The legendary Cape of Good Hope
The first European to reach the cape was the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in March 1488, who named it the “Cape of Storms”. It was later renamed by John II of Portugal as “Cape of Good Hope” because of the great optimism engendered by the opening of a sea route to India and the East.
Africa’s most southwesterly point
Cape Point is in the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park, which forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. Cape Point has become famous for its ocean views, the Cape Point lighthouse, as well as the extensive range of flora and fauna you’ll find here.
Although these two rocky capes are very well known, neither cape is actually the southernmost point of the
mainland of Africa; that is Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres to the east-southeast.
The entrance to the national park is about 20km from our accommodation
and the drive along the Atlantic coast is already an highlight.
TIP for all adventurers: why not explore the Cape from the sea? Boat cruises start from the harbour in Simons Town.
Simons Town
Here is a town full of history – home of the Royal Navy and an important player in the 2nd world war. Simons Town is only a short 15min drive from Kommetjie and surprises with many old stone buildings, museums, statues, lots of restaurants and charming shops and a lovely harbour offering a range of boat trips in False Bay.
Enjoy traditional fish & chips in this special setting or take a trip through the bay on a kayak or go on a dive. Simon’s Town is also home of the African Penguins and the Scratch Patch, with a wide range of gem stones to choose from.
Kalk Bay
The sleepy sea-side fishing village of Kalk Bay sits on the picturesque coast of False Bay, bathed in sunshine during the warmer seasons. It is full of amazing places and activities just waiting to be discovered and experienced all year round.
Kalk Bay will enchant you no matter how you choose to spend your time there. The village is home to a theatre, art galleries, a book shop, a bakery, cocktails all the way from Cuba, antique shops, a train-car restaurant, and so much more.
Perfect for a morning coffee and maybe some antic-shopping afterwards?
Muizenberg
Muizenberg is a small historic town and its beach marks the beginning of a very long sandy beach across False Bay. This is the best spot for sunrise walks or early morning surfing on renowned Surfer’s Corner Beach. Here you find the best waves for beginners – with great possibilities for renting surf gear or taking surf lessons.
A big range of stunning restaurants with great and wide sea views across False Bay make this a very popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Nature Lovers will marvel at this outstandingly beautiful landscape with about 528 ha and over 7000 cultivated trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers and herbs – a wide range of theme gardens, stunning proteas and old giant trees invite you to spend the day in the middle of nature. Grab a blanket and a picnic basket and look for your favourite spot.
From the heart piece of the Gardens, the original cobble-stoned bird bath area, to the large central area with its big pond, long-stretched lawns and hidden streams, to the open air concert arena and the Boomslang Walk through the tree-tops. To top all of that there are restaurants, galleries, a nursery and plenty of hiking paths along and up the Table Mountain Range to Devil’s Peak, towering over the Gardens.
TIP!
Kirstenbosch Sunset Concerts: November every year marks the start of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts. International acts take to the stage along with local bands. If you’re in Cape Town on a Sunday between November and April, gather your picnic baskets, friends, and family, and enjoy the best music South Africa has to offer in the shade of Table Mountain.
Galileo Open Air Cinema: Every Wednesday and Thursday, film-lovers get the chance to laze on the lush lawns of Cape Town’s oldest botanical garden with popcorn, picnic baskets and a consistent dose of cult classics, rom-coms and some award-winning dramas.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a place with countless touristic opportunities and with a historic background going back to Jan Van Riebeeck – the pioneer of Cape Town. The local fishing harbour and sailing port is a very popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering a range of markets, local food fares and restaurants.
The sheltered beach is highly frequented and restaurants directly next to the beach a rare find in Cape Town. A microcosm of its own, the Republic of Hout Bay, as locals lovingly call it functions like a mine state of its own.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
One of the most spectacular and scenic coastal roads and a photo-stop-must for every visitor to Cape Town & the Cape Peninsula! Stunning views along the Atlantic coastline from the Sentinel Mountain in Hout Bay to the Lighthouse in Kommetjie, especially popular during the sunset, when also locals take a trip with a picnic basket to enjoy a romantic evening.
The windy roads cut through the cliffs and sometimes going down steep to the ocean make for a perfect driving adventure, not for the faint-hearted. However regular maintenance work and great engineering make it a well manageable and safe road to drive.
Noordhoek
One of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world connects Hout Bay and Noordhoek. The 9 kilometer-long coastal road leads across Chapman’s Peak, a 160-meter-high viewpoint.
The combination of steep, almost thrilling rocky inclines, crystal clear blue waters and expansive skies simply take the breath away. There are a number of rest areas en route where one can stop and drink in the views or picnic.