Two Weeks Around Cape Town: A Complete Travel Guide

Travel Times

Before we dive into the itinerary, let’s talk about travel times. Cape Town is a big city, and it’s essential to plan your travel times to make the most of your trip. The following table provides an estimate of the travel times between major destinations in Cape Town.

Day 1-3: Cape Town City Center

We recommend starting your trip in Cape Town City Center. Spend a few days exploring the city’s vibrant culture, delicious food, and famous landmarks.

Where to Eat:

• The Test Kitchen: This award-winning restaurant offers a unique dining experience with innovative dishes and a stylish ambiance.
• The Pot Luck Club: Located on the top floor of the Old Biscuit Mill, this restaurant offers panoramic views of the city and serves up tapas-style dishes.
• La Tête: This restaurant is a must-visit for meat lovers, serving up delicious cuts of meat and seafood.

Where to Sleep:

• The Table Bay Hotel: This luxurious hotel is located on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, offering stunning views of the harbor and Table Mountain.
• The Cape Grace Hotel: Another luxurious option, this hotel has a classic Cape Town feel, with elegant decor and stunning views of the harbor.
• The Taj Hotel: This historic hotel is located in the heart of the city and features an opulent mix of colonial and modern styles.

Things to Do:

• Table Mountain: Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for stunning views of the city and the ocean.
• Robben Island: Take a ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
• V&A Waterfront: This lively area offers shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as stunning views of the harbor.

Chapmans Peak, Cape Town

Day 4-5: Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is a charming town located in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Spend a couple of days here, sipping on delicious wines and soaking up the town’s rich history and culture.

Where to Eat:

• Overture: This restaurant is located on the Hidden Valley Wine Estate and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
• Delaire Graff: This restaurant is located on the Delaire Graff Estate and offers contemporary cuisine paired with some of the best wines in the region.
• Tokara: This restaurant is located on the Tokara Wine Estate and offers spectacular views of the vineyards and the mountains.

Where to Sleep:

• Lanzerac Hotel & Spa: This luxurious hotel is located on a historic wine estate and features a spa, a pool, and a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine.
• Coopmanhuijs Boutique Hotel: This elegant hotel is located in the heart of Stellenbosch and features beautifully appointed rooms and a courtyard garden.
• Majeka House: This contemporary hotel is located on a wine farm and features a spa, a pool, and a restaurant serving modern cuisine.

Things to Do:

• Wine Tasting: Stellenbosch is home to some of the best wineries in South Africa, so be sure to take a wine tour and sample some of the delicious wines on offer.
• Stellenbosch Museum: This museum provides an insight into the town’s history and culture, with exhibitions on art, architecture, and social history.
• Jonkershoek Nature Reserve: This nature reserve is a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, with scenic trails and stunning views.

Stellenbosch

Day 6-7: Franschhoek

Franschhoek is a picturesque town located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, known for its charming streets, boutique shops, and excellent cuisine. Spend a couple of days here, exploring the town and its surroundings.

Where to Eat:

• Le Quartier Français: This restaurant is located in the heart of Franschhoek and offers a contemporary take on classic French cuisine.
• La Petite Colombe: This restaurant is located on the Leeu Estates and offers an innovative and artfully presented menu.
• The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français: This restaurant offers a unique dining experience, with a set menu of dishes inspired by local ingredients and flavors.

Where to Sleep:

• Leeu Estates: This luxurious hotel is located on a wine farm and features beautifully appointed rooms, a spa, and a restaurant serving modern cuisine.
• La Residence: This opulent hotel is located on a private estate and features individually decorated rooms, a spa, and a restaurant serving gourmet cuisine.
• Franschhoek Country House & Villas: This elegant hotel is located in the heart of Franschhoek and features a pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving international cuisine.

Things to Do:

• Wine Tasting: Franschhoek is also known for its excellent wineries, so be sure to take a wine tour and sample some of the delicious wines on offer.
• Franschhoek Motor Museum: This museum showcases a collection of vintage cars and motorcycles, with over 100 years of motoring history on display. Franschhoek Pass: This scenic drive offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Franschhoek

Day 8-10: Hermanus

Hermanus is a charming seaside town located on the south coast of the Western Cape, known for its whale watching and beautiful beaches. Spend a few days here, relaxing and enjoying the laid-back coastal lifestyle.

Where to Eat:

• Bientang’s Cave: This restaurant is located in a cave overlooking the ocean and serves up fresh seafood and stunning views.
• The Barefoot Cook: This restaurant is located in a cozy courtyard and serves up delicious home-style meals.
• The Fisherman’s Cottage: This restaurant is located in the heart of Hermanus and serves up traditional South African cuisine.

Where to Sleep:

• Birkenhead House: This luxurious hotel is located on the cliffs overlooking the ocean and features beautifully appointed rooms, a spa, and a restaurant serving gourmet cuisine.
• The Marine Hermanus: This elegant hotel is located in the heart of Hermanus and features a pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving international cuisine.
• Auberge Provence: This boutique hotel is located on the outskirts of Hermanus and features individually decorated rooms, a pool, and a restaurant serving French cuisine.

Things to Do:

• Whale Watching: Hermanus is known as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world, so be sure to take a boat tour or go on a cliff walk to spot these magnificent creatures.
• Grotto Beach: This beautiful beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. Fernkloof Nature Reserve: This nature reserve offers hiking trails with beautiful views of the coastline and mountains. Day 11-13: Cape Town
• Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world, with a rich history, stunning scenery, and a vibrant culture. Spend a few days here, exploring the city and its surroundings.

Where to Eat:

• The Test Kitchen: This restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world and offers innovative, globally-inspired cuisine.
• The Pot Luck Club: This restaurant is located in the trendy Old Biscuit Mill and offers delicious tapas-style dishes and stunning views of the city.
• La Colombe: This restaurant is located on the Silvermist Wine Estate and offers a contemporary menu of dishes inspired by local ingredients.

Where to Sleep:

• The Silo Hotel: This luxurious hotel is located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront and features beautifully appointed rooms, a rooftop bar, and a restaurant serving modern cuisine.
• Cape Grace Hotel: This elegant hotel is located on a private quay in the V&A Waterfront and features a spa, a pool, and a restaurant serving international cuisine.
• The One Above: This stylish hotel is located on the top floor of the One&Only Cape Town and features stunning views of Table Mountain and the city skyline.

Things to Do:

• Table Mountain: Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding coastline.
• Robben Island: Take a ferry to this island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, and learn about the country’s apartheid history.
• Cape Peninsula: Drive along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point, the southernmost tip of the African continent, and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Hermanus

Day 14: Safari

No trip to South Africa is complete without a safari experience. There are several game reserves located within a few hours’ drive of Cape Town, where you can see the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo) and other African wildlife.

Where to Eat and Sleep: Most game reserves offer all-inclusive packages that include accommodation, meals, and game drives, so be sure to check with your chosen reserve.

Game Reserves:

• Aquila Private Game Reserve: This game reserve is located about 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town and offers day safaris and overnight stays.
• Inverdoorn Game Reserve: This game reserve is located about 2.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and offers day safaris and overnight stays.
• Sanbona Wildlife Reserve: This game reserve is located about 3.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and offers overnight stays in luxurious lodges.

Things to Do:

• Game Drives: Take a guided game drive to spot the Big Five and other African wildlife.
• Bush Walks: Explore the reserve on foot with a knowledgeable guide and learn about the flora and fauna of the African bush.
• Stargazing: Enjoy the clear night sky and learn about the constellations with a knowledgeable guide.

Conclusion

South Africa is a stunning country with diverse landscapes, rich culture, and incredible wildlife. A two-week trip around Cape Town and its surroundings is the perfect way to explore some of the best that the country has to offer. With stops in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Hermanus, and a game reserve, you’ll get to experience everything from wine tasting and whale watching to safari drives and stargazing. Be sure to pack your camera and prepare to make unforgettable memories on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.