South Africa · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Cape Town
Mountains, wine country and two oceans. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Cape Town
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Cape Town
Check in at your stay in Sea Point / Green Point.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · A braai (barbecue)
Day 2
Day trip: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine day
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Cape Malay curry in Bo-Kaap
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. · Signal Hill
Lion's Head sunset hike
Chains, ladders and a 360° sunset.
Day 3
Into the green
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. · Newlands · ~$21
Kirstenbosch Gardens
The canopy walkway and summer concerts.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 4
Layers of history
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. · V&A Waterfront · ~$21
Zeitz MOCAA
Contemporary African art in a grain silo.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 5
Farewell, Cape Town
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. · Camps Bay · ~$14
Camps Bay beach
Twelve Apostles views and a sundowner.
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Depart Cape Town
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Gatsby sandwich
Where to stay in Cape Town
Shoestring
Gardens / Tamboerskloof
Central, with guesthouses under Table Mountain.
Hotels in Gardens / TamboerskloofComfort
Sea Point / Green Point
Promenade sunsets and close to the Waterfront.
Hotels in Sea Point / Green PointLuxury
Camps Bay / V&A Waterfront
Beachfront villas and five-star harbour hotels.
Hotels in Camps Bay / V&A Waterfront
What to eat in Cape Town
Bobotie
Spiced minced meat baked under savoury custard, Cape Malay style.
Gatsby
A huge sandwich of chips, meat and sauces made for sharing.
Cape Malay curry
Fragrant, mildly sweet curry from the Bo-Kaap.
Biltong
Air-dried spiced meat, the national snack.
Koeksister
Syrup-soaked twisted doughnut.
Malva pudding
Warm apricot sponge pudding with custard.
Where locals send visitors
Bo-Kaap Kombuis $$
Cape Malay · Bo-Kaap · Best for dinner
Home-style Cape Malay dishes with views of Table Mountain.
ReviewsBiesmiellah $$
Cape Malay · Bo-Kaap · Best for lunch
A Bo-Kaap stalwart for bredies, curries and samosas.
ReviewsKalky's $
Fish and chips · Kalk Bay · Best for lunch
Fish and chips at the harbour after a Peninsula drive.
ReviewsMzoli's $
Shisa nyama (braai) · Gugulethu · Best for lunch
Choose your meat, have it grilled, and join the weekend crowd. Best with a local guide.
ReviewsKloof Street House $$$
Bistro · Gardens · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
A romantic Victorian house with a garden and an eclectic menu.
ReviewsLa Colombe $$$$
Tasting menu · Constantia · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
Theatrical tasting menus in the winelands.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Scam: At ATMs, decline help from strangers, and watch for card skimmers. Use machines inside banks or malls.
- Safety: Hike Lion's Head and Table Mountain in groups, on popular routes and in daylight. Leave valuables behind and carry water.
- Safety: Use ride apps after dark rather than walking, even short distances, and keep phones out of sight in parked cars.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Use Uber at night.
- Book Table Mountain's cableway online and check the wind forecast first.
- Load-shedding (power cuts) can still happen; most hotels have backup.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$90 |
| Comfort | ~$213 |
| Luxury | ~$654 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Cape Town trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.