The realm round Cape City is extremely numerous and completely lovely and affords a fantastic number of scenic street journeys from beautiful coastal drives to mountain passes and vineyards. Driving round Cape City you’ll be able to benefit from the beautiful surroundings, see wildlife, do a wine tasting or attempt some adventurous actions. A number of the steered drives we’ve executed many instances and each time we discover new locations to go to and actions to do. Out of many issues to do in Cape City scenic drives are one thing to not miss right here.
There are a number of unimaginable coastal drives from Cape City that provide spectacular surroundings and loads of wonderful issues to do. The scenic drive alongside the Cape Peninsula together with Chapman’s Peak Drive might be our favourite right here. The surroundings alongside the route is breathtaking in case you come to South Africa for a honeymoon this drive is unquestionably to be included in your itinerary.
Cape Peninsula scenic drive
Driving route: Cape City – Camps Bay – Hout Bay – Chapman’s Peak Drive – Noordhoek – Kommetjie – Misty Cliffs – Cape Level Nationwide park (Cape of Good Hope) – Boulders Seashore (Simon’s City) – Muizenberg – Cape City.
- Distance – 145 km loop
- Time – something between 4 and eight hours relying on what number of locations you go to.
- When to do the drive – the realm is gorgeous any time of the yr the perfect is to do the drive on a pleasant not very windy day.
Cape Peninsula excursions
Highlights of the drive
- Camps Bay – lovely seashores, and ice-cold water.
- Hout Bay – the perfect place for recognizing Cape Fur seals on this drive.
- Chapman’s Peak drive – essentially the most scenic drive in Cape City.
- Kommetjie – a wonderful white-sand seashore with nice waves for browsing.
- Cape Level Nationwide park – the place you’ll be able to spend all day, there are various strolling routes, some lovely seashores, and really chilly water.
- Boulder’s Seashore, Simon’s City – is likely one of the must-see locations in Cape City. It’s a small hidden white-sand seashore surrounded by big boulders with fairly a couple of penguins swimming and strolling round.
- Muizenberg – a busy surf city with colourful picket cabins on the white sandy seashore.
Issues to do on the Cape Level drive
- Snorkeling with seals in Hout Bay
- Guided kayaking tour in Hout Bay
- Browsing in Kommetjie – good waves for all ranges, there’s a board rental place close to the seashore.
- Mountain climbing at Cape Level Nationwide park. There are a number of quick hikes in addition to a 2-day hike with staying at an in a single day hut.
- Swimming, enjoyable, and watching penguins at Boulder’s Seashore.
- Browsing or SUPing in Muizenberg, you may get a browsing lesson or hire a board from one of many surf retailers right here.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
More often than not the route goes alongside the coast with many beautiful lookouts and infinite white-sand seashores. I’d undoubtedly advocate together with this drive in your Cape City itinerary. It’s not a protracted drive however there may be a lot to see right here that it’ll take you your entire day, the sooner you begin the higher. The primary cease is Camps Bay the fanciest neighborhood of Cape City and the place with the most costly property within the nation.
From there you drive over the cross to Hout Bay the place you’ll be able to see seals within the harbor, for ideas locals will present you the way they feed seals. Lastly, you’re attending to Chapman’s Peak Drive. It’s on a toll street you pay ZAR 50/US$3 for a automotive to drive by means of however it’s completely value it. It is likely one of the most lovely drives within the nation.
Cape Level Nationwide park
Take your time within the Cape Level Nationwide Park. There’s a lot to see right here. One can spend the entire day simply driving and strolling round; it’s a completely lovely place. The highlights of the park are Cape Level, Cape of Good Hope, the Lighthouse, Diaz Seashore, Kleine Bucht, Vasco Da Gama Cross, and Bordjiesrif Tidal Pool. The simplest manner of attending to the Lighthouse and to the summit of Cape Level is to take a Flying Dutchman Funicular, you should purchase tickets on-line and skip the road.
There are a few day mountaineering trails at Cape Level; Ship Wreck path (3-5km), Phyllisia Circuit (7km), Kanonkop (5km), Cape of Good Hope Path (3,5km), Lighthouse Keeper’s Path (2km). Ask for a map on the entrance, all the paths are marked and comparatively straightforward.
Boulders Seashore, Simon’s City
A small white-sand seashore hidden between big boulders with calm warmish waters is part of the marine protected space. The distinctive fantastic thing about Boulder’s Seashore will not be the one purpose that draws guests to this seashore day-after-day, cute African penguins are at all times round; strolling, swimming, or resting on the rocks.
To high up your marine animals’ expertise in Simon’s City do a snorkeling or a diving journey to see seals and Cow sharks (they don’t seem to be identified to assault divers). Simon’s City is likely one of the finest spots for diving in Cape City together with diving with sharks.
Muizenberg
place for browsing or studying tips on how to surf, there are a couple of surf retailers on the seashore so when you’ve got extra time you’ll be able to keep right here for a few days. Don’t neglect to take a look at the colourful picket cabins in Muizenberg, which superior distinction with the white sand seashore and blue sea. One of many high Instagram locations round Cape City.
You possibly can keep in Muizenberg and watch the sundown on the seashore or finish your day with the beautiful Lion’s Head hike and watch the solar taking place from the highest of it. Lion’s Head is likely one of the hottest sundown spots in Cape City.
Locations to remain on the Cape Level drive
Through the peak summer time season lodging within the space is often fully-booked. If you happen to are available in December-January it’s extremely really helpful to e-book a spot upfront.
There are a lot of unbelievable espresso retailers in Cape City the place you’ll be able to cease for breakfast and occasional earlier than your scenic drive.
Cape City – Hermanus drive
Driving route: Cape City – Strand – Gordon’s Bay – Rooi-Els – Betty’s Bay – Harold Porter Botanical Backyard – Kleinmond – Hermanus – Sir Lowry’s Go – Cape City.
- Distance – 260 km return, a method alongside the coast, return over Sir Lowry’s Go. 280 km if driving alongside the coast each methods.
- Time – 5 hours for the drive and taking pictures, plus further time for actions.
- When to do the drive – August & September are the perfect months if you wish to see Southern Proper Whale close to Hermanus. Summer season months, November – March, have the perfect climate although it will get very windy in December – January. Throughout Christmas and New Yr this route is extraordinarily busy.
It’s certainly one of our favourite scenic drives that we often do as a day journey from Cape City. We’ve executed it many instances and each time we’re heading that manner we get very excited. The surroundings is actually spectacular; lovely mountains, rugged shoreline, white-sand seashores, dramatic drops, and numerous marine life. If you wish to do the Backyard Route street journey from Cape City this drive is an effective way to begin it. After Hermanus, you simply proceed driving in the direction of Mossel Bay the place the route begins.
Highlights of the street journey
- Clearance Drive is a surprising drive alongside the coast from Gordon’s Bay.
- Rooi-Els – a small city on the sea.
- Crystal Swimming pools Pure Reserve.
- Stony Level Nature Reserve, penguins sanctuary in Betty’s Bay.
- Harold Porter Botanical Backyard.
- Whales and dolphins in Hermanus.
- Penguins and sea birds in Gansbaai.
Issues to do
- Swimming at Koel Bay at one of many seashores on the way in which from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi-Els.
- Mountain climbing in Crystal Swimming pools Nature Reserve, there’s a good 2-3 hours return hike to the falls and pure swimming pools, an 8km stroll. Open from November to April, dawn to sundown. Entrance ZAR60 per particular person.
- Browsing at Koel Bay seashore, convey a surfboard with you and look ahead to sharks.
- Snorkeling at Rooi Els, you’ll be able to spot crayfish water will not be as chilly as in Cape City however you continue to want a wetsuite.
- Mountain climbing on the Harold Porter Botanical Backyard.
- Whale watching in Hermanus. The height season is from August to December, the height season October – November when Southern-right whales are within the space. Often, you see many seals and occasional penguins within the water as nicely through the tour.
Clarence Drive
The Clarence Drive from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els is simply as beautiful as Chapman’s Peak Drive. It’s on the winding coastal street with many viewpoints and a few nice and often empty seashores. Whenever you cease at a viewpoint close to Gordon’s Bay look out for seals and dolphins there are often some within the water near the shore.
Betty’s Bay
A pleasant small city of Betty’s Bay with lengthy and often empty white-sand seashores surrounded by mountains. The native seashore is a pleasant place for a picnic on a not-windy day. If after visiting Boulder’s Seashore you’re nonetheless eager to see extra African penguins go to Stony Level Nature Reserve, there are tons of of penguins there often chilling on the seashore proper on the entrance.
Harold Porter Botanical Backyard
This lovely backyard is filled with lush inexperienced vegetation and flowers. Harold Porter Botanical Backyard is a pleasant place to come back for a picnic, stroll across the backyard, or have a meal on the restaurant. There are a number of day mountaineering trails right here; the Zigzag, Fynbos, and Leopard’s Kloof Trails. To go to Leopard’s Kloof or to do the hike there you must begin earlier than 1pm.
Hermanus
There are a lot of nice issues to do in Hermanus. If you happen to’re within the space between August and November we’d advocate doing a whale-watching tour, southern proper whales are in Hermanus this time of the yr, and possibilities to identify them are fairly good.
In order for you extra adrenaline-pumping exercise you are able to do cage diving with sharks the place you have got good possibilities to see nice white sharks and a few bronze whaler sharks.
When you have extra time you’ll be able to keep for an evening in Hermanus and prolong this drive to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost level of Africa (for extra particulars see the drive under).
Locations to remain in Hermanus
Cape City – Cape Agulhas street journey
Driving route: Cape City – Gordon’s Bay – Betty’s Bay – Hermanus – Elim – Struisbaai – Cape Agulhas – Arniston – Napier – Sir Lowry’s Go – Cape City.
- Distance – 500 km loop (a method alongside the coast, return inland over Sir Lowry’s Go).
- Time – 2-3 days.
- When to do the drive – summer time months November – March is the perfect climate. December – January is likely to be fairly windy. Christmas and New Yr are very busy.
Cape City to Cape Agulhas drive with a tour
Highlights of the drive
- Gordon’s Bay drive.
- Stony Level Penguins colony at Betty’s Bay.
- Whales, seals, and penguins in Hermanus.
- Elim, a small village with cute little homes lined alongside the principle avenue.
- The comfortable city of Napier with many cafes, eating places, and memento retailers on the principle avenue.
- White fisherman cottages in Arniston
- Waenhuiskrans Collapse Arniston
- Cape Agulhas, the southernmost level of Africa
- Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
Issues to do
- Shark cage diving in Gansbaai, all yr spherical although inquire earlier than as typically orcas are within the space and sharks (Nice Whites) disappear.
- Wine and beer tasting, there are a few locations round Hermanus and a few on the way in which to Cape Agulhas.
- Exploring Waenhuiskrans Cave.
- Watching the sundown on Struisbaai seashore.
- Recognizing Parrie, an enormous stingray that lives on the harbor of Struisbaai.
This route will not be a day drive however reasonably a pleasant weekend getaway from Cape City. Driving alongside the coast a method and inland again you get an opportunity to see the gorgeous coast, sandy seashores, inexperienced rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, and small cities.
Gansbaai and Elim
Gansbaai is a small city the principle purpose vacationers come right here is whale-watching or shark diving because the excursions begin right here. From Gansbaai drive by means of Elim on the way in which to Struisbaai, it’s a small however beautiful fisherman city with white cottages lined up alongside the street. Simply exterior Elim, there’s a good wine property/restaurant Black Oystercatcher Wines.
Napier
The second choice, driving from Hermanus previous Stanford by means of Napier it’s shorter in case you take this route you’ll skip Gansbaai and Elim however you get extra wine farms on the way in which. Napier is a beautiful city with lovely outdated homes, good eating places, cozy cafes, and memento retailers. It appears to be like very lovely within the Jacaranda season between October and December.
Arniston
Arniston is a small fisherman city the place many locals go for the December vacation, the highlights of the city are white-colored fisherman’s cottages on the harbor and Waenhuiskrans Cave. You possibly can go to the cave solely at low tide. The one entry to the cave besides the ocean is thru a gap in a cave at excessive tide it’s underwater. The cave is large with a wonderful view over the ocean.
Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas
Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas formally are two small cities however in reality one place, it’s a really quiet place out of season, in December-January and Easter many South Africans come right here for the vacation. The primary factor that draws vacationers is the Southernmost Level of the African continent, the purpose formally divides two oceans; the Atlantic and the Indian although there isn’t any seen line between them.
Although the purpose is inside Agulhas Nationwide park there isn’t any gate or entrance payment. One other native attraction is Parrie the Stingray, an enormous stingray that has been residing within the harbor for a few years. Generally there are two or three stingrays within the harbor. Struisbaai has a pleasant lengthy seashore for swimming, working, and watching the sundown or dawn.
Locations to remain in Struisbaai/Cape Agulhas
West Coast Flower route drive
Driving route; Cape City – Durbanville wine route (optionally available) – Melkbosstrand – West Coast Nationwide Park – Langebaan – Paternoster – Cape City
- Distance – 316 km
- Time – something between 6 and 10 hours
- Finest time for the drive – August and September are the perfect months for driving this route if you wish to see hundreds of wildflowers masking the fields and the coast alongside the West Coast
Highlights of the drive
- Durbanville wine route
- Lovely coastal surroundings; white-sand seashores, sand dunes, and so forth.
- West Coast Nationwide Park – the closest to Cape City place to see well-known Namaqualand flowers.
- Langebaan – a relaxing seashore city standard for kitesurfing.
- Paternoster – an enthralling city with nice seafood eating places.
Issues to do
- Wine tasting at Durbanville. The realm is understood for Sauvignon Blanc. Many wine farms in Durbanville have fascinating pairings e.g. wine and nougat, MCC and macaroons, and so forth.
- Mountain climbing/driving and having fun with wildflowers at West Coast Nationwide Park.
- Chilling on the Lagoon in Langebaan.
- Consuming recent seafood at Paternoster.
Spring is the perfect time to drive the Namaqualand flower route although the realm is gorgeous any time of the yr and price visiting even exterior the flower season. On the way in which from Cape City to the West Coast, you’ll be able to cease at a few wine farms in Durbanville and do some tastings. An enormous benefit of this drive in comparison with the opposite coastal routes is that there’s by no means a lot site visitors even through the December vacation. This drive generally is a good begin for a Cape City – Namibia street journey.
West Coast Nationwide Park
It’s the closest place to Cape City to see the well-known flowers of Namaqualand. At West Coast Nationwide Park you’ll be able to see a singular mixture of fields and hills lined in a flower carpet subsequent to the white-sand seashores of the Atlantic Ocean. There are a few mountaineering, biking, and driving routes contained in the park that may take you to essentially the most spectacular corners of the West Coast.
Langebaan
A small city with a wonderful lagoon and lengthy sandy seashores is likely one of the hottest locations for kitesurfing in Cape City. Summer season months December to February is the perfect time for kitesurfing right here. If you happen to go to it through the flower season, it’s unlikely there can be any wind.
Paternoster
One other small city on the West Coast with conventional fishermen’s white homes, infinite white sandy seashores, and a wonderful shoreline. Paternoster is legendary for its recent seafood and fish eating places in addition to bakeries. It’s a pleasant place to cease for lunch with unimaginable sea views.
Locations to remain in Langebaan
Cape Winelands drive
Driving route: Cape City – Stellenbosch – Helshoogte Street – Franschhoek – Franschhoek Go – Babylonstoren – Cape City
- Distance – 180 km return
- Time – 1-2 days if you wish to do wine tasting and another actions within the space.
- Finest time for the drive – summer time between November to March is the perfect time for visiting the Winelands. Wine farms get extraordinarily busy in summer time over weekends when you’ve got an opportunity it’s higher to do a tasting on weekdays.
Go to Winelands with a tour
Highlights of the drive
- Unbelievable wine farms round Stellenbosch – you could find among the finest South African wine farms right here.
- The historic middle and the College of Stellenbosch – a pleasant space to stroll round and drink a cup of espresso.
- Jonkershoek Nature Reserve – a surprising place for mountaineering.
- Lovely Helshoogte Street with a few beautiful estates.
- Franschhoek Motor Museum – tons of of vehicles from the primary motorized automobiles to the Method 1 racing vehicles.
- Wine farms in Franschhoek – this wine route is certainly one of our favorites in Cape Winelands
- Franschhoek Go – a wonderful mountain cross with wonderful views
- Babylonstoren – this place has all the pieces; wine tasting, lush inexperienced gardens, eating places, and so forth. You possibly can simply spend a few hours exploring it.
Issues to do
- Wine tasting in Stellenbosch
- Mountain climbing in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
- Wine tasting in Franschhoek
- Using the Franschhoek wine tram
- Diving over the Franschhoek Go
- Visiting Franschhoek Motor Museum
- Having fun with the gorgeous backyard at Babylonstoren
It’s a wonderful drive by means of the principle wine areas in Cape City with beautiful views, nice wines, lovely estates, and plenty of wonderful actions. You are able to do this journey in at some point or spend extra time within the space there are sufficient locations and issues to do to maintain you busy for every week.
Stellenbosch
The city itself and the encircling space are completely beautiful. Stellenbosch is a bustling College city the one time you’ll be able to see it quiet is throughout holidays. The historic middle of the city could be very good for strolling; outdated oak timber, colonial-style buildings, the College campus, vintage retailers, and small cafes.
Regardless of the small dimension, there are various issues to do in Stellenbosch together with wonderful outside actions. Unbelievable Stellenbosch wine farms are one of many major causes that appeal to hundreds of vacationers. There are greater than 100 wine estates right here even in case you spend months doing wine tasting you received’t be capable to go to all of them.
Locations to remain in Stellenbosch
Franschhoek
The small charming city of Franschhoek is a superb place for a romantic getaway from Cape City. Positioned within the picturesque Franschhoek Valley the city boasts among the best eating places and the perfect wine estates within the nation. It’s undoubtedly the place to come back in case you take pleasure in fantastic eating and nice wines. You possibly can drive across the valley stopping at completely different wine estates or take a break from driving and soar on the Franschhoek wine tram. It’s an effective way of visiting among the wine estates on the route. Identical to in Stellenbosch there are various wonderful issues to do in Franschhoek moreover wine tasting.
Locations to remain in Franschhoek
Constantia Valley journey
Driving route: Cape City metropolis middle – Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard (Rhodes Avenue) – Rhodes Drive – Constantia Wine Valley – Cape City metropolis middle.
- Distance – 46 km return
- Time – 2 hours for the drive and pictures plus the time you’ll spend wine tasting, consuming, and so forth.
- Finest time for the drive – any season if it’s a pleasant sunny day. Mondays are usually not nice as most wine farms are closed to guests. On weekends wine estates and eating places get very busy.
Go to Constantia with a tour
Highlights of the drive
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard – the greenest place in Cape City
- Rhodes Drive – a surprising 7 km drive
- Gorgeous wine estates in Constantia Valley
There are completely different excursions from Cape City that mix wine tasting in Constantia with different actions you’ll be able to be a part of certainly one of them in case you’re alone or don’t have a chosen driver (consuming and driving isn’t a good suggestion).
Issues to do
- Strolling/mountaineering or picnicking in Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard.
- Wine tasting within the Constantia Valley.
- Having fun with lunch with beautiful views over the vineyards at one of many wine farms.
That is the shortest out of the steered scenic drives in Cape City however it’s a really spectacular space. The drive is ideal for a romantic day trip it has all you want; beautiful surroundings, nice wines, and scrumptious meals. You possibly can mix this drive with a visit across the Cape Peninsula.
Kirstenbosch Nationwide Botanical Backyard
Kirstenbosch is the greenest place in Cape City with a number of strolling and mountaineering trails of various lengths and issue ranges. An ideal place to begin a day with a picnic on the grass or breakfast at one of many espresso retailers contained in the backyard. Don’t miss the Boomslang (tree snake) tree cover within the backyard. It winds amongst tree crowns providing nice views of Kirstenbosch and the encircling space.
Constantia Wine route
One of the vital spectacular wine areas round Cape City with among the oldest wine estates within the nation. There are 8 wine farms which are open to the general public for tasting. If you happen to come right here on weekdays there isn’t any have to e-book something upfront, on weekends and public holidays, it is likely to be higher to make a reservation particularly in case you’re planning to have lunch or dinner at one of many estates.
Each wine farm in Constantia is value visiting however there are two estates which are our favorites; Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen. Each have the perfect views of the realm and nice wines. We’ve an in depth put up on Constantia wine farms the place you could find extra details about every farm.
Locations to remain in Constantia
Two Mountain Passes Drive
Driving route; Cape City – Paarl – Du Toitskloof Go (Rawsonville) – Slanghoek – Bain’s Kloof Go – Wellington – Cape City.
- Distance – 248 km
- Time – from 4 hours
- Finest time for the drive – any season on a pleasant day, not really helpful to drive over the passes in heavy rain or if temperatures are under 0C. On Sundays many of the wine farms on the Breedekloof wine route are closed if you wish to do some tasting it’s higher to come back on weekdays or Saturdays.
Highlights
- Du Toitskloof Go
- The drive between the cross and Rawsonville
- Breedekloof Wine Route
- Bain’s Kloof Go
Issues to do
- Driving over Du Toitskloof Go and Bain’s Go.
- Mountain climbing at Limietberg Nature Reserve, there are a number of mountaineering trails close to the passes.
- Tasting wines at Breedekloof Wine Route.
An exquisite drive over two unbelievable passes with a number of wine farms alongside the route, a few good eating places/espresso retailers, and farm stalls. This route might be one of the crucial off-the-beaten-track drives close to Cape City. It’s by no means very busy right here even wine farms are usually not overcrowded on holidays and weekends like on the opposite wine routes. If you happen to’re in search of a tranquil drive with beautiful surroundings the 2 passes are a fantastic choice.
Locations to remain in Paarl
Journey insurance coverage for Cape City journey
Touring usually entails completely different dangers from a flight delay or cancellation to medical emergencies and baggage loss. It’s at all times advisable to have journey insurance coverage that may cowl you in case one thing goes incorrect particularly in case you enterprise to a faraway nation like South Africa. Theft or theft is one other essential purpose to get journey insurance coverage on your South African journey whether or not you’re planning to go to solely Cape City or to enterprise on a protracted street journey across the nation.
It’s higher to decide on an insurance coverage firm that focuses on touring and has a number of expertise in masking vacationers all around the world like World Nomads. Their journey insurance coverage could be very versatile, you should purchase it on-line whereas touring, it takes solely a few minutes and it could cowl the entire journey or solely part of it. Get an on the spot quote proper now!
Renting a automotive for Cape City scenic drives
All roads are tarred you’ll be able to drive in any automotive, it may be a pleasant journey on a bike as nicely however provided that you’re a assured driver.
Renting a automotive is one of the best ways to discover the realm and the best option to transfer round. All roads are tarred you don’t want a 4×4 for this journey. When renting a automotive be sure it doesn’t have a mileage restrict or it’s greater than 600km per rental. If you happen to drive the steered route from Cape City Airport and again it’ll be simply over 600km.
*Value for 3 days in US {dollars}, choose up and drop off at Cape City Airport.
Journey planning sources
Advisable books and guidebooks
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack reasonably than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.