Cape Town sits where Table Mountain drops straight into the Atlantic, with vineyards, penguin colonies and one of the world's great scenic drives all within a couple of hours of the city centre. Its history is complicated and close to the surface, from Robben Island to District Six.
Good to know
- Rent a car for the Cape Peninsula and Winelands — distances are long and public transport is limited.
- Table Mountain's cableway closes in high wind; check conditions and keep a backup day free.
- Use rideshare apps rather than walking after dark in unfamiliar areas, as in any large city.
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Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
A rotating cable car to the flat summit plateau, with views over the city, the Atlantic and Robben Island.
A ferry to the island prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years, guided in part by former political prisoners.
A working harbour turned shopping and dining district, with ferries to Robben Island and views of Table Mountain behind it.
A hillside neighbourhood of brightly painted houses and Cape Malay heritage, with home-hosted cooking classes in local kitchens.
A scenic drive down the peninsula to the cliffs at Cape Point, with a stop to see the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
A palm-lined beach strip backed by the Twelve Apostles mountain range, with beach bars for sundowners.
South Africa's oldest wine region, minutes from the city centre, with historic Cape Dutch estates open for tastings.
A museum on the site of a vibrant mixed-race neighbourhood bulldozed under apartheid, told partly through former residents' voices.
A garden of fynbos and indigenous plants at the foot of Table Mountain, with a treetop canopy walkway.
The city's main nightlife strip, Victorian façades hiding bars, live music venues and backpacker pubs.
A fishing village on the False Bay coast where you can buy the catch straight off the boats or eat it at a harbourside table.
A popular chain-assisted scramble up a smaller peak beside Table Mountain, best timed for sunrise over the city and sea.