15 wonderful weekend getaways from Cape City

There are numerous wonderful weekend getaways from Cape City. We’ve chosen the 15 finest locations close to town to spend the weekend. The getaways are divided into completely different classes: romantic escapes, weekend drives, and tenting getaways. All recommended locations are positioned not additional than 300 km from Cape City not more than a 2,5-hour drive. The put up relies on our private journey experience.

Should you’re visiting town as a vacationer a few of these getaways might be included in your Cape City itinerary.

Finest methods of getting round Cape City

Should you’re not an area and don’t have your individual automobile renting one is the easiest way to get across the metropolis and go on one of many weekend getaways from Cape City. You may lease a automobile on the airport on arrival on this case you may drop it again on departure or within the metropolis for those who don’t want a automobile on daily basis. To go to a lot of the recommended locations you don’t want a giant 4×Four automobile any automobile will probably be advantageous.

Should you don’t need to lease a automobile and plan your individual weekend you may be part of one of many 2-day excursions from Cape City.

The map with the 15 wonderful weekend escapes from Cape City

Incredible locations for a romantic weekend getaway

Franschhoek

• Distance – 81 km, a method from Cape City Metropolis Bowl
• Driving time – 1h15min.
• Finest season – October – April

Franschhoek is an ideal place for a honeymoon escape or a romantic weekend getaway from Cape City. It’s positioned near Cape City, within the picturesque valley surrounded by lovely vineyards. Franschhoek is taken into account to be the meals capital of South Africa. It has a few of the finest wine farms and eating places within the nation. There are numerous unimaginable things to do in Franschhoek.

It’s not all about wine and eating. For journey and out of doors lovers, there are a number of climbing and mountain biking trails across the city. One of the simplest ways to spend a weekend right here is to return on Friday evening and keep until Sunday to have sufficient time to discover, style, and benefit from the space.

Franschoek excursions

Things to do in Franschhoek

• Take the wine tram and go to a few lovely estates within the space.
• Wine tasting and advantageous eating.
• Go on a hike in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, there are a number of climbing trails with some gorgeous lookouts and views over the world.
• Mountain bike, there are a number of routes; Robertsvlei Loop, Franschhoek Cross MTB route, and Matoppie MTB.
• Style scrumptious chocolate at Huguenot High-quality Chocolate, a 1,5-hour candy experience.
• Go to the Franschhoek Motor Museum the place you may see lots of of automobiles from the primary motorized autos to fashionable racing automobiles.
• Stroll by Franschhoek Saturday Village market on Huguenot street within the metropolis middle. Open each Saturday from 9am to 3pm, closed in July.

Locations to remain in Franschhoek

There are numerous lodging choices within the city however for an actual romantic escape, I’d counsel staying at one of many estates simply exterior Franschhoek.

Stellenbosch

• Distance – 50 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – about 50min.
• Finest season – spring-summer for one of the best climate and probably the most lovely views. Wine tasting might be performed any season.

One other excellent place close to Cape City to return for a romantic weekend escape. The city is legendary for its lovely wine estates. Wine tasting is the principle exercise right here however there are a lot of different things to do in Stellenbosch like climbing, mountain biking, and street biking. Stellenbosch is a college city there are a lot of bars and golf equipment which might be open all evening lengthy. It’s a extra appropriate place for a romantic getaway for youthful {couples} than Franschhoek. {Couples} which might be looking for some tranquility can discover a good place for them in Stellenbosch as properly. There are numerous gorgeous wine farms within the space that supply tasting, eating, and lodging on their estates.

Stellenbosch excursions

Things to do in Stellenbosch

Wine tasting, there are greater than 140 wine estates within the space, and lots of of them have tasting rooms and eating places. I’d counsel selecting 6 or eight farms as an alternative of making an attempt to go to many.

Wine pairing, there are a few farms that supply to mix wine tasting with chocolate or cheese pairing; wine & chocolate pairing – Spier; bubbly wine & nougat – C J Le Roux; wine & cheese – Fairview.

Climbing is without doubt one of the hottest out of doors actions round Stellenbosch. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve has a number of climbing trails. Many wine farms have climbing and biking routes on their estates.

Exploring the historic middle of Stellenbosch; the College, the Botanical Backyard, Stellenbosch Village Museum, and many others. You are able to do it by yourself or by becoming a member of a strolling tour.

Visiting one of many Stellenbosch weekend markets. Route 44 is the largest weekend market within the space. It’s open Sat and Solar from 9am to 4pm. Right here yow will discover all kinds of meals and drinks from native braai meat to sushi and curry. Make certain to return right here hungry!

Locations to remain in Stellenbosch

Hermanus

• Distance – 120 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – about 1h40min.
• Finest season – summer time for good seashore climate, and winter (July to September) for whale watching.

This lovely coastal city is a perfect place for a romantic getaway by the ocean. There are numerous unimaginable things to do in Hermanus. Get up within the morning, go for breakfast to one of many sea view eating places, stroll round, exit with a ship to identify whales and dolphins, or go to the seashore. Hermanus has an awesome vary of lodging and restaurant choices for various budgets, you’ll have the ability to discover the one which fits you one of the best.  

Hermanus excursions

Things to do in Hermanus

Whale watching in Hermanus attracts 1000’s of individuals yearly. The height season is July to September when Southern Proper whales come right here for breeding. Exterior the season you may see dolphins, seals, and sharks right here. You may see whales and different marine animals from the shore however

Visiting African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai. There’s a good espresso store inside the place you may have gentle lunch, espresso, and dessert whereas watching rescued penguins within the pool. They do penguin feeding on daily basis at 3pm.

Wine tasting, there are some nice wine farms round Hermanus.

Consuming contemporary seafood and fish at one of many native eating places.

Chilling on the seashore e.g. Grotto Seaside, the most well-liked and simple to entry.

Go to Hermanus Saturday Nation market, right here yow will discover something from native farm merchandise to antiques and garments. Opened each Saturday from 9am to 1pm at Hermanus Cricket Membership.

Locations to remain in Hermanus

Paternoster

• Distance – 150 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – about 2 hours
• Finest season – spring and summer time months. August and September is one of the best time to see the flower season in Namaqualand.

Probably the most lovely cities on the West Coast Paternoster has all you want for an ideal romantic weekend; breathtaking surroundings, unspoiled seashores, and nice eating places. The surroundings on the West Coast could be very completely different from the Cape Winelands and the East Coast, with much less vegetation and more room. The fantastic thing about the West Coast could be very particular there isn’t any different comparable place within the nation.

Paternoster is legendary for its eating places. Native seafood and fish are all the time contemporary. Oysters and crayfish listed below are a must-try. Native bread and pastry are one other not-to-miss right here. Paternoster is the place to return for inspiration and rest, to flee the bustling metropolis life, and to benefit from the tranquility of the West Coast.

West Coast excursions

Things to do in Paternoster

• Driving to Cape Columbine lighthouse.
• Visiting Tietiesbaai Nature Reserve.  
• Having lunch or dinner at Voorstrandt restaurant, they’ve a nice number of seafood and fish dishes.
• Sea kayaking
• Horse using on the seashore
• Ingesting a beer or a cocktail at Panties Bar

Locations to remain in Paternoster

Aquila Sport Reserve

• Distance – 180 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – about 2 hours
• Finest season – all 12 months spherical

The reserve is a superb place to flee the busy metropolis life and an ideal place for a romantic or household getaway from Cape City. The placement of the place is incredible; surrounded by hills, removed from noisy roads and bustling cities. The number of wildlife within the reserve is spectacular. You may see right here the Large 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), in addition to completely different sorts of antelopes, ostriches, giraffes, porcupines, and many others. There are morning, afternoon, and night safaris in addition to horseback using and quad bike safaris.

The complicated features a luxurious lodge and cottages, a restaurant, an infinity pool, and a spa. All you should calm down and benefit from the weekend. Guide your safari weekend at Aquila prematurely!

Safari excursions from Cape City

The Baths Sizzling Springs

• Distance – 190 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – about 2h30min.
• Finest season – it’s good right here in summer time however to essentially benefit from the sizzling springs winter is one of the best time.

What might be higher than spending a weekend along with your dearest one soaking in an out of doors sizzling spring pool or in a personal jacuzzi?! The Baths Sizzling Spring Resort with pure sizzling springs close to Citrusdal is an ideal place for a romantic getaway. The Baths is positioned in a small valley surrounded by mountains and orange plantations, removed from busy roads and metropolis noises. The place is an actual hidden paradise, after spending a weekend right here you’ll fill relaxed and recharged. Guide your chalet or condo prematurely.

Things to do at The Baths

• Chilling within the sizzling spring swimming swimming pools.
• Enjoyable in rock swimming pools hidden within the forest.
• Climbing, two scenic trails uphill with a good looking view over the world.
• Floating within the pool at evening trying on the stars.

The very best weekend street journey escapes from Cape City

Cape Peninsula

• Whole distance – 150 km
• Finest season – summer time is one of the best time however the space is gorgeous all 12 months spherical, and the principle points of interest are open all 12 months.

The driving route: Cape City – Camps Bay – Hout Bay – Chapman’s Peak Drive – Kommetjie – Cape Level – Boulders Seaside – Muizenberg – Constantia – Kirstenbosch – Cape City.

This drive is considered one of our favourite weekend things to do in Cape City. We’ve pushed this street many instances and each time there’s something new to see or to do. The round Cape City street journey is the shortest out of the 5 recommended weekend getaway journeys however there are a lot of wonderful locations alongside the route to maintain you busy for the whole weekend. This scenic drive might be performed as a day journey from Cape City as properly.

Begin your day at Sea Level and proceed driving alongside the coast previous Camps Bay to Hout Bay. Don’t neglect to cease at Maiden’s Cove parking for lovely views of Camps Bay and Twelve Apostles. In Hout Bay go to the harbor you may all the time see there a few seals. From Hout Bay proceed driving alongside the coast in the direction of Kommetjie following the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. There are a number of lookout factors alongside the route the place you may park your automobile.

After all of the driving it’s time to stretch your legs. The Cape Level Nature Reserve is a superb place to do it. The world is completely lovely. One can spend hours exploring the park. Don’t neglect to go to the Cape of Good Hope, Dias Seaside, and the Previous Lighthouse. There are a number of lovely hikes at Cape Level.

From Cape Level drive to Boulders Seaside in Simon’s City. You may keep in Simon’s City for the evening, there are a lot of nice lodging choices, or proceed driving to Muizenberg and in a single day there.

The subsequent day on the way in which again to town you may cease at a few wine estates in Constantia and do some wine tasting.

Cape Peninsula excursions

The Cape Peninsula street journey highlights

• Camps Bay is the most costly and one of the lovely neighborhoods in Cape City.
• Hout Bay is without doubt one of the finest locations in Cape City for watching Cape Seals. You may see them on the harbor or snorkeling from a ship.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive is a 9-kilometer drive alongside the coast with a number of look-out factors.
• Kommetjie is a well-liked surf city with countless sandy seashores.
• Cape Level Nature Reserve is a spot with gorgeous surroundings, lovely seashores, and an outdated lighthouse.
• Boulders Seaside in Simon’s City is a good looking white-sand seashore surrounded by huge boulders with cute African penguins strolling round.
• Muizenberg is without doubt one of the finest locations in Cape City to study browsing well-known for its colourful picket seashore cabins.
• Constantia is without doubt one of the finest locations for wine tasting close to Cape City.

Locations to remain alongside the Cape Peninsula

Cape City to Cape Agulhas

• Whole distance – 505 km, return from Cape City
• Finest season – any time although in winter, June – August, you may get fairly a little bit of rain.

The driving route; Cape City – Gordon’s Bay – Crystal Swimming pools – Betty’s Bay – Hermanus – Elim – Stuisbaai – Cape Agulhas – Arniston – Napier – Caledon – Cape City.

This lovely street journey to the Southernmost Level of Africa is considered one of our favourite scenic drives in Cape City. We frequently do that journey as a weekend getaway from Cape City. Begin on Saturday morning and drive previous Gordon’s Bay alongside the coast. Cease at one of many viewpoints to take photographs and to identify Cape seals or Southern Proper whales for those who do the journey between July and September. Go for a stroll to Crystal Swimming pools at Kogelberg Nature Reserve (guide prematurely) or the Harold Porter Botanical Backyard.

Go to the penguin colony at Stony Level Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay. Cease for lunch and wine tasting in Hermanus, and drive previous the little city of Elim. Cease at Black Oystercatcher to style extra wine or craft beer. Simply earlier than Cape Agulhas cease at Struisbaai harbor, the place you may usually see massive stingrays. Finish your day at Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost Level of Africa.

The subsequent day you may go to Arniston to see the white fishermen’s cottages and the massive Waenhuiskrans cave. Ensure you go there at low tide in any other case you may’t entry the cave. Cease for lunch or espresso within the lovely city of Napier earlier than heading again to Cape City.

Cape Agulhas excursions

Cape City to Cape Agulhas street journey highlights

• Gordon’s Bay Drive is a surprising street alongside the coast.
• Crystal Swimming pools Nature Reserve is a superb place for climbing although it’s important to guide a hike prematurely.
• Stony Level Penguin Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay.
• Harold Porter Botanical Backyard is a good looking backyard with a number of climbing trails.
• Hermanus is a good looking coastal city and an incredible place for whale watching, nice seafood eating places, and wine estates.
• Elim is a good looking small city with colourful homes lined up alongside the principle road.
• Napier, a pleasant city with many souvenirs and occasional outlets on the principle road. It seems nice in spring with jacaranda bushes in blossom.
• Arniston is a small fishermen’s city well-known for conventional white fisherman cottages and Waenhuiskrans Cave.
• Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost Level of Africa.

Lodging in Cape Agulhas

The West Coast

• Whole distance – 393 km, return from Cape City to St.Helena Bay
• Finest season – spring months of August and September are one of the best time to go to Namaqualand, to see fields coated in flowers

The driving route; Cape City – West Coast Nationwide Park – Langebaan – Jacobsbaai – Paternoster – Tietiesbaai – St.Helena Bay – Cape City.

A weekend getaway on the West Coast is one thing completely different and particular. The attractive countless shoreline with white-sandy seashores and turquoise blue waters – an unimaginable mixture of brilliant blue and white colours sponsored. Should you really feel overwhelmed by the busy lifetime of a giant metropolis and need to unwind and calm down the West Coast is an ideal place for an escape from Cape City. Domestically caught contemporary seafood and fish at one of many eating places is a must-try right here.

To begin the day cease for breakfast with the ocean view at Large Bay. We love coming to Ons Huisie and the Blue Peter for a Saturday breakfast. From Large Bay proceed alongside the coast previous Melkbosstrand in the direction of Langebaan. As an choice, you may mix the journey with visiting wine farms in Durbanville. Cease at West Coast Nationwide Park. It’s an awesome place for chook watching and probably the greatest locations to look at flowers in Namaqualand to return in spring to see fields coated with 1000’s of flowers. There are a number of mountain biking and climbing trails contained in the park.

Then cease in Langebaan, a small coastal city and probably the greatest locations for kite browsing in Cape City. In summer time you may see lots of of kites alongside the seashore. From Langebaan head to Paternoster the place you may cease for lunch native seafood and bread/pastry are scrumptious! Voorstrandt and the Noisy Oyster are our favourite eating places right here. After lunch, go to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. Finish the day in St.Helena Bay.

Go to the Lighthouse at Shelly Level it’s a good looking place with unspoiled sandy seashores surrounded by large boulders. The waters round Shelly Level are energetic in a few hours we spent on a ship we noticed many dolphins and seals, two whales, lots of of seabirds, and a sunfish a few instances.

West Coast weekend drive highlights 

• West Coast Nationwide park is a good looking park and an awesome place for chook lovers.
• Langebaan is a pleasant city with nice circumstances for kite browsing between November and March.
• Jacobsbaai is a small city with sandy unspoiled seashores.
• Paternoster, a picturesque white city with nice seafood eating places.
• Tietiesbaai, the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, a good looking coastal surroundings, in style place for tenting over the December holidays. The campsite is good however lately there have been fairly a couple of individuals complaining about safety points that they had there.
• St.Helena Bay is without doubt one of the most lovely corners on the West Coast. Shelley Level lighthouse and seashores are to not miss right here.

Locations to remain in St.Helena Bay

I’d undoubtedly suggest staying as near the seashore as potential, the sundown views listed below are spectacular.

Route 62

• Whole distance – 490 km, return from Cape City to Barrydale
• Finest season – September – December, and March-Might are one of the best months. In winter it’s wet and chilly. In January – February it will get highly regarded.

The driving route; Cape City – Paarl – Du Toits Kloof Cross – Breedekloof wine route – Rawsonville – Robertson – Montagu – Barrydale – Cape City.

To drive the whole route all the way in which to Port Elizabeth over a weekend is an excessive amount of, more often than not you’ll spend driving. You may drive part of Route 62 in two days to Barrydale, which is 246km from Cape City. Route 62 is an ideal escape choice, if it’s unpleasantly windy on the coast you may go extra inland and discover some cozy cities.

From Paarl don’t drive by the Huguenot tunnel take the scenic route over Du Toits Kloof Cross. Cease at a few wine estates on the Breedekloof Wine Route, most of them supply free tasting. Cease for lunch and wine tasting at Nuy Vineyard, between Worcester and Robertson; a good looking property with good wines, nice meals, desserts, and wonderful views.

You may cease in Montagu and calm down within the mineral sizzling springs.  If you wish to discover extra of the Route 62 proceed to Barrydale. The drive between Montagu and Barrydale provides a really typical Platteland surroundings; wheat fields with occasional vineyards, street kiosks with native merchandise, and an countless street.

On the way in which again you are able to do a small loop and drive to Paarl over Bain’s Kloof Cross, one other lovely go with gorgeous views.

Route 62 highlights 

• Paarl
• Du Toits Kloof Cross
• Bain’s Kloof Cross
• Breedekloof Wine Route
• Robertson Wine Valley
• Montagu sizzling mineral springs
• Platteland surroundings
• Barrydale

Locations to remain in Montagu

Superb tenting getaways from Cape City

We love tenting and have camped at about 30+ completely different campsites in South Africa, principally within the Western Cape Province. Listed here are our 5 favourite campsites close to Cape City.

Tweede Tol campsite, Paarl

• Distance – 90 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – 1h20min.
• Per pleasant – no

The campsite is positioned inside the Limietberg Nature reserve. To get there from Paarl you drive by the Bain’s Kloof Cross – a good looking go with a surprising view. The campsite is ideal for individuals who need to spend a weekend in a tranquil place surrounded by lovely nature. The campsite is positioned on the river within the shade of huge bushes which makes it an awesome place for a summer time escape from the scorching metropolis.

Things to do at Tweedy Tol

• Swimming
• Climbing
• Fishing
• Discovering San & Khoi rock artwork

Campsite amenities

• Sizzling water bathe – sure
• Flush bathrooms – sure
• Electrical energy – sure, within the ablution complicated
• Energy shops – no
• Braai place – sure
• Mobile phone reception – sure

22 Watervalle, Porterville

• Distance – 150 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – 1h40min.
• Per pleasant – no

22 Waterfalls is a good looking visitor farm close to Porterville. It’s an ideal place for a weekend escape from town. The campsite isn’t very huge however good and spacious. It’s positioned in a good looking space on the foot of the mountain subsequent to a small river. There are actually 22 waterfalls that you simply stroll previous on the path, it goes fairly far up all the way in which to the highest and additional however the forest half is probably the most spectacular.

Things to do at 22 Waterfalls

• Climbing
• Swimming within the swimming pools
• Fishing
• Biking

Campsite amenities

• Sizzling water bathe – sure
• Flush bathrooms – sure
• Electrical energy – sure, within the ablution complicated
• Energy shops – sure, websites with shops are costlier
• Braai place – sure
• Mobile phone reception – sure

Khomeesdrif, Riviersonderend

• Distance – 160 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – 2 hours
• Per pleasant – sure

Khomeesdrif is considered one of our favourite dog-friendly campsites close to Cape City. We’ve camped right here many instances and each time our canine goes loopy after we arrive. The place is really lovely and tranquil. The campsite is positioned near the river and surrounded by forest. It’s an awesome place to return with household and buddies. There are numerous out of doors actions that the whole household can take pleasure in.

Things to do at Khomeesdrif

• Swimming
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Fishing
• Climbing
• Taking part in volleyball
• Enjoyable on the deck

Campsite amenities

• Sizzling water bathe – sure
• Flush bathrooms – sure
• Electrical energy – sure, within the ablution complicated
• Energy shops – no
• Braai place – sure
• Mobile phone reception – no

Beaverlac, Porterville

• Distance – 175 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – 2 hours
• Worth – ZAR 30 per automobile, ZAR 75 per particular person, ZAR 45 kids (4-17 yo), ZAR 50 per canine
• Per pleasant – sure

Beaverlac is a surprising place hidden behind the mountain vary on a windy street. It’s an ideal place for a weekend escape from Cape City. The place is huge with a number of spacious open grassy areas for tenting, an awesome place to camp with family and friends, very social and fairly busy over holidays. The world is gorgeous and fairly distant removed from busy roads and noise. You get up within the morning to the sounds of birds singing. There are good pure rocky swimming pools for swimming, a number of climbing, and MTB trails.

Things to do at Beaverlac

• Swimming within the rock swimming pools
• Climbing
• Mountain biking

Campsite amenities

• Sizzling water bathe – sure
• Flush bathrooms – sure
• Electrical energy – sure
• Energy shops – no
• Braai place – sure
• Mobile phone reception – no

Suikerbossie Visitor Farm, Cederberg

• Distance – 200 km, a method from Cape City
• Driving time – 2h30min.
• Per pleasant – sure

Suikerbossie Farm is a superb place to return for a household weekend getaway. If you wish to get away from bustling Cape City life and unwind in a peaceable place removed from metropolis site visitors and noises come right here. The closest city is 94km away you’ll be stunned how quiet it may be at evening and the way brilliant the evening sky is. The tenting spots are grassy and spacious, positioned at a small river, surrounded by bushes and bushes so spots are fairly personal, every website has a roofed shade space. Our favourite website right here is Boeta’s, it’s probably the most personal, with a good looking view of the river, a pleasant spot for swimming.

Things to do at Suikerbossie

• Swimming
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• 4×Four driving
• Climbing
• Mountain biking

Campsite amenities

• Sizzling water bathe – sure
• Flush bathrooms – sure
• Electrical energy – sure
• Energy shops – sure
• Braai place – sure
• Mobile phone reception – no