For us, the Cape Peninsula in South Africa is one of the most beautiful spots and diverse regions in the country. Within a relatively short distance, you’ll experience a wealth of highlights and adventures.

You can expect stunning beaches, charming coastal towns, one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world, cuddly penguins, colorful wooden houses, and an impressive rocky coastline at the Cape of Good Hope.

In the following article, we’d like to show you the most beautiful sights of the Cape Peninsula and share our best travel tips and insider information. Enjoy browsing!

If you’d like to get even more insider tips, check out Tine’s article. She shares her favorite route with you here: Day trip to the Cape Peninsula.

  • General information about the Cape Peninsula
  • Sights on the Cape Peninsula
    • 1. Hout Bay & Duiker Island
    • 2. Chapmans Peak Drive
    • 3. Noordhoek Beach
    • 4. Kommetjie with lighthouse
    • 5. Witsand Beach, Misty Beach & Scarborough
    • 6. Olifantsbos Beach with Shipwreck Trail
    • 7. At the Cape of Good Hope
    • 8. Simon’s Town with Boulders Beach
    • 9. Hippie village of Kalk Bay
    • 10. St. James
    • 11. Surf Mecca Muizenberg
  • Beautiful Accommodations on the Cape Peninsula
    • Hout Bay
    • Noordhoek
    • Kommetjie
    • Misty Cliffs & Scarborough
    • Simon’s Town
    • Fish Houk
    • Kalk Bay
    • Muizenberg
  • The Perfect Route for the Cape Peninsula in South Africa
  • Cape Peninsula: Popular Tours & Excursions
  • Frequently Asked Questions

General Information about the Cape Peninsula

The Cape Peninsula in South Africa is located in the southwest of the country and stretches from Cape Town to False Bay and the Cape of Good Hope. The peninsula is approximately 50 kilometers long and consists primarily of rugged mountain slopes (Table Mountain) in the north, and cliff-lined bays and lush fynbos vegetation in the south.

We recommend two days to fully explore the Cape Peninsula. This way, you can take your time to visit not only the penguins and the colorful houses in Muizenberg, but also the Cape of Good Hope, the many beautiful beaches, and small coastal towns. Find out what a perfect day trip could look like here: The perfect Cape Peninsula day trip.

Highlights of the peninsula:

  • North: Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
  • West: Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Twelve Apostles
  • South: Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope
  • East: Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg

Cape Peninsula South Africa Map

Sights on the Cape Peninsula

1. Hout Bay & Duiker Island

After leaving Cape Town behind, after about 20 km you reach the small fishing village of Hout Bay. You should definitely stop here and book a boat tour to the seal colony at the harbor. Nearly 4,000 – 5,000 seals call the small island of Duiker Island off the coast of Hout Bay their home.

The tours usually last only 50 – 60 minutes and cost the equivalent of just €6 per person. You can book a tour spontaneously on site or in advance online (book our tour here for €6*). After the boat has left the harbor, you have a great view of Hout Bay, Duiker Island and the entire bay from the sea.

More tips for Hout Bay:

  • Delicious coffee and cake: Houtbay Coffee
  • Cool beach bar: Dunes Beach Restaurant & Bar
  • Weekly market: Bay Harbour Market Fri. 5 pm – 9 pm | Sat. and Sun. 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Hip location: Deus ex Machina Café
  • Best pizza in Hout Bay: Massimo’s

Duiker Island near Hout Bay Hout Bay South Africa Hout Bay Harbour

2. Chapman’s Peak Drive

After your stop in Hout Bay, one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world awaits you. The legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive winds its way along the coast in 114 curves and awaits you with stunningly beautiful viewpoints.

Before you can start your approximately 10-kilometer drive, you must pay 61 Rand for a one-way car ride at the small toll booth.

About 1 kilometer after the toll booth, you will find the first fantastic viewpoint with a view over the bay and Hout Bay. The tour then continues for 2 kilometers before reaching the “Chapman’s Peak Drive Lookout Point.” Here, too, a magnificent view of the panoramic road and the imposing rocky coast awaits you. Shortly before the end, you will reach the legendary Noordhoek Beach.

  • Current price list for Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Opening hours: all year round (may be closed due to bad weather)
  • Payment: on site in cash or credit card (except AMEX and Diners Club)

Chapman's Peak Drive in South Africa Cape Peninsula South Africa Chapman's Peak Drive View Chapman's Peak Drive

3. Noordhoek Beach

Chapman’s Peak Drive ends at the unique Noordhoek Beach, which we consider to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. The sand is so light it almost hurts the eyes.

Finally, we drove down Beach Road to the parking lot and took a walk along the beach. We saw numerous surfers in the water between the rocks on the right.

Just before the end of the beach, you can see the wreck of the “Kakapo” in the sand. Some remains are still clearly visible. Due to a navigational error, the ship is said to have wrecked on the beach in 1900.

In addition to a hike to the wreck, horseback riding on the beach is also very popular (horseback riding & prices here).

Noordhoek Beach Noordhoek Beach South Africa Noordhoek South Africa

4. Kommetjie with Lighthouse

Kommetjie is a wonderful place that exudes peace and tranquility. Numerous weekend houses are lined up here, along with a few restaurants and shops. Long Beach is particularly beautiful and is also very popular with surfers.

Be sure to stop at the 33-meter-high Slangkop Lighthouse, located at the southern end of town. You can visit it from Monday to Friday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). A beautifully laid out jetty leads to the lighthouse and makes for a really great photo opportunity.

More tips for Kommetjie:

  • Imhoff Farm: farm shop and animals
  • The Green Room: quaint but cool restaurant near the beach
  • Kommetjie Pizzeria: best pizza in town
  • Noordhoek Farm Village: shopping & Restaurants

Kommetjie Lighthouse Long Beach Kommetjie Kommetjie Cape Peninsula South Africa

5. Witsand Beach, Misty Beach & Scarborough

After Kommetjie, the M65 continues its winding journey along the coast, taking you first to Witsand Beach, where kitesurfers can be seen in the water against a unique backdrop.

The road continues to “Misty Cliffs,” where we observed many surfers riding the waves. At the end of the road, you will reach the small coastal town of Scarborough with its beautiful beach and pretty houses.

More tips for Scarborough:

  • Quick coffee and cake break at the Whole Earth Café, Village Hub
  • Camel Rock Restaurant (live music on weekends)

Witsand Beach South Africa Scarborough South Africa Scarborough Beach

6. Olifantsbos Beach with Shipwreck Trail

The M65 continues from Scarborough towards the Cape of Good Hope. From the gate, it is approximately 12 km to Olifantsbos Beach. If you drive to the end of the road, you will reach the parking lot and the starting point for the Shipwreck Trail.

From the parking lot, you can take the 1.5-hour hike along the coast and marvel at two shipwrecks. At the last shipwreck (Nolloth & SS Thomas T. Tucker) you turn around and go back the same way.

The circular hiking trail also starts from the parking lot, which leads through the inland and then along the coast to the wrecks. You should plan at least 2.5 hours for this hike.

We chose the short route and really enjoyed it. There were no other people on our trail. You might even spot zebras and various antelope species along the way.

Tips for your hike:

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat!!!
  • Pack enough to drink
  • Towel and swimsuit (you can take a break for a swim)
  • Buffelsfontein Visitor Center: Information material & Toilets
  • Entrance: Cape Point National Park currently 400 Rand (children 200 Rand)

Olifants Beach Shipwreck Trail Olifants Beach Shipwreck Trail Olifants Beach Shipwreck Trail

7. At the Cape of Good Hope

At the end of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope awaits you. It symbolizes the most southwestern point of the African continent and is a very popular tourist destination. Be prepared for lots of cars and visitors.

In the past, the Cape was a feared place because of its cliffs and strong winds, which proved fatal to many ships. 26 shipwrecks have been recorded around the Cape.

Cape Point South Africa Cape Peninsula Cape of Good Hope Sign Diaz Beach Cape of Good Hope

We recommend a trip to the 250-meter-high Cape Point with its lighthouse, which you can reach from the parking lot on foot (it’s quite an uphill climb) or comfortably by cog railway (does not run during Load Shedding). A narrow hiking trail leads directly along the cliff to the southwesternmost tip of the African continent.

The steep cliffs and the views are simply spectacular. With a bit of luck, you might even spot dolphins, whales, and seals in the water. Be aware that there are wild monkeys in the national park who are primarily interested in eating visitors. They also like to sit on the roofs of cars and smell their opportunity.

More tips for the Cape of Good Hope:

  • Entry: Adults R 400, children R 200
  • Opening hours: April – Sept. 7am to 5pm | Oct. – March 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Don’t forget your binoculars and sturdy shoes!
  • Cog railway: Book tickets conveniently in advance*
  • On-site: Restrooms, Two Oceans Restaurant, 3 small shops
  • Hike to Diaz Beach and Buffels Bay Beach

Steep cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope

8. Simon’s Town with Boulders Beach

After visiting the Cape of Good Hope, your journey continues to Simon’s Town. You’ve probably heard about the cute penguins on the beach, right?

Here at Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach you can observe and photograph a colony of African penguins. The entrance fee is currently R215 for adults and R105 for children.

Two wooden walkways lead to the beach where the penguins hang out and to the swimming bay a little further back. However, it is important that you do not touch or feed the penguins. Also, remain quiet and do not disturb the animals.

We were last there in January 2023 at around 7:30 a.m. At that time, there was hardly anything going on, and we were able to take a few souvenir photos undisturbed.

Boulders Beach Penguins Boulders Beach Penguins Boulders Beach Penguins

9. Hippie Village Kalk Bay

One of the coolest places on the Cape Peninsula is Kalk Bay. This small coastal village is best known for its fishing port, where fresh fish is sold every day. Giant seals often hop around here, chomping on the fish. Be careful, seals are wild animals and can be dangerous.

In Kalk Bay, you’ll find a few cool hippie shops (Papagayo, Oh So Boho), cafés, and restaurants. By the sea, there’s also the Dalebrook Tidal Pool, where you can relax and swim and sunbathe. You can get delicious, fresh bread in the morning at the Chardonnay Deli Kalk Bay and at the bakery in the Olympia Café.

Our tips for Kalk Bay:

  • Olympia Café with bakery
  • Fish & Chips at Kalky’s by the harbor
  • Ohana Cafe with sea view
  • Chardonnay Deli Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay Kalk Bay Kalk Bay

10. St. James

From Kalk Bay, you can walk to St. James. The two towns practically merge into one another. In St. James, there are colorful wooden huts on the beach, which make for beautiful photo opportunities. The St. James Coastal Walk also starts in St. James and takes you to Muizenberg.

muizenberg-suedafrika-st-james-coastal-walk

11. Muizenberg, a surfing mecca

Muizenberg, a picturesque village on the coast outside Cape Town, exudes charm in every corner. Here, you can sit comfortably in a café, listen to the sound of the waves, and even venture out on a surfboard to catch a wave or two (book a surfing lesson here*).

You can rent the necessary equipment directly on the beach promenade from one of the numerous surf shops. Along the long, wide beach are the colorful wooden houses, which have just been renovated and shine in new splendor.

Our tips for Muizenberg:

  • Hang Ten Café
  • The Hans and Lloyd Coffee Co.
  • Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market (Thurs. & Fri. 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
  • Hudsons – The Burger Joint
  • Hike to Muizenberg Peak
  • Super delicious falafel at Yoffi Falafel

Muizenberg South Africa Colorful Wooden Houses Muizenberg South Africa Colorful Wooden Houses Muizenberg Beach

Beautiful accommodations on the Cape Peninsula

You can find numerous great accommodations on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. Whether boutique hotels, guesthouses, vacation apartments, or private rooms – there’s something for every budget. We recently stayed in Kalk Bay to explore the Cape Peninsula again.

For us, it was a great starting point. In general, many places are suitable for this, such as Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Muizenberg, Hout Bay and also Scarborough.

Hout Bay

  • Chapmans Peak Beach Hotel*
  • Hout Bay Manor*
  • The Palm Hout Bay*
  • dk villas 2 The Boardwalk*
  • Meadows Mountain View*

Noordhoek

  • Cape Beach Villa*
  • Anastasis*
  • Haus at Chappies*
  • Noordhoek Bliss Beach House*

Kommetjie

  • Tree Cottage, Kommetjie*
  • Last Word Long Beach*
  • Palm Villa Cottage*
  • Tiny Boho House*

Misty Cliffs & Scarborough

  • Villa Misty Cliffs*
  • Beyond Misty Cliffs*
  • Scarborough Nature Lodge*
  • Ocean’s Horizon Beach House*

Simon’s Town

  • A Boat House*
  • Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse*
  • Rocklands Seaside Bed and Breakfast*
  • Seabreeze Luxury Two Bedroom Self Catering Penthouse*
  • Blue Sea Holidays*

Fish Houk

  • A Tuscan Villa Guest House*
  • Baytree Beach House*
  • Sunny Cove Manor*
  • 52 on Fish Hoek*
  • A Whale of a Time*

Kalk Bay

  • Baytree Beach House*
  • Majestic Ocean View Retreat*
  • Cottage On Windsor*
  • Chartfield Guesthouse*
  • Bishops View, Villa*

Muizenberg

  • A Heavenly View*
  • The Muize*
  • Coastal Haven Spectacular Views*
  • THE PLACE Muizenberg*

Accommodation Kalk Bay Accommodation Kalk Bay Unterkunft Kalk Bay

The perfect route for the Cape Peninsula in South Africa

Our co-author Tine has published a great article where she presents her perfect route for a day trip to the Cape Peninsula.

  • 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Groot Constantia Winery
  • 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Surf Mecca Muizenberg
  • 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fish & Chips in Kalk Bay
  • 1 pm – 2 pm Penguins at Boulders Beach
  • 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Cape of Good Hope
  • 5:15 pm – 6 pm Kommetjie Lighthouse
  • 6 pm – 7 pm Chapman’s Peak Drive at sunset

Cape Peninsula-South Africa-Winery-Groot-Constantia

Cape Peninsula: Popular Tours & Excursions

If you don’t want to do your tour on your own, you can also join a guide or a group. We have selected the most popular tours for you.

  • Cape Town: Private Full-Day Tour to the Cape of Good Hope*
  • From Cape Town Small Group: Cape Peninsula & Boulders Penguin Beach Tour*
  • Cape Peninsula Day Tour: Seals, Penguins & Cape of Good Hope*
  • Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Winelands Combo Day Tour*
  • 2 Oceans Helicopter Flight over the Cape Peninsula with Boat Tour Ticket*
  • Tandem Paragliding near Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa*

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I allow for the Cape of Good Hope? How do I get to the Cape of Good Hope? Is the Cape Peninsula generally safe? How long is Chapman’s Peak Drive?