The 18 best day trips from Cape Town

Franschhoek – the ‘French Corner’ – is one of the oldest wine regions in the Cape, as famous for its elegant estates as the menu of bistros and restaurants on offer.

Leave Cape Town early to allow time for a visit to Babylonstoren, where the remarkable gardens can be explored on your own or with a guided tour. Grab coffee and pastries at Boschendal, and wander through the on-site art gallery and excellent farm deli.

Next, head for Franschhoek itself, where the main street is lined with bistros and boutiques, all leading towards the striking Huguenot Monument.

There are many award-winning cellars in and around town – consider visiting a few on the Franschhoek Wine Tram – but Haute Cabriere is a must for its remarkable valley views.

Have a hire car? The scenic route along Clarence Drive ranks as one of the world’s most beautiful drives.

Head out of town on the N2, turning off towards Gordon’s Bay, before the sinuous Clarence Drive (listed as the R44 on road maps) wends its way between the fynbos-clad mountains and the deep blue seas of False Bay.

Stop in the village of Pringle Bay for a walk on the beach, or keep going for a swim at nearby Betty’s Bay. The Stony Point penguin colony here is a quieter, more laid-back alternative to Boulders, while the towering dunes offer fun sandboarding adventures.

Take a walk through the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, or a hike in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, before returning via the scenic Elgin valley.

Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s most famous winemaking regions, but it’s also worth a day wandering the charming streets of this historic 'city of oaks'.

This vibrant university town dates back to 1679, a history celebrated in the soaring Moederkerk, the heritage architecture of Dorp Street, and the excellent Village Museum. The Rupert Museum boasts an impressive collection of landscapes by acclaimed artist JH Pierneef, while the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens are amongst the oldest in the country.

The town is also home to a thriving food and wine scene, with owner-run bistros and upscale wine bars blossoming in the historic heart of Stellenbosch.

It’s well worth the two-hour drive from Cape Town to Hermanus, a town home to some of the world’s best land-based whale watching during the peak winter season (July-October).

From the cliffs that surround the Old Harbour, Southern Right whales can be seen spy-hopping, lob-tailing and breaching close to shore. There are shops and restaurants aplenty in town, but leave time to walk the 12-kilometre Hermanus Cliff Path that runs from New Harbour to the Blue Flag-rated Grotto Beach.

After a visit to the lookout point on Rotary Way, return to Cape Town via the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde valley, home to some of the country’s best wine estates.

The town of Tulbagh - known as ‘The Valley of Abundance’ - has a long and fascinating history. It dates back to the 1700s, making it the fourth-oldest town in South Africa and is particularly noted for its quaint streets, which boast some of the finest examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture, many of which are provincial heritage sites. 

But it’s not all about history: its modern-day attractions are equally appealing. Much of the focus here is on natural beauty, with fantastic hikes and mountain bike trails offering a unique perspective on the valley.

For those less enthusiastic about fitness-based rewards, skip the exercise and opt for the Tulbagh scenic tractor ride for scenic valley views. Before you head back to the city, visit one of its popular breweries and wine estates to stock up on reminders of this unique town for later.

Paternoster is just two hours’ drive from Cape Town, but arriving there feels like you’ve stepped off a plane to a quiet fishing village in Greece. White-walled holiday cottages face up to the icy Atlantic, while the beach is lined with traditional fishing boats. It’s a step back in time that demands you slow down and take in the fresh sea breeze by the lungful as you leave footprints on its soft sands.

In recent years, Paternoster has also won favour as a foodie village, and today several notable restaurants are dotted between the cottages. The most famous of these is Wolfgat, an award-winning restaurant that focuses on fresh seafood and foraged ingredients. Advance booking is essential. Can’t get a table? You won’t go wrong with LEETO or The Noisy Oyster either.

The Elgin Valley is a lush mountainous area in South Africa’s Overberg region. And although many treat it as a pitstop for pies and fresh produce at the famous Peregrine Farm Stall, there’s much more to explore.

The region is an adventure lover’s dream. If you’re into mountain biking, head to the Elgin Adventure Centre. They’ll rent you a bike for the day and point you towards trails that match your ability. More a fan of high-speed heights? Cape Canopy Tours has perhaps their most thrilling setup in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, with the longest ride lasting 30 seconds.

If all that sounds like too much stress, then a more tranquil wine farm visit might be a better match. Paul Cluver Wine Estate and Oak Valley are two superb estates that offer wine tastings and fine food in tranquil Elgin surroundings.

Just two hours outside Cape Town is the quaint Overberg village of Greyton. Like many villages in the Overberg, many of Greyton’s activities centre around the outdoors, with plenty of hikes and trail runs leading out from the village centre.

But in recent years, charming stores and restaurants have established themselves in the town's historic buildings. After a walk through the quiet streets, we recommend settling down for a coffee and snack at the top-rated Pure Café or Maånskyñ.

Although Greyton stands on its own as a worthy small town in the Overberg region, combine it with Greyton on a busy road trip, and you will have a solid one-two special. As the crow flies, McGregor is just 24km away, and the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail will take you there and back in a great overnight hike. The drive is a little further, but well worth the extra mileage.

McGregor may appear to be a sleepy town on arrival, but dig beneath the surface, and you’ll find it’s anything but. This is home to a tight-knit community with immense pride for the hamlet, and in recent years, it has earned particular favour among hikers and mountain bikers. Try the trails in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, then head for a wine tasting at one of the valley’s low-key cellars. Reward yourself with lunch at one of the village’s charming cafes and restaurants: options abound, but you won’t go wrong with Bessie's Bäkerei at the ever-popular Temenos Retreat. You’ll also find owner-run potteries selling hand-crafted wares, while art galleries abound in the village.

De Hoop is a stunning nature reserve made famous for its proximity to a marine protected area that teems with whales between July and October. It’s also the home of the year-round multi-day Whale Trail that traverses through it.

But even without the whales, this nature reserve is worth exploring as a day trip from Cape Town, but you won’t be sorry either if you stay a night or two. Pack a pair of binoculars for bird watching, and hiking shoes for one of the trails. The circular Klipspringer Trail takes just two hours and offers stunning views. If you’re a mountain biker, bring your ride and pick up a permit to explore the trails. And once you’ve worked up a sweat, there’s no better way to cool off than to strip down for a dip or snorkel in one of De Hoop's crystal-clear rock pools. On the drive back, be sure to pull over in Bredasdorp; its fascinating Shipwreck Museum puts the Cape’s treacherous coastline into stark perspective.

If you want to take a curious step back in time, add the small village of Maitjiesfontein to your day trip list. On arrival, you might think there’s not much to do here, and walking from one side of town to the other won’t take more than a few minutes. But there’s an intriguing charm to this historical village that captivates most who visit.

The Lord Milner Hotel, founded in 1884, is the centrepiece of Matjiesfontein - and it’s still open for overnight stays. But if you’re there for the day, consider a walk through its fascinating corridors, enjoy a drink in the pub, or lunch in the traditional dining room.

Outside are several other attractions, including classic buildings and a double-decker bus. But perhaps the most notable attractions these days are its two museums. The Marie Rawdon Museum offers a fascinating collection of Victoriana, while petrolheads will delight in the Transport Museum, which features a collection of vintage cars built between the 1930s and the 1960s.

The southern reaches of the majestic Cederberg mountain range are little more than two hours’ drive from Cape Town, yet drive an extra hour into the heart of the valley and you’ll feel transported to a different world.

On arrival, it’s no wonder it’s a region famous for its rock climbing, ‘wild swimming’ in pristine rivers, ancient rock art and remarkable hiking trails. You can enjoy a taste in a long day trip, but you’ll enjoy it more if you spend at least one, but preferably three, quiet nights under the stars to take more of it in.

But if time is short, the hiking trails to the Maltese Cross or the Wolfberg Cracks are the most popular rock formations. Doing both in a day is an unlikely feat, though. Instead, you’re better off waking up before dawn and picking between the Maltese Cross hike (roughly four hours) or the Wolfberg Cracks hike (up to six hours, depending on how far you continue). If you’re interested in the famous rock art, the Stadsaal Caves and rock paintings are the most accessible. And be sure to leave a little time for a brief visit to Cederberg Wines, which makes superb ‘wines with altitude’ in these incredible mountain valleys.

Although Hermanus may grab the headlines as the Cape’s best whale-watching location, it’s often worth pushing a little further to the smaller town of Witsand. Also called the Whale Nursery of South Africa, it adds another 150km to your road trip, but you’ll be rewarded with a quaint, tranquil resort town where the famous Breede River enters the ocean.

Although many visit for the land-based whale watching in season, other activities abound, including fishing, hiking, waterskiing, and kayaking. And if you’re feeling like an entirely unique experience, book a boat trip up the river to the popular Bush Pub that will give you a great perspective on this often overlooked town.

Don’t get confused: the ‘west’ coast actually lies north of Cape Town, a wonderfully empty wind-swept corner of the Cape that delivers natural beauty and charm aplenty.

The star of the show is the West Coast National Park, an hour's drive from Cape Town, which is home to beautiful wetlands and impressive wildflower displays during the spring flower season (August-September). Stop at the Geelbek bird hides for close-up views of the lagoon’s feathered visitors, and if the weather’s warm you’ll find wonderful (safe) swimming and picnic spots at Kraalbaai.

The next stop is the West Coast Fossil Park. This National Heritage Site recreates the region as it was during the Pliocene era, when saber-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes and African bears wandered here.

On your way home, drop by the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre for a glimpse into the culture and heritage of the indigenous San people.

It’s a shame to rush through the beautiful Overberg region in a single day, but it’s worth it to plant your feet on Africa’s southernmost tip.

Through the charming village of Napier – the farmstall is famous for their ‘black pan breakfast’ –  and past the white sands of Struisbaai, make your way to the windswept village at Cape Agulhas.

The iconic lighthouse has kept watch here since 1848, and the climb to the top up steep ladders is worth it for the views along the coast. Wander the boardwalks to the plaque marking the bottom of Africa, or explore the two local hiking trails to discover ancient fish traps, wrecked ships and prehistoric shell middens.

Take the scenic route back to Cape Town via Elim, a Moravian mission village founded in 1824, to marvel at the original mill-wheel and impressive church.

Most travellers take Route 62 as a scenic journey to the Garden Route, but with an early start and a late finish you can cover the highlights in a day.

From the town of Robertson, a two-hour drive out of Cape Town, spend the morning exploring the wine estates and nature reserves of the Breede River Valley. A river cruise from Viljoensdrift is a laid-back way to soak up the scenery, before driving the winding mountain pass to historic Montagu.

Soak up the vintage charm of town before the R62 wends through orchards and farmland to the quaint town of Barrydale. Stop for a late lunch at Diesel & Crème, or shop at Barrydale Hand Weavers.

The Tradouw Pass takes you back to the N2 highway and the road back to Cape Town. If time allows pay a visit to the excellent museums in Swellendam, the third-oldest town in South Africa.

The wheat fields that carpet the Swartland, an hour from Cape Town, may be known as the ‘bread basket’ of the region, but they’re also brimming with fine wine, food and culture.

Over the past decade the region has built a solid reputation for its world-class Chenin Blanc and Syrah (in particular) thanks to a crop of innovative winemakers crafting world-class wines from aged bush vines. But there’s more to explore than wine.

In the Riebeeck Valley you’ll find elegant country hotels, charming restaurants and olive estates celebrated during the annual (usually in May) Olive Festival. The little town of Moorreesburg plays host to the offbeat Wheat Industry Museum, while the village of Darling is home to the delightfully quirky cultural hub of Evita se Perron and one of the Cape’s finest craft breweries. The region is also a hub for the annual display of spring flowers, which peak in late August and early-September.

Relive the glamorous days of steam travel with a day trip aboard the vintage coaches of Ceres Rail. Pulled by shimmering steam engines, lovingly refurbished by a team of enthusiasts, Ceres Rail offers a pair of day trips to the countryside beyond Cape Town.

The regular Elgin route offers an exciting ascent of Sir Lowry’s Pass followed by a few hours at the colourful Elgin Railway Market, while longer special excursions to the town of Ceres take in beautiful mountain passes on a visit to this quaint country farming town.