Only have three days? This itinerary covers the mountain, the coast and the vineyards without rushing, with tips on what to book ahead and how to stay flexible.
Three days is enough to see the very best of Cape Town if you plan well. The trick is to group sights by area, so you spend your time exploring rather than sitting in traffic. This itinerary for 3 days in Cape Town covers the city and Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands.
Day 1: Table Mountain and the city
Morning: Table Mountain
Start early with the cableway to the top of Table Mountain while the air is clear and the queues are short. Spend an hour or two on the summit paths and viewpoints. Read our Table Mountain guide for tips.
Afternoon: Bo-Kaap, the Company's Garden and District Six
Head down into the city. Wander through the brightly coloured Bo-Kaap and try Cape Malay food, then walk through the Company's Garden, past Parliament and the museums. The District Six Museum gives important context to the city's history.
Evening: the V&A Waterfront or Signal Hill
Watch the sunset from Signal Hill, then have dinner at the V&A Waterfront.
Day 2: The Cape Peninsula
Morning: Chapman's Peak and Hout Bay
Drive along the Atlantic coast past Camps Bay to Hout Bay, then take the dramatic cliff road over Chapman's Peak.
Midday: Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope
Walk up to the lighthouse at Cape Point for huge views and visit the Cape of Good Hope. Keep an eye out for ostriches and antelope in the reserve.
Afternoon: Boulders Beach and Kalk Bay
Meet the African penguins at Boulders Beach, then stop for seafood in Kalk Bay or Simon's Town on the way home. Our Cape Peninsula tour guide covers each stop in detail.
Day 3: The Cape Winelands
Spend your last day in the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Visit three or four estates, enjoy a long lunch on a wine farm and stroll through one of the historic villages. If you're not a wine drinker, many farms offer chocolate, cheese or olive tastings, gardens and art.
See our Cape Winelands day trip guide to choose between Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
Tips for your 3 days
- Stay flexible. If the wind closes Table Mountain on Day 1, swap it with the Winelands day.
- Book ahead for the cableway, Robben Island and popular restaurants.
- Stay central. The city centre, De Waterkant, Green Point and Sea Point make getting around easy.
- Don't drive after wine tasting. Use a driver or a guided tour for the Winelands.
Getting around in Cape Town
The city centre and the Waterfront are easy to explore on foot during the day, and ride-hailing apps are widely used and affordable for short trips. For the Peninsula and the Winelands, you need a car or a guide: the sights are spread out, public transport does not reach them conveniently, and you will want to stop often along the way. A private driver also means nobody in your group has to skip the wine tastings on Day 3.
Have more time?
With an extra day or two, add one of these:
- Constantia and Kirstenbosch: gardens and the oldest wine region in South Africa, just 20 minutes from town.
- Hermanus: world-class whale watching from June to November. See our Hermanus whale watching guide.
- Beaches: a slow day at Clifton, Camps Bay or Muizenberg.
Do it all with Thulani
Our private Cape Town in 3 Days trip follows exactly this plan, with Thulani as your guide and driver every day and pick-up from your accommodation. Want more time? The Cape & Winelands, 5 Days trip adds Kirstenbosch, Constantia and the whale coast.