How to Spend a Week in Cape Town
Cape Town is the outdoor city. It’s blessed with warm weather and sandy bays. In addition to that, it has an active population. So it’s one city that has a lot of activities to offer! This was my first trip to Cape Town and I had just a week to explore. But despite the limited time, I had a brilliant experience during my stay. If you’re wondering what to do here on a flying visit, get inspired by all the tips I gathered below.
Best Time to Visit Cape Town
Cape Town’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. I’d say the best time to visit largely depends on your interests. But generally, it is recommended to book your trip during the shoulder seasons. That is, March through May and September through November. This is when there’s mild weather, fewer crowds, and consequently, lower prices. If you’re hoping to go during sunny days (basically for the beach), December to February is a good window.
Activities in Cape Town
There are plenty of amazing things to do in Cape Town. Below, I’ll share what I did and absolutely loved!
Go Up the Table Mountain
Nothing beats the view from the top of Table Mountain. I decided to hike up via the Platteklip Gorge route. It was a challenge, but so worth it. The trail is steep and takes about two hours, but the panoramic views over the city, ocean, and beyond make every step worthwhile. If you don’t want to hike, no problem. The cable car is another great way to go up the mountain.
Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai
Head to Gansbaai for shark cage diving (or shall I say, a massive adrenaline rush). Being face-to-face with a great white shark is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. While it’s completely safe inside the cage, the sight of these majestic creatures swimming just inches away from me was an experience I’ll never forget.
Surfing at Muizenberg Beach
Even if you’ve never touched a surfboard before, Muizenberg Beach is the perfect place to learn. The waves are gentle, the water is (somewhat) warm, and the instructors are super friendly. Plus, it’s such an iconic (read: colorful) place for Insta-worthy photos.
Visit Boulders Beach & See the Penguins
Ever wanted to walk alongside African penguins? At Boulders Beach, you can! These adorable little creatures waddle right up to you. I spent hours here watching them do their stuff.
Explore Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope
At Cape Point, I hiked up to the lighthouse for a jaw-dropping view of two oceans meeting. The Cape of Good Hope was another must-visit, especially standing at the southernmost tip of the peninsula. It was quite like standing at the edge of the world.
Paragliding from Signal Hill
I’ll admit, I was nervous before takeoff, but paragliding over Cape Town was one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done. Running off the edge of Signal Hill… Soaring over the coastline… the Table Mountain behind me and the Atlantic Ocean stretching out in front… It was absolutely surreal.
Explore Bo-Kaap
I wandered through the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, learning about the Cape Malay community. I even took a cooking class and made traditional samosas and Cape Malay curry 😋
Take a Tour
Or… actually, why the hassle of making your own itinerary and choosing the unmissable things to do when experts can do it for you? There are plenty of Cape Town tours available. With a tour, you’ll have an expert guide who will show you all the best stuff the city has to offer. So this is something I highly recommend! One amazing option is the Best of Cape Town & Garden Route Safari, which shows you the highlights of the Mother City in an 8-day itinerary.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cape Town?
There are 3 to 5-day itineraries for Cape Town. These are good for a taste of the city. But for a full-fledged experience, a week is just the right amount of time. You can see all its highlights at a relaxed pace.
