7 Improbable scenic drives in Cape City, South Africa

There are various stunning scenic drives in Cape City. The world across the metropolis is extremely numerous and gives an important number of scenic street journeys from gorgeous coastal drives to mountain passes and vineyards. Driving round Cape City you possibly can benefit from the fantastic surroundings, see wildlife, go to wine estates, and take a look at some adventurous actions. A number of the advised drives we’ve carried out 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.

A number of unbelievable scenic drives in Cape City supply 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 certainly to be included in your itinerary.

Renting a automobile for doing scenic drives in Cape City

All roads on the advised scenic drives in Cape City are tarred you possibly can drive in any automobile, it may be a pleasant journey on a bike as effectively however provided that you’re a assured driver.

Renting a automobile is one of the simplest ways to discover Cape City and its environment and the simplest option to transfer round. All roads are tarred you don’t want a 4×4 to do any of the advised scenic drives in Cape City. You may hire a automobile at Cape City airport, choose it up on arrival, and drop it off on departure. We’ve carried out it on our journey to South Africa this 12 months and it labored out nice for us.

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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 very best 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 very best place for recognizing Cape Fur seals on this drive.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive – probably the most scenic drive in Cape City.
• Kommetjie – an exquisite white-sand seaside with nice waves for browsing.
• Cape Level Nationwide Park – the place you possibly can spend all day, there are a lot of strolling routes, some stunning seashores, and really chilly water.
• Boulder’s Seaside, Simon’s City – is one among the must-see locations in Cape City. It’s a small hidden white-sand seaside surrounded by large boulders with fairly a number of penguins swimming and strolling round.
• Muizenberg – a busy surf city with colourful picket 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 brief 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 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 gorgeous 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’s 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 possibly can 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 automobile to drive by means of nevertheless it’s price it. It is among 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 means of attending to the Lighthouse and the summit of Cape Level is to take a Flying Dutchman Funicular, you possibly can 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 simple.

Boulders Seaside, Simon’s City

A small white-sand seaside hidden between large boulders with calm warmish waters is part of the marine protected space. The distinctive fantastic thing about Boulder’s Seaside will not be the one cause that draws guests to this seaside on daily basis, cute African penguins are all the time round; strolling, swimming, or resting on the rocks.

To prime up your marine animals’ expertise in Simon’s City do a snorkeling or a diving journey to see seals and Cow sharks (they aren’t recognized to assault divers). Simon’s City is among the greatest spots for diving in Cape City together with diving with sharks.

Muizenberg

place for browsing or studying the right way to surf. There are a number of surf retailers on the seaside so when you’ve got extra time you possibly can keep right here for a few days. Taking a non-public lesson is an effective way to start out browsing. Don’t overlook to take a look at the colourful picket cabins in Muizenberg, which superior distinction with the white sand seaside and blue sea. One of many prime Instagram locations round Cape City.

You may keep in Muizenberg and watch the sundown on the seaside or finish your day with the gorgeous Lion’s Head hike and watch the solar taking place from the highest of it. Lion’s Head is among the hottest sundown spots in Cape City.

Locations to remain on the Cape Level drive

In the course of the peak summer season season lodging within the space is normally totally booked. In the event you are available December-January it’s extremely beneficial to ebook a spot upfront.

There are various improbable espresso retailers in Cape City the place you possibly can 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 Cross – Cape City.

• Distance – 260 km return, a technique alongside the coast, return over Sir Lowry’s Cross. 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 very best months if you wish to see Southern Proper Whale close to Hermanus. Summer time months, November – March, have the very best climate although it will get very windy in December – January. Throughout Christmas and New 12 months, this route is extraordinarily busy.

Go to Hermanus with a tour

It’s one among our favourite scenic drives that we normally do as a day journey from Cape City. We’ve carried out it many instances and each time we’re heading that means we get very excited. The surroundings is actually spectacular; stunning 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 start out it. After Hermanus, you simply proceed driving in direction of Mossel Bay the place the route begins.

Highlights of the street 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 way in which 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, deliver a surfboard with you and look ahead to sharks.
• Snorkeling at Rooi Els, you possibly can spot crayfish water will not be 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. Normally, you see many seals and occasional penguins within the water as effectively in the course of the tour.

Clarence Drive

The Clarence Drive from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els is simply as gorgeous as Chapman’s Peak Drive. It’s on the winding coastal street with many viewpoints and a few nice and normally empty seashores. Once 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 lots 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 you need to begin earlier than 1pm.

Hermanus

There are various 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.

In order for you extra adrenaline-pumping exercise you are able to do cage diving with sharks the place you’ve gotten good probabilities to see nice white sharks and a few bronze whaler sharks.

In case you have extra time you possibly can keep for an evening in Hermanus and prolong 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 street journey

Driving route: Cape City – Gordon’s Bay – Betty’s Bay – Hermanus – Elim – Struisbaai – Cape Agulhas – Arniston – Napier – Sir Lowry’s Cross – Cape City.

• Distance – 500 km loop (a technique alongside the coast, return inland over Sir Lowry’s Cross).
• Time – 2-3 days.
• When to do the drive – summer season months November – March is the very best climate. December – January may be fairly windy. Christmas and New 12 months 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 primary road.
• The comfy city of Napier with many cafes, eating places, and memento retailers on the primary road.
• 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 way in which 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 will not be a day drive however moderately 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 primary cause 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 pretty 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 possibility, 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 way in which. Napier is a stunning city with stunning outdated homes, good eating places, cozy cafes, and memento retailers. 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 large with an exquisite 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 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 charge. One other native attraction is Parrie the Stingray, a large stingray that has been dwelling 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 (elective) – 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 very best months for driving this route if you wish to see hundreds of wildflowers overlaying the fields and the coast alongside the West Coast

West Coast with a tour

Highlights of the drive

• Durbanville wine route
• Lovely coastal surroundings; white-sand seashores, sand dunes, and many others.
• West Coast Nationwide Park – the closest to Cape City place to see well-known Namaqualand flowers.
• Langebaan – a calming seaside city well-liked for kitesurfing.
• Paternoster – an enthralling city with nice seafood eating places.

Issues to do

• Wine tasting at Durbanville. The world is thought for Sauvignon Blanc. Many wine farms in Durbanville have fascinating pairings e.g. wine and nougat, MCC and macaroons, and many others.
• 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 very best time to drive the Namaqualand flower route although the world is gorgeous any time of the 12 months and price visiting even exterior the flower season. On the way in which from Cape City to the West Coast, you possibly can cease at a number of 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 visitors even in the course of the December vacation. This drive generally is a excellent 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 possibly can 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 can take you to probably the most spectacular corners of the West Coast. 

Langebaan

A small city with an exquisite lagoon and lengthy sandy seashores is among the hottest locations for kitesurfing in Cape City. Summer time months December to February is the very best time for kitesurfing right here. In the event you go to it in the course of the flower season, it’s unlikely there shall be any wind.

Paternoster

One other small city on the West Coast with conventional fishermen’s white homes, countless white sandy seashores, and an exquisite shoreline. Paternoster is known for its recent seafood and fish eating places in addition to bakeries. It’s a pleasant place to cease for lunch with unbelievable sea views. 

Locations to remain in Langebaan

Cape Winelands drive

Driving route: Cape City – Stellenbosch – Helshoogte Highway – Franschhoek – Franschhoek Cross – 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 very best 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

• Improbable wine farms round Stellenbosch – you could find a number of the greatest South African wine farms right here.
• The historic heart 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.
• Lovely Helshoogte Highway with a few gorgeous estates. 
• Franschhoek Motor Museum – lots of of automobiles from the primary motorized automobiles to the Method 1 racing automobiles.
• Wine farms in Franschhoek – this wine route is one among our favorites in Cape Winelands
• Franschhoek Cross – an exquisite mountain cross with wonderful views
• Babylonstoren – this place has every little thing; wine tasting, lush inexperienced gardens, eating places, and many others. 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
• Driving the Franschhoek wine tram
• Diving over the Franschhoek Cross
• Visiting Franschhoek Motor Museum
• Having fun with the gorgeous backyard at Babylonstoren

It’s an exquisite drive by means of the primary wine areas in Cape City with gorgeous views, nice wines, stunning estates, and plenty of wonderful 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 per week. 

Stellenbosch

The city itself and the encompassing space are completely beautiful. Stellenbosch is a bustling College city the one time you possibly can see it quiet is throughout holidays. The historic heart 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 measurement, there are many issues to do in Stellenbosch together with wonderful outside actions. Improbable 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 in case you spend months doing wine tasting you gained’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 a number of the most interesting eating places and the very best wine estates within the nation. It’s the place to return in case you get pleasure from high quality 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 a number of the wine estates on the route. Similar to in Stellenbosch, there are a lot of wonderful issues to do in Franschhoek in addition to wine tasting. 

Locations to remain in Franschhoek

Constantia Valley journey

Driving route: Cape City metropolis heart – Kirstenbosch Botanical Backyard (Rhodes Avenue) – Rhodes Drive – Constantia Wine Valley – Cape City metropolis heart.

• Distance – 46 km return
• Time – 2 hours for the drive and pictures plus the time you’ll spend wine tasting, consuming, and many others.
• Finest time for the drive – any season if it’s a pleasant sunny day. Mondays usually are 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 shocking 7 km drive
• Beautiful wine estates in Constantia Valley

Totally different excursions from Cape City mix wine tasting in Constantia with different actions you possibly can be part of one among them in case you’re alone or don’t have a delegated 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 gorgeous views over the vineyards at one of many wine farms.

That is the shortest out of the advised scenic drives in Cape City nevertheless it’s a very spectacular space. The drive is ideal for a romantic time out it has all you want; gorgeous 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 start out 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 encompassing space. 

Constantia Wine route

One of the vital spectacular wine areas round Cape City with a number of 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 isn’t any must ebook something upfront, on weekends and public holidays, it may 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 price visiting however two estates are our favorites; Beau Constantia and Constantia Glen. Each have the very best views of the world and nice wines. We now have an in depth submit 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 Cross (Rawsonville) – Slanghoek – Bain’s Kloof Cross – Wellington – Cape City.

• Distance – 248 km
• Time – from 4 hours
• Finest time for the drive – any season on a pleasant day, not beneficial 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 Cross
• The drive between the cross and Rawsonville
• Breedekloof Wine Route
• Bain’s Kloof Cross

Issues to do

• Driving over Du Toitskloof Cross and Bain’s Cross.
• Climbing at Limietberg Nature Reserve, there are a number of climbing trails close to the passes.
• Tasting wines at Breedekloof Wine Route.

A fantastic drive over two improbable passes with a number of wine farms alongside the route, a few good eating places/espresso retailers, and farm stalls. This route might be probably the most off-the-beaten-track drives close to Cape City. It’s by no means very busy right here even wine farms usually are not overcrowded on holidays and weekends like on the opposite wine routes. In the event you’re searching for a tranquil drive with gorgeous surroundings the 2 passes are an important possibility.

Locations to remain in Paarl

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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (climbing, 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 moderately than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street 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.