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There are a lot of stunning scenic drives in Cape City. The realm across the metropolis is extremely numerous and presents an incredible number of scenic highway journeys from beautiful coastal drives to mountain passes and vineyards. Driving round Cape City you’ll be able to benefit from the great surroundings, see wildlife, go to wine estates, and check out some adventurous actions. A number of the steered drives we’ve executed many occasions 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.
A number of unimaginable scenic drives in Cape City supply spectacular surroundings and loads of superb 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 should you come to South Africa for a honeymoon this drive is unquestionably to be included in your itinerary.
Renting a automobile for doing scenic drives in Cape City
All roads on the steered scenic drives in Cape City are tarred you’ll be able to drive in any automobile, it may be a pleasant journey on a bike as properly however provided that you’re a assured driver.
Renting a automobile is one of the best ways to discover Cape City and its environment and the simplest technique to transfer round. All roads are tarred you don’t want a 4×4 to do any of the steered scenic drives in Cape City. You may lease a automobile at Cape City airport, choose it up on arrival, and drop it off on departure. We’ve executed it on our journey to South Africa this 12 months and it labored out nice for us.
Journey insurance coverage to your Cape City journey
Sadly, issues can and do go mistaken while you journey. World Nomads presents protection for greater than 150 actions in addition to emergency medical, misplaced baggage, journey cancellation and extra.
World Nomads’ mission is to help and encourage vacationers to discover their boundaries. They provide easy and versatile journey insurance coverage and security recommendation that can assist you journey confidently.
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 Seaside (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 world is gorgeous any time of the 12 months the perfect is to do the drive on a pleasant not very windy day.
Cape Peninsula excursions
Highlights of the drive
- Camps Bay – stunning 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 lovely white-sand seaside with nice waves for browsing.
- Cape Level Nationwide Park – the place you’ll be able to spend all day, there are a lot of strolling routes, some stunning seashores, and really chilly water.
- Boulder’s Seaside, Simon’s City – is likely one of the must-see locations in Cape City. It’s a small hidden white-sand seaside surrounded by big boulders with fairly a couple of penguins swimming and strolling round.
- Muizenberg – a busy surf city with colourful wood cabins on the white sandy seaside.
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 seaside.
- 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 Seaside.
- Browsing or SUPing in Muizenberg, you will get a browsing lesson or lease a board from one of many surf outlets right here.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
More often than not the route goes alongside the coast with many beautiful lookouts and countless white-sand seashores. I’d suggest 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 the complete day, the sooner you begin the higher. The primary cease is Camps Bay the fanciest neighborhood of Cape City and the place with the costliest property within the nation.
From there you drive over the move 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 highway you pay ZAR 50/US$3 for a automobile to drive by means of nevertheless it’s value it. It is likely one of the most stunning 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 stunning place. The highlights of the park are Cape Level, Cape of Good Hope, the Lighthouse, Diaz Seaside, Kleine Bucht, Vasco Da Gama Cross, and Bordjiesrif Tidal Pool. The best manner of attending to the Lighthouse and 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 climbing 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 Seaside, Simon’s City
A small white-sand seaside hidden between big boulders with calm warmish waters is part of the marine protected space. The distinctive great thing about Boulder’s Seaside just isn’t the one purpose that pulls guests to this seaside each day, cute African penguins are all the time round; strolling, swimming, or resting on the rocks. Visiting the Boulders Penguin colony it’s the solely place the place you’ll be able to swim with African penguins!
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 greatest spots for diving in Cape City together with diving with sharks.
Muizenberg
A very good place for browsing or studying surf. There are a couple of surf outlets on the seaside so when you’ve got extra time you’ll be able to keep right here for a few days. Taking a personal lesson is an effective way to begin browsing. Don’t neglect to take a look at the colourful wood cabins in Muizenberg, which superior distinction with the white sand seaside and blue sea. One of many high Instagram locations round Cape City.
You may keep in Muizenberg and watch the sundown on the seaside 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 season season lodging within the space is normally totally booked. In the event you are available December-January it’s extremely really helpful to ebook a spot prematurely.
There are a lot of unbelievable espresso outlets in Cape City the place you’ll be able to cease for breakfast and low 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 Move – Cape City.
- Distance – 260 km return, a technique alongside the coast, return over Sir Lowry’s Move. 280 km if driving alongside the coast each methods.
- Time – 5 hours for the drive and taking pictures, plus additional 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.
Go to Hermanus with a tour
It’s one in all our favourite scenic drives that we normally do as a day journey from Cape City. We’ve executed it many occasions and each time we’re heading that manner we get very excited. The surroundings is really spectacular; stunning mountains, rugged shoreline, white-sand seashores, dramatic drops, and numerous marine life. If you wish to do the Backyard Route highway 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 highway journey
- Clearance Drive is a shocking 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 best way from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi-Els.
- 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 seaside, carry a surfboard with you and look ahead to sharks.
- Snorkeling at Rooi Els, you’ll be able to spot crayfish water just isn’t as chilly as in Cape City however you continue to want a wetsuit.
- Climbing on the Harold Porter Botanical Backyard.
- Whale watching in Hermanus. The season is from July to November, and the height season is from August – October when southern proper whales are within the space. Often, you see many seals and occasional penguins within the water as properly 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 highway with many viewpoints and a few nice and normally empty seashores. If you cease at a viewpoint close to Gordon’s Bay look out for seals and dolphins there are normally some within the water near the shore.
Betty’s Bay
A pleasant small city of Betty’s Bay with lengthy and normally empty white-sand seashores surrounded by mountains. A neighborhood seaside is a pleasant place for a picnic on a not-windy day. If after visiting Boulder’s Seaside you’re nonetheless eager to see extra African penguins go to Stony Level Nature Reserve, there are tons of of penguins there normally chilling on the seaside proper on the entrance.
Harold Porter Botanical Backyard
This stunning backyard is stuffed with lush inexperienced vegetation and flowers. Harold Porter Botanical Backyard is a pleasant place to return for a picnic, stroll across the backyard, or have a meal on the restaurant. There are a number of day climbing trails right here; the Zigzag, Fynbos, and Leopard’s Kloof Trails. To go to Leopard’s Kloof or to do the hike there it’s important to begin earlier than 1pm.
Hermanus
There are a lot of nice issues to do in Hermanus. In the event you’re within the space between August and November we’d suggest doing a whale-watching tour, southern proper whales are in Hermanus this time of the 12 months, and probabilities to identify them are fairly good.
If you need extra adrenaline-pumping exercise you are able to do cage diving with sharks the place you might have good probabilities to see nice white sharks and a few bronze whaler sharks.
In case you have extra time you’ll be able to keep for an evening in Hermanus and lengthen this drive to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost level of Africa (for extra particulars see the drive beneath).
Locations to remain in Hermanus
Cape City – Cape Agulhas highway journey
Driving route: Cape City – Gordon’s Bay – Betty’s Bay – Hermanus – Elim – Struisbaai – Cape Agulhas – Arniston – Napier – Sir Lowry’s Move – Cape City.
- Distance – 500 km loop (a technique alongside the coast, return inland over Sir Lowry’s Move).
- Time – 2-3 days.
- When to do the drive – summer season months November – March is the perfect climate. December – January could 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 comfy city of Napier with many cafes, eating places, and memento outlets 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 12 months 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 best way to Cape Agulhas.
- Exploring Waenhuiskrans Cave.
- Watching the sundown on Struisbaai seaside.
- Recognizing Parrie, an enormous stingray that lives on the harbor of Struisbaai.
This route just isn’t a day drive however quite a pleasant weekend getaway from Cape City. Driving alongside the coast a technique and inland return 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 best way to Struisbaai, it’s a small however pretty fisherman city with white cottages lined up alongside the highway. 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. This route is shorter you’ll skip Gansbaai and Elim however you get extra wine farms on the best way. Napier is a beautiful city with stunning outdated homes, good eating places, cozy cafes, and memento outlets. It seems to be very stunning 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 may 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 massive with a lovely view over the ocean.
Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas
Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas formally are two small cities however they give the impression of being extra like 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 pulls vacationers is the Southernmost Level of the African continent, the purpose formally divides two oceans; the Atlantic and the Indian although there is no such thing as a seen line between them.
Although the purpose is inside Agulhas Nationwide Park there is no such thing as a gate or entrance price. 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 seaside for swimming, operating, 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 protecting the fields and the coast alongside the West Coast
West Coast with a tour
Highlights of the drive
- Durbanville wine route
- Stunning 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 calming seaside city common for kitesurfing.
- Paternoster – an enthralling city with nice seafood eating places.
Issues to do
- Wine tasting at Durbanville. The realm is thought for Sauvignon Blanc. Many wine farms in Durbanville have fascinating pairings e.g. wine and nougat, MCC and macaroons, and so forth.
- Climbing/driving and having fun with wildflowers at West Coast Nationwide Park.
- Chilling on the Lagoon in Langebaan.
- Consuming contemporary seafood at Paternoster.
Spring is the perfect time to drive the Namaqualand flower route although the world is gorgeous any time of the 12 months and value visiting even exterior the flower season. On the best way from Cape City to the West Coast, you’ll be able to cease at a number of wine farms in Durbanville and do some tastings. A giant 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 excellent begin for a Cape City – Namibia highway 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 novel mixture of fields and hills lined in a flower carpet subsequent to the white-sand seashores of the Atlantic Ocean. There are a few climbing, 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 lovely 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. In the event you 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, countless white sandy seashores, and a lovely shoreline. Paternoster is legendary for its contemporary 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 Move – 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 season between November to March is the perfect time for visiting the Winelands. Wine farms get extraordinarily busy in summer season 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 greatest 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 shocking place for climbing.
- Stunning Helshoogte Street with a few beautiful estates.
- Franschhoek Motor Museum – tons of of vehicles from the primary motorized autos to the Formulation 1 racing vehicles.
- Wine farms in Franschhoek – this wine route is one in all our favorites in Cape Winelands
- Franschhoek Move – a lovely mountain move with superb views
- Babylonstoren – this place has every part; wine tasting, lush inexperienced gardens, eating places, and so forth. You may simply spend a few hours exploring it.
Issues to do
- Wine tasting in Stellenbosch
- Climbing in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
- Wine tasting in Franschhoek
- Using the Franschhoek wine tram
- Diving over the Franschhoek Move
- Visiting Franschhoek Motor Museum
- Having fun with the gorgeous backyard at Babylonstoren
It’s a lovely drive by means of the principle wine areas in Cape City with beautiful views, nice wines, stunning estates, and lots of superb actions. You are able to do this journey in in the future 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 encompassing space are completely attractive. 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 may be very good for strolling; outdated oak bushes, colonial-style buildings, the College campus, vintage outlets, and small cafes.
Regardless of the small dimension, there are a lot of issues to do in Stellenbosch together with superb outside actions. Unbelievable Stellenbosch wine farms are one of many fundamental causes that appeal to hundreds of vacationers. There are greater than 100 wine estates right here even should 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 good place for a romantic getaway from Cape City. Situated within the picturesque Franschhoek Valley the city boasts among the best eating places and the perfect wine estates within the nation. It’s the place to return should you get pleasure from wonderful eating and nice wines. You may 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. Similar to in Stellenbosch, there are a lot of superb issues to do in Franschhoek apart from 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 aren’t 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 shocking 7 km drive
- Gorgeous wine estates in Constantia Valley
Totally different excursions from Cape City mix wine tasting in Constantia with different actions you’ll be able to be part of one in all them should you’re alone or don’t have a chosen driver (consuming and driving isn’t a good suggestion).
Issues to do
- Strolling/climbing 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 nevertheless 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 may 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 climbing 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 outlets 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 encompassing space.
Constantia Wine route
Some of the spectacular wine areas round Cape City with among the oldest wine estates within the nation. 8 wine farms are open to the general public for tasting. In the event you come right here on weekdays there is no such thing as a must ebook something prematurely, on weekends and public holidays, it could be higher to make a reservation particularly should you’re planning to have lunch or dinner at one of many estates.
Each wine farm in Constantia is value visiting however two estates are our favorites; Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen. Each have the perfect views of the world and nice wines. We’ve got an in depth publish 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 Move (Rawsonville) – Slanghoek – Bain’s Kloof Move – 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 beneath 0C. On Sundays, a lot of the wine farms on the Breedekloof wine route are closed if you wish to do some tasting it’s higher to return on weekdays or Saturdays.
Highlights
- Du Toitskloof Move
- The drive between the move and Rawsonville
- Breedekloof Wine Route
- Bain’s Kloof Move
Issues to do
- Driving over Du Toitskloof Move and Bain’s Move.
- Climbing at Limietberg Nature Reserve, there are a number of climbing 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 outlets, and farm stalls. This route might be one of the vital off-the-beaten-track drives close to Cape City. It’s by no means very busy right here even wine farms aren’t overcrowded on holidays and weekends like on the opposite wine routes. In the event you’re searching for a tranquil drive with beautiful surroundings the 2 passes are an incredible choice.
Locations to remain in Paarl
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack quite than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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