Cape Town is one of my favorite cities in the world and it was love on first sight! Between the beautiful location on the water with Table Mountain as backdrop, the friendly people and good vibe and the many things to do in and around Cape Town, there are plenty of reasons to put Cape Town on your must-see list! And you should plan on a few days to really enjoy the city – but if you can’t here is my suggestion for the Perfect Day Itinerary Cape Town:
If you are in Cape Town on a clear day and can see the top of Table Mountain, you should make the trip up immediately – it’s often clouded and you don’t want to miss the chance for amazing views. The easiest and quickest way to get to the top is via the aerial cableway. You can purchase tickets online to avoid the lines for $15-20 round-trip depending of the day time. Once you reach the top, you will have the most amazing views over Cape Town and the surrounding areas. Go for a walk to get views in all directions, it’s pretty flat and easy to walk! After taking plenty of pictures, you can have a picnic at the mountain top restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the views a little longer!
Once you have taken in the views, make your way back into the city. Cities and people are shaped by their history and you should not leave Cape Town without getting some insights into the painful history of Apartheid in South Africa and how the segregation by race impacted the people.
If you get an early start and planned ahead, you can get tickets to Robben Island, the high security prison Nelson Mandela and many other black political prisoners were held during Apartheid. The tours, led by inmates, are well done and a somber way to learn about the history! The tour is about 4 hours long, with two 30min ferry rides (leaving at 9:00, 11:00, 13:00h and 15:00h during summer). The tickets ($18 for adults) sell out, so you should book well in advance of leaving for South Africa (here).
If you missed the chance to book tickets or you don’t want to cram too much into your day, you can visit the District Six museum instead. It tells the story of segregation well and in a very personal manner. It’s in downtown and you can explore it alone ($2) or with a local guide ($3) – get more information here!
After all that sightseeing, it’s time to relax – head to Victor & Alfred Waterfront for that! It’s a mixture of mall and old harbor with lots of cafes, restaurants and bars, all set on the Western Seaboard. It’s a pleasant place to hang out, take in some ocean views or buy those last-minute items you need for your trip or folks at home! It’s very busy, so you also get to do some people watching – which is a great experience in a city as diverse as Cape Town! And don’t forget to taste some of the excellent South African wines while you are here!
This day in Cape Town will introduce you to the beauty of Cape Town, the stunning views, the interesting history and the wonderful people – hopefully you will like it as much as I do and return for more than a day!