Let’s get one thing straight – a mere 24 hours will never be enough to really experience everything this magnificent city has to offer, even if we are a little biased! Having said that, we’ve put together a turbo-charged reel of highlights for 24 hours in Cape Town, but we bet that after this first visit, you’ll want to come back for a second (or third or fourth) helping! Whether you follow our schedule down to a T (it’s a goodie!) or pick and choose the bits that interest you most, your motto for your 24 hours in Cape Town will most certainly be: on your marks, get set – go!
Morning
Climb a mountain first thing in the morning!
Start your 24 hours in Cape Town as you mean to go on. Capetonians are an active bunch, and a sunrise hike up Lion’s Head is considered to be the ultimate start to the day. It’s a bit of a workout but once you reach the summit (it will take you 45 minutes to an hour, depending on fitness level), and see the CBD and Table Mountain on one side and the Atlantic Seaboard spread out before you on the other, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. A great introduction to the Mother City’s natural beauty, and gear up for breakfast – which brings us to…
Fuel up for the day ahead
Bree Street is Cape Town’s foodie mecca, and for good reason – you could spend days eating your way through the staggering amount of cafés and restaurants lining the wide pavements. New eateries pop up at a dizzying rate – and one of the best newcomers for breakfast is Between Us. Helmed by twin sister duo Jesse and Jamie Friedberg, you can expect beautifully presented, wholesome fare such as polenta pancakes with mascarpone butter, or frittata with hot-smoked trout – all served in a delightfully modern, bright space.
Breathe in Cape Town’s green lungs
Starting life as a vegetable patch for the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century, the lush Company’s Garden is a serene place for a post-breakfast stroll. If so inclined, pop into the South African National Gallery for impressive permanent collection of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art or the Slave Lodge (just outside the garden) for a fascinating insight into South Africa’s sometimes turbulent history. Afterwards, pop into the partly al-fresco Company’s Garden Restaurant for a cup of tea and something sweet.
Lunch
Take a wander through Cape Town’s history
Time to head to Cape Town’s main tourist hub, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It might be a shopping mall but this being Cape Town, it boasts a ridiculously scenic setting coupled with a wide range of shops and restaurants and a vibrant marina. It is from here that ferries depart several times a day to take visitors to the iconic Robben Island. Guides, who are former political prisoners once incarcerated here, will take you to the cell of the island’s most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela – a sobering yet essential journey into South Africa’s apartheid past.
Grab a bite to eat
Return to today’s buzzing modern-day city with a relaxed lunch at the Waterfront. Choices are endless, but two good outdoor options include Harbour House (think giant prawns, catch-of-the-day and mouth-watering cocktails in a breezy seaside setting) and Grand Café Africa & Beach – a somewhat mammoth (but fun!) beach club restaurant that is perfect for a leisurely toes-in-the-sand lunch. Definitely not a bad spot to spend some of your 24 hours in Cape Town.
Afternoon
Indulge your caffeine craving
Need a caffeine kick to keep you going? You’ve come to the right city. Capetonians take their coffee intake seriously and with numerous artisan roasteries vye for attention all over town. One of the best is Origin in De Waterkant, one of Cape Town’s trendiest areas. You can do much more here than just get a regular cup of joe – meet the artisans, watch the roasting process, or sit in on a cupping session – and when you’ve finished, take a wander around some of the boutiques and shops in the area. We rather like Maison Mara, a designer emporium full of the latest trends and NAP, a homeware and lifestyles store stuffed full of local South African delights.
Ascend the city’s sublime mesa
No 24 hours in Cape Town would be complete without a trip up its most dominant landmark, Table Mountain. Whizz up in the revolving cable car to take advantage of the golden late-afternoon light and admire the city below in all its glory. You’ll also spot Lion’s Head next door and you can give yourself a pat on the back for having climbed its peak earlier on. A little tip: the cable car gets extremely busy during high season so book online in advance to skip the long ticket queue.
Evening
Sip sundowners in Camps Bay
Often described as the “St Tropez of Cape Town”, Camps Bay is where the young and beautiful converge to see and be seen. Handily it also happens to be a top spot to watch one of the city’s famous sunsets. Following a stroll on the beach, take up residence at Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar, order a Litchi & Basil G&T and marvel at the sun’s dramatic descent into the Atlantic.
Have dinner at Cape Town’s latest culinary hotspot
Luke Dale-Roberts is Cape Town’s culinary Wunderkind. His original eatery, The Test Kitchen, is continuously voted one of the World’s Best Restaurants and is booked up months in advance. He is now about to open his fourth restaurant,Salsify at The Roundhouse – a wonderfully scenic spot overlooking Camps Bay. Details are still closely under wraps but it is safe to say that it will be the place to dine this season – and if you want to brag back home, book a table now.
Go barhopping
If you have energy left, finish your jam-packed 24 hours in Cape Town with a spot of barhopping in the CBD. Cocktail aficionados should definitely head to Cause | Effect on Park Road, an “experiential cocktail kitchen & brandy bar inspired by Cape Town’s fynbos, oceans, vineyards and mountain”. Expect innovative concoctions served with flair. Then there’s Outrage of Modesty, a tiny speakeasy so hidden that you’ll probably walk past a few times before finding its secret door. It’s worth the search though – the highly curated cocktail menu is arguably the best in Cape Town. Heads up – booking is essential.
Where to stay
Four Rosmead
This quiet designer den, tucked away in the pretty residential streets of Oranjezicht, is the perfect spot to retreat to at the end of a busy day sightseeing.
Tintswalo Atlantic
Pull out all the stops with a stay at Tintswalo. Located at the foot of the iconic Chapman’s Peak Drive, the views are stunning, the setting is spectacular and the rooms, even better!
Sea Five Boutique
Stay in the heart of beautiful Camps Bay at Sea Five, a laidback beach house that has views over the mountains, the beach and the sea.
Compass House
Perched on the cliffs of Bantry Bay, you’ll get the best of both worlds at Compass House – the CBD is 10 minutes in one way, whilst glitzy Camps Bay & Clifton are 10 minutes in the other!
