Cape Town in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Cape Town, known as 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 areas with unique flora and fauna. Also, in the city centre you will discover several monuments, museums and historical buildings.

You can take a stroll through the historical centre and visit 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. Plus, among the best things to see and do in Cape Town you'll have the option to visit Table Mountain National Park, the Cape of Good Hope and other wilderness areas.

After your transfer from Cape Town Airport to the city centre, you will start your itinerary by discovering the old town of the South African capital. You will find fascinating sights 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 for 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 pedestrianised streets of this square, either on your own or with a guided tour of Cape Town, you will come across a quaint market, where you can buy souvenirs, fashion, handicrafts, jewellery and much more. The place is also dotted with cafes, restaurants and bars where you can sample local and international cuisine.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: the market is open every day from 9:00 to 16:00.

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 neo-Gothic building, where Mandela made his first speech after his release from prison.

The exterior of the church features a sandstone façade and a 40-metre high tower. Inside, meanwhile, you will see a series of stained glass windows that narrate passages from the Bible, high arches and an antique organ with 4,000 pipes.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (Monday to Friday), 9:00 to 12:30 (Saturday), 8:00 to 12:30 and 5:00 to 19:00 (Sunday).

The Town 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 seeing inside and out.

You will be amazed by its façade of approximately four blocks in length, built entirely of Paar sandstone. The building is also notable for its clock tower and the backdrop of Table Mountain.

• Price: The average entrance fee is €9 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (8am-4pm) and guided tours Monday to Friday (10am-2pm).

The Company Gardens

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

In this little oasis you will be surrounded by lush plants, picturesque flowers and a few statues. You can walk along the paths and sit on the benches and take in the scenery. Also, don't miss the garden of the senses, designed for the visually impaired.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: from 7:00 to 19:00 (every day).

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. You can also watch the changing of the guard and enjoy the exhibits at the Iziko Military Museum.

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

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 a drive of approximately 45 minutes from the centre of Cape Town to the town of Stellenbosch. This is a town with a picturesque scene, given by its vineyards, which cover kilometres of land.

In this town you will find dozens of family-owned wineries, some of which are as follows:

• The Lanzerac Winery, renowned for being the first to produce South Africa's traditional wine, Pinotage. There, you will have the chance 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 a restaurant.

The village of Franschhoek

To continue on this wine route to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek from Cape Town, you'll need to drive about 45 minutes to the second wine village. This is Franschhoek, founded in 1688 and characterised 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 centre of Franschhoek. There, you will taste premium wines and gastronomic delights, surrounded by unspoilt 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 3-day Cape Town tour so far continues at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, about 12 minutes from the centre of Cape Town. This marine life venue showcases around 3,000 animals from 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

Next stop is 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. There is also a restaurant with local and international cuisine.

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (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. It is also the scene of constant cultural shows.

You can sit on the benches in 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 vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Robben Island

From ClockTower Park it is about a 19 minute walk or a 5 minute drive to the harbour. There, you will board a ferry and sail for 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.

When you arrive on the island, now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can take a guided tour to discover the history of the island 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 around €24 per person.
• Opening times: Viewing times depend on the departure of the ferry. From 09:00 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 15:00 (ferry departure) and from 10:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 16:30 (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'll find walking and cycling trails. You'll also be able to see beautiful native flora and fauna. The best way to reach the entrance to the reserve is by car from the city centre, a 15-minute drive. However, you also have the option of going on a guided experience that incorporates this destination such 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 Platteklip Gorge route, which offers several panoramic views of Table Mountain; climb to the highest part of the mountain by cable car and get a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the place along the way. You can also practice climbing, have a picnic, among other things.

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

Boulders Beach

After spending part of the day in 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 can 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 bay-protected beach, ideal if you are in Cape Town with children. You can also 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. You can also get here in a number of ways, including a trip to Cape Point and Boulders Beach from Cape Town.

• Price: Access to the beach costs an average of €11 per person.
• Opening hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (approx.).

Sea Point Boardwalk

Once your adventure at Boulders Beach is over, you can return to the city centre and discover the magical scene of Cape Town at night. It's about a 14-minute drive to the Sea Point promenade.

On the Sea Point promenade you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and walk along the promenade while taking in the scenery: the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, the lights of the city, the towering Table Mountain in the distance. You can also dine and drink in one of the many restaurants and bars dotted along the way.

On this last day in Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope, Hout Bay and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are some of the most beautiful and historically significant natural destinations in South Africa.

Cape of Good Hope

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

There are a number of destinations you can visit on your visit to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town:

• Cape Point Lighthouse, with a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean.
• The cliff-top trails, ideal for a stroll 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 on 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 stunning rugged scenery, pristine beaches and a large colony of seals.

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

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

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

During the visit you will see around 7,000 species of plants from Southern Africa: wild flowers, silver trees, etc. In addition, you can relax and connect with nature while walking through the fern forests, the cycad area and the different gardens.

• Price: approximately €12 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from April to August (8:00 to 18:00) and from September to March (8:00 to 19:00).

The Old Biscuit Mill Open Air Market

At the end of your experience at the Kirstenboschlos National Botanical Garden, if your itinerary allows, 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 centre.

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 drinks.

The South African capital, Cape Town, is a very well-connected city in terms of transport links. You will find several means of transport that will make it easy for you to get around this port city: public transport, train, taxi and private car. It all depends on your preferences and budget.

For example, there is the MyCiTi Bus rapid transit feeder system; this is a public bus with routes throughout the metropolitan area. You can get around safely, comfortably and economically.

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

Cape Town's sightseeing bus service is the ideal alternative for getting from one end of the city to the other in no time at all. You will be able to pass in front of a large number of attractions, hopping on and off as many times as you wish at the allocated stops (of which there 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 all the main sights of the city. For example, you'll 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'll find a cable car, which you can pay for with your card.