Cape Town 6-day Itinerary
South Africa
Where to go and what to see in Cape Town to get the most from your trip – a 6-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Richard Holmes.
Bucket list experience:
Established in 1913, South Africa’s premier botanical garden is a treasure trove of flora from the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest yet most diverse of the planet’s six floral kingdoms.
The 36 hectares of cultivated garden cover just a fraction of the 528-hectare estate, which can be explored on well-marked walking trails. Alongside greenhouses and forest trails, a highlight is the ‘Boomslang’ treetop walkway, taking visitors through the forest canopy to offer impressive mountain views.
Picnics are welcome on the wide lawns, and summertime sees sunset concerts hosted each Sunday.
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Destination Guide >Kirstenbosch is conveniently located in the suburb of Newlands, on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, roughly 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre.
The Cape Bird Club offers free (excluding entrance fee) guided walks through the garden, lasting approximately two hours. If you prefer to explored independently, use the upper Rycroft gate to avoid the tour buses at the main entrance. Maps are available at the ticket booth.
While picnics are welcome, the garden offers both a tearoom and restaurant.
The garden is open all year round, seven days a week. Each season offers unique flora. Summer sees popular sunset concerts hosted in the garden on Sunday evenings. Tickets sell out quickly, so book well in advance.
Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
South Africa
Where to go and what to see in Cape Town to get the most from your trip – a 6-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Richard Holmes.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Cape Town
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[2.6 miles]
A great value boutique hotel set amid expansive gardens in one of the city’s leafy suburbs, in the shadow of Table Mountain.
Official star rating:
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[6 miles]
Stylish boutique gem at the base of Table Mountain; Cape Town’s coolest bolthole.
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Cape Town , Western Cape, South Africa[6.2 miles]
A luxurious boutique hotel close to glamorous Camps Bay beach, boasting contemporary sea-view suites.
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Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[6.4 miles]
A glamorous boutique hotel perched right above the palm-lined Camps Bay beachfront.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Western Cape, South Africa
Vibrant, multicultural city with dramatic scenery, adrenaline adventure galore, Africa’s best art’s scene and golden beaches and outstanding gastronomy.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[1.8 miles]
The iconic flat-topped mountain – sometimes covered with ‘tablecloths’ of clouds – that towers over the beautiful coastal city of Cape Town. Cable car or hike to the top; cable car or abseil down.
Best for ages: 10+ | £18
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[3 miles]
One of the world’s great abseils – a one-hour descent down the iconic Table Mountain. Comes with unforgettable views of the city and Atlantic coastline.
Best for ages: 13+ | £23 | 1 hour
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[3.9 miles]
Lace up your boots and tackle one of the myriad hiking trails going up to the summit of the iconic Table Mountain, a challenging but rewarding 2- to 3-hour scenic hike.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[4.4 miles]
The picturesque Constantia Valley is a compact wine route that’s home to some of the oldest wine farms in the Cape.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[6.7 miles]
Delve into the lived experience of forced removals at this moving small Museum, which chronicles the diversity of District Six and its later destruction by the Apartheid government.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[6.8 miles]
Stop by the South African Museum to see the famous Linton Panel, one of the world’s foremost examples of rock art, extracted from a shelter in the Drakensberg Mountains. Open daily.
Best for ages: 13+ | £2
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[7 miles]
This Cape Town institution, set up in an Old Biscuit Factory in 2006, features food stalls from around the world, plus local artisans selling designer clothing, accessories and quality handicrafts. Live music adds to the atmospheric buzz and energy.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa[9 miles]
In the V&A Waterfront, this world-class aquarium offers three large tanks for pelagic fish alongside dozens of smaller exhibits. The hands-on ‘Touch Pool’ is always a hit with kids.
Best for ages: 4+ | £10