Undoubtedly, Cape Town is a place where there is never a dull moment. In this city, everyone will find something to their liking. But sometimes you just want to go on a country road trip with tea in a thermos bottle and a playlist with your favourite music. Do you agree? Then let’s go to Hermanus for the weekend!
Itinerary
The distance from Cape Town to the South African capital of whales, the city of Hermanus, is approximately 122 kilometers. The journey without stops will take 2 hours. Hermanus is famous for its landscapes, excellent wine, delicious food and art galleries. In this article, we will share information verified by our own experience about which routes are best to choose for a trip, what to see along the way, where to stay and which restaurants to book tables at!
We recommend leaving early on Saturday morning to get there before the traffic jams start. You start moving towards the exit from the city along the N2 highway towards the airport. When driving along this road, be extremely careful: it is a busy highway with chaotic traffic, and residents of nearby townships periodically cross the road in the wrong places.
For a comfortable trip, you can rent a car from us. Beloc provides cars in excellent condition with minimal mileage at competitive prices. Full insurance is included in the price. To rent, you need a minimum set of documents, and no advance payment is required. Details – link.
For breakfast, on your way in Strand, stop at an unusual place “Pajamas and Jam”. This atmospheric cafe is located in a spacious room that used to be a warehouse. The place combines a restaurant and an antique store. The menu includes hearty breakfasts, vegetarian options, light salads and delicious cakes for those with a sweet tooth. The desserts and baked treats options are particularly popular for their daily fresh variety.
After breakfast head to one of the most beautiful roads in the world: the highway R44 or Dappat se Gat. This is a serpentine road along the ocean, where from August to November you can even spot whales. If you are a fan of small atmospheric settlements, we also recommend visiting Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay. These are two coastal towns with cozy beaches and cute houses.
We offer
You will continue driving along the picturesque R44 highway, stopping at the city embankment of Kleinmond. There are many interesting souvenir shops and antique shops here. Finally, you will arrive at the whale capital of South Africa – Hermanus! The city has a large selection of hotels of different levels; a room can be booked through well-known aggregators, such as booking.com or AirBnb. Here are some recommendations from us:
- Schulphoek Seafront House
- Misty Waves Boutique Hotel
- Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Veranda House
- La Fontaine Guesthouse Hermanus
Beloc team will be happy to make all the arrangements for your trip in a heartbeat.
After checking into the hotel, it’s time for lunch and wine tasting. About half an hour’s drive from the city center is the Creation Wines winery, recognized as the best in Africa and third in the world. We recommend booking a table in advance and trying their excellent wines paired with haute cuisine. The winery’s restaurant has also received several prestigious awards.
After the tasting, with the start of the golden hour, head to the Hermanus Cliff Path. This is a walking trail along the ocean, which starts at the new harbour and stretches for 12 kilometers. We promise that you have never seen such views of the ocean and mountains!
You can celebrate the gorgeous sunset with oysters and a glass of sparkling wine in Bientang’s Cave and then continue this beautiful evening by going out move for dinner. These are some of our favourite restaurants:
You should start Sunday with a relaxing breakfast at CanD’s Kitchen, and then we are suggesting two options for you: from August to November, you can go whale-watching with a tour from the SouthernRight Charters. Or you can join one of our hiking tours in Hermanus along the whale-trail. If you are in town not during the whale season, we recommend going on a hike to Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Both activities will likely take up a good half of your day.
We recommend heading back towards Cape Town not too late, as on Sunday many people return to the city before the start of the work week, which can create traffic on the roads.
From Hermanus to Cape Town you can take a slightly different, but not less picturesque road. Build a route through Grabouw on the maps. If the time allows, you can stop at Elgin Railway Market. This is a weekend market with live music and a large selection of food and drinks. Also, be sure to take a break from the road at the legendary Houw Hoek Farm Stall and try their famous pies (you can buy frozen for dinner and take it home). Our favourite is the Pepper Steak Pie. Get ready to keep your eyes open at Sir Lowry’s Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean and coastal town of Strand. Just another half hour and you are in Cape Town!
We hope our recommendations help you plan the perfect weekend getaway from Cape Town! Beloc will be happy to help you organize everything you need for your trip. To do this, simply contact us and indicate what dates you plan to travel on and whether you have any special requests. More info via link.
