Wine Tasting & Whale Watching: 8 Exciting Day Trips in Cape Town

It’s no secret that Cape Town is one of the best holiday destinations. Offering a brilliant blend of coast, city, and countryside, it’s impossible to run out of things to do. But, if you do start to get itchy feet, you’ll be pleased to know that Cape Town is a fantastic base to explore further afield. You’ll be amazed at the sheer variety of epic day trips in Cape Town, from taking a safari to uncovering fossils in the desert. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have done it all, and to help you plan the perfect trip, we’ve put together our top picks for the most exciting one-day adventures in and around Cape Town.

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To the east of Cape Town is the Overberg Coast, also known as the Whale Coast. This is one of the best day trips in Cape Town for families, especially during whale season between June and November. The route begins in Cape Town and follows the R44 through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. You’ll pass by stunning countryside and pretty towns like Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, and Kleinmond.

Hermanus is the largest town along the route, with gorgeous beaches and plenty of seafood restaurants. It’s also the best place to see whales, with an annual Whale Festival and its very own whale crier. Watch as southern right and humpback whales perform courtship rituals right off the coast. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot dolphins, cape fur seals, and penguins. Head further along the coast and you’ll come across Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you can put one foot in the Indian Ocean and the other in the Atlantic – both at the same time.

A day of wine tasting surrounded by bucolic countryside – a visit to the Cape Winelands is one of the best day trips in Cape Town. Just an hour’s drive inland from the city, Cape Winelands is South Africa’s main wine-producing region. There are several towns and areas within it, including Constantia, Stellenbosch, Durbanville, Paarl, and Franschhoek.

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There are numerous wine tours and trails to take, with some of the most well-known being the Stellenbosch Wine Route, Helderberg Wine Route, Durbanville Wine Route, and the Constantia Wine Route. Sip on varieties like Pinotage (South Africa’s earthy, smoky signature red) or Méthode Cap Classique (sparkling wine made with Champagne varieties) while you admire the surrounding mountains, green hills, and sparkling lakes.

One of our favourite wineries is Boschendal Estate, one of the Cape’s oldest wine farms producing farm-to-table food and award-winning vintages since 1685. No designated driver? Not a problem with the Franschhoek wine tram. Simply climb aboard for a hop-on, hop-off tour with eight different lines to choose from.

What could be more exciting than riding a vintage steam train through the countryside? One of our favourite day trips for all ages to enjoy is a ride on a Ceres Rail locomotive to the Elgin Valley. Only running on the weekend, the journey takes you on a 160-kilometre round trip through some of South Africa’s finest landscapes.

The train departs from Harbour Bridge Platform, snaking its way through Cape Town and its neighbourhoods, past farmlands and orchards, and up and over Sir Lowry’s Pass – one of South Africa’s steepest railway lines. Located in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, the little town of Elgin is known for its fresh produce like apples and pears, as well as cool-climate wines. You can sample these local products at your final destination, the Art Deco Elgin Railway Market. Originally an apple warehouse, this Steampunk-style building is bursting with street food stalls and craft vendors. Find everything from savoury foods and sweet treats to a gin bar and wine shop.

Around 20 kilometres from Cape Town, the seaside neighbourhood of Hout Bay is just a quick thirty-minute drive away. Most people usually drive past it on their way down the Cape Peninsula, but by doing so they’re missing out on a wonderful day by the sea. Aside from swimming and relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of interesting things to add to your itinerary. One of the most unique experiences is snorkelling with cape fur seals on Duiker Island. Don’t want to don the wetsuit? You can still take a boat tour to the island to see the seals from land.

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If you’re travelling with the little ones, the World of Birds is the largest of its kind in the whole of Africa. With over 3,000 birds and 400 species, this is a fantastic place to learn more about the creatures and relax among the greenery. Back in town, swing by the Bay Harbour Market, which is the place to be on the weekends. With various foods, arts, crafts, and live entertainment, the market offers fun for the whole family.

Located within the southern section of Table Mountain National Park is the spectacular promontory of Cape Point. Perched at the southwestern tip of Cape Peninsula, expect to find dramatic coastal views everywhere you look. A fun way to take it all in is a ride on the Flying Dutchman Funicular which takes you to the upper lighthouse for breathtaking views of the coastline.

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It’s easy to spend an entire day here, with plenty of short walks and hikes leading you to secluded beaches, shipwrecks, and historical monuments. The Antoniesgat Trail is one of the best hikes, starting at Buffels Bay Beach and winding past caves, tunnels, and tidal pools where you can cool off. Keep your eyes out for seals, dolphins, and penguins in the waters below. On your way back to Cape Town, be sure to stop at Chapman’s Peak for sunset.

Just an hour away from Cape Town is the Karoo, a semi-desert region spread out across the southern half of the country. There are many day trips to be had where you can explore its vast open plains, craggy outcrops and quirky little towns like Graaff-Reinet, Prince Albert, and Beaufort West. The area is well known for its abundance of fossils, particularly from the Permian and Triassic periods. Previous finds have uncovered fossils of ancient reptiles, mammals and even dinosaurs. Take the Fossil Trail to discover more about the Karoo’s prehistoric past.

Despite its arid conditions, the Karoo is home to a variety of wildlife such as antelope, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, and black-backed jackals. One of the highlights is the Aquila Private Game Reserve which offers a ‘Big Five’ safari experience. There is something for everyone, whether you want to go on a traditional game drive, explore the reserve on horseback or quad bikes, or fly over it in a helicopter.

Just 88 kilometres north of Cape Town is the West Coast National Park. This is one of the most scenic places in the country, dotted with wildflower fields, secret beaches and quaint fishing villages. If you’re visiting during August and September, you’ll be in for the chance to see the fields of Postberg come alive with a dazzling patchwork of colourful wildflowers – you won’t want to miss out on taking a snap for the ‘gram.

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Looking for an adrenaline rush? Head to Kraalbai to try your hand at kitesurfing and waterskiing, or keep it relaxed with snorkelling and kayaking. Elsewhere on the Langebaan Lagoon are white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters where you can spend a chilled-out day on the coast. There are also plenty of land-based adventures to enjoy, whether you want to mountain bike through the rugged terrain or hike past mysterious shipwrecks. Meanwhile, history enthusiasts can learn about the area’s flora, fauna, and cultural history at Geelbek’s visitor centre.

Despite being only two hours away from Cape Town, the region of Cederberg feels like a completely different place to the city. Made up of dramatic rock formations, deep valleys, and rugged mountains, this lunar-like landscape provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. From plunging into rock pools to bouldering and abseiling, you won't be short of fun here.

Naturally, hiking is one of the best ways to explore the park, with an abundance of routes for all abilities. Our favourite is the Maltese Cross trail, a five-hour hike with some incredible mountain views. Looking for something shorter? Take the three-hour Waterfall Trail, which leads from Algeria up to the Middelberg Waterfall – cooling off in the small pool at the bottom of the falls is the best way to end the hike. Cederberg is also famous for its ancient San rock art sites, many of which are open to the public. Created by the indigenous San people thousands of years ago, these rock paintings offer a fascinating glimpse into their lives.

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