Best Things to Do in Cape Town by Car
Cape Town is one of the most car-friendly cities on the continent. The best experiences — Cape Point, the Winelands, the West Coast, Chapman's Peak — are only accessible if you have your own wheels. Here are the 8 best things to do.
Quick Summary
Chapman's Peak Drive
One of the world's great coastal drives — 9km of cliff-hugging road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. The views of the Atlantic are staggering. There's a toll (R60/car) and it occasionally closes in high wind, so check the website before you go.
Tips
- Best in morning light (south-facing)
- Combine with a lunch stop in Hout Bay (Mariner's Wharf)
- Noordhoek Farm Village is worth the stop at the south end
Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope
Africa's southwestern tip — dramatic cliffs, a lighthouse, flying baboons, and the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans (technically). There's a funicular to the top or a 45-minute hike. Budget half a day minimum. Entry: ~R380 for international visitors.
Tips
- Book park entry online to avoid gate queues
- Baboons are wild — do not feed, do not leave car windows open
- Combine with Boulders Beach on the same trip (15 min away)
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
3,000 African penguins live on this sheltered beach between the boulders. You can walk among them on a boardwalk and swim at the adjacent beach alongside the colony. Entry ~R200 for international visitors. Arrive before 10am for the best light and smaller crowds.
Tips
- Simon's Town main street has great cafes for a post-penguin coffee
- Parking fills fast on summer weekends — arrive early
- The penguins are most active in the morning
Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are within 45–70 minutes of Cape Town. The Winelands are best explored over 2–3 days — or a full day if you focus on one area. Franschhoek has a wine tram that lets passengers hop between estates; Stellenbosch is the most walkable.
Tips
- Designate a driver or use the Franschhoek Wine Tram
- Booking ahead at restaurants is essential in peak season (Dec–Mar)
- The R45 mountain passes between Franschhoek and Paarl are beautiful
West Coast & Langebaan Lagoon
The R27 north of Cape Town is a completely different landscape — flat, wild, and windswept. Langebaan Lagoon is one of South Africa's most beautiful natural features: a 17km tidal lagoon of aquamarine water backed by white sand. West Coast National Park borders the lagoon.
Tips
- August–October: wildflowers bloom across the West Coast
- Langebaan village has good restaurants on the lagoon
- Paternoster (another 45 min north) is a white-washed fishing village worth the detour
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
The most famous garden in Africa — 528 hectares on the eastern slope of Table Mountain, home to 7,000 plant species. The Boomslang canopy walkway gives aerial views through the forest. Summer Sunday concerts (Dec–Mar) are a Cape Town institution.
Tips
- Entry ~R260 for international visitors
- Arrive early — the garden gets crowded by 11am
- The canopy walkway (Boomslang) is the highlight — don't miss it
Hermanus Whale Watching
Hermanus is rated one of the best land-based whale watching spots in the world. Between June and November, southern right whales come into Walker Bay to calve — you watch them breaching, spyhopping, and lobtailing from the cliff path, no boat required. The town itself is charming.
Tips
- Peak season is August–October
- The cliff walk runs 12km above the bay
- Combine with a stop in Gansbaai for shark cage diving (if that's your thing)
Sir Lowry's Pass & Grabouw
The N2 climbs over Sir Lowry's Pass with spectacular views back over False Bay and the Cape Flats. The Elgin Valley below is apple and pear country, with several excellent farm stalls and the Oak Valley wine estate. A less-touristy alternative to the Winelands, with genuine working-farm character.
Tips
- Peregrine Farm Stall on the N2 is a classic stop — excellent pies
- Apple season is Feb–April
- Combine with Hermanus for a full Overberg day
Ready to Explore Cape Town?
Every attraction on this list needs a car. CapeDrive connects you with Cape Town's best local rental companies from R250/day — free delivery anywhere in the city.
Related Guides
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