Cape Town Travel Guide - Day Trips

Cape Wineland: is an area that highlights the best of what the Cape has to offer – from the cultural heritage of the region, to its natural beauty and world-class wines. A 45 minute journey from Cape Town will take you into the midst of an area replete with lush vineyards and ancient, gabled Cape Dutch homesteads set against a dramatic mountainous backdrop.

Chapman's Peak Drive: this is truly the most spectacular coastal drive in South Africa, extending from Hout Bay to the Noordhœek Valley. Hugging the Atlantic coast and offering breathtaking views along the way, the six-mile stretch of winding roadway was blasted out of the cliffs.

Groot Constantia: about 30 minutes by car from Cape Town, you’ll come to the historic Cape Dutch homestead called Groot Constantia, dating from the late 17th century. This is the oldest house on the Cape, and also the main attraction on the Constantia Wine Route.

Originally the home of Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel, it is now the centre of a museum complex. In addition to the house and museum, you’ll find two excellent restaurants on site, along with wine tours and tasting.

Paarl: about 35 miles from Cape Town, this community is the quintessential wine country settlement. Once you’ve arrived, the wineries and fruit farms, architecturally-significant buildings and breathtaking scenery can be appreciated on bicycle and along a number of well-marked nature trails.

Major attractions here include the Afrikaans Language Monument, a number of historic buildings lining Main street and Paarl mountain – which is actually one of the largest rocks in the world.