If you are on a hunt for a city with a little bit of everything Cape Town is the place. The Mother City of South Africa is a perfect place to spend 2 weeks! There are so many incredible things to do in Cape Town. Exploring the city for 2 weeks is, therefore, a great opportunity for you to see and do as much as possible. With stunning beaches, fantastic hiking trails, an interesting history, and a bit of wildlife this is going to be 2 incredible weeks. In this itinerary, you will find all of this and much more. Read along for the ultimate 2-week Cape Town travel guide!
NB: A car is necessary for at least 7 days for this Cape Town itinerary to work.
Day 1: Wander the streets of Downtown
Once you arrive in a new city it is always a good idea to get to know the streets. This is what you are going to do on your first day in Cape Town. We would recommend you start your day early in the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap. Here you will find cute Dutch houses all in vibrant colors. But it is also a neighborhood with a very complex history and rich Muslim culture. Spending a morning strolling up and down the streets of Bo-Kaap is a perfect way to start your Cape Town itinerary.
Next up you should head to the District Six Museum. This museum works as a memorial to the former mixed-raced neighborhood of the same name. Back in the 1970s 60.000 ‘colored’ residents were evicted from their homes in District Six. This was due to Apartheid laws. Nowadays, the museum tells the story of the former residents, as well as how their lives and Cape Town were affected by Apartheid. It is a small museum but definitely worth a visit to educate yourself about an important part of South African history.
Your afternoon should be spent wandering the streets of Downtown Cape Town before you head to Kloof Corner for a great sunset spot. With stunning views overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean, it is a perfect place to end your first day exploring Cape Town.
Day 2: An adventurous day
Your second day in Cape Town is going to be an adventurous one as you are hiking to the top of Table Mountain. This is done by following the trail of the Platteklip Gorge Hike, which offers you a direct route to the summit of Table Mountain. Platteklip Gorge is definitely one of the hardest and most strenuous hikes in Cape Town, but all the muscle aches are well worth it once you reach the top. If you want to know all our tips and tricks, as well as an overview of the trail, you should read our Platteklip Gorge hiking guide right here!
When you have made your way to the distinctive flat top of Table Mountain you should go explore for a bit. This can either be done on your own or you can join one of the free walking tours. Bringing snacks and lunch is also a great idea. There is no better way to enjoy a picnic than with the stunning views from Table Mountain. Afterward, you should embark on the cableway down the mountain.
Day 3: Swim with penguins at Boulders Beach
After hiking Platteklip Gorge your legs might be sore. Therefore, your third day is going to be a slow one. Pack a lunch, swimsuit, towels, a good book, and head down to Boulders Beach in Simons Town. At Boulders Beach you will find a colony of African penguins. This species of penguin prefers the warm sun over the ice-cold snow. This is why the boulders on the Beach in Simons Town are their home. At Boulders Beach there are boardwalks, for you to walk around the reserve. We would recommend you start your visit here and then walk to the beach and spend the rest of your day there. If you are lucky, you might be able to swim near some of the penguins!
Day 4: A lesson in South African history
Your fourth day in Cape Town is going to be a history lesson in the history of South Africa. More specifically you are going on a tour of Robben Island. During the tour, your guide will tell you more about the history of the island and its role during Apartheid. You will also meet a former prisoner who will tell you about their life on the island, and it affected them being imprisoned for many years. And lastly, on your tour, you will see the cell in which Nelson Mandela spent his years on the island. A tour of Robben Island is definitely worth a visit!
Once you arrive back at the V&A Waterfront with the ferry you should spend the afternoon exploring the area. Here you will find cool architecture, a harbor with some good restaurants, a food market, and various shops – including the Watershed. It is a great place to end your fourth day in Cape Town.
Day 5: Explore Cape Point Nature Reserve
Today you are going on a road trip to Cape Point Nature Reserve. This incredible place became one of our absolute favorite places to visit and explore while in Cape Town. Here you are spoiled with beautiful views, some incredible hiking trails, as well as rich wildlife. A day in Cape Point Nature Reserve is just great. We have made a complete guide for the nature reserve which you can find right here. In this guide, we have gathered everything you need to know for your visit to Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Day 6: A day among the locals
This day in your 2-week Cape Town itinerary is moveable as it needs to happen on a weekend. A visit to Cape Town is never complete without visiting one of the many markets. It is a great way to spend the weekend and see more of the local culture. There are many markets in Cape Town, so it is difficult to pick one. Our favorites are Oranjezict Market near the V&A Waterfront and Neighbourgoods Market at the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Both markets have stunning stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, and arts and crafts, as well as delicious food scenes.
Day 7: Drive the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive
Most people in Cape Town drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive when they are visiting. And you absolutely should! But we would actually recommend you to drive further down along the Cape Peninsula. That way you are not only able to see the stunning views along the drive but also visit some incredible beaches and small coastal villages. Spending a day driving along the west side of the Cape Peninsula is an amazing way to explore the nature around Cape Town.
Day 8: Spend a day in nature
Cape Town is filled with incredible hiking trails for you to tackle during your visit. And today you are going on one of them. The Pipe Track hiking trail was one of our favorites in Cape Town. It is an easier walk where you are spoiled with beautiful views along the way. It is the perfect hiking trail for beginners! Once you are done with your hike you should head down to Camps Bay. Here you can relax at the beach or visit one of the tidal pools.
Day 9: Stroll around coastal villages
Your ninth day in Cape Town is another slow one. Spending the day exploring some of the villages on the east coast of the Cape Peninsula is a perfect way to take it at a slow pace. Start your day at the beach in Muizenberg. Here you will find the colorful houses that have become very Instagram famous. Walking up and down the beautiful beach is a nice way to spend your morning.
Afterward, you should head over to the neighboring town of Kalk Bay. Here you will find some quirky shops selling everything from books, vintage finds, clothes, and arts and crafts. This coastal town is also home to some good restaurants with delicious food. Kalky’s by the harbor is especially worth stopping by – they have very good fish & chips. Down by the harbor you also have some prime opportunities for whale watching. So, if you are visiting during the months between May and November you should definitely keep your eyes open.
Day 10: A day with stunning views
One thing you absolutely must do when you are visiting Cape Town is to hike to the top of Lion’s Head. This is one of the best hikes in Cape Town, but it isn’t one of the easiest. If you want to get an overview of the hiking trail, as well as our tips and tricks for your hiking you should definitely read our Lion’s Head Hiking Guide. If you get an early head start you might be able to avoid the worst of the heat. We always brought a snack or lunch for a picnic on the top of Lion’s Head. It is a great place to eat lunch and with one of the best views in town.
Once you have climbed back down from Lion’s Head you should spend the rest of the day relaxing – for example at the beach. Cape Town has some incredible beaches with crystal clear water and white sand. An afternoon at the beach is just so nice!
Day 11: A slow day in Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden
Cape Town can be a hectic city with a lot going on. Therefore, it can sometimes be nice to take a break from all this. And a day in Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden is the perfect way to do so. This huge botanical garden is home to many different flowers and plants. It is also here you will find the famous Tree Canopy Walkway. The bridge is also known as the ‘Boomslang’ which means ‘tree snake’. That name comes from the construction of the bridge, as it snakes its way between the trees in the forest. Wandering around Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden is a great way to spend a day in Cape Town.
Day 12: Walk around Franschhoek
For your last few days in Cape Town, you are going on a trip to the rolling hills of the Winelands. Just a short one-hour drive from the city you will find Franschhoek. Once you arrive in this little town you should spend some time strolling up and down the streets. There are so many cute boutiques and stunning architecture in this town.
Day 13: Spend a day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram
Today is when the fun begins – you are going on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Once you embark on the tram it will take you around different wine estates in the area. This is one of the greatest ways to taste wine in South Africa, as you are able to visit more than one wine estate and you do not have to worry about driving. We spent a day on the Wine Tram, and it was just so much fun. To make it easier, we have gathered everything you need to know about a day on the Franschhoek Wine Tram right here. In this guide, you will find an overview of the many lines, the stops on our trip, and how much we spend on the day.
Day 14: The last day in Cape Town
For your last day in Cape Town, there is nothing special planned. Eat a delicious breakfast before heading back to the city. Hopefully, you had an amazing 2 weeks exploring Cape Town.
Don’t have 2 weeks? See our itinerary for 4 days in Cape Town.