Three short road trips from Cape Town

Ahhh the Mother City! So much to see, so much to do, but where should you start is the question that many ask? Whether you’re a regular visitor to Cape Town, a newbie or even a local, exploring Cape Town via a quick and fun road trip should be a must on your list of things to do this holiday season.

Since nothing gives us more joy than getting behind the wheel of our cars and setting out on an epic road trip, we wanted to share three short (and sweet) road trip adventures; all starting from Cape Town and all leading towards wonderful destinations.

Just half an hour’s drive outside of the Mother City, lies one of the most treasured little towns that has to be experienced, purely for its colourful and quirky personality.

The hip, retro town of Kalk Bay is the perfect spot to spend the day. Go for lunch (or breakfast), spend some time walking the village streets and browsing the wonderful little shops, surrounded by the beautiful False Bay coastline.

Our favourite spot for breakfast is the iconic Olympia Café. Trust us when we say their French Toasted Croissant is legendary! You can even enjoy fabulous coffee and your mouth-watering meal sitting at the bar by the window, people watching at the trendy, hipster town.

If you want something with more of a vibe, we’d definitely recommend Cape to Cuba. This spot faces the bay, so you can sit with your feet in the sand at the bar, while enjoying authentic Mexican food and a jug of Sangria.

The great thing about road tripping from Cape Town to Kalk Bay is if you take the scenic route you can enjoy the delightful views of Muizenberg to boot. The 27km trip along the M5 will take you down from Cape Town to Muizenberg, where you can admire the colourful beach huts, and then, just a mere 10km further and you’ll reach Kalk Bay.

Explore a little old world, French charm in one of Cape Town’s most beautiful spots. Of course, we’re talking about Franschhoek. Known for its magnificent views, chic white buildings (and of course the wine), Franschhoek has lots of prettiness to feast your eyes. And it’s only about an hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town.

When you think of Franschhoek, think culture and cuisine. So much to do including, art and museum exploring, relaxing at some idyllic spa destinations, or feasting on food a plenty! For the adventure seeker, you can enjoy one of the many scenic bike trails around the Berg River or stop and take your Instagram pic among the most magnificent cactuses at Babylonstoren.

Distance:

• 1 hour and 5 minutes via the N1 and R45
• 1 hour and 12 minutes via R45
• 1 hour and 19 minutes via N2 and R310

Take the scenic route and drive along the Franschhoek Pass along the R45 between Franschhoek and Villiersdorp.

Take a road trip to the seaside town of Hermanus, known for its incredible whale watching - and just one and a half hour’s drive from Cape Town. Feast your eyes on blue waters, majestic mountains and a spectacular display of Fynbos.

If you’re planning a trip over the festive season, you may even be in luck and catch the Southern Right Whales, who visit Walker Bay from July through to December each year.

Take the scenic route on foot and head out and explore the Hermanus Cliff Path. From here you can take in the glorious natural flora delights overlooking Walker Bay. The paved walk (which could take you one hour, or two to three depending on how much time you have to spend) will give you the opportunity to enjoy the scenery, birds as well a chance to sit down and watch the Southern Right Wales from a place of pure beauty.

If your road trip happens to be on a Saturday, factor in a visit to the Hermanus Country Market while you’re there. This Saturday morning Market is a great place to meet and mingle with the locals, enjoy some great market-style food, good coffee and crafts.

Distance from Cape Town: 1 Hour 34 Minutes via the N2

Use our Ultimate Journey website to plan any road trip around SA!

For the past two years, we have asked South Africans to tell us about their favourite local destinations. The result? Our Ultimate Journey website, filled with thousands of South African road trip destinations, all with reviews from people who have been there, done that. Visit our website to plan your route: www.ultimatejourney.co.za