There are various nice day journeys from Cape City for any traveler be it an adventurous traveler, a household with kids, or a honeymoon couple. From unbelievable mountain climbing routes to breathtaking scenic drives, from famend wine routes to numerous wildlife, it is going to by no means disappoint you simply have to decide on the appropriate place for you. Cape City has many unbelievable issues to do a number of the instructed day journeys are positively to incorporate in your bucket listing.
There are various unbelievable espresso retailers in Cape City the place you’ll be able to cease for breakfast and occasional earlier than beginning your Cape City day journey.
Methods to do day journeys from Cape City?
Renting a automobile is the best method of doing day journeys from Cape City. In case you’re a couple of individual renting a automobile will work out cheaper than doing day excursions. One of the simplest ways is to lease a automobile at Cape City airport on arrival then you’ll be able to drop it off while you fly out. You don’t want an enormous 4×4 automobile to do day journeys round Cape City a small automobile shall be high-quality.
In case you’re alone becoming a member of a day tour to go to some sights exterior Cape City could be a greater possibility than renting a automobile. On a tour, there shall be somebody to speak to and take images of you. There are various totally different day excursions to essentially the most attention-grabbing sights close to Cape City.
A few of the hottest day excursions from Cape City
The 11 greatest day journeys from Cape City
We lived in Cape City for a few years and extensively explored the town and its environment. Beneath you’ll find some day journey concepts and distinctive experiences that may enrich your South Africa vacation.
Stellenbosch
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 50 km/31 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 45min – 1 hour
- When to go to – in the summertime months (December and January) Monday to Friday if you wish to skip weekend crowds. Saturdays and Sundays if you wish to go to native meals markets.
- Common price – ZAR 75/US$5 per tasting (3-5 wines)
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Franschhoek
Go to Stellenbosch with a tour
It’s certainly one of our favourite day journeys from Cape City. Western Cape and Stellenbosch particularly are often known as the highest wine areas in South Africa. With greater than 150 farms, it’s tough to beat it by the quantity or by the standard of wines. If some wine route like Franschhoek, for my part, is extra of a romantic/big day factor, wine tasting in Stellenbosch is nice for anyone; households, a bunch of buddies, or perhaps a single traveler. You simply have to seek out the appropriate wine farms for you.
In case you don’t wish to drive your self you’ll be able to be part of one of many wine-tasting excursions from Cape City that embrace decide up and drop off at your resort/home. An alternative choice is to make use of hop-on-hop-off wine buses that depart from Stellenbosch. You possibly can select one of many three routes: the Northern Route Wine route, the Southern Route Wine route, or the Jap Route Wine route.
In addition to wine tasting, there are lots of different actions round Stellenbosch from mountain climbing in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and mountain biking one of many trails to off-road driving, visiting the historic museum, and having fun with a good looking sculpture backyard.
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is a shocking place close to Stellenbosch even the drive there may be stunning. Climbing right here is certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Stellenbosch. There are a number of mountain climbing routes contained in the reserve from quick and simple walks appropriate for the entire household to lengthy and difficult trails for comparatively match folks.
Franschhoek
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 80 km/50 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 1h10min.
- Finest time to go to – Monday to Saturday, some wine farms and eating places are closed on Sundays. In case you come on Saturday you’ll be able to go to the native meals market within the city.
- Common price – ZAR 75/US$5 per tasting (3-5 wines).
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Stellenbosch
Go to Franschhoek with a tour
Franschhoek Valley is my favourite place to return for wine tasting. For the reason that first time my husband introduced me right here, I fell in love with this charming city and its picturesque environment. Franschhoek is a superb place to return for a romantic weekend getaway from Cape City. Right here you’ll find all you want for an ideal weekend – nice wine, scrumptious meals, and gorgeous surroundings. We all the time have a good time our marriage ceremony anniversary and Valentine’s Day right here.
You possibly can drive to Franschhoek your self, be part of a wine tour from Cape City, or discover the realm driving a hop-on-hop-off wine tram. An enormous benefit of the final two choices is that you just don’t have to fret about consuming and driving you’ll be able to take a look at as many wines as you need. Franschhoek wine tram is a singular method of doing wine tasting. The tram route begins within the city. There are 8 totally different routes every goes to 5-7 wine farms the place you will get off the tram, style wine, and have lunch.
You possibly can drive to Franschhoek your self and get on the tram there or take a tour from Cape City that features a return shuttle to your resort and a tram ticket.
Wine tasting will not be the one exercise there are lots of different issues to do in Franschhoek that shall be attention-grabbing for the entire household. You possibly can drive over the Franschhoek Cross, go on a brief hike in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, go to the Motor Museum with an awesome assortment of previous vehicles, learn to make chocolate, and plenty of different attention-grabbing issues.
Boulders Seaside, Simon’s City
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 40 km/24 mi
- Finest time to return – between December and February there are lots of vacationers at Boulders, particularly over the weekends, be sure that to return right here early.
- Opening hours – winter (April – September) from 8am to 5pm, summer time (October – November and February – March) from 8am to six.30pm, the height season (December and January) from 8am to 7.30pm.
- Admission payment – foreigners ZAR 176/US$9 adults, ZAR 88/US$4 kids, South Africans ZAR 44/US$2 adults, ZAR 22/US$1 kids.
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Cape Level and Muizenberg
Go to Boulders Seaside with a tour
Boulders Seaside is among the not-to-miss locations in Cape City. It’s an ideal day journey from Cape City. This stunning white sand seaside is surrounded by huge boulders with many cute African penguins strolling round. Boulders Seaside is a must-include in your Cape City itinerary when you journey with kids they’ll take pleasure in it loads. You possibly can go for a swim right here when you’re not afraid of chilly water. A go to to this seaside will be completed as part of a day street journey from Cape City across the Cape Peninsula. In case you don’t really feel like driving your self you’ll be able to be part of a half-day tour from Cape City to Boulders Seaside.
Cape Peninsula
- Distance from Cape City (a method, alongside the coast) – 79 km/49 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 1h45min.
- Finest time to go to – November to April, it will get very windy in summer time. In December and January on weekends the park may be very busy, you may need to attend on the gate for some time.
- Opening hours (Cape of Good Hope) – April – September from 7am to 5pm, October – March from 6am to 6pm
- Admission payment (Cape of Good Hope) – foreigners ZAR 376/US$20 adults, ZAR 188/US$10 kids, South Africans ZAR 94 adults, ZAR 47 kids.
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Boulders Seaside and Muizenberg
Go to Cape Peninsula with a tour
The drive across the Cape Peninsula is certainly one of our favourite drives in South Africa. It’s an awesome day journey from Cape City. The surroundings is wonderful and there are lots of stunning locations to cease alongside the route. Begin your day journey with the dawn at Camps Bay. This journey will be completed with a tour from Cape City that may take you to the primary highlights of the route.
The well-known Chapman’s Peak Drive is essentially the most stunning a part of the scenic drive. It’s a 9 km drive between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. There are a few viewpoints alongside the drive the place you’ll be able to cease for images. It’s a toll street, so that you’ll need to pay ZAR 61/US$3 per automobile. At Hout Bay harbour you’ll be able to spot cape fur seals within the water looking for leftovers from fishermen’s boats.
Cape Level Nature Reserve is a spectacular place. It gives a number of the greatest surroundings in Cape City, and it’s a bucket listing place to incorporate in your Cape City itinerary. One can simply spend the entire day right here exploring the realm. There are a number of not-to-miss sights right here equivalent to Dias Seaside, a white-sand seaside surrounded by the cliffs, New Lighthouse, Cape of Good Hope, Flying Dutch funicular, and a number of other tide swimming pools and viewpoints.
Climbing round Cape Level you have got probabilities to see some wild animals equivalent to mongooses, zebras, ostriches, porcupines, tortoises, chameleons, and so on. My recommendation is you probably have time after visiting the primary a part of the park drive away to quieter areas your probabilities of seeing wildlife there are a lot larger.
There are a number of day excursions from Cape City to Cape Level. In case you’re into images you would possibly take pleasure in the Cape Level Instagram tour. For outside lovers, there’s a nice different to sitting within the automobile – discover Cape Level on an electrical bike tour.
Muizenberg
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 25 km/15,5 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 30-40 minutes relying on the site visitors
- Finest time to go to – November to April, it will get very windy within the peak summer time. In December and January on weekends the park may be very busy, you may need to attend on the gate for some time.
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Boulders Seaside, Cape Level, and Constantia
Muizenberg actions
Muizenberg is a well-liked browsing spot in Cape City. Throughout the season you’ll be able to see a whole lot of surfers within the water. There are a few surf colleges and board rental locations within the city. It’s an awesome spot for a browsing day journey from the town. Muizenberg Seaside is a good looking white-sand seaside good for tanning. Colourful wood huts on the seaside are one of the vital common picture spots in Cape City.
Constantia
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 18 km/11 mi
- Driving time – 20-30 min. relying on the site visitors
- Finest time to go to – Monday to Thursday if you wish to skip the crowds
- Common price – ZAR 75-100/US$5 for tasting as much as 5 wines
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Muizenberg
Go to Constantia with a tour
Constantia wine route is the closest to Cape City place for wine tasting. It’s an awesome possibility to return and take a look at a number of the greatest wine inside a brief drive from Cape City. The Constantia Valley is a shocking place with stunning surroundings and a number of the oldest wine estates within the nation. There are 9 wine farms in Constantia, which means you’ll be able to simply go to half of them in at some point. You possibly can drive your self or be part of a personal wine tour that features resort pick-up and drop-off. In case you’re up for an journey you are able to do a biking wine tour by way of the valley.
Groot Constantia is the one to not miss right here. It’s the oldest wine farm in South Africa and one of many oldest within the Southern Hemisphere. Klein Constantia and Constantia Glen are two extra farms I’d suggest together with in your listing. Most farms within the valley do wine tasting with out prior association. You possibly can mix tasting with lunch at one of many estates, most of them have nice eating places on their premises.
You possibly can mix wine tasting in Constantia with driving round Cape Peninsula or browsing in Muizenberg. In case you journey with kids earlier than or after the tasting take them to Boulder’s Seaside to see cute African penguins or do a ship tour from Hout Bay to see playful seals.
Robben Island
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 10 km/5 mi offshore
- Tour length – 3h30min. together with a return ferry journey
- Departure occasions from V&A Waterfront – each day 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and three pm (solely between 1st September and thirtieth April)
- Finest time to go to – October to April
- Ferry worth (together with an island tour) – from ZAR 400/US$21 (South Africans), ZAR 600/US$31 (foreigners) per individual
Go to Robben Island with a tour
Robben Island is among the most essential historic locations in Cape City. The island will be visited solely with a tour that features a return ferry trip and an tour. A ship tour to the island is an ideal day journey from Cape City the place you’ll be able to study concerning the latest historical past of the nation, take pleasure in spectacular views of the Cape Peninsula, and observe the varied marine lifetime of the area. The primary attraction of Robben Island is an ex-prison that was become a museum. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was essentially the most well-known prisoner on Robben Island. He spent there 18 years.
The identify of the island comes from the Dutch phrase for seals. You continue to can see them within the waters across the island. The historical past of Robben Island dates again to the sixteenth century when it was used as a stopping level for ships. after it turned a Dutch after which British penal colony. Within the nineteenth – the start of the twentieth century century it was become a leper colony. From the second half of the twentieth century until 1991 it was used as a most safety jail the place many political prisoners together with Nelson Mandela have been held.
Hermanus
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 120 km/74,5 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 1h30min. – 2 hours relying on the site visitors
- Finest time to go to – July to October when Southern proper whales come right here for mating and calving.
- Boat tour costs – from ZAR 1000/US$55 per individual (together with switch from Cape City).
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Cape Agulhas
Go to Hermanus with a tour
It’s an ideal day journey from Cape City to see the varied marine lifetime of the area. Hermanus and Gansbaai are the perfect locations in South Africa to see Southern Proper whales. Your probabilities of seeing them within the peak season are very excessive. It’s attainable to see them from the shore however for an in depth encounter go on a whale-watching boat tour. If you wish to see calf whales, August and September are the perfect months for whale watching in Hermanus. On a pleasant day, you’ll be able to see a number of mother-calf pairs.
Exterior the Southern Proper whale season, you’ll be able to see seals, nice white sharks, dolphins, penguins, and occasional Bridal whales. If you wish to see one of the vital well-known water predators on this planet, the nice white shark you’ll be able to mix a whale-watching tour with shark cage diving in Gansbaai.
There are different issues to do in Hermanus apart from whale watching. It’s a good looking city well-known for its nice eating places the place you’ll be able to attempt contemporary seafood and fish and high-quality wine estates. On a day journey from Cape City to Hermanus, you’ll be able to see marine animals, take pleasure in scrumptious meals, and style native wines.
On the way in which to Hermanus, you’ll be able to cease at Stony Level Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay. It’s a excellent place to see African penguins. The seaside right here will not be as picturesque as Boulders Seaside in Cape City however it’s far much less touristy. Wood boardwalks take guests alongside the coast. Rocks and boulders are lined with a whole lot of penguins. You possibly can see them swimming, strolling throughout boardwalks, and nesting.
Aquila Sport Reserve, Worcester
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 175 km/108 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 2 hours
- Finest time to go to – early morning or night (after sundown) when it’s not too scorching.
- Safari costs – from ZAR 2000/US$110 per individual together with a return switch from Cape City, a 3-hour safari drive and lunch.
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek
Go to Aquila with a tour
Aquila Personal Sport Reserve is barely a 2-hour drive from Cape City, it’s an ideal place for a safari day journey. Aquila is the closest to the Mom Metropolis safari park the place you’ll be able to see the well-known African Huge 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard). In addition to the massive 5, there are lots of different animals to see right here equivalent to hippos, zebras, giraffes, totally different African antelopes, and extra. The reserve is huge and occupies 10,000 hectares. Safari drives listed below are 100% wild experiences with a contact of luxurious. You possibly can mix a safari drive with stress-free at an area spa.
There are a number of methods to discover the reserve from self-drive to quad bike/horseback safaris and a helicopter fly-in. An alternative choice is to hitch a day tour from Cape City that features transportation out of your resort, entrance tickets, a sport drive, and lunch.
West Coast
- Distance from Cape City (a method) – 124 km/77 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 1h30min.
- Finest time to go to is the flower season between August and September when fields alongside the route are lined in spring flowers.
Go to the West Coast with a tour
It’s one of the vital stunning Cape City day journeys in the course of the spring. The West Coast (Namaqualand) utterly transforms in spring, often naked and dry after winter rains, the area appears to be like like one huge colourful carpet. Hundreds of flowers cowl the fields alongside the coast. West Coast Nationwide Park close to Langebaan is the perfect place to return for a day journey from Cape City to see the well-known Namaqualand blossom. There are a number of quick mountain climbing trails contained in the reserve. You possibly can spend a few hours exploring the park and taking images.
Admiring flowers will not be the one exercise on the West Coast. The realm is legendary for its contemporary seafood. The small city of Paternoster, 40 km from Langebaan is the perfect place to attempt it.
Cape Agulhas
- Distance from Cape City (a method, alongside the coast) – 266 km/165 mi
- Driving time (a method) – 3h30min.
- Finest time to go to – the summer time months between November and March
- Will be mixed with a day journey to Hermanus
Go to Cape Agulhas with a tour
It’s certainly one of our favourite street journeys in Cape City. Cape Agulhas is the southernmost level of the African continent and the assembly level of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Many vacationers suppose it’s Cape of Good Hope close to Cape City however it’s not. A drive from the town alongside the coast to Cape Agulhas is among the most scenic drives in Cape City with many stunning locations to cease in between.
Clearance Drive, a stretch of the coastal street between Gordons Bay and Rooiels is essentially the most stunning a part of the journey. From the lookout factors alongside the street, you usually see seals, dolphins, and in the appropriate season even whales. There are some wonderful locations to eat contemporary seafood in Hermanus in addition to a few wine-tasting estates with good eating places e.g. Black Oystercatcher Wines.
On today journey from Cape City, you’ll be able to go to Harold Porter Botanical Backyard or the penguin colony at Stony Level, do a whale-watching tour in Hermanus, or do shark-cage diving in Gansbaai. In case you resolve to do a number of the talked about actions it’s important to begin driving early within the morning.
You possibly can drive again the identical method alongside the coast or flip inland and drive by way of Caledon and over Sir. Lowry’s Cross, the view from the highest of the go is sort of spectacular.
Locations to remain in Cape City
Cape City has many inns, hostels, and guesthouses for any funds. My major recommendation right here is to remain at a spot close to the town middle (Lengthy Road, Bree Road), V&A Waterfront, or Inexperienced Level these are the perfect areas to remain for exploring the town.
Cape City books and guidebooks
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (mountain 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 fairly than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly 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.
