Should you’re planning a visit and need to get essentially the most out of your go to this Cape City 3-day itinerary is what you want. It’s written by locals (us) for vacationers. The prompt itinerary consists of town’s finest, suggestions, and insider ideas. It consists of the must-see locations in Cape City. Allow us to enable you to to make the most effective out of your Cape City go to!
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Our Cape City 3-day itinerary
That is the usual itinerary for spending 3 days in Cape City. The itinerary lets you go to the primary points of interest in Cape City. You may change days round relying on climate situations, days of the week, your personal priorities, and so forth. Beneath each attraction, yow will discover a desk with the opening and shutting occasions that may enable you to regulate the itinerary to your wants.
Should you’re not planning to lease a automobile you’ll be able to go to many of the locations on this 3-day itinerary utilizing Cape City Metropolis Sightseeing Bus. You should buy 1 or 2-day tickets on the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Cape City 3-day itinerary
Day 1. Pure landmarks
- Morning. Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard.
- Afternoon. Constantia Wine Route. Bo Kaap Neighborhood.
- Night. Desk Mountain (cable automobile). Sundown.
Day 2. Historic Cape City
- Morning. V&A Waterfront. Robben Island.
- Afternoon. Woodstock Neighborhood. The Fort of Good Hope.
- Night. Lion’s Head, sundown.
Day 3. The scenic drive
- Morning. Sea Level, Clifton, Camps Bay, Hout Bay. Chapman’s Peak Drive.
- Afternoon. Cape Level Nationwide Park. Boulders Seaside, Muizenberg.
- Night. V&A Waterfront. Sundown cruise.
Discover out when is the most effective time to go to Cape City to plan your journey accordingly.
Day 1 of the Cape City 3-day itinerary. Cape City’s Pure Landmarks
Should you’re planning to incorporate a number of points of interest in your Cape City 3-day itinerary shopping for a Metropolis Cross may be value it. The Cape City Metropolis Cross consists of entry to over 80 metropolis sights and free use of the hop-on-hop-off bus all through your cross.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardne
- Opening hours – September to March, each day from 8 am to 7 pm; April to August, each day from 8 am to six pm.
- Entrance payment – adults – ZAR210/US$11, youngsters (6-18) – ZAR30/US$1,5, youngsters beneath 6 – free.
- Drive time from Metropolis Bowl to Kirstenbosch – 15-25 min.
- Parking – there’s a parking zone on the territory, in case of a live performance or an occasion it will get full fairly shortly, and also you’ll must park your automobile exterior the Backyard.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard is an ideal place to start out the morning. There are a few locations contained in the backyard the place you’ll be able to have breakfast. One can spend the entire day or simply a few hours right here. There are a number of straightforward strolling routes and a few longer trails within the backyard. The Skeleton Gorge hike is considered one of them. It begins in Kirstenbosch and goes all the best way to the highest of Desk Mountain. You’ll want 3 hours to finish it.
The Sky Bridge is a not-to-miss attraction in Kirstenbosch, from right here you may get a pleasant view of the Backyard and the encompassing space.
Constantia Wine Route
- Opening hours (Groot Constantia Property) – each day (besides Good Friday and Christmas) from 9 am to six pm.
- Price – from ZAR100/US$6 per particular person
- Drive time from Kirstenbosch to Groot Constantia – 12-20 min.
- Parking – there are a few parking heaps on the territory.
Go to Constantia with a tour
Visiting a few wine farms in Constantia is a must-add to your Cape City itinerary. Constantia is among the most well-known wine routes in Cape Winelands. Should you’re on the lookout for a lesser-known different you’ll be able to go to Durbanville wine farms as an alternative. Each Constantia and Durbanville are positioned simply exterior Cape City, it’s a brief drive from town heart.
Groot Constantia is among the most well-known wine estates in Constantia. It has a tasting room, a museum, and two eating places on its territory. The realm is gorgeous on weekends and holidays; it will get very busy. Tasting is from ZAR 100/US$5 for five wines together with a wine glass that you would be able to take with you as a memento. We often pay for one particular person they pour sufficient wine to style and somebody all the time has to drive. Wine tasting and lunch can take between 2 and three hours relying on what number of estates you go to.
Bo Kaap neighborhood
- Drive time from Groot Constantia to Bo Kaap – 30 min.
Go to Bo Kaap with a tour
To proceed the day head to the colourful Bo Kaap neighborhood – considered one of Cape City’s postcard photographs and doubtless some of the photographed areas of town. It’s enjoyable to stroll across the homes painted inexperienced, crimson, blue, yellow, and so forth. and to take images, you received’t want greater than 1h-1.30min. for that.
Desk Mountain
- Opening hours (cable automobile) – occasions differ relying on the month. You could find the up-to-date timetable right here.
- Cable automobile tickets – grownup from ZAR 340/US$18 return, youngsters (4-17) from ZAR 195/US$10 return.
- Drive time from Bo Kaap to Desk Mountain cable automobile station – 10-15 min.
- Parking – there’s a parking zone on the backside however it’s fairly a stroll up from there, most individuals park their automobiles alongside the highway earlier than or after the station.
Go to Desk Mountain with a tour
It’s time to go to Desk Mountain – essentially the most iconic attraction in Cape City and a must-include in your Cape City 3-day itinerary. You may see it just about from wherever within the metropolis however going up Desk Mountain is a must-do. Should you’re planning to take a cable automobile, the night is a greater time, the mountain is usually in thick mist within the morning you may need no views in any respect, however it often clears up by noon.
If you wish to go up following one of many Desk Mountain climbing trails it’s higher to do it within the morning when there are extra individuals, the night just isn’t the most effective time. There are a number of routes that result in the highest of Desk Mountain. The Platteklip Gorge is the preferred one. The India Venster is essentially the most difficult. And the Skeleton Gorge is the greenest one. The opposite two routes are the Kasteelspoort and the Diagonal Path each resulting in the well-known Diving Board.
Guided Desk Mountain hikes
Day 2 of the 3-day itinerary (possibility 1). The Historic Cape City
On the second day of your Cape City 3-day itinerary, you’ll be able to go to some necessary historic landmarks within the metropolis.
Robben Island
- Tour departure occasions – each day at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and three pm (solely between 1st September and thirtieth April)
- Worth (return boat + guided tour) – from ZAR 400/US$21 (South Africans), ZAR 600/US$31 (foreigners) per particular person
- Drive time from Metropolis Bowl to V&A Waterfront – 10-15 min.
- Parking – there isn’t any free parking zone at Waterfront, so that you’ll must park your automobile at one of many paid parking, it’s fairly costly to park right here, for 4-hour parking anticipate to pay between ZAR40-50/US$2,5-3,5.
Go to Robben Island with a tour
Head to V&A Waterfront there are many eating places and low retailers to go to for breakfast with the view.
Robben Island is a vital historic place in Cape City. The Island is legendary for the jail the place Nelson Mandela spent the final years of his sentence. To get to the Island you’ll must take a ferry that departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island in V&A Waterfront. It takes 30-45min. to get to the Island. Your complete tour (together with the return boat experience) takes 4 hours.
In the course of the summer season months of December, January, and February it’s extremely advisable to purchase your ticket prematurely, 9 am excursions are sometimes offered out.
You probably have a while earlier than or after visiting Robben Island you are able to do a 30-minute boat cruise to seek out out extra concerning the historical past of the Waterfront and to identify some seals.
To get the most effective views of Cape City and nice reminiscences do a helicopter flight. The helicopter leaves from the V&A Waterfront Helipad.
Woodstock neighborhood
- Opening hours – Mon – Fri from 10 am to 4 pm, Sat from 9 am to 2 pm, Solar from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Drive time from V&A Waterfront to Woodstock – 10-15min.
- Parking – from Mon to Fri you’ll be able to park throughout the Mill. On Saturdays, there’s paid parking (ZAR10/US$1) on the School of Cape City (in entrance of the market).
Woodstock was a shabby neighborhood of Cape City however within the final couple of years, it become a hipsters’ hub with many small younger companies opening within the space it grew to become some of the fashionable locations within the metropolis the place yow will discover small artwork galleries, conceptual espresso retailers, natural meals markets, and breweries. Espresso Lab is considered one of our favourite espresso retailers in Cape City.
Probably the most well-known and busiest place in Woodstock is The Previous Biscuit Mill market. There are numerous totally different meals stalls, natural farm merchandise, hand-made souvenirs, crafts, and so forth. The Mill is among the favourite Capetonians’ locations to fulfill up with family and friends. It’s a extremely popular place to come back on Saturday morning, each Saturday there’s a massive Neighborhood Market.
The Fort of Good Hope
- Opening hours – each day from 9 am to three.30 pm
- Entrance payment – adults – ZAR50/US$2,5, youngsters – ZAR25/US$1,5
- Drive time – from the Previous Biscuit Mill to the Fort – 5-10 min.
To proceed with the historical past of Cape City do a fast go to to the Fort of Good Hope the birthplace of Cape City. It was constructed within the seventeenth century by the Dutch East India Firm as a bastion fort. The go to will take between 1-1.5 hours. The Fort is on the best way from Woodstock to Lion’s Head no must do any additional driving to get there.
Lion’s Head
- Drive time to Lion’s Head/Sign Hill from the Fort of Good Hope – 15-20 min., from the Aquarium – 17-25 min.
- Parking – on the slopes (alongside the highway) of Lion’s Head or Sign Hill, it may be tough to discover a spot for those who arrive too late.
Go to Lion’s Head with a tour
Time to go to one other iconic location in your 3-day itinerary – Lion’s Head. It’s some of the fashionable hikes in Cape City and a terrific spot for watching the sundown. It’s higher to reach earlier to discover a parking spot. To get to the highest you’ll must hike up the mountain. The Lion’s Head hike consists of some rock, chain, and ladder climbing on the finish. If it’s an excessive amount of for you you don’t must go all the best way to the highest simply discover a great place at a decrease degree.
You are able to do a guided sundown hike up Lion’s Head for those who don’t really feel assured sufficient or simply don’t need to stroll alone. Watching the sundown from Lion’s Head is one of the simplest ways to complete the second day of your Cape City itinerary.
Another choice is to go to Sign Hill (the neighboring mountain) as an alternative of Lion’s Head. It may be a greater possibility for those who journey with youngsters as effectively. You may drive all the best way to the highest. Parking may be an issue, so make sure that to reach early.
Day 2 (possibility 2). The safari drive
Together with a safari drive in your Cape City 3-day itinerary may be a great possibility for individuals with youngsters and for individuals who aren’t planning to go to any safari parks in South Africa throughout their journey. You are able to do a day go to to one of many close by safari parks to see the well-known Large 5; lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard. The closest to Cape City sport lodge the place you’ll be able to see all of them is Aquila Personal Recreation Reserve, about 2 hours drive from town.
You probably have extra time you’ll be able to keep on the sport reserve for a few days, it’s a terrific getaway from Cape City. Spending two days right here you’ll have time to do a day and an evening safari drive and see extra animals. You may drive there your self and be a part of a safari tour there or e-book a tour from Cape City that features driving to and again and safari drives contained in the park.
Should you drive that method you’ll be able to cease in Stellenbosch, there are lots of nice issues to do there.
After visiting the safari park you’ll nonetheless have sufficient time to get to Lion’s Head for the sundown.
Day 3 of the 3-day itinerary. The Cape Peninsula scenic drive
The final day of the prompt Cape City 3-day itinerary is essentially the most scenic one. The drive round the Cape Peninsula is really spectacular, it’s considered one of our favourite day journeys from Cape City. The highway waving alongside the rugged coast provides a few of the finest views in the entire nation; unspoiled white sand seashores, dramatic cliffs, cozy cities, and various marine life. It’s attainable to affix a small group full-day tour round Cape Peninsula.
Begin the coastal drive at Inexperienced Level, and drive to Hout Bay via Cliffton and Camps Bay (the place you’ll be able to cease for breakfast). Cease at Haut Bay harbor there you might have a great likelihood of seeing Cape Fur seals scavenging on fishermen’s leftovers. If you’d like a more in-depth encounter you can go snorkeling with the seals from the Hout Bay Harbor. These guys are very curious and playful snorkeling or diving with them is plenty of enjoyable.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Drive time from Metropolis Bowl to Hout Bay (via Clifton) – 40-50 min.
- Parking – you’ll be able to park on the harbor at no cost.
The well-known Chapman’s Peak Drive is among the most scenic drives in Cape City. It begins at Hout Bay, it’s not a really lengthy however completely beautiful drive with a number of lookouts and viewpoints. There are a few climbing trails that go up the mountain however I’d strongly suggest not venturing up there, the realm just isn’t secure, and within the final couple of years, there have been a number of assaults on hikers there.
If you wish to stretch your legs a bit there are lots of nice trails at Cape Level Nationwide Park – the following cease on the best way. I’d recommend driving to Cape Level via Kommetjie (there are some good seashores there), not via Simons City, you’ll drive via Simons City on the best way again anyway.
Cape Level Nationwide Park
- Opening hours – each day from 7 am to five pm
- Entrance payment – adults – ZAR360/US$19, youngsters (2-12 yo) – ZAR180/US$10.
- Drive time from Haut Bay to the Cape Level entrance gate (via Kommetjie) – 1h-1h10min.
- Parking – there are a number of free parking areas contained in the park, the primary one is at Decrease Funicular Station.
Go to Cape Level with a tour
Cape Level Nationwide Park with its breathtaking surroundings, white sandy seashores, rugged cliffs, and spectacular lookout factors undoubtedly ought to be in your Cape City itinerary. The well-known Cape of Good Hope is located within the park. Some individuals assume that the Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost level of the African continent however it’s not proper. The southernmost level of the continent and the assembly level of two oceans is Cape Agulhas it’s 250km up the east coast within the small city of Struissbai.
Cape Level Nationwide Park highlights
- Dias Seaside – a incredible white sand seaside surrounded by rugged cliffs it’s only a pity that the water may be very chilly.
- Cape of Good Hope – the well-known level the place you’ll in all probability must line as much as take a photograph. By the best way, at Cape Agulhas (the precise southernmost level of Africa) there are often only a few individuals.
- The Previous Lighthouse – it’s a brief hike from the parking spot as an possibility you’ll be able to take a funicular nearly all the best way to the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself is kind of good however the views from there are breathtaking.
There are a number of climbing routes within the park and it’s secure to stroll there, I’d say it’s the most effective space in Cape City for climbing.
Boulders Seaside
- Opening hours – each day from 8 am to five pm
- Entrance payment – adults – ZAR170/US$9, youngsters (2-11 yo) – ZAR85/US$4,5
- Drive time from the Cape Level entrance gate to Boulders Seaside – 15-20 min.
Go to Boulders Seaside with a tour
After spending a while at Cape Level head to Boulders Seaside in Simon’s City, a small and exquisite white sand seaside with enormous boulders and lots of African penguins strolling round. These guys are very small and cute, watching them is plenty of enjoyable. I’d suggest stopping right here for lunch there’s a place with a balcony from the place you’ll be able to see the penguins and the seaside whereas having fun with your meal.
Simon’s City is a well-liked place for diving and kayaking. Should you’re a professional diver you are able to do a few dives to see seals, cow sharks, blue sharks, Mako sharks, and lots of nudibranchs. There are a few locations the place you are able to do shark diving in Cape City.
Should you’re in Cape City between July and September, you would possibly see Southern Proper whales from the boat. The perfect place for whale watching is Hermanus, a small city 120 km from Cape City.
Muizenberg
From Simons City proceed driving alongside the coast to Muizenberg, this city is legendary as a great place to be taught browsing and its colourful picket seaside cabins. It’s only a quick cease to take images after that you would be able to begin heading again to Cape City.
- Drive time from Boulders Seaside to Muizenberg – is 35-45 min., there’s all the time a visitors jam at Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay.
V&A Waterfront
- Drive time from Muizenberg to V&A Waterfront – 45min.-1h.
- Parking – one of many paid exterior or inside parking heaps.
Exit for dinner or drinks at V&A Waterfront or Camp Bay you may be in time for an additional lovely sundown in Cape City. For a extremely particular finish to your Cape City journey, as an alternative of getting drinks or dinner on land, you’ll be able to be a part of a sundown Champagne cruise.
From Cape City, you’ll be able to proceed your South Africa journey and do a highway journey on the Backyard Route. You are able to do it as a self-drive journey; lease a automobile in Cape City and drop it off in Port Elisabeth or be a part of a tour.
After exploring Cape City you’ll be able to proceed your journey and go to the spectacular east coast and the well-known Backyard Route.
The place to remain in Cape City?
Metropolis Bowl. The perfect space to remain for backpackers, solo vacationers, celebration lovers, and people who come to town for enterprise. Bree and Lengthy Streets are the primary locations to exit in Cape City with many bars and golf equipment, for those who’re up for a pub crawl or celebration it’s the place to be.
V&A Waterfront/Seapoint. The perfect space to remain for households with youngsters, older vacationers, and {couples}. For me, it’s the most effective space to remain within the metropolis, the primary purpose it feels safer right here than in Metropolis Bowl is that you would be able to stroll within the night alongside the promenade, there are lots of individuals, and it all the time has a festive vibe.
Camps Bay. The luxury space of Cape City is an ideal place for a luxurious keep. It’s the most effective space to remain in Cape City in your South Africa honeymoon vacation. The realm is secure with many eating places and bars, lovely white-sand seashores and a few browsing spots, simply keep in mind the water right here is ice-cold, it’s good to stroll round in a bikini however to do something within the water you’ll want a wetsuit.
Renting a automobile in Cape City
To drive in and across the metropolis, you don’t want a giant 4×4 automobile, a standard sedan automobile will probably be greater than sufficient until you’re greater than 5 individuals a minivan is a greater possibility. The smaller your automobile the simpler it’ll be to park on the streets of Cape City. The perfect and the best is to lease a automobile on the airport on arrival and drop it off there on the best way again.
Security ideas on your Cape City 3-day itinerary
- Don’t stroll at night time within the metropolis for those who exit, take a taxi again to your lodge and attempt to follow a crowd of 4 or extra.
- Should you lease a automobile don’t go away something inside when parking, not even a e-book or an outdated jacket, in any other case you threat discovering your automobile with damaged home windows.
- When driving, make sure that your doorways a locked and home windows aren’t wide-opened.
- Maintain your helpful stuff with you on a regular basis, don’t put it on a seat subsequent to you, it’ll disappear earlier than you discover it.
- Should you enterprise to hike up Desk Mountain do it on the proper time of the day when there are different individuals strolling it, not late night by yourself carrying an costly digicam.
- Don’t take your passport and all the dear stuff with somewhat lock it in a lodge secure or locker.
- Use a dependable taxi service, not any random man that stops on the road.
- To attract cash use an ATM in a financial institution workplace, mall, or grocery store. You may pay by card in most motels, eating places, and ticket places of work.
Journey assets to plan your itinerary
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack somewhat than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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