Province of the Western Cape Off The Beaten Path

  "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
by TrendsetterME
 
  •   "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
    by TrendsetterME
  •   "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
    by TrendsetterME
  •   "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
    by TrendsetterME
  •   "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
    by TrendsetterME
  •   "Jumping" Sea Lions, Cape Town, SA
    by TrendsetterME
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Province of the Western Cape

1.

Cape Point / Cape Aghulus   Cape Town

Cape Point / Cape Aghulus, Cape Town

 21 Reviews  Cape Agulhas the REAL end of Africa!! Most people mistake Cape Point just a short drive from Cape Town for the southern most point of Africa. Heard same rubbish being told by touristguides. A glance... 

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2.

West Coast   Cape Town

West Coast, Cape Town

 14 Reviews  You could be forgiven for not envisaging that you would ever be tempted to visit a disused mine site on your trip to South Africa, but perhaps the West Coast Fossil Park will make you change your... 

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3.

Kirstenbosch Gardens   Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town

 10 Reviews  Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is worth a day on anyone's itinerary. While not a big fan of botanical gardens in general, Kirstenbosch is one of my favorite places on earth. It's impossible to... 

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4.

Hermanus   Cape Town

Hermanus, Cape Town

 6 Reviews  Driving to Hermanus, which is 122kms from Cape Town, on the coast- is a wonderful days outing. As well as passing charming old fishing villages (now very 'in vogue') you will pass a few nature... 

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5.

Beaches   Cape Town

Beaches, Cape Town

 14 Reviews  Bloubergstrand is located about 25km North of Cape Town and it's the place to go for great fotos of the town with Table Mountain in the background (see my intro pic). The Beach is fantastic aswell and... 

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6.

Wine Region   Cape Town

Wine Region, Cape Town

 15 Reviews  The language monument reminds the people to the official status of the African language. This monument exist out of grained granite that is made into concrete. The small columns remind that the... 

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7.

Penguins   Cape Town

Penguins, Cape Town

 5 Reviews  The penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, about 45 minutes drive out of Cape Town are such an established part of the tourist landscape that most people don't realise that the colony was only... 

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8.

Lions Head   Cape Town

Lions Head, Cape Town

 4 Reviews  If you are going in a group you can climb up lions head. It is a fairly easy hike with the last bit being aided by chains. We always used to take champagne & nibbles & watch the most amazing... 

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9.

African Markets   Cape Town

African Markets, Cape Town

 3 Reviews   From the coastal road market, here's the picture of the 12 Feet Giraff! If I'm not mistaken, that giraff cost like US$150.00, but I was wondering how to lug that thing back home.. :)  

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10.

Signal Hill   Cape Town

Signal Hill, Cape Town

 2 Reviews  We wanted to go up to Signal Hill to get a nice view of the city. We were not aware of the fact that you could actually drive to the very top and check it out. So we parked the car where you normally... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Fish Hoek

by Jenniflower

Our old home: Fish Hoek, Cape TownFish Hoek is archeologically famous for Peers Cave: In 1926 Victor Peers and his son Bertie excavated a cave on the hillside in the Fish Hoek Valley, now known as Peers Cave. They found many stone tools and the remains of 9 people of varying ages, one of whom became famous as 'Fish Hoek Man'. This skull has the largest brain area of any skull of its age found up until that time. It has been dated at 12,000 years old! You can climb up to Piers Cave and explore other caves in this area... but I would go with someone who knows where they are going!Fish Hoek is referred to as a village, and has a lovely beach and a shopping centre (Longbeach Mall). It has a couple of nice restaurants at the beach, and a wine estate too. It is a throughfare to Simon's Town and Cape Point.Remember, when visiting Cape Town, never go anywhere without your camera close at hand -...

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Oudtshoorn

by Jenniflower

This is what Oudtshoorn is renowned for ~ Ostriches, camels and caves!But there is a lot more to it than that, and I was surprised that the town was a lot bigger than I had pre-conceived, plus has so much in the way of history, architecture and culture.If you are driving along the Garden Route, do make the detour up to Oudtshoorn... for a gander with some ostriches, a camel ride, some good food and an enjoyable cave experience!About 2 hours out of the City of Cape Town, it is well worth the stop!

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Hout Bay

by Jenniflower

Hout Bay is English for 'Houtbaai', and it is affectionately called a 'Republic' as it is out of the way to other places, you have to go through, up or over mountains to reach her! There is a busy harbour and fishing industry here, as well as posh homes, along with a sprawling township.Full of character, arty and crammed with charm.Welcome to Hout Bay! :)

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Scarborough

by Jenniflower

We would often go for drives on the weekend to Scarborough when we lived in Cape Town, and this drive was a favourite! Not rushed, absolutely beautiful scenery all around, and peaceful, with not much traffic. The sea beckons, as do the sundowners at sunset :)This is a little hamlet-type village, set away on the mountainside, with no close neighbours around. It is peaceful and serene, with great surfing on a gorgeous white sand beach, and prolific bird life.It is located on the way to Cape Point, when coming from the Kommetjie side of the valley.It is an expensive little bit of paradise though, renown for its arty-type inhabitants.

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Kommetjie

by Jenniflower

Kommetjie... 'just' a bit further than Fish Hoek, located on the other side of the valley, it being on the Atlantic Sea side, and Fish Hoek the Indian Ocean side.It has become a fashionable (and expensive!) residential area, with a lovely beach and its own lighthouse to boot! It is laid back and not commercialised.On the way to Kommetjie you drive past Imhoff Farm, and this is definately worth a stop! I have written in more detail about it in a 'things to do' tip. Overall, it is a place where if you are a vegan and/or into organic produce, this will suit you down to the ground.

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Stellenbosch

by Jenniflower

Seeping with wine and culture ~ Stellenbosch!Stellenbosch is renowned for its landscape of vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. It is full of South African history and culture, and is a favourite to visit with tourists and locals alike.It also has a couple of bustling universities, and is a town full to the brim with students.

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Knysna

by Jenniflower

I have been to Knysna a few times, the last times being on my honeymoon in 2001, with a brief stop here in 2007. We took the renowned Outeniqua 'Choo choo' steam train from George to Knysna, and spent some time there. The journey there was 5 hours, over caverns, rivers and through fields. Delightful!

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South Africa's own historical naval town!

by Jenniflower

Simon's Town, a 45 minute drive from the city of Cape Town and a must see in the Western Cape!Simon's Town is still home to South Africa's navy, and has regained much of its historic splendour and character.Living close by in Fish Hoek for a few years, we would often drive here on the weekends and go for lovely walks. There is loads to eat here (all types of restaurants), art galleries, crafty things, clothing etc. The shops are aimed more toward the tourist and local person... and there are NO chain stores :)Defintaely a MUST if you are in Cape Town! And then drive on to Cape Point.. another beautiful piece of the Cape.

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Wilderness

by Jenniflower

Wilderness was another honeymoon destination of ours in 2001! We have since gone back for a week in 2007 - and what a stunning time we had.A place to lie back and relax, go canoeing up the river, or birdwatching.It is a good 5 hour drive from the city of Cape Town itself, along the Garden Route, in the Tsitsikamma Forest region.

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HOUT BAY

by PEE-WEE

Hout Bay is one of Cape Town´s premier tourist destinations and nestles in a lush valley between mountain and sea. Hout Bay has a working harbour, beautiful family- friendly beaches, fantastic restaurants overlooking the ocean, and also boasts the World of Birds, the largest bird park in Africa. Harbour cruises to Duiker Island and the V&A Waterfront are bookable at the harbour. Chapman's Peak Drive, a major attraction, links Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Accommodation, both upmarket and budget, caters for all needs.

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Unique Places in Province of the Western Cape

Top 3 Hotels in Province of the Western Cape

Cape Grace Hotel  Cape Town

 5 Reviews and 368 Opinions  Rooms are very nice, and service is spendid. However, the hotel is simply too expensive. 

 Hotels in Cape Town

Kanonkop Guest House  Knysna

 1 Review and 73 Opinions  Our 6 night stay was spilt: 3 nights in the Forest Room and 3 Nights in "Paradise". Both rooms are... 

 Hotels in Knysna

Hlangana Lodge  Oudtshoorn

 1 Review and 50 Opinions  Set in more than a hectare of exotic gardens,Hlangana Lodge offers the highest standards of luxury... 

 Hotels in Oudtshoorn

623 Hotels in Province of the Western Cape
 
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Reviews and photos of Province of the Western Cape attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Province of the Western Cape sightseeing.

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Province of the Western Cape
  1. Cape Town Off The Beaten Path
  2. Knysna Off The Beaten Path
  3. Oudtshoorn Off The Beaten Path
  4. Stellenbosch Off The Beaten Path
  5. Swellendam Off The Beaten Path
  6. Wilderness Off The Beaten Path

More Cities in Province of the Western Cape

 

Questions and Answers

joloca profile photo

Q:  hi, i'm going to leave for Capetown in January. i saw a guest house in blouberg, is this place safe?or it's dangerous?pleas help,... 

Gerald_D profile photo

A: Blouberg (Blaauwberg) is a very safe place. 

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