We are planning 4 days in Cape Town in late October. Things we have already planned to do are Cable cars up to Table Mountain, whale watching in Hermanus and the Castle of Good Hope. Are there any other places you'd recommend. We'd also be interested in a brewery of two and some places to eat serving local foods. Thanks

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We spent a week in Cape Town a few years ago, I posted a longggg trip report here under At last Africa, Cape Town report at end. In addition to trips to Table Mountain and Cape Hope, we enjoyed trips to Kirstenbosch Gardens, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and the waterfront. All these were easily arranged and accomplished via public transport, local tours, or cheap Uber from our nice little apt in the Waterkant neighborhood. We became especially fond of Cape Towns hop on hop off bus, where we always tried for front seats that afford fantastic views of Cape Towns beautiful coast. With more time, we may have taken trips/tours to hospital of the first heart transplant, the famous winding road with views name of which I’m now blanking on, and much more! Enjoy!

I might skip the long drive to Hermanus. Sightings are dependent on the weather that day. And we had sightings much closer than Hermanus.

I'd include a walking tour of the Bo-Kaap district, along with (at least) one Cape Malay meal. More would be better.

Where are places that are closer than Hermanus to see Whales?

Nothing is certain but we saw them on the drive to the Cape of Good Hope....somewhere near Camp. Bay...I think I wrote about this in my trip report....we were just driving alone the coastal road, with our hired drier/guide, when he spotted them...... that sighting was almost as good as the ones we had on the day trip to Hermanus....

We did go to Hermanus on a day trip, but the trip was postponed due to high winds and since we had about a week in CT, we were able to change our day trip to another day. Same thing with the trip to Table Mountain.....also weather dependent...

I just think that there is so much to see in the city itself that with only four days, you might skip Hermanus...just my own opinion.....

And yes to the Bo Kaap, for sure!!

Another vote for Bo-kaap and for Kirstenbosch Gardens. I would also skip Hermanus and instead consider Simonstown/Boulders Beach for the penguin colonies.If renting a car then the Chapamans peak drive is spectacular and could be combined with the Cape. As mentioned in #7 re the cable car, it is very weather dependent and also dependent upon the brown outs. We spent a week in the city and only managed to get up there on our last day. Make sure you have a plan B and keep some flexibility.

And yet another vote for Kirstenbosch Gardens...maybe the finest "sight" in CapeTown..

District Six Museum was also excellent..

And the penguins!!! Up close and personal!!

Ah, Cape Town. I'm jealous. Agree with the others on Kirstenbosch, Boulders Beach, and District Six. If you have time, a day trip to the Cape Peninsula is excellent. The region also has incredible food and wines. If you have more time, I would recommend a couple of nights in Franschhoek for wine tasting.

I second Boulders Beach. Another suggestion - Chapman's Peak drive. Absolutely beautiful. We got our hotel concierge to book us a taxi so we could just relax and enjoy the drive and the scenery.

Biesmiellah restaurant is my go-to place if I am near Bo-kaap

it is an old school Cape Malay restaurant that is spotless, a great value, tasty and friendly

Just returned a couple of weeks ago from trip that included Cape Town. Yes, penguins (Boulders Beach), Table Mountain (the express tram -- which means you jump the line -- saved us a couple of hours in line), Kirstenbosch Gardens, Chapman's Peak and Cape of Good Hope just to see it and get the photo were highlights.

Dinner at Spyced restaurant in Cape Town was fun and lively. We also enjoyed dinner at Belly of the Beast (more of a higher-end foodie experience, all local foods and wines).

Andrew Zimmern has an interesting article about CapeTown today.

We spent a couple of nights near Gaansbai for whale watching in September a few years back - it is Southern Right whales and calves that you will see.There are so many in that area/around Hermanus in season, very easily seen so if whale watching is a must do, then fair enough.Long day trip though.
We also saw Bryde’s whales in False Bay on a Great White Shark watching trip; Southern Rights and their calves were also in the area and we could see them from a look out above Muizenberg beach.
On two trips to the Cape we also enjoyed the amazing afternoon tea at the beautiful Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and twice travelled the spectacular Chapman’s Peak drive with excellent food in the lovely craft village at Noordhoek. The beach there is a stunner (plenty of those however in the wider area!) and was used by David Lean in the film Ryan’s Daughter.
We also enjoyed visiting some of the beautiful wine estates in nearby Constantia - Klein Constantia was terrific.A little further afield, Vergelegen was wonderful too.
Look out for Ostriches on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope!
The drive from Cape Town along the coast to Chapman’s Peak drive is in itself, a belter in terms of scenery.Glorious.

With 4 days, you could also consider:

• Cape Point & the Cape of Good Hope via Chapman’s Peak Drive
  
• Boulders Beach to see the African penguins
  
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (easy to combine with Table Mountain)
  
• Bo-Kaap for culture, colour, and Cape Malay history
  

For breweries, Devil’s Peak Brewing Company and Woodstock Brewery are popular and relaxed.
For local food, look for places serving Cape Malay cuisine, seafood along the V&A Waterfront, or modern South African dining in areas like Kloof Street and Bree Street.