One Day in Cape Town: The Perfect Layover Itinerary!
Whether you’re visiting friends or family or simply stopping through Cape Town on a layover, you’re in the right place! This One Day in Cape Town itinerary will help you craft the best 24 hours in the Mother City so you can make the most of your time.
Why Trust Me?
If you’re just stumbling upon my blog, hey! I’m Amy – originally from Toronto, Canada but I’ve spent over 7 months living in Cape Town.
In that time I got to know the city and locals really well so I’ve found some incredible things to do around the city!
This one day in Cape Town itinerary won’t have TOO many activities because quite frankly, you won’t have enough time in just 24 hours.
Things to Prepare Ahead of Time
Before you land in Cape Town, you should make sure you have a few things figured out!
- Visa – Do you need a tourist visa for your layover? Make sure you check the requirements for your passport before you land!
- Accommodation – If you’re staying overnight, you’ll need to have some accommodation booked. I’ll provide you with a couple of options later in this post if you’re considering an overnight stay!
- Various Stops – Use this itinerary as a guide to plan your day. I recommend using Uber or Bolt (only use Bolt during the day) for your time in the city.
Stop 1: Brunch on Bree St.
Assuming you’re arriving in the morning, your first stop of the day has to be the Ladder on Bree St. This cafe quickly became one of my all time faves while I was living nearby and can’t recommend it more! Their menu is always changing seasonally and everything I’ve had there has been incredible.
When you’re done breakfast or brunch, wander around some of the shops on Bree street to get a feel for the area!
Stop 2: Explore Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is a historic neighbourhood that was once known as the Malay Quarter.
It’s situated at the bottom of Signal Hill and most of the neighbourhood is seated on a steep slope!
Walk into some art galleries and marvel at the colourful homes that the neighbourhood is known for. You can walk here from The Ladder, however, I wouldn’t recommend walking around here on your own.
I used to live in this neighbourhood and it’s known for a lot of petty crime.
Stay with a group or join this incredible 3-hour Cape Malay cooking class in Bo-Kaap to learn about how to make some traditional food while learning about the area.
Stop 3: Beach Day at Boulders Beach or Clifton
Depending on how far you want to go, enjoy a beach day at Boulders Beach (where you can see penguins up close) or at one of the Clifton beaches!
You can take an Uber to both beaches but Clifton is much closer. I usually go to Clifton 1st or 2nd Beach – you’ll get dropped off on the side of the street and will have to walk down steep stairs to get to the beach below.
The Clifton beaches are truly amazing but sometimes (usually right after heavy rainfall) there will be a lot of seaweed and trash washed up on the beach. This doesn’t happen often in the summer but is something to consider if you’re visiting during other seasons.
Boulders Beach, on the other hand, is another great option!
It’s about a 30 minute drive from Cape Town but you can also book a tour like this one to eliminate any stress of getting to and from the beach. Make sure you get a ticket to go into the beach so you can get up close to the penguins (but not too close because they will bite!).
Stop 4: Visit Mojo Market for Dinner
If you’re coming from Clifton Beach and feeling a little hungry, stop off at Mojo Market in Sea Point!
It’s a food market that’s open 7 days a week with SO many options for food – all of which are great and really affordable.
Some nights there is live music or karaoke and there’s lots of seating. You’re bound to make new friends with locals having a meal!
Stop 5: Hike Kloof Corner for Sunset / Head to the Signal Hill Bunkers
Depending on how tired you are at this point, I’d recommend a hike up Kloof Corner for sunset OR stopping by the bunkers at Signal Hill.
Kloof Corner is a short hike to an insane viewpoint for sunset and won’t take you more than 40 minutes up for the roundtrip journey. Just make sure you call an Uber in advance before it’s dark so you have a safe way to get back to your hotel or the airport later on!
The bunkers at Signal Hill is another favourite spot of mine. From here you can watch the paragliders (if the wind conditions are right). You can find the spot on the map here.
Stop 6: Grab a Drink or Two
After sunset, head to a bar to grab a couple of drinks to celebrate your time in Cape Town!
There are a ridiculous number of incredible places to go out depending on the mood you’re in.
Here are some of my faves:
- BLONDIE
- The House of Machines
- Yours Truly (rooftop bar)
- The Power and the Glory
- Selective Live
- The Athletic and Social Club
Still not sure where to go?
Read my blog on the 23 Best Clubs in Cape Town: Top Nightlife in South Africa
Where to Stay
If you’re spending the night before catching a flight or driving home, here are a few great accommodation options!
- Budget – Kloof St Hotel (from $42 USD/night)
- Mid-range – O on Kloof Boutique Hotel & Spa (from $107 USD/night)
- High-end – Lagoon Beach Hotel & Spa (from $135 USD/night)
Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Find Helpful
- Cape Town Weather in December: Plan the Ultimate Trip to Cape Town!
- South Africa Safety Tips for Travellers
- 25 Unique Activities in Cape Town for Couples: Amazing Can’t Miss Spots!
- Cape Town in October: The Best Guide for Weather, Travel Tips & More!
- Cape Town Hostels: The Best and Worst Ones
- 7 Cape Town Cafes for Digital Nomads
One Day in Cape Town Might Surprise You!
As you can see, one day will only really scratch the surface.
Once you get a taste, you’ll likely fall in love and will find yourself back in Cape Town before you know it!
I’ll be back shortly with a new blog but in the meantime, you can follow my adventures as a full-time traveller and digital nomad on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube!
Cheers,
Amy xx
P.S. Like this post or found it helpful? Consider buying me a coffee or share it with a friend 👇ðŸ¼
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