15 amazing weekend getaways from Cape Town

There are many amazing weekend getaways from Cape Town. We’ve chosen the 15 best places near the city to spend the weekend. The getaways are divided into different categories: romantic escapes, weekend drives, and camping getaways. All suggested places are located not further than 300 km from Cape Town no more than a 2,5-hour drive. The post is based on our personal travel experience.

If you’re visiting the city as a tourist some of these getaways can be included in your Cape Town itinerary.

Best ways of getting around Cape Town

If you’re not a local and don’t have your own car renting one is the best way to get around the city and go on one of the weekend getaways from Cape Town. You can rent a car at Cape Town airport on arrival and drop it back on departure or in the city if you don’t need a car every day. To visit most of the suggested places you don’t need a big 4×4 car any car will be fine.

If you don’t want to rent a car and plan your own weekend you can join one of the 2/3-day tours from Cape Town.

• 2-day Glamping and Wild Safari from Cape Town
• Cape Town 2-Day Tour- Aquila Safari Game Reserve & Robben Island Getaway
• 3-day Garden Route and Safari from Cape Town

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The map with the 15 amazing weekend escapes from Cape Town

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Fantastic places for a romantic weekend getaway

Franschhoek

• Distance – 81 km, one way from Cape Town City Bowl
• Driving time – 1h15min.
• Best season – October – April

Franschhoek is a perfect place for a honeymoon escape or a romantic weekend getaway from Cape Town. It’s located close to Cape Town, in the picturesque valley surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Franschhoek is considered to be the food capital of South Africa. It has some of the best wine farms and restaurants in the country. There are many incredible things to do in Franschhoek.

It’s not all about wine and dining. For adventure and outdoor lovers, there are several hiking and mountain biking trails around the town. The best way to spend a weekend here is to come on Friday night and stay till Sunday to have enough time to explore, taste, and enjoy the area.

Franschhoek tours

• From Cape Town: Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off
• Cape Town: Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food
• Franschhoek Winelands Meander
• Franschhoek: E-Bike Guided Winery Tour

Things to do in Franschhoek

• Take the wine tram and visit a couple of beautiful estates in the area.
• Wine tasting and fine dining.
• Go on a hike in Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, there are several hiking trails with some stunning lookouts and views over the area.
• Mountain bike, there are several routes; Robertsvlei Loop, Franschhoek Pass MTB route, and Matoppie MTB.
• Taste delicious chocolate at Huguenot Fine Chocolate, a 1,5-hour sweet experience.
• Visit the Franschhoek Motor Museum where you can see hundreds of cars from the first motorized vehicles to modern racing cars.
• Stroll through Franschhoek Saturday Village market on Huguenot road in the city center. Open every Saturday from 9am to 3pm, closed in July.

Places to stay in Franschhoek

There are many accommodation options in the town but for a real romantic escape, I’d suggest staying at one of the estates just outside Franschhoek.

• Low-end | Le Manse |
• Middle price | Chevandeaux 1 – Merlot |
• High-end | Droom Guesthouse |

Stellenbosch

• Distance – 50 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – about 50min.
• Best season – spring-summer for the best weather and the most beautiful views. Wine tasting can be done any season.

Another great place near Cape Town to come for a romantic weekend escape. The town is famous for its beautiful wine estates. Wine tasting is the main activity here but there are many other things to do in Stellenbosch like hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. Stellenbosch is a university town there are many bars and clubs that are open all night long. It’s a more suitable place for a romantic getaway for younger couples than Franschhoek. Couples that are seeking some tranquility can find a perfect place for them in Stellenbosch as well. There are many stunning wine farms in the area that offer tasting, dining, and accommodation on their estates.

Stellenbosch tours

• From Stellenbosch: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Southern Route
• Full-Day Chocolate, Cheese, Olive and Wine Tour from Stellenbosch
• Stellenbosch: Historical Bike Tour & Wine Tasting
• Cape Town: Cape Winelands Full-Day Shared Tour

Things to do in Stellenbosch

Wine tasting, there are more than 140 wine estates in the area, and many of them have tasting rooms and restaurants. I’d suggest choosing 6 or 8 farms instead of trying to visit many.

Wine pairing, there are a couple of farms that offer to combine wine tasting with chocolate or cheese pairing; wine & chocolate pairing – Spier; bubbly wine & nougat – C J Le Roux; wine & cheese – Fairview.

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities around Stellenbosch. Jonkershoek Nature Reserve has several hiking trails. Many wine farms have hiking and cycling routes on their estates.

Exploring the historical center of Stellenbosch; the University, the Botanical Garden, Stellenbosch Village Museum, etc. You can do it on your own or by joining a walking tour.

Visiting one of the Stellenbosch weekend markets. Route 44 is the biggest weekend market in the area. It’s open Sat and Sun from 9am to 4pm. Here you can find all sorts of food and drinks from local braai meat to sushi and curry. Make sure to come here hungry!

Places to stay in Stellenbosch

• Low-end | Olive tree private apartment |
• Middle price | Absolute Bosch Guest House |
• High-end | River Manor Boutique Hotel |

Hermanus

• Distance – 120 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – about 1h40min.
• Best season – summer for nice beach weather, and winter (July to September) for whale watching.

This beautiful coastal town is an ideal place for a romantic getaway by the sea. There are many incredible things to do in Hermanus. Wake up in the morning, go for breakfast to one of the sea view restaurants, walk around, go out with a boat to spot whales and dolphins, or go to the beach. Hermanus has a great range of accommodation and restaurant options for different budgets, you’ll be able to find the one that suits you the best.  

Hermanus tours

• Hermanus: Boat-Based Whale-Watching Experience
• Full Day Trip to Hermanus from Cape Town
• From Cape Town or Hermanus: Shark Cage Dive Boat Cruise

Things to do in Hermanus

Whale watching in Hermanus attracts thousands of people every year. The peak season is July to September when Southern Right whales come here for breeding. Outside the season you can see dolphins, seals, and sharks here. You can see whales and other marine animals from the shore but

Visiting African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai. There is a nice coffee shop inside where you can have light lunch, coffee, and dessert while watching rescued penguins in the pool. They do penguin feeding every day at 3pm.

Wine tasting, there are some great wine farms around Hermanus.

Eating fresh seafood and fish at one of the local restaurants.

Chilling on the beach e.g. Grotto Beach, the most popular and easy to access.

Visit Hermanus Saturday Country market, here you can find anything from local farm products to antiques and clothes. Opened every Saturday from 9am to 1pm at Hermanus Cricket Club.

Places to stay in Hermanus

• Low-end | Jakasa Guesthouse |
• Mid-range | Penguino Guesthouse |
• High-end | One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel |

Paternoster

• Distance – 150 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – about 2 hours
• Best season – spring and summer months. August and September is the best time to see the flower season in Namaqualand.

One of the most beautiful towns on the West Coast Paternoster has all you need for a perfect romantic weekend; breathtaking scenery, unspoiled beaches, and great restaurants. The scenery on the West Coast is very different from the Cape Winelands and the East Coast, with less vegetation and more space. The beauty of the West Coast is very special there is no other similar place in the country.

Paternoster is famous for its restaurants. Local seafood and fish are always fresh. Oysters and crayfish here are a must-try. Local bread and pastry are another not-to-miss here. Paternoster is the place to come for inspiration and relaxation, to escape the bustling city life, and to enjoy the tranquility of the West Coast.

West Coast tours

• West Coast Day Trip from Cape Town
• 2Day West Coast Adventure
• From Cape Town: Wildlife Safari, Olive, Beer & Wine Tasting

Things to do in Paternoster

• Driving to Cape Columbine lighthouse.
• Visiting Tietiesbaai Nature Reserve.  
• Having lunch or dinner at Voorstrandt restaurant, they have a great variety of seafood and fish dishes.
• Sea kayaking
• Horse riding on the beach
• Drinking a beer or a cocktail at Panties Bar

Places to stay in Paternoster

• Low-end | Paternoster Place |
• Mid-range | Gelukkie |
• High-end | Paternoster Manor |

Aquila Game Reserve

• Distance – 180 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – about 2 hours
• Best season – all year round

The reserve is a great place to escape the busy city life and a perfect place for a romantic or family getaway from Cape Town. The location of the place is fantastic; surrounded by hills, far from noisy roads and bustling cities. The variety of wildlife in the reserve is impressive. You can see here the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard), as well as different kinds of antelopes, ostriches, giraffes, porcupines, etc. There are morning, afternoon, and evening safaris as well as horseback riding and quad bike safaris.

The complex includes a luxury lodge and cottages, a restaurant, an infinity pool, and a spa. All you need to relax and enjoy the weekend. Book your safari weekend at Aquila in advance!

Safari tours from Cape Town

• From Cape Town: Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive
• From Cape Town: South African Wildlife Safari 2-Day Tour

The Baths Hot Springs

• Distance – 190 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – about 2h30min.
• Best season – it’s nice here in summer but to really enjoy the hot springs winter is the best time.

What can be better than spending a weekend with your dearest one soaking in an outdoor hot spring pool or in a private jacuzzi?! The Baths Hot Spring Resort with natural hot springs near Citrusdal is a perfect place for a romantic getaway. The Baths is located in a small valley surrounded by mountains and orange plantations, far from busy roads and city noises. The place is a real hidden paradise, after spending a weekend here you’ll fill relaxed and recharged. Book your chalet or apartment in advance.

Things to do at The Baths

• Chilling in the hot spring swimming pools.
• Relaxing in rock pools hidden in the forest.
• Hiking, two scenic trails uphill with a beautiful view over the area.
• Floating in the pool at night looking at the stars.

The best weekend road trip escapes from Cape Town

Cape Peninsula

• Total distance – 150 km
• Best season – summer is the best time but the area is beautiful all year round, and the main attractions are open all year.

The driving route: Cape Town – Camps Bay – Hout Bay – Chapman’s Peak Drive – Kommetjie – Cape Point – Boulders Beach – Muizenberg – Constantia – Kirstenbosch – Cape Town.

This drive is one of our favorite weekend things to do in Cape Town. We’ve driven this road many times and every time there is something new to see or to do. The around Cape Town road trip is the shortest out of the five suggested weekend getaway trips but there are many amazing places along the route to keep you busy for the entire weekend. This scenic drive can be done as a day trip from Cape Town as well.

Start your day at Sea Point and continue driving along the coast past Camps Bay to Hout Bay. Don’t forget to stop at Maiden’s Cove parking for beautiful views of Camps Bay and Twelve Apostles. In Hout Bay go to the harbor you can always see there a couple of seals. From Hout Bay continue driving along the coast towards Kommetjie following the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. There are several lookout points along the route where you can park your car.

After all the driving it’s time to stretch your legs. The Cape Point Nature Reserve is a great place to do it. The area is absolutely beautiful. One can spend hours exploring the park. Don’t forget to visit the Cape of Good Hope, Dias Beach, and the Old Lighthouse. There are several beautiful hikes at Cape Point.

From Cape Point drive to Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. You can stay in Simon’s Town for the night, there are many great accommodation options, or continue driving to Muizenberg and overnight there.

The next day on the way back to the city you can stop at a couple of wine estates in Constantia and do some wine tasting.

Cape Peninsula tours

• From Cape Town: Cape Point and Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour
• From Cape Town: Cape Peninsula Scenic Helicopter Flight
• Cape Town: The Cape Point Instagram Small Group Tour

The Cape Peninsula road trip highlights

• Camps Bay is the most expensive and one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Cape Town.
• Hout Bay is one of the best places in Cape Town for watching Cape Seals. You can see them at the harbor or snorkeling from a boat.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive is a 9-kilometer drive along the coast with several look-out points.
• Kommetjie is a popular surf town with endless sandy beaches.
• Cape Point Nature Reserve is a place with stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and an old lighthouse.
• Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is a beautiful white-sand beach surrounded by massive boulders with cute African penguins walking around.
• Muizenberg is one of the best places in Cape Town to learn surfing famous for its colorful wooden beach cabins.
• Constantia is one of the best places for wine tasting near Cape Town.

Places to stay along the Cape Peninsula

• Low-end | Sail Away Studios (Simon’s Town) | The Muize (Muizenberg) |
• Mid-range | Penguinden (Simon’s Town) | Admiralty B & B (Muizenberg) |
• High-end | Rocklands Seaside Bed and Breakfast (Simon’s Town) |

Cape Town to Cape Agulhas

• Total distance – 505 km, return from Cape Town
• Best season – any time though in winter, June – August, you might get quite a bit of rain.

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

This beautiful road trip to the Southernmost Point of Africa is one of our favorite scenic drives in Cape Town. We often do this trip as a weekend getaway from Cape Town. Start on Saturday morning and drive past Gordon’s Bay along the coast. Stop at one of the viewpoints to take photos and to spot Cape seals or Southern Right whales if you do the trip between July and September. Go for a walk to Crystal Pools at Kogelberg Nature Reserve (book in advance) or the Harold Porter Botanical Garden.

Visit the penguin colony at Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay. Stop for lunch and wine tasting in Hermanus, and drive past the little town of Elim. Stop at Black Oystercatcher to taste more wine or craft beer. Just before Cape Agulhas stop at Struisbaai harbor, where you can often see large stingrays. End your day at Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost Point of Africa.

The next day you can go to Arniston to see the white fishermen’s cottages and the huge Waenhuiskrans cave. Make sure you go there at low tide otherwise you can’t access the cave. Stop for lunch or coffee in the beautiful town of Napier before heading back to Cape Town.

Cape Agulhas tours

• From Cape Town: Full-Day Cape Agulhas Private Tour
• Full-Day Private Tour of Cape Agulhas with Penguins

Cape Town to Cape Agulhas road trip highlights

• Gordon’s Bay Drive is a stunning road along the coast.
• Crystal Pools Nature Reserve is a great place for hiking though you have to book a hike in advance.
• Stony Point Penguin Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay.
• Harold Porter Botanical Garden is a beautiful garden with several hiking trails.
• Hermanus is a beautiful coastal town and an amazing place for whale watching, great seafood restaurants, and wine estates.
• Elim is a beautiful small town with colorful houses lined up along the main street.
• Napier, a nice town with many souvenirs and coffee shops on the main street. It looks great in spring with jacaranda trees in blossom.
• Arniston is a small fishermen’s town famous for traditional white fisherman cottages and Waenhuiskrans Cave.
• Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost Point of Africa.

Accommodation in Cape Agulhas

• Low-end | Cape Agulhas Backpackers |
• Mid-range | Top Deck |
• High-end | Spookdraai B&B |

The West Coast

• Total distance – 393 km, return from Cape Town to St.Helena Bay
• Best season – spring months of August and September are the best time to visit Namaqualand, to see fields covered in flowers

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

A weekend getaway on the West Coast is something different and special. The beautiful endless coastline with white-sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters – an incredible combination of bright blue and white colors sponsored. If you feel overwhelmed by the busy life of a big city and want to unwind and relax the West Coast is a perfect place for an escape from Cape Town. Locally caught fresh seafood and fish at one of the restaurants is a must-try here.

To start the day stop for breakfast with the sea view at Big Bay. We love coming to Ons Huisie and the Blue Peter for a Saturday breakfast. From Big Bay continue along the coast past Melkbosstrand towards Langebaan. As an option, you can combine the trip with visiting wine farms in Durbanville. Stop at West Coast National Park. It’s a great place for bird watching and one of the best places to watch flowers in Namaqualand to come in spring to see fields covered with thousands of flowers. There are several mountain biking and hiking trails inside the park.

Then stop in Langebaan, a small coastal town and one of the best places for kite surfing in Cape Town. In summer you can see hundreds of kites along the beach. From Langebaan head to Paternoster where you can stop for lunch local seafood and bread/pastry are delicious! Voorstrandt and the Noisy Oyster are our favorite restaurants here. After lunch, visit the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. End the day in St.Helena Bay.

Go to the Lighthouse at Shelly Point it’s a beautiful place with unspoiled sandy beaches surrounded by huge boulders. The waters around Shelly Point are full of life in a couple of hours we spent on a boat we saw many dolphins and seals, two whales, hundreds of seabirds, and a sunfish a couple of times.

West Coast weekend drive highlights 

• West Coast National park is a beautiful park and a great place for bird lovers.
• Langebaan is a nice town with great conditions for kite surfing between November and March.
• Jacobsbaai is a small town with sandy unspoiled beaches.
• Paternoster, a picturesque white town with great seafood restaurants.
• Tietiesbaai, the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, a beautiful coastal scenery, popular place for camping over the December holidays. The campsite is nice but recently there were quite a few people complaining about security issues they had there.
• St.Helena Bay is one of the most beautiful corners on the West Coast. Shelley Point lighthouse and beaches are not to miss here.

Places to stay in St.Helena Bay

I’d definitely recommend staying as close to the beach as possible, the sunset views here are spectacular.

• Low-end | La Hoya |
• Mid-range | Whale & Tortoise – Lampiesbaai |
• High-end | The Shelley Point Hotel & Spa |

Route 62

• Total distance – 490 km, return from Cape Town to Barrydale
• Best season – September – December, and March-May are the best months. In winter it’s rainy and chilly. In January – February it gets very hot.

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

To drive the complete route all the way to Port Elizabeth over a weekend is too much, most of the time you’ll spend driving. You can drive a part of Route 62 in two days to Barrydale, which is 246km from Cape Town. Route 62 is a perfect escape option, if it’s unpleasantly windy at the coast you can go more inland and explore some cozy towns.

From Paarl don’t drive through the Huguenot tunnel take the scenic route over Du Toits Kloof Pass. Stop at a couple of wine estates on the Breedekloof Wine Route, most of them offer free tasting. Stop for lunch and wine tasting at Nuy Winery, between Worcester and Robertson; a beautiful estate with good wines, great food, desserts, and amazing views.

You can stop in Montagu and relax in the mineral hot springs.  If you want to explore more of the Route 62 continue to Barrydale. The drive between Montagu and Barrydale offers a very typical Platteland scenery; wheat fields with occasional vineyards, road kiosks with local products, and an endless road.

On the way back you can do a small loop and drive to Paarl over Bain’s Kloof Pass, another beautiful pass with stunning views.

Route 62 highlights 

• Paarl
• Du Toits Kloof Pass
• Bain’s Kloof Pass
• Breedekloof Wine Route
• Robertson Wine Valley
• Montagu hot mineral springs
• Platteland scenery
• Barrydale

Places to stay in Montagu

• Low-end | Bon Accord Farm Cottages |
• Mid-range | Mimosa Lodge |
• High-end | In Abundance Guest House |

Amazing camping getaways from Cape Town

We love camping and have camped at about 30+ different campsites in South Africa, mostly in the Western Cape Province. Here are our 5 favorite campsites near Cape Town.

Tweede Tol campsite, Paarl

• Distance – 90 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – 1h20min.
• Per friendly – no

The campsite is located inside the Limietberg Nature reserve. To get there from Paarl you drive through the Bain’s Kloof Pass – a beautiful pass with a stunning view. The campsite is perfect for those who want to spend a weekend in a tranquil place surrounded by beautiful nature. The campsite is located at the river in the shade of big trees which makes it a great place for a summer escape from the scorching city.

Things to do at Tweedy Tol

• Swimming
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Discovering San & Khoi rock art

Campsite facilities

• Hot water shower – yes
• Flush toilets – yes
• Electricity – yes, in the ablution complex
• Power outlets – no
• Braai place – yes
• Cell phone reception – yes

22 Watervalle, Porterville

• Distance – 150 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – 1h40min.
• Per friendly – no

22 Waterfalls is a beautiful guest farm near Porterville. It’s a perfect place for a weekend escape from the city. The campsite is not very big but nice and spacious. It’s located in a beautiful area at the foot of the mountain next to a small river. There are literally 22 waterfalls that you walk past on the trail, it goes quite far up all the way to the top and further but the forest part is the most spectacular.

Things to do at 22 Waterfalls

• Hiking
• Swimming in the pools
• Fishing
• Cycling

Campsite facilities

• Hot water shower – yes
• Flush toilets – yes
• Electricity – yes, in the ablution complex
• Power outlets – yes, sites with outlets are more expensive
• Braai place – yes
• Cell phone reception – yes

Khomeesdrif, Riviersonderend

• Distance – 160 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – 2 hours
• Per friendly – yes

Khomeesdrif is one of our favorite dog-friendly campsites near Cape Town. We’ve camped here many times and every time our dog goes crazy when we arrive. The place is truly beautiful and tranquil. The campsite is located close to the river and surrounded by forest. It’s a great place to come with family and friends. There are many outdoor activities that the entire family can enjoy.

Things to do at Khomeesdrif

• Swimming
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Playing volleyball
• Relaxing on the deck

Campsite facilities

• Hot water shower – yes
• Flush toilets – yes
• Electricity – yes, in the ablution complex
• Power outlets – no
• Braai place – yes
• Cell phone reception – no

Beaverlac, Porterville

• Distance – 175 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – 2 hours
• Price – ZAR 30 per car, ZAR 75 per person, ZAR 45 children (4-17 yo), ZAR 50 per dog
• Per friendly – yes

Beaverlac is a stunning place hidden behind the mountain range on a windy road. It’s a perfect place for a weekend escape from Cape Town. The place is big with several spacious open grassy areas for camping, a great place to camp with friends and family, very social and quite busy over holidays. The area is beautiful and quite remote far from busy roads and noise. You wake up in the morning to the sounds of birds singing. There are nice natural rocky pools for swimming, several hiking, and MTB trails.

Things to do at Beaverlac

• Swimming in the rock pools
• Hiking
• Mountain biking

Campsite facilities

• Hot water shower – yes
• Flush toilets – yes
• Electricity – yes
• Power outlets – no
• Braai place – yes
• Cell phone reception – no

Suikerbossie Guest Farm, Cederberg

• Distance – 200 km, one way from Cape Town
• Driving time – 2h30min.
• Per friendly – yes

Suikerbossie Farm is a great place to come for a family weekend getaway. If you want to get away from bustling Cape Town life and unwind in a peaceful place far from city traffic and noises come here. The nearest town is 94km away you’ll be surprised how quiet it can be at night and how bright the night sky is. The camping spots are grassy and spacious, located at a small river, surrounded by trees and bushes so spots are quite private, each site has a roofed shade area. Our favorite site here is Boeta’s, it’s the most private, with a beautiful view of the river, a nice spot for swimming.

Things to do at Suikerbossie

• Swimming
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• 4×4 driving
• Hiking
• Mountain biking

Campsite facilities

• Hot water shower – yes
• Flush toilets – yes
• Electricity – yes
• Power outlets – yes
• Braai place – yes
• Cell phone reception – no