franschhoek

To continue on this wine route to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town, you will have to drive about 45 minutes, to advance to the second wine village. This is Franschhoek, founded in 1688 and characterized by its mountain scenery, lush forests and picturesque vineyards.

You will find more than 60 wineries at your disposal. For example, one popular winery is Chamonix Wine Farm, a 12-minute drive from the center of Franschhoek. There, you will taste premium wines and gastronomic delights, surrounded by unspoiled nature.

This day will be spent exploring Cape Town's V&A Waterfront entertainment complex and enjoying its attractions. For example, the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Nelson Mandela Gateway, ClockTower Park and Robben Island.

Two Oceans Aquarium

Your so far 3-day Cape Town tour continues at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, about 12 minutes from downtown Cape Town. This marine life venue exhibits around 3,000 animals belonging to some 350 species.

With tickets to Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, you will have access to all areas, such as the kelp forest and the predator tank with several sharks. You can also observe animals from the Atlantic Ocean (fish, rays, turtles, etc.) and the Indian Ocean (corals, invertebrates, tropical fish, etc.).

• Price: about 9€ per person.
• Duration: from 9:00 to 17:00 hours.

The Nelson Mandela Gateway

The next stop is at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, about 6 minutes drive down Dock Rd. This is a memorial to the memory of former South African president, philanthropist and activist, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

In the museum you will discover all about Mandela's life and the history of South Africa. All this, through a series of permanent exhibits. You will also find a restaurant with local and international cuisine.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (daily).

ClockTower Park

A 12 minute walk from the previous destination you will find the ClockTower Park. This is a small space with green areas and a clock tower with a characteristic Victorian Gothic style, built in 1882. In addition, it is the scene of constant cultural shows.

You can sit on the benches of this park, relax, breathe fresh air and contemplate the surroundings. On one side, there is the tower with its attractive glass windows surrounding it and the old clock. Meanwhile, on the horizon you will see the famous Robben Island and the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: open 24 hours.

Robben Island

From ClockTower Park you have to walk about 19 minutes or drive about 5 minutes to the harbor. There, you will board a ferry and sail approximately 30 minutes to Robben Island. This place was occupied as a prison for 300 years. You can also join an excursion to Robben Island and Long Walk to Freedom from Cape Town.

Upon arrival at the island, now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can take a guided tour to discover its history and the struggle against apartheid. Among other things, you will see the cell where Nelson Mandela and other personalities such as Walter Sisulu were held captive.

• Price: the entrance fee to Robben Island starts at about €24 per person.
• Timetable: the timetable of the visit depends on the departure of the ferry. From 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (ferry departure) and from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (ferry return).

The Cape Town adventure continues this day at Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach and Sea Point Boardwalk.

Table Mountain National Park

In this park you will find hiking and biking trails. You will also be able to observe beautiful native flora and fauna. The best way to get to the entrance of the reserve is by car from downtown, a 15-minute drive. Although, you also have the option to go through a guided experience that incorporates this destination as an excursion to the Cape Peninsula and the penguin colony from Cape Town.

Once in the park, you can take a walk along the route Platteklip Gorge, which provides several panoramic views of Table Mountain, climb to the top of the mountain by cable car and get along the way a breathtaking bird's eye view of the place. In addition, in this space you can practice climbing, have a picnic, among other things.

• Price: the entrance to the park costs 6€ per person (Approx.).
• Hours: The park trails are usually open from 5:00 to 20:00 hours. The cable car operates from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Boulders Beach

After spending part of the day at Table Mountain National Park, you can drive about 15 minutes to the next stop, Boulders Beach. This is famous for being home to a colony of African penguins. You will be able to see them in their natural habitat and take lots of pictures.

During this visit you will have the opportunity to swim in the calm blue waters of this beach protected by a bay, ideal if you are in Cape Town with children. Also, you can lie on the fine sand and relax while enjoying the sun, walk along a walkway that winds along the beach and offers a good view of the surroundings. This place can also be reached in different ways, including a trip to Cape Point and Boulders Beach from Cape Town.

• Price: access to the beach has an average cost of 11€ per person.
• Opening hours: from 8:00 to 17:00 hours (Approx.).

Sea Point Boardwalk

Once your adventure at Boulders Beach is over, you can return to the city center and discover the magical scene of Cape Town at night. To do so, you will drive about 14 minutes to the Sea Point boardwalk.

On this boardwalk you will enjoy a lively atmosphere, walking along it while taking in the scenery: the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, the lights of the city, the imposing Table Mountain in the distance. In addition, you can dine and drink in one of the restaurants and bars that dot this place.

The proposal for this last day in Cape Town is to visit some natural destinations with great beauty and historical importance: the Cape of Good Hope, Hout Bay and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Cape of Good Hope

The day begins with a drive of about 80 minutes from the center of Cape Town to the iconic Cape of Good Hope. This is a place of great geographic importance as it marks a southern point on the African continent, as well as offering several outdoor activities.

Throughout this visit to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town you will be able to visit several destinations:

• Cape Point Lighthouse, with a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean.
• The trails along the cliffs, ideal for a walk and a breath of fresh air.
• The Cape of Good Hope nature reserve, where you will find ostriches, antelopes, zebras and more.

Hout Bay

The route of this fifth day discovering Cape Town continues at Hout Bay, exactly 60 minutes drive from the Cape of Good Hope. This is a destination with an amazing rugged landscape, beaches with crystal clear water and a large colony of seals.

You can visit the Harbour Bay Market, to buy handicrafts, souvenirs, fresh produce and taste the local cuisine. Also, take a bike ride through the mountainous trails that surround this bay and then sail through its waters to see seals or snorkel with sea lions in Hout Bay.

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

The last destination for this day is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which is about a 17-minute drive from the previous destination. This is a very popular destination due to its beauty and natural diversity.

During the visit you will see about 7,000 species of plants from southern Africa: wildflowers, silver trees, etc. In addition, you will be able to relax and connect with nature while walking through the fern forests, the area dedicated to cycads and the different gardens.

• Price: approximately 12€ per person.
• Hours: daily from April to August (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and from September to March (8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).

The Old Biscuit Mill Open Air Market

After finishing your experience at the Kirstenboschlos National Botanical Garden, and if your itinerary time permits, you can visit the Old Biscuit Mill market before returning to the hotel to pick up your bags and transfer to the airport. This market is approximately 12 minutes from the above destination and about 7 minutes from the city center.

At the market you will find stalls with handicrafts, flowers, fashion and much more. You will have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs of your trip. In addition, you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and some alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The South African capital, Cape Town, is a very well connected city in terms of its road network. You will find several means of transport that will facilitate the transfer throughout the length and breadth of this port city: public transport, train, cab and private car. Everything will depend on your preferences and budget.

For example, there is the rapid transit system with MyCiTi Bus feeders; this is a public bus with routes throughout the metropolitan area. You will be able to move in a safe, comfortable and economical way.

There is also the rail network, which gives you the opportunity to travel from the city center to some nearby towns. On the other hand, there are rental cars, with which you can move at your own pace, either inside or outside the city.

The tourist bus service in Cape Town is the ideal alternative to move from one end of the city to the other in a short time. You will be able to pass in front of a large number of attractions, being able to get on and off as many times as you wish at the assigned stops (which are approximately 30) to visit these places at your own pace.

With the Cape Town City Sightseeing bus tour you will not only save time and money, you will also cover the main points of the city. For example, you will pass by:

• The V&A Waterfront, where you'll find a big Ferris wheel, the aquarium and the ferry departure for Robben Island, which you can also pay for by scanning your tourist card.
• The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, with a great diversity of wild flora.
• Table Mountain National Park, where you will find a cable car that you can pay for with your card.