The best day trips from Cape Town: 5 incredible places to visit
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Exploring Cape Town by rental car? Then don't miss the chance to discover some of the incredible places just outside the city. From world-famous wine estates and adorable penguins to breathtaking coastal drives and whale watching, there are plenty of unforgettable day trips to choose from.
Visit Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands
Wine and South Africa simply belong together. If you're a wine lover, visiting the famous wine regions around Cape Town is an absolute must. Whether you visit for the day—just 30 to 60 minutes from Cape Town—or spend a few nights among the vineyards, it's well worth your time.
We've visited the Cape Winelands twice. During our first trip, we stayed in Stellenbosch, while on our second visit we spent three nights at a beautiful wine estate. Staying at a wine estate has one major advantage: after your wine tasting, you can simply walk back to your room instead of worrying about driving.
Not only are South African wines excellent, but wine tastings are surprisingly affordable too. Expect to pay around €5 to €8 for a tasting of six wines.
See the penguins at Boulders Beach
A tropical white-sand beach probably isn't the first place you'd expect to see penguins, but that's exactly what you'll find in South Africa.
Located about an hour from Cape Town, Boulders Beach is home to a protected colony of African penguins. After purchasing an entrance ticket, you can walk along wooden boardwalks past the nesting areas before reaching the beach, where the penguins can often be seen sunbathing on the sand or swimming in the crystal-clear water.
The largest number of penguins can usually be seen during the South African summer (the European winter), but even during winter there are still plenty to spot.
Go whale and dolphin watching in Hermanus
Besides penguins, South Africa is also one of the best places to spot whales and dolphins.
If you're staying in one of Cape Town's hotels overlooking the ocean, you might even spot whales from your balcony. For a much closer experience, however, head to Hermanus, about a two-hour drive from Cape Town.
Hermanus is known as one of the world's best whale-watching destinations. Several local companies offer boat tours, usually with departures in both the morning and afternoon.
The best time to see southern right whales is during the European summer, when they migrate to South Africa's coastline to breed and give birth.
Explore the Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town and is often combined with a visit to Boulders Beach. The cape is located inside Cape Point Nature Reserve, so you'll need to pay an entrance fee to enter the park.
There are several scenic walking trails throughout the reserve. One of the most popular is the hike from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Point, the dramatic headland at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula.
One of the things we loved most about the reserve is the wildlife. During our visit we spotted ostriches and baboons roaming freely alongside the road. And of course, don't forget to stop for a photo at the famous Cape of Good Hope sign. It's one of the most photographed spots in the park, so don't expect to have it all to yourself.
Drive the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive
If you're driving to Boulders Beach or the Cape of Good Hope, make sure to include Chapman's Peak Drive in your itinerary. Starting near the harbour of Hout Bay, this spectacular 9-kilometre coastal road winds along dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With sharp bends, steep drops, and breathtaking viewpoints, it's widely considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Be sure to stop at the designated viewpoints along the route—they're the perfect places to take photos and admire the incredible scenery.
A small toll fee applies (around €2), and the road is generally open year-round, although it may temporarily close during severe weather. It's worth checking the weather forecast before setting off.
Driving around Cape Town by rental car
Many of these day trips are easiest to explore with your own rental car.
Curious what it's like to drive on the left-hand side of the road? Read our complete guide to renting a car and driving in South Africa.
