By Roxanne Reid
Who doesn’t love a good road trip, whether it’s thousands of kilometres over a few weeks or just a day trip. If you’re staying in Cape Town, you’re already spoilt for choice on day trips within the metro area, with lots to explore on both the Atlantic and False Bay sides of the Peninsula, as well as in the deep south and northern areas like Blouberg. But stretch a little further beyond the metro, and new worlds open up.
Who doesn’t love a good road trip, whether it’s thousands of kilometres over a few weeks or just a day trip. If you’re staying in Cape Town, you’re already spoilt for choice on day trips within the metro area, with lots to explore on both the Atlantic and False Bay sides of the Peninsula, as well as in the deep south and northern areas like Blouberg. But stretch a little further beyond the metro, and new worlds open up.
Obviously, the day trips I’ve chosen to highlight here aren’t the only ones you can drive from Cape Town. I’ve restricted the driving distance from the Cape Town CBD to a maximum of 130km, although there are other places just a bit further that you can still get to and back to Cape Town in a day. Think shark cage diving at Gansbaai, for instance. Paternoster on the West Coast can also be done in a longish day. My reason for not including it – and other attractions more than 130km away – is that you’d feel rushed to enjoy its multiple attractions and activities if you knew you still had to drive 160km back to Cape Town at the end.
So, although these aren’t the only day trips you can take from Cape Town, in my opinion they include some of the best. I haven’t ranked them, just tried to group them in a logical sequence from the Overberg and Winelands to the West Coast and Swartland. So please don’t go thinking that Tulbagh, which appears last, is any less worthy of your time than the Elgin Valley, which appears first.
The Elgin Valley
Ziplining across mountains and valleys on the Cape Canopy Tour is a thrill
In the fertile Elgin Valley, vineyards and orchards roll out along the hills, with quaint cottages and roses along fences adding to the rural charm. It’s also heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.
My favourite thing to do here is to visit wine farms for wine tasting. Some worth investigating include Paul Cluver, Almenkerk, Iona, and Paul Wallace Wines. But there are also loads of hiking and mountain biking trails for anyone looking for more energetic action. And if ziplining across mountains and valleys next to waterfalls sounds fun, don’t miss the Cape Canopy Tour, a 4.5-hour adrenalin experience in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.
Another popular activity is to visit the Elgin Railway Market, at its buzzy best on the weekends. The steampunk décor alone is worth your time, but there’s also a great vibe and plenty food and drink to enjoy. For something special, book a steam train journey to the Railway Market from Cape Town station with the Ceres Rail Company.
Pop in at a couple of the area’s farm stalls – like Peregrine, Houw Hoek or Dassiesfontein – and join the debate on which one has the best pies.
If you love plants and gardens, don’t miss the Elgin Open Gardens that run for two weekends at the end of October and the beginning of November.
Where
68km south-east of Cape Town along the N2
More about the Elgin Valley
Kleinmond
My favourite thing to do here is to visit wine farms for wine tasting. Some worth investigating include Paul Cluver, Almenkerk, Iona, and Paul Wallace Wines. But there are also loads of hiking and mountain biking trails for anyone looking for more energetic action. And if ziplining across mountains and valleys next to waterfalls sounds fun, don’t miss the Cape Canopy Tour, a 4.5-hour adrenalin experience in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.
Another popular activity is to visit the Elgin Railway Market, at its buzzy best on the weekends. The steampunk décor alone is worth your time, but there’s also a great vibe and plenty food and drink to enjoy. For something special, book a steam train journey to the Railway Market from Cape Town station with the Ceres Rail Company.
Pop in at a couple of the area’s farm stalls – like Peregrine, Houw Hoek or Dassiesfontein – and join the debate on which one has the best pies.
If you love plants and gardens, don’t miss the Elgin Open Gardens that run for two weekends at the end of October and the beginning of November.
Where
68km south-east of Cape Town along the N2
More about the Elgin Valley
Kleinmond
Visit the African penguin colony at Stony Point
The chief thing to know about Kleinmond village is that it forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. A biosphere reserve is a protected area where conservation and people coexist for mutual benefit, making Kleinmond an ideal destination if you care deeply about nature and sustainability.
The area includes the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, which is home to around 1800 plant species of the Cape Floral Kingdom, many of them found nowhere else on earth. The reserve is also well known for its excellent hiking trails and white-water rafting on the Palmiet River from July to October.
To top it all, there’s a long coastline that remains largely unspoiled. Nearby, Rooisand Nature Reserve is excellent for birdwatching and, if you’re lucky, you might find free-roaming wild horses in the dunes and wetlands. At Betty’s Bay close by, don’t miss walking the boardwalk at Stony Point to see the African penguin colony or hiking in the Harold Porter Botanical Garden.
There are some restaurants, coffee shops and small shops to explore in Kleinmond, but for many people the area is mainly about nature and outdoor activities such as birding, whale-watching, hiking, river-rafting, and horse riding. For a more sedate experience, you can visit local art galleries or go wine tasting in the surrounding area; many of the wineries I mentioned for the Elgin Valley (above) are an easy drive away.
Where
110km south-east of Cape Town on the N2 and R44
More about Kleinmond
Hermanus
The area includes the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, which is home to around 1800 plant species of the Cape Floral Kingdom, many of them found nowhere else on earth. The reserve is also well known for its excellent hiking trails and white-water rafting on the Palmiet River from July to October.
To top it all, there’s a long coastline that remains largely unspoiled. Nearby, Rooisand Nature Reserve is excellent for birdwatching and, if you’re lucky, you might find free-roaming wild horses in the dunes and wetlands. At Betty’s Bay close by, don’t miss walking the boardwalk at Stony Point to see the African penguin colony or hiking in the Harold Porter Botanical Garden.
There are some restaurants, coffee shops and small shops to explore in Kleinmond, but for many people the area is mainly about nature and outdoor activities such as birding, whale-watching, hiking, river-rafting, and horse riding. For a more sedate experience, you can visit local art galleries or go wine tasting in the surrounding area; many of the wineries I mentioned for the Elgin Valley (above) are an easy drive away.
Where
110km south-east of Cape Town on the N2 and R44
More about Kleinmond
Hermanus
The historic old harbour at Hermanus
Hermanus started as a small fishing village and has grown into a dynamic town on the Cape Whale Coast. It’s famous for whale-watching and even has a dedicated whale museum and a whale crier who blows a kelp horn when whales appear in the bay. The best time to see southern right whales is from June to November.
But there’s more to Hermanus than whales. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, it has a beautiful stretch of coastline, white sandy beaches, and rocky shores, all of which you can enjoy by walking at least part of the spectacular 12km cliff path. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is rich in plant life and hiking trails with sea and mountain views. There’s a slew of quality wine farms in the Hemel en Aarde Valley that offer wine-tasting; look for names like Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson, Newton Johnson, Ataraxia and Creation.
Want action? Choose from mountain biking, hiking, surfing, sea kayaking, paragliding, and horse riding. For a more relaxed visit, explore the well-developed art route, which includes striking public sculptures at Gearing’s Point along the cliff path. Browse bookshops and antique stores or enjoy a meal at one of Hermanus’s many good restaurants, some with the bonus of ocean views.
Where
122km south-east of Cape Town on the N2 and R43
More about Hermanus
Stellenbosch & the Cape Winelands
But there’s more to Hermanus than whales. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, it has a beautiful stretch of coastline, white sandy beaches, and rocky shores, all of which you can enjoy by walking at least part of the spectacular 12km cliff path. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is rich in plant life and hiking trails with sea and mountain views. There’s a slew of quality wine farms in the Hemel en Aarde Valley that offer wine-tasting; look for names like Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson, Newton Johnson, Ataraxia and Creation.
Want action? Choose from mountain biking, hiking, surfing, sea kayaking, paragliding, and horse riding. For a more relaxed visit, explore the well-developed art route, which includes striking public sculptures at Gearing’s Point along the cliff path. Browse bookshops and antique stores or enjoy a meal at one of Hermanus’s many good restaurants, some with the bonus of ocean views.
Where
122km south-east of Cape Town on the N2 and R43
More about Hermanus
Stellenbosch & the Cape Winelands
Old-worlde shopping at Stellenbosch’s Oom Samie se Winkel
Established by Simon van der Stel in 1679, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second-oldest town. Today, it’s a university town known for its Cape Dutch buildings, streets lined with oak trees, and the vineyards that surround it. The area produces some of South Africa’s best wines, so wine tasting is popular. Some of our favourites include Delheim, Meerlust, Neil Ellis, and Rust en Vrede. The town also has many restaurants, making it a favourite destination for food lovers.
Join a walking or e-biking tour to learn about the town’s history and culture, visit museums, shops and art galleries, explore the university’s Botanical Garden, a sculpture garden, or the formal fruit and veg gardens at Babylonstoren, or simply relax with a picnic basket at one of the wineries in summer. Browse a local market, ride a Segway through the vineyards, go strawberry picking in summer, or take a walking tour of the Kayamandi township.
Set between soaring mountains, Stellenbosch also offers great hiking and mountain biking, with Jonkershoek Nature Reserve being one of the top spots for these activities.
From Stellenbosch, the first-rate winelands of Paarl and Franschhoek are within easy reach if you want to expand your day trip. Think quality wines (some of our faves include Backsberg, Boschendal, Fairview, La Motte and Haute Cabriere), good restaurants (especially in Franschhoek), monuments and museums, and hiking or biking in nature.
Where
50km east of Cape Town along the N2 and R310
More about Stellenbosch
Philadelphia canola fields
Join a walking or e-biking tour to learn about the town’s history and culture, visit museums, shops and art galleries, explore the university’s Botanical Garden, a sculpture garden, or the formal fruit and veg gardens at Babylonstoren, or simply relax with a picnic basket at one of the wineries in summer. Browse a local market, ride a Segway through the vineyards, go strawberry picking in summer, or take a walking tour of the Kayamandi township.
Set between soaring mountains, Stellenbosch also offers great hiking and mountain biking, with Jonkershoek Nature Reserve being one of the top spots for these activities.
From Stellenbosch, the first-rate winelands of Paarl and Franschhoek are within easy reach if you want to expand your day trip. Think quality wines (some of our faves include Backsberg, Boschendal, Fairview, La Motte and Haute Cabriere), good restaurants (especially in Franschhoek), monuments and museums, and hiking or biking in nature.
Where
50km east of Cape Town along the N2 and R310
More about Stellenbosch
Philadelphia canola fields
Photographing canola fields near Philadelphia in the Swartland
South Africa’s Overberg and Swartland regions are famous for their rolling yellow canola fields. The ones around Malmesbury and Philadelphia in the Swartland are at their spectacular best from mid-August to mid/late September, although flowering can start as early as late July and continue into early October, depending on rainfall and temperature.
Philadelphia is one of my favourite spots close to Cape Town for seeing these ‘fields of gold’. Take the N7 from Cape Town and after about 25km, turn right onto the Van Schoorsdrif Road towards the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch. There are lots of canola fields begging to be photographed along this gravel road. About 9.5km from the turnoff, you’ll come to a left turn onto the Botterberg Road towards Capaia wine estate. Do a wine tasting (advance booking recommended) or ride one of their mountain bike trails.
Then backtrack to the Van Schoorsdrif Road and turn north again; it will eventually spit you out onto the tarred R304. Turn left and follow the signs to Philadelphia, established in 1861 as a Moravian mission station. Explore the tiny village on foot to see the attractive Dutch Reformed church, shops and old buildings dating back to the 19th century. Have coffee or a meal at the charming Pepper Tree Art Stable and Coffeeshop in Louw Street. The vibe is relaxed country and the food good. Buy fresh veg, bread or honey to take away with you.
Philadelphia makes a lovely half-day trip from Cape Town, or you can turn it into a full-day trip by combining it with Darling or the Riebeek Valley (see below).
Where
42km north-east of Cape Town along the N7 and R304
Yzerfontein
Philadelphia is one of my favourite spots close to Cape Town for seeing these ‘fields of gold’. Take the N7 from Cape Town and after about 25km, turn right onto the Van Schoorsdrif Road towards the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch. There are lots of canola fields begging to be photographed along this gravel road. About 9.5km from the turnoff, you’ll come to a left turn onto the Botterberg Road towards Capaia wine estate. Do a wine tasting (advance booking recommended) or ride one of their mountain bike trails.
Then backtrack to the Van Schoorsdrif Road and turn north again; it will eventually spit you out onto the tarred R304. Turn left and follow the signs to Philadelphia, established in 1861 as a Moravian mission station. Explore the tiny village on foot to see the attractive Dutch Reformed church, shops and old buildings dating back to the 19th century. Have coffee or a meal at the charming Pepper Tree Art Stable and Coffeeshop in Louw Street. The vibe is relaxed country and the food good. Buy fresh veg, bread or honey to take away with you.
Philadelphia makes a lovely half-day trip from Cape Town, or you can turn it into a full-day trip by combining it with Darling or the Riebeek Valley (see below).
Where
42km north-east of Cape Town along the N7 and R304
Yzerfontein
Yzerfontein is part of an Urban Conservancy
Picture blue sea, wide bays, and vast stretches of untouched fynbos – that’s Yzerfontein, affectionately known as the Pearl of the West Coast. Some 127 hectares around town are protected as green belt conservancy and form part of a local nature reserve.
Yzerfontein is best known for its spectacular Sixteen Mile Beach, which runs from the edge of town all the way north to the West Coast National Park. Fishing and tourism are pillars of the local economy, with visitor numbers surging during wildflower season from August to October. While the icy Benguela Current makes swimming a chilly affair, the conditions are ideal for wetsuit-friendly water sports like surfing and windsurfing.
Keep an eye out for the historic white lime kilns – relics from the Dutch East India Company era, when mussel shells were burnt to produce lime for building. For a fabulous heritage experience, visit !Khwa ttu Heritage Centre on your way to Yzerfontein to learn about the culture, knowledge and skills of South Africa’s first people, the San.
Soak up the fresh sea air, hike coastal trails, cycle through town, go fishing, or watch southern right whales in the bay between July and November. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby West Coast National Park for nature and the West Coast Fossil Park for ancient heritage; both are highlighted below.
Where
85km north-west of Cape Town along the R27 and R315
More about Yzerfontein
More about !Khwa ttu Heritage Centre
West Coast National Park
Yzerfontein is best known for its spectacular Sixteen Mile Beach, which runs from the edge of town all the way north to the West Coast National Park. Fishing and tourism are pillars of the local economy, with visitor numbers surging during wildflower season from August to October. While the icy Benguela Current makes swimming a chilly affair, the conditions are ideal for wetsuit-friendly water sports like surfing and windsurfing.
Keep an eye out for the historic white lime kilns – relics from the Dutch East India Company era, when mussel shells were burnt to produce lime for building. For a fabulous heritage experience, visit !Khwa ttu Heritage Centre on your way to Yzerfontein to learn about the culture, knowledge and skills of South Africa’s first people, the San.
Soak up the fresh sea air, hike coastal trails, cycle through town, go fishing, or watch southern right whales in the bay between July and November. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby West Coast National Park for nature and the West Coast Fossil Park for ancient heritage; both are highlighted below.
Where
85km north-west of Cape Town along the R27 and R315
More about Yzerfontein
More about !Khwa ttu Heritage Centre
West Coast National Park
Spring flowers and sea views in the Postberg section
At the West Coast National Park you’ll find white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and wildlife that includes eland, zebras, flamingos, pelicans, whales and dolphins. Superstar of the park is the Langebaan Lagoon, which is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
At the Geelbek Visitor Centre, don’t miss the replica of Eve’s 117 000-year-old footprints that were found at Kraalbaai. Stop at the Seeberg info centre, an old shepherd’s hut, where info boards share the history of the area’s farms and settlements, the old days of whaling, and some of the people who used to live here.
If you visit in August or September, you’ll see carpets of colourful spring flowers in the Postberg section of the park and the Seeberg/Mooimaak area. Postberg is closed for the rest of the year.
Other activities to enjoy include game drives, birdwatching at one of the four bird hides to see some of the park’s 250 species, beach time at Preekstoel or Kraalbaai, hiking a day trail, or mountain biking. The best views for whale-watching are from Atlantic Viewpoint or Tsaarsbank.
Water sports like kite-surfing, waterskiing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, swimming, and fishing are allowed only in Zone A from Kraalbaai north towards Saldanha Bay. It’s all clearly marked on the map you get at the entrance gate.
Where
100km north-west of Cape Town along the R27
More about the West Coast National Park
West Coast Fossil Park
At the Geelbek Visitor Centre, don’t miss the replica of Eve’s 117 000-year-old footprints that were found at Kraalbaai. Stop at the Seeberg info centre, an old shepherd’s hut, where info boards share the history of the area’s farms and settlements, the old days of whaling, and some of the people who used to live here.
If you visit in August or September, you’ll see carpets of colourful spring flowers in the Postberg section of the park and the Seeberg/Mooimaak area. Postberg is closed for the rest of the year.
Other activities to enjoy include game drives, birdwatching at one of the four bird hides to see some of the park’s 250 species, beach time at Preekstoel or Kraalbaai, hiking a day trail, or mountain biking. The best views for whale-watching are from Atlantic Viewpoint or Tsaarsbank.
Water sports like kite-surfing, waterskiing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, swimming, and fishing are allowed only in Zone A from Kraalbaai north towards Saldanha Bay. It’s all clearly marked on the map you get at the entrance gate.
Where
100km north-west of Cape Town along the R27
More about the West Coast National Park
West Coast Fossil Park
Sivathere (short-necked giraffe) sculptures in the main exhibition hall
Do you have an interest in prehistoric animals? Want to know what the West Coast looked like millions of years ago? Don’t miss a day trip to the West Coast Fossil Park. Take a guided fossil tour to a real dig site to see bones of the short-necked giraffe and other animals where they have been exposed. You’ll also learn a bit about how painstaking palaeontologists have to be when uncovering these fossils.
An exhibition hall provides a fascinating overview of the West Coast’s history, stretching from 37 million years ago to the present day. It explains how changing sea levels and a shift from a subtropical climate and vegetation shaped the landscape we see today. You can learn about long-extinct animals that once lived here, including four-tusked elephants, giant pigs, sabre-toothed cats, and African bears. The exhibition also reveals smaller mammals like golden moles, elephant shrews and mice whose modern relatives still live in the area today.
Apart from the dig tour and the exhibition halls, there are four mountain bike trails, or you can book a guided birding walk with a local expert. Enjoy coffee or lunch at the restaurant, and pop into the shop for a memento of your visit.
Where
130km north-west of Cape Town via the R27 and R45
More about the West Coast Fossil Park
Darling
An exhibition hall provides a fascinating overview of the West Coast’s history, stretching from 37 million years ago to the present day. It explains how changing sea levels and a shift from a subtropical climate and vegetation shaped the landscape we see today. You can learn about long-extinct animals that once lived here, including four-tusked elephants, giant pigs, sabre-toothed cats, and African bears. The exhibition also reveals smaller mammals like golden moles, elephant shrews and mice whose modern relatives still live in the area today.
Apart from the dig tour and the exhibition halls, there are four mountain bike trails, or you can book a guided birding walk with a local expert. Enjoy coffee or lunch at the restaurant, and pop into the shop for a memento of your visit.
Where
130km north-west of Cape Town via the R27 and R45
More about the West Coast Fossil Park
Darling
Duckitt Nurseries’ orchid greenhouse is open to the public on the first Saturday morning of the month from May to November
Tucked between vineyards and wheatfields on the West Coast is the small town of Darling. Driving along its main road, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. But turn off onto the side streets to discover a charming town filled with shady old trees and well-restored Victorian buildings.
As part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom, Darling is renowned for its diversity of wildflowers, particularly during the annual Darling Wildflower Show in spring. If you visit in August/September, don’t miss a visit to one of the local wildflower reserves like Tienie Versveld Nature Reserve or Waylands Wildflower Reserve.
Darling is also famous as the home of satirist Pieter Dirk Uys and his alter ego, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout. A visit to Evita se Perron theatre complex at the old train station is a must, as is the wonderfully kitsch Boerassic Park right behind it.
Tackle a cycle trail with your mountain bike, enjoy a meal at one of Darling’s restaurants, sample craft beer at Darling Brewery, visit the orchid nursery, and don’t miss the small but excellent museum. You can also visit local wineries like Cloof, Ormonde, and our favourite Groote Post.
Only a short drive away is the West Coast National Park (see above), where you can revel in sea views, fresh air, and the chance to see flocks of pink flamingos on the lagoon.
Where
72km north of Cape Town along the R27 and R307
More about Darling
The Riebeek Valley
As part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom, Darling is renowned for its diversity of wildflowers, particularly during the annual Darling Wildflower Show in spring. If you visit in August/September, don’t miss a visit to one of the local wildflower reserves like Tienie Versveld Nature Reserve or Waylands Wildflower Reserve.
Darling is also famous as the home of satirist Pieter Dirk Uys and his alter ego, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout. A visit to Evita se Perron theatre complex at the old train station is a must, as is the wonderfully kitsch Boerassic Park right behind it.
Tackle a cycle trail with your mountain bike, enjoy a meal at one of Darling’s restaurants, sample craft beer at Darling Brewery, visit the orchid nursery, and don’t miss the small but excellent museum. You can also visit local wineries like Cloof, Ormonde, and our favourite Groote Post.
Only a short drive away is the West Coast National Park (see above), where you can revel in sea views, fresh air, and the chance to see flocks of pink flamingos on the lagoon.
Where
72km north of Cape Town along the R27 and R307
More about Darling
The Riebeek Valley
Mountains and a church spire dominate in this view of Riebeek-Kasteel
The sister towns of Riebeek-Kasteel and Riebeek West lie at the foot of the Kasteelberg surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and wheatfields. Founded on centuries-old farming roots, the valley is a favourite escape for Capetonians and a peaceful haven for those looking for a slower, more rural lifestyle.
September brings a burst of energy with the Swartland Olive Festival, complete with tastings and special events, but you can enjoy excellent local olives and olive oils all year round. Culture and heritage lovers will appreciate the valley’s art galleries and small museums. Wine tasting is popular on farms like Allesverloren, Kloovenburg, Pulpit Rock, and Meerhof. If you love the outdoors, you can look forward to hiking and biking trails, as well as birdwatching.
There’s a cluster of good restaurants, cafés and coffee shops in Riebeek-Kasteel. Wander into the picturesque Short Street precinct with its distinctive Karoo-style architecture, or relax with a drink on the long stoep of the historic Royal Hotel. Explore a variety of shops offering everything from fresh produce and artisanal goods to clothing, decor and gifts.
In Riebeek West, visit Die Boomhuis nursery, the Jan Smuts birthplace museum, and admire some of the elegant old Victorian homes in the side streets.
For a longer day, combine the Riebeek Valley with Tulbagh (below).
Where
93km north-east of Cape Town along the N7 and R46
More about the Riebeek Valley
Tulbagh
September brings a burst of energy with the Swartland Olive Festival, complete with tastings and special events, but you can enjoy excellent local olives and olive oils all year round. Culture and heritage lovers will appreciate the valley’s art galleries and small museums. Wine tasting is popular on farms like Allesverloren, Kloovenburg, Pulpit Rock, and Meerhof. If you love the outdoors, you can look forward to hiking and biking trails, as well as birdwatching.
There’s a cluster of good restaurants, cafés and coffee shops in Riebeek-Kasteel. Wander into the picturesque Short Street precinct with its distinctive Karoo-style architecture, or relax with a drink on the long stoep of the historic Royal Hotel. Explore a variety of shops offering everything from fresh produce and artisanal goods to clothing, decor and gifts.
In Riebeek West, visit Die Boomhuis nursery, the Jan Smuts birthplace museum, and admire some of the elegant old Victorian homes in the side streets.
For a longer day, combine the Riebeek Valley with Tulbagh (below).
Where
93km north-east of Cape Town along the N7 and R46
More about the Riebeek Valley
Tulbagh
Old Cape Dutch buildings in historic Church Street
Towering mountains surround the peaceful little village of Tulbagh in the Cape Winelands. About 40km north-east of Riebeek-Kasteel, it was established way back in the 1700s. Don’t miss its star attraction, historic Church Street, where beautifully restored period buildings line the road. After a disastrous earthquake in 1969, the entire street underwent massive restoration and is now protected as a national monument.
Your lasting memories of Tulbagh will be of Cape Dutch buildings, gnarled old oak trees, blue-grey mountains, and vineyards fading to the horizon. Explore the four museums along Church Street, including an Earthquake Museum, to trace the area’s rich history through the centuries.
Enjoy an olive tasting, wander the art route, taste craft beer, eat at one of Tulbagh’s restaurants or coffee shops. Go wine tasting at farms like Saronsberg, Theuniskraal, Montpellier, and Krone (for bubbles). Hire a bike to explore the wine estates and farm tracks; it comes with a special carrier for your purchases.
Outdoor lovers will want to immerse themselves in the scenery by going hiking, biking or horse riding in the mountains. Ceres Zip Slide Adventures is only 30km away and great fun.
For a longer day, Tulbagh combines well with a visit to Riebeek-Kasteel (above).
Where
120km north-east of Cape Town along the N1 and R44, about 122km via the N7 and R46
More about Tulbagh
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Your lasting memories of Tulbagh will be of Cape Dutch buildings, gnarled old oak trees, blue-grey mountains, and vineyards fading to the horizon. Explore the four museums along Church Street, including an Earthquake Museum, to trace the area’s rich history through the centuries.
Enjoy an olive tasting, wander the art route, taste craft beer, eat at one of Tulbagh’s restaurants or coffee shops. Go wine tasting at farms like Saronsberg, Theuniskraal, Montpellier, and Krone (for bubbles). Hire a bike to explore the wine estates and farm tracks; it comes with a special carrier for your purchases.
Outdoor lovers will want to immerse themselves in the scenery by going hiking, biking or horse riding in the mountains. Ceres Zip Slide Adventures is only 30km away and great fun.
For a longer day, Tulbagh combines well with a visit to Riebeek-Kasteel (above).
Where
120km north-east of Cape Town along the N1 and R44, about 122km via the N7 and R46
More about Tulbagh
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Best things to do in Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Cape Town food experiences you’ll love
Constantia wine farms: why visit these Cape Town wineries
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Did you enjoy the article? Pin this image!
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