Stopover Guide: How to Spend 24 Hours in Cape Town
- truemantravels
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Cape Town – the legislative capital of South Africa and a bucket list destination for many travelers. For me, this was a place I had dreamed of visiting for years and setting foot here also marked my first time on the African continent.
You may find yourself on a long stopover in Cape Town for many reasons, whether transiting elsewhere in the region or as the starting point of a longer South Africa itinerary for a Garden Route road trip or a safari in Kruger National Park. Whatever the reason, 24 hours in this gorgeous and diverse destination will make you fall in love and leave you wanting to plan a longer return stay.
Where To Stay in Cape Town
Sea Point and the V&A Waterfront are my top recommendations for where to base yourself. When researching where to stay in Cape Town, these two neighbourhoods will likely crop up again and again – and for good reason.
They offer two completely different experiences, but having stayed in both, I don't think you can go wrong with either option. V&A Waterfront is a slightly shorter drive to and from the Cape Town Airport, so for a short stopover, this can be a good option that maximizes your time in the city. It positions you close to lots of restaurants, markets and walkable tourist attractions so you can simply stroll around the area and enjoy your short time here. There are an abundance of hotels in the V&A Waterfront area, ensuring something for every budget. I spent a night at the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront, which was a short walk from the main V&A Waterfront area, plus the hotel had a free shuttle to take you there and back. Breakfast was included, the rooms were clean and modern, and transit to the airport in the morning was easily arranged through the front desk (via taxi).
However, if you want a less touristy experience and to see what life can look like living in Cape Town, Sea Point is the better choice. This is a neighbourhood with lots of apartment-style accommodations rather than hotels you can book an Airbnb or Booking.com and walk to many diverse restaurants. I stayed at the EIGHTY2 on M apartments in Sea Point and loved the building – there is security at the front desk 24/7 and it's in a great location. You also have access to the waterfront and rock pools at natural tidal pool at Saunders' Rocks Beach – the perfect spot for sunset.
Getting Around The City
The easiest way to navigate Cape Town is via rideshare app. Since the safety of public transit in Cape Town is not reliable, I used Uber for all of my travel around Cape Town and found this to be an affordable and safe way to see the city.
I also enjoyed the opportunity to chat with our Uber drivers, many of whom were extremely talkative – this was a great way to learn more about the city and get local recommendations for restaurants and activities. Note that for Uber in Cape Town, it's best to order an Uber Comfort if you have this in your budget. If you order an UberX, you will likely get a car without door locks and air conditioning. Since the price difference wasn't that significant, we found it was worthwhile to go above an UberX, especially on longer drives.
You can also use the Hop-On, Hop-Off tourist buses to see the city during your 24 stopover in Cape Town. While I didn't do this personally, I have heard lots of positive reviews of this experience and saw the buses passing by frequently, making it an easy way to get around as well if your schedule is flexible.
Top Things To Do In Cape Town
With only 24 hours in Cape Town, there is only so much of the city you can see–you can easily spend a week here and still not do it all! So for a short stay, consider some of these top attractions and experiences that will give you a good sense of the city and leave you wanting more.
Cable Car Up Table Mountain
Start your morning by taking an Uber up to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. You should book your tickets in advance and arrive before the cable car opens because the line is always long and you want to maximize your day in the city. Ticket prices range from between R300 and R490 for a return trip.
You can also opt to hike up and take the cable car one-way to come back down. Either way, you'll get exceptional views of the city below from the top of Table Mountain.
Walk The Colourful Streets of Bo Kaap
After your morning atop Table Mountain, take an Uber to Bo Kaap and walk the colorful streets. These homes were once all required to be white, but the neighbourhood is predominantly home to the Cape Malay community and, after slavery was abolished, residents painted their homes bright colours to express freedom and celebrate liberation. You can explore independently, or book a guided walking tour of Bo Kaap for additional insight into the rich history of the neighbourhood.
Explore the V&A Waterfront Markets
The V&A Waterfront is a beautiful and charming area of the city that you can easily spend hours walking through and shopping. Beyond the actual malls (where you can buy clothes for going on safari later in your trip!) there are lots of markets to explore. A must-visit is The Watershed–market is home to 150 shops for locally designed goods, including crafts and artwork in a cool, shaded, industrial space.
You can also grab a beer at the TimeOut Market Cape Town on a sunny afternoon and enjoy it on the patio, or have a delicious scoop of ice cream at Wedgewood Nougat.
If you are staying in the V&A Waterfront, I would suggest ending your day with the markets, but if you're staying in Sea Point, make this an afternoon stop and go to Camps Bay last.
Relax at Camps Bay and Clifton Beach
Take an Uber down to Camps Bay for a relaxing end to the day. This beautiful area is home to multiple beaches and tidal pools. But beware–the water (from the Atlantic Ocean) is freezing cold.
I loved Camps Bay but preferred the Clifton Beaches. You can have your Uber drop you in Camps Bay and walk around there for a bit before walking up to Clifton Beaches. We went down to Clifton Fourth Beach to relax on the sand (you can rent an umbrella) and you can also buy drinks and ice creams from vendors walking around the beach with coolers.
Where To Eat in Cape Town
With only 24 hours in this beautiful and diverse city, you are spoiled for choice of where to eat. These are my recommendations for meals you cannot miss on a long stopover in Cape Town.
Breakfast: Mugg & Bean V&A Waterfront
If you're starting your day in the V&A Waterfront, Mugg & Bean is the perfect choice for a delicious breakfast with a view of the harbour. They have excellent coffee– a must for combatting the jet lag– and the South African eggs benedict is delicious. Topped with a boerewors patty and corn chakalaka, this is a great way to start your day with a taste of South African flavours.
Lunch: Faeeza's Home Kitchen
Plan your lunch stop for the Bo Kaap neighbourhood so you can dine among the colourful homes that are an integral part of Cape Town's storied history. Walk up beyond the main street to the secluded and peaceful outdoor patio of Faeeza's Home Kitchen. Owned and operated in the home of Faeeza Abrahams, the restaurant is located in a courtyard in the heart of Bo-Kaap with a menu that will introduce you to authentic Cape Malay cuisine.
You can book cooking classes here as well, but if you don't have time for a full class, just dropping in for lunch is a treat. We tried the Chicken Curry with Roti and the Bobotie (the national dish of South Africa), and both were outstanding.
BONUS STOP: Tea & Snacks at Bo Kaap Deli
While in Cape Town, you must try koeksisters, a traditional South African pastry made of syrup-drenched, braided dough, and a cup of Rooibos tea. I recommend planning a post-lunch stop in Bo-Kaap at the infamous Bo Kaap Deli for a pot of tea and some of the best koeksisters in the city. This is just a five-minute walk away from Faeeza's Home Kitchen.
Dinner: GOLD Restaurant
For dinner, there is nowhere in Cape Town that can do a better job of giving you an immersive dining experience than GOLD Restaurant. This popular restaurant books out months in advance, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
This exquisitely decorated venue offers a 14-dish tasting menu that takes you on a journey through the African continent. Wish dishes from Cameroon, Zanzibar, Morocco, Namibia and, of course, South Africa, this is a fantastic opportunity to travel beyond Cape Town through taste.
The servers are warm and welcoming, the food is exceptional and dinner is accompanied by a live performance that celebrates the richness of African culture. It incorporates pre-dinner djembe drumming, traditional dancing and Mali puppetry. This was a highlight of the trip for us and I highly recommend making this part of your Cape Town stopover for an unforgettable experience.
Cape Town Safety Tips
When you tell people you are traveling to Cape Town, you will likely be met with a chorus of questions about the safety of this city. While there are several safety protocols to keep in mind when traveling here, I never felt unsafe while in Cape Town. Be smart and self-aware as you should be when traveling to any major city.
Driving and highway safety
In Cape Town, and South Africa in general, it's essential to be cautious when renting a car, because of incidents that occur on roadways. It's best to avoid driving at night, so always leave plenty of time to get to your destination before sunset.
In particular, be cautious about driving on the N2 highway past the airport after dark – if you have an early morning or late night flight that requires this, I highly recommend arranging an official taxi transfer with your hotel rather than simply calling an Uber or driving yourself. Many South Africans advise against driving this route after dark.
ATMs and cash withdrawals
Be conscious of where you are accessing ATMs in Cape Town. From my own research before the trip, I found it was best to do this inside the mall at the V&A Waterfront, in a well-lit, secure area. However, I found Cape Town to be a cashless city, meaning you really do not need to carry ANY cash while traveling here. In fact, many places prefer you to pay by card. But if you need cash for tipping on a safari on the next leg of your journey, V&A Waterfront is a good area to make your withdrawal. I would also consider doing this at a bank in Stellenbosch if you are heading to the wine region for a day.
Carrying valuables
Cape Town is a city where muggings and robberies can happen, so it's best to be smart about what you're carrying around. Avoid flaunting expensive camera gear and you shouldn't have a problem.
Walking after dark
Do not walk around Cape Town after dark, either alone or in a group. It's best to plan your post-sunset excursions in the city with door-to-door Ubers.
Do you research
You're reading a blog in advance of your trip, so you are already on track to be well-informed about which areas of Cape Town you should explore. In my experience, Cape Town felt very safe when sticking to the popular, well-traveled neighbourhoods like Bo-Kaap, Sea Point, Camps Bay, and the V&A Waterfront. Stick to the areas you know are recommended and safe for tourists and you are sure to fall in love with this beautiful city and its welcoming residents!
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