The 7 Day Cape Town Itinerary We ACTUALLY Followed

Last Updated on June 27, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson

Ready to spend an amazing week in Cape Town? This 7 day Cape Town itinerary is based on the exact trip I followed when my mum and sister came to visit me, so rest assured that it has been tried and tested!

Since I’ve lived in Cape Town for almost five years, I really wanted to show them the highlights without making the trip feel too rushed. We visited the big attractions like Table Mountain and Boulders Beach, but we also made time to relax on the beach and sip wine at Cape Town’s best bars and restaurants.

This itinerary also includes real timings, restaurant recommendations, and a few tips on what worked well for us. And I like to be as honest as possible, so I’ll also talk about what I would have done differently.

Just a quick note: some things are weekday or weather dependent, so you may need to shuffle the days around a little, but that’s super easy to do!

Jump to

• Overview
• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Where to Stay

Quick 7 Day Cape Town Itinerary Overview

Day 1 → Arrival and dinner
Day 2 → Drive along Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive on the way to Boulders Beach, then stop at a wine farm on the way back to town.
Day 3 → Tour Robben Island with a former political prisoner, then have lunch at the Waterfront and head up Table Mountain.
Day 4 → Enjoy this amazing Franschhoek wine tram day trip which includes return transport and tram tickets. 
Day 5 → Explore Bo Kaap on this local-led tour and take a stroll through De Waterkant, then enjoy a relaxed afternoon before a dinner at the beloved Kloof Street House.
Day 6 → Enjoy a leisurely beach day, and then celebrate your final night with drumming and a 14-course African tasting menu at GOLD. 
Day 7 → Departure day – sob!

Is One Week in Cape Town Enough?

Yes, one week in Cape Town is enough time to explore the city and take a day trip to the beautiful winelands. While you could easily fill 10 days in Cape Town, 7 days is still a good amount of time. 

I won’t lie, my mum and sister both wished they had stayed longer. However, 7 days still gave them plenty of time to experience the best of Cape Town and enjoy a wonderful holiday. They’re talking about coming back next year!

Who This 7 Day Cape Town Itinerary Is For

I’ll be real with you: this itinerary isn’t really for honeymooners or uber luxury travellers. It’s for first-time visitors who want to see the city’s highlights without rushing around nonstop.

This was how I wanted my mum and sister to experience the Cape Town that I love so very much. I showed them all the classics, but we had time to relax and make it feel like a holiday, not just a city break.

Before You Start: What to Know About Cape Town

We’re almost at the good stuff, I promise!

Before you get started, I just want to share a few tips that will make following this itinerary so much easier. Primarily, where to stay and how to get around.

Where to Stay 

We stayed in Green Point to follow this itinerary and it worked perfectly, as it’s a super central neighbourhood. However, Sea Point, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Gardens, the CBD, or Tamboerskloof would all work really well. Cape Town is pretty compact! I’ll include hotel recommendations at the end of this blog, or you can check out my full where to stay guide for more information.

How to Get Around

To follow this itinerary, I recommend renting a car. Cape Town is a driving city, and for us, having a car gave us so much freedom and flexibility. I used DiscoverCars to find a great car at a reasonable price!

With that said, it’s possible to follow this itinerary without a car. You can use Uber to get around the city as it’s safe, reliable, and affordable here. You’ll just need to book a Boulders Beach tour for day 2, as Ubering there and back isn’t ideal. 

Cash vs Card

Contactless payment is the norm in Cape Town, and you hardly ever need cash. However, small change is useful for car guards (unofficial parking attendants) and is always appreciated for tips. You can tip with a card though – see my full Cape Town tipping guide here.

Get an eSIM

Having mobile data will make your time in Cape Town so much easier, so I recommend using an eSIM! I use Airalo because it’s fast and reliable, plus setup is easy, so you won’t have to queue at the airport or mess around with physical SIM cards. I’ve also lost my original SIM card while travelling before, which was an absolute pain, so I much prefer keeping mine safely in my phone.

In fact, I actually use Airalo even though I live in Cape Town because it allows me to top up my data from bed! It’s a lazy girl’s dream. You can find out more about Airalo here.

Day 1

Arrival

Congratulations, you’ve landed in Cape Town! 

To get from the airport to the city, you can either pick up your hire car at the airport or call an Uber, which is a cheap and easy option. It’s actually sometimes a bit cheaper to pick your rental car up from downtown if you’d rather do that tomorrow morning.

The Uber pickup area can be a bit chaotic, though, so if you’d rather make things easy you can also book a private transfer. This one is top-rated and your driver will track your flight, wait for you with a sign, and guide you through the arrival area so that you don’t get hassled by taxi touts in the car park. I like the sound of that! 

Dinner – Maria’s Greek Café

My mum and sister landed around midday, so we used the afternoon to settle in (and enjoy a celebratory glass or two of wine), then we headed out for dinner at Maria’s Greek Café.

This was actually the first time I had been here, and now it’s one of my favourites! We ordered lots of small plates and had a veritable feast of everything from creamy tzatziki and dolmades to calamari and falafel balls. And plenty of rosé to boot, of course.

We made a reservation as Maria’s is popular! You can do this by giving them a call on +27214613333 or emailing them at info@marias.co.za.

Day 2 

Breakfast – Oranjezicht Market

Mum and Molly didn’t want to get up super early after a long flight from London, so we kept it chilled this morning and headed to the Oranjezicht Market at around 10 am. It’s at the V&A Waterfront, so it’s easy to get to.

This was on a Sunday, but if your first day in Cape Town doesn’t fall on a weekend, I recommend going to JARRYDS for their epic pancakes instead. Or, you can swap the days of this itinerary around – it doesn’t really matter, this is just the order we went in! 

The Oranjezicht Market is so worth visiting while you’re in Cape Town. It’s a bougie farmers market where you’ll find an almost overwhelming array of food options, as well as lots of artisan goods and cute clothing. 

And make sure to grab some pasteis de nata from the Vadas Bakery stall. They’re honestly better than any I’ve ever eaten in Portugal – sorry not sorry! 

The market does get busy so if you’re an early bird, going around 8:30 am works better. However, there’s a lot more seating now that they’ve moved to a bigger location. We managed to get a table mid morning in peak summer, which was unheard of before.

Late Morning – Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive

Full of coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit, we left the market at around 11:30 am to head to our next stop: Boulders Beach. Only, we decided to take the scenic route and head there via Chapman’s Peak Scenic Drive, which is another must-do in Cape Town. 

We drove from the Waterfront towards Camps Bay first, then followed the coastal road along Victoria Road towards Hout Bay. This route is absolutely beautiful, with mountain and ocean views the whole way, and it takes you right to the start of Chapman’s Peak Drive. 

Chapman’s Peak Drive itself is honestly one of the most beautiful drives in Cape Town. It’s a short but stunning toll road that winds along the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with amazing views over the Atlantic Ocean the whole way.

The drive only takes around 25 minutes if you don’t stop, but you definitely should stop! There are lots of little pull-over points along the way, so I’d allow about 40 minutes to an hour, especially if you want photos. The road is narrow and very bendy, with a pretty dramatic drop down to the ocean, so take it slow and enjoy the views.

The toll is usually pretty affordable, but I recommend bringing a bit of cash just in case the card machine is slow, as signal can be patchy around here. I’d also check whether Chapman’s Peak Drive is open before you set off, as it can close in bad weather due to falling rocks. On a clear day, though, it’s absolutely worth it!

Here’s a handy map of the whole drive:

If Chapman’s Peak Drive is closed or you’re not that fussed about the scenic route, you can always take the more direct route via the Southern Suburbs and Kalk Bay instead. Here’s that map just for reference:

Midday – Boulders Beach 

Once you finish driving Chapman’s Peak, it’s about another 20 minutes until you get to Boulders Beach, where you’ll see the iconic African penguins.

Yep, as if Cape Town doesn’t already have enough going on with the beaches, mountains, and wine farms, it also has its own penguin colony!

There’s free parking here but there are some car guards around who will guide you to a free spot. You don’t have to pay them, but they definitely appreciate a small tip. I usually do between R10 and R30, depending on what change or small notes I have on me.

From the car park, you’ll need to walk to the entrance gate, which is clearly signposted. Once you pay the conservation fee (currently R245 for international tourists), you follow the boardwalk down to the main penguin beach, where you’ll see the highest concentration of these little cuties. 

My mum and Mols were completely charmed by them, especially when they were waddling around in little groups looking slightly drunk! They really are adorable.

We visited in February, so it was definitely busy, but not insanely crowded. The main thing was the wind, which was absolutely wild. We got properly sandblasted, but that’s just Cape Town sometimes! We spent about 30 minutes here, which was enough time to walk the boardwalk, watch the penguins, take photos, and then carry on for lunch.

Alternate Option: Boulders Beach Small Group Tour

If you’re not planning to hire a car in Cape Town, then you can always book this small group Boulders Beach tour. 

I think this is a fantastic option because you’ll be travelling in a smaller vehicle rather than a huge tour bus, and this means you’ll still get to enjoy the epic beauty of Chapman’s Peak. The road is closed to buses, which means bigger tours miss out on this iconic drive.

Plus, who am I to argue with hundreds of 5-star reviews? 

This tour will pick you up at 8:30 am and have you back in town for around 1:30 pm. 

You can reserve your Boulders Beach tour here, with free cancellation!

Lunch – Seaforth Restaurant

The most popular place to go for lunch near Boulders Beach is Seaforth, a pub and restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean. Is it a bit of a tourist trap? Sure, but the food is actually really good and the service is super friendly, so I always go here after visiting Boulders.

I get the fish and chips every time, but Mum and Mols went for seafood and also loved their meals. They also washed it down with a glass of rose – well, they were on holiday, and I was driving! 

You don’t need to book here, just walk in whenever you’re ready. 

Afternoon – Constantia Glen 

After lunch, it’s time to hit the road again. We took the faster route back to Cape Town, having ticked off the scenic drive, but we headed along the M4 and went over Boyes Drive, which means beautiful views of Muizenberg Beach and the colorful huts along the way. 

Rather than heading straight back into town, I drove Mum and Mols to Constantia Glen, a gorgeous, elegant winery in one of Cape Town’s poshest and greenest suburbs. It’s my favourite Constantia wine farm and I’m happy to report Mum and Molly loved it just as much as I do! 

If you want to do a full tasting at Constantia Glen, bookings are essential, especially during the summer months. However, you can just turn up, grab a glass of wine from the bar, and go and enjoy it out on the lawn, which is exactly what we did. It was perfect! 

Late Afternoon – Chill Time

After a busy day, we headed back home to relax for a bit and change for dinner. I think Mols took this opportunity to go for a nap or if you’re staying somewhere with a pool, this could be a good chance to enjoy a dip. 

Dinner – The Bungalow

I really wanted to round off Mum and Mols’ first full day in Cape Town on a high note, so I booked dinner at The Bungalow in Clifton for 7:30 pm tonight. It’s part of the Glen Country Club so it sits overlooking the ocean and the Twelve Apostles, and it feels quite upmarket and exclusive!

In fact, this place definitely gives me “Ibiza” vibes. However, I was a little disappointed that the clear blinds were down due to the wind (which I’ve since discovered is the norm here), so while the setting was pretty, we didn’t quite enjoy the spectacular views I had envisioned. I could also smell some smoke coming from the cigar lounge, which wasn’t my favourite.

That said, we did have a lovely meal here (and plenty of Babylonstoren rosé, which was basically the official sponsor of our trip). I loved the tuna tartar and Mum really enjoyed the roast chicken! 

If you’d prefer something a bit more chilled out and less bougie tonight, you can also head to The Lawns, an al fresco all-day restaurant in Camps Bay. It offers lovely views from the upper terraces but it’s more casual than The Bungalow. Or, I love Cousin’s Trattoria for Italian food. For more inspo, check out my favourite restaurants in Cape Town here.

Day 3

Breakfast – Cushty Neighbourhood Deli 

Since we were staying in Green Point, we walked over to the Cushty Neighbourhood Deli for breakfast this morning. It’s a cute, friendly spot that does really yummy breakfasts, and it’s reasonably priced to boot.

I had scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast, and Mols ordered a fruit, yoghurt, and granola bowl that looked gorgeous. We didn’t get back from Robben Island until almost mid-afternoon and there’s not much food available there, so I highly recommend filling up with a big brekkie this morning. 

The deli is just a few minutes’ drive from the Waterfront, where you’ll board the ferry to Robben Island, so it’s a convenient breakfast spot for today. However, if you prefer, you can always have breakfast at or near your hotel – whatever works for you!

Late Morning – Visit Robben Island 

After breakfast, we visited Robben Island, which is one of Cape Town’s most important historical sites. Over the centuries, it has been used as a Dutch penal colony, a leper colony, and an Apartheid-era prison, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27-year imprisonment.

The only way to visit Robben Island is on an authorised tour, which includes your ferry tickets and a guided visit of the island and prison. You can book the 9 am tour if you want to get an earlier start, but we chose the 11 am tour because we wanted a more chilled breakfast and didn’t fancy rushing out first thing. You have to get there about 30 minutes early to check in, so we arrived at 10:30 am. 

We booked our tour directly through the Robben Island Museum, but if you’re not planning on hiring a car then you can also book the tour with hotel pickup included through Viator for extra ease. Or, it’s easy to catch an Uber to the Waterfront!

Since we had a rental car, we parked at the Clock Tower Parking Garage at the V&A Waterfront, which was super easy and only about a 5-minute walk from the Robben Island meeting point. I’m pretty sure parking was only around R20 for the day. You can also park at the Silo which is right next door.

Either way, just remember to bring your passport, as you’ll need to show it before boarding the boat. I forgot mine, but luckily got away with just showing a copy on my phone – phew!

Once we arrived on Robben Island, we started with a bus tour, which gave us an overview of the island and its broader history. I was especially interested to see the house where revolutionary leader Robert Sobukwe was kept in solitary confinement for six years.

After the bus tour, we had a guided visit of the prison itself. Our guide was a former inmate who was sent to Robben Island at just 16 years old, and he shared a lot of personal stories about what life was like here. We also saw Nelson Mandela’s cell and learned about how he secretly began writing Long Walk to Freedom while imprisoned here.

I’ll be honest, this isn’t exactly a “fun” activity, but it is such a crucial part of Cape Town’s history. The island feels pretty bleak, and the stories are heavy, but visiting really does help you understand more about what South Africa has been through.

Late Lunch – Den Anker

After a somewhat serious morning, lighten things up a bit with lunch at Den Anker. This is a lovely Belgian restaurant just a two-minute walk from the gateway to Robben Island, so just stroll on over after your tour and pull up a table – no need to book. 

I love Den Anker because if you sit out on the terrace (or near one of the big windows) you get a first-class view of Table Mountain directly opposite you. Plus, they do awesome Belgian beer and I love to order a tasting flight alongside lunch.

As for the food, there are classics like burgers and fries on the menu as well as seafood (this is the Waterfront, after all) and yummy steak. Our Robben Island tour lasted for about 4 hours so we finished up at around 3 pm, and we were definitely ready for a decent meal! 

Afternoon – Table Mountain 

It’s the one you’ve been waiting for!

After lunch at the Waterfront, we headed up Table Mountain in the cable car. After all, you can’t exactly come to Cape Town and not go up Table Mountain!

This is one part of the itinerary that I’d really recommend keeping flexible, though. Table Mountain is very weather dependent, and the cable car closes when the wind is too strong. The morning had been grey and mizzly, so we actually weren’t planning on going up at all that day. Then suddenly, in typical Cape Town fashion, the skies were perfectly clear and blue, so off we went!

Going in the afternoon worked out well for us, as the queues were much shorter than they often are first thing in the morning. The ride up only takes a few minutes, but the views from the top are insane. 

On a clear day, you can see across the whole city, over the beaches, and even down the Cape Peninsula. I’d allow around an hour at the top, which gives you enough time to walk around, take photos and soak up the views. 

On a nice day, you can always spend a bit longer up there and walk out to Maclear’s Beacon (the highest point of the mountain) if you feel like it. If you do, the trail is well-marked by big yellow footprints, so you can’t go wrong. But it’s totally optional – we didn’t do this!

Dinner – El Burro 

After another busy day of sightseeing, we decided to chill for a bit and keep dinner pretty low-key tonight. So we headed to El Burro, as it was just down the road, and it’s one of my go-tos for a casual dinner out. Plus, I love their frozen margaritas here and their ceviche is my favourite.

There are actually two branches of El Burro in Cape Town, the other one being in Tamboerskloof if that’s closer to your accommodation. Both are walk-in only! 

And if you’re not in the mood for Mexican food tonight, I also love Clarke’s on Bree Street or Arlechinno in Sea Point for a chilled out dinner.

Day 4 

Full Day – Wine Tram 

Today was actually my FAVOURITE day of our entire 7-day Cape Town itinerary. 

Why, I hear you ask?

Because we hit the wine tram!

We had SO much fun. It was absolutely epic, and Mum and Mols ended up having a bunch of wine shipped back home from their favourite wine estates. We’re planning to crack it open at Christmas! 

My favourite way to do the wine tram from Cape Town is via the wine tram explorer tour. It’s both easy and budget-friendly, which may explain why I’ve done it four times (and counting!)

The tour includes return bus transport from the V&A Waterfront, as well as your wine tram tickets. The routes available do change depending on the time of year. 

This is so much easier than trying to get an Uber back from Franschhoek, which can take a long time and end up being quite expensive.

Once we got to Franschhoek, we visited four different wineries and had the dreamiest, tipsy day in the sun. Mum and Mols both want to do the wine tram again next year, so I’d say it was a resounding success!

Read 500+ 5-star reviews and book your wine tram adventure here!

Dinner – Life Grand Cafe

Since the wine tram bus drops you back at the Waterfront, I think it makes perfect sense to have dinner here tonight. After our wine tram adventure, I decided to introduce Mum and Molly to one of my favourite Cape Town restaurants: the Life Grand Cafe.

What’s great about this place is that there is a big menu, so there’s something for everyone. There’s a lot of seafood, huge bowls of pasta, fresh sushi, yummy salads, and plenty of meat. What more could you want?

They also do very generous pourings of wine here, and I’ve never needed to book a table! It’s nice to sit out by the harbour when the weather’s good, and they have blankets if it gets chilly.

Day 5

Morning – Chill Time

After our big day out on the wine tram, we all fancied a more relaxed morning today. We all just spent some time chilling out and reading in our Airbnb, before heading over to Bo Kaap for our tour. Also, I’ve noticed that the timings for that tour do change from time to time, so it’s good to have a little flexibility this morning rather than back-to-back activities.

Lunch – Bo Kaap Deli

We had booked our Bo Kaap tour for 2 pm, so for lunch we headed to the Bo Kaap deli, as it was right near our meeting point. This is a cute and friendly local spot with yummy and affordable food, so what’s not to love?

I went for the Mexican rice bowl which was so yummy, while Mum had a wrap and Molly went for the calamari and avocado. We sat outside and just watched the neighbourhood goings-on as we ate, which was quite a nice thing to do before the tour.

Afternoon – Bo Kaap Tour

In the afternoon, we did this local-led Bo Kaap tour, which I really do believe is the best way to experience one of Cape Town’s most famous neighbourhood! Bo Kaap is known for its colourful houses, but if you just wander around by yourself, you miss so much of what makes the area special.

We booked the 2 pm tour, which turned out great for us after a day on the wine tram. The tour lasted for an hour, so it was easy to fit into our day. And remember, you can always book a morning tour if you’d prefer to beat the heat, and then have a more relaxed middle of the day. And as I mentioned earlier, timings do change every now and then, but since we have free time this morning, you should be able to go with the flow.

Anyway, back to business! Our guide, Sedick, was born and raised in Bo Kaap, and that was what made this tour special for me. Sedick knew basically everyone, and as we walked around, people kept stopping to say hello. He shared stories about what it was like to grow up in such a close-knit community and explained how the neighbourhood came to be so colorful. 

I also loved that the tour took us beyond the main streets of Bo Kaap that most tourists just stick to. We saw mosques, local businesses, quieter streets, and some of the homes of Sedick’s family and friends. You can read my full review here!

Then, the whole thing ends with a delicious koeksister, which is a must-try Cape Malay treat. Does it get any better than that?

Read all of the 5-star reviews and book this local-led Bo Kaap tour here!

Late Afternoon – Explore De Waterkant

After our walking tour wrapped up, we walked over to De Waterkant for a stroll around the neighbourhood. This cute and colorful enclave was my home for a year, so I wanted to show Mum and Mols around, but it’s worth a visit for anyone!

De Waterkant is really pretty, with pastel-coloured homes and cobbled streets. It was once part of Bo Kaap, but it became a separate area during Apartheid. Since then, it has become the heart of Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ community – keep an eye out for the rainbow pedestrian crossing! 

Mols grabbed a matcha here from Ground Up Cafe, but I also like Lello’s! There are some cool shops to check out in the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Mall, and Cafe Chiffon does the best cakes and dessert.

After checking out De Waterkant, enjoy a couple of hours of free time! Since our day 5 fell on a Wednesday, we headed to the Oranjezicht Market again for more shopping and a few pre-dinner drinks. You can also head back to your hotel to rest, or grab a drink somewhere on Kloof Street, since that’s where we’ll be heading for dinner tonight anyway.

Dinner – Kloof Street House

For dinner, we went to Kloof Street House, which is where I always bring friends and family who come to visit me in Cape town! It’s set inside an old Victorian mansion and has a glamorous, old world feel inside, although in summer I love sitting out in the garden area.

The food is always excellent, but if you want to try something really South African, order the grilled ostrich. It’s absolutely out of this world!

I’m also a big fan of the pornstar martinis here. The first time I ordered one, the waitress told me I’d never be satisfied with a pornstar martini from anywhere else afterwards, and honestly, so far she’s been right.

You definitely need to book Kloof Street House in advance, especially in summer. I booked around a week ahead and could only get a 6-8 pm seating, so if you want a more flexible dinner time, I’d try to book two weeks or more in advance during peak season. You can do this via their website form! 

Drinks – Kloof Street 

If you fancy another drink after dinner, go for it! You’re on Kloof Street, after all, which is Cape Town’s best bar street. 

Plus, we have a beach day tomorrow, so you don’t need a super early night tonight.

It’s also easy – and safe – to walk to another Kloof Street bar after dinner – just don’t wander off down any dark side streets. 

Our Local is casual and usually pretty lively, or I like The Dark Horse further up the road for their excellent margaritas. Van Hunks is ideal if you’re craving a pub vibe, or Asoka is the place to go if you’re seeking something a bit more fancy.

Day 6

Breakfast – Jason’s Bakery

This morning, we got up and strolled down the road to Jason’s Bakery, since we were staying in Green Point. This is a classic Cape Town breakfast spot and I love their iced coffee frappes – they’re truly the stuff that dreams are made of. Their pastries are delicious but this morning I went for a fruit and granola bowl, as it was warm out. .

If you’re not staying in Green Point, it’s usually easy to get parked up near Jason’s, so you can always head here on your way to the beach. But if you’d rather try out somewhere closer to your hotel, go for it! 

Morning – Beach Time! 

Cape Town is home to some truly stunning beaches. What’s better than laying on white sand with lush mountain views behind you?

Quick answer – not much! 

Camps Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Cape Town. It’s wide and beautiful, and we’re having lunch in Camps Bay today so it makes a lot of sense! However, it can get super busy on weekends in summer and around the Christmas period, in which case the Clifton Beaches might be a better bet.

The Clifton Beaches are really just down the road from Camps Bay. There are four of these beaches, with 4th beach being the most popular as it’s better for swimming, with fewer stairs to climb. However, they’re all really gorgeous.

And if you don’t mind a bit of a longer drive, you can head to Llandudno Beach, a quieter spot that’s about a 15-minute drive from Camps Bay. 

Lunch 

Lunch today should be a leisurely affair, so when you get hungry, head to Harry’s Beach Restaurant for lunch… and perhaps a glass of bubbles or two! 

Harry’s is a casual yet glamorous spot opposite Camps Bay Beach. It has an upbeat atmosphere and it definitely delivers that holiday vibe. I love coming here – I thought it might be overrated, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The menu here is heavy on seafood. Mum and Mols loved the oysters and the Mozambican prawns, while I went for the kingclip special with a citrus salad, which was out of this world. I think you’re good to go with pretty much anything on the menu here! 

You don’t normally need to book Harry’s for lunch, especially on a weekday. We just walked in when we were ready! 

Afternoon – More Beach Time

Take your time with lunch, and then you can either head back to the beach when you’re ready or return to your hotel to chill for a while and get ready for dinner. As I mentioned, Harry’s is directly opposite Camps Bay Beach, which makes life super easy, or you can drive 5 minutes down the road to Clifton.

Dinner tonight starts at 6:30 pm in De Waterkant, so you’ll probably want to head back to your hotel around 4:30 pm so that you have plenty of time to get ready. Although of course, this depends on you! 

Dinner – GOLD Restaurant

Tonight, we’re going to wrap up your time in Cape Town with the GOLD dinner and drum show. For us, this was such an awesome way to round off the trip!

GOLD is a pan-African restaurant but you don’t just get dinner here – you get a whole interactive performance! This kicks off with an interactive djembe drumming lesson at 6:30 pm. It was a lot of fun, although my hands did hurt by the end!

After drumming, our 14-course meal began – yes you read that right, 14 courses! It was made up of lots of dishes from all across Africa, from Egypt to Namibia. You don’t find that very often in Cape Town, so this is one of the best places in the whole city to taste a wide variety of cuisines under one roof.

Between courses, there were performances on stage and the performers also moved through the crowds for close-up showcases. I particularly enjoyed learning about the different African instruments, like the fula flute.

We also got to have our faces painted, which was really cool, and there was a Mali puppet performance to boot. It was a blast, and the evening ended with a big group performance of Jerusalem.

Of course, GOLD is very touristy, but it’s also a great time, and an opportunity to sample lots of different foods that you don’t always see a lot of in Cape Town.

I think that this is the perfect way to end your time in Cape Town, because an evening at GOLD is about so much more than just a meal! And don’t just take my word for it, because you can read hundreds of 5-star reviews here!

Book this African dinner and drumming experience here, with free cancellation!

Day 7 – Departure Day 

Luggage Storage

All too soon, Mum and Mols found their time in Cape Town coming to an end. But before they left, we headed for a final meal at The Codfather, since they didn’t need to head to the airport until mid-afternoon.

Our check-out time was at 10 am, so we used Bounce to book luggage storage. There are multiple locations in Cape Town to choose from. I like this app because you can check user reviews and ratings, so you know that you’re booking a safe and reliable option!

Lunch – The Codfather

We went for storage at the Waterfront and went for a final wander around the area before heading to The Codfather in Camps Bay for our final lunch. It’s a touristy spot, sure, but it’s also one of Cape Town’s most beloved seafood spots. 

At The Codfather, you go and choose your fresh fish and seafood from the counter, and then they cook it for you just how you like it. Everything is served with complimentary sides, including chips, rice and steamed vegetables, and there’s also a sushi bar if that’s more your style. 

I’m more of a sushi than a seafood fan, so I also grabbed some dishes off of the conveyor belt. The sushi was so fresh and delicious – I would definitely come back here again for that alone.

It’s best to make a reservation here, as this place is super popular.

Final Thoughts

After that, Mum and Mols headed off to the airport. It was a fairly quick visit to Cape Town for them, but I’m pleased to report that they absolutely fell in love with the city, and I know they’ll be back! 

We had so much fun following this week-long itinerary. Sure, this isn’t the perfectly SEO-optimised Cape Town itinerary ever created, but that’s the point. In this post, I’ve shared with you exactly what we actually did. 

I always think real itineraries are the most useful ones, because they show you what’s actually doable without trying to cram in every single thing. You can follow this 7 day Cape Town itinerary exactly, or just use it as a base and swap things around as you see fit.

Either way, I hope it helps you plan an amazing week in Cape Town. And if you leave wishing you’d stayed longer, don’t worry. That’s completely normal – and it happens whether you’re here for seven days or seven years.

Where to Stay in Cape Town 

Okay, now that you’ve made it through the itinerary, you just need a great place to stay! As I mentioned earlier in this blog, we stayed in Green Point for the week, which is a safe and central neighbourhood.

With that in mind, I’ve shared my top 3 picks for hotels in Green Point below, but remember that areas like Sea Point and Gardens also work really well. You can check my full where to stay guide for more info.

Hotel Lola – $$$ 

Hotel Lola is a stylish adults-only boutique hotel in Green Point, and it would work perfectly for this itinerary! It’s elegant but still feels warm and personal, with a garden, terrace, and bar where you can relax in between adventures. 

The rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including air-conditioning (yay!), coffee machines, and either garden or city views. Some also come with balconies, which is always a win in Cape Town! 

This is a lovely option if you want somewhere smaller and more characterful than a big hotel, but still polished and comfortable. 

Check prices and book your stay here!

Palm Paradise Boutique Guesthouse – $$ 

Palm Paradise is a recently renovated 4-star boutique guest house in Cape Town, and it’s a lovely option if you want somewhere stylish but intimate. It has a lush garden, sun terrace, and year-round outdoor pool, so it’s ideal if you want a peaceful place to come back to after a busy day of sightseeing.

The guest house offers daily housekeeping, all-day security, and a complimentary breakfast. It has a super high rating of 9.2 on Booking.com, and I personally would love to stay here! (Hint hint Palm Paradise, if you’re reading this).

The location couldn’t be better, either. You’re in the very heart of Green Point, close to a Woolworths (a must!) and within walking distance of the park and the V&A Waterfront. It’s perfect!

Read the glowing reviews and book your stay at Palm Paradise Boutique Guesthouse here!

The BIG Luxury Backpackers – $ 

THE BIG is a stylish luxury hostel in Green Point, with private and shared rooms available. I think it’s perfect if you want somewhere social and affordable – but don’t get me wrong, this is NOT your typical hostel. It’s got that friendly atmosphere, but in terms of style and cleanliness, it’s really more of a guesthouse.

You can choose between modern private rooms and dorms, so it works well for solo travellers, couples, or friends trying to keep costs down. Rooms are serviced daily, towels and linen are provided, and there’s free WiFi, free breakfast, a pool, braai facilities, and free parking. 

I love the location, too. I kid you not, this place is about 3 doors down from my best friend’s apartment, so I spend a TON of time on this street. It’s central and quiet. Parking can be tricky, but luckily this property offers free guest parking so you don’t need to worry about that! 

Book this top-rated hostel here, with breakfast and free cancellation!