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    Cape Peninsula
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    South Africa

    Cape Peninsula

    The Cape Peninsula stretches from Cape Town about 50 kilometers south to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point.

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    The Cape Peninsula stretches from Cape Town about 50 kilometers south to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. On the Atlantic side, Chapman's Peak Drive leads along steep cliffs; on False Bay lie Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Simon's Town with the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The south is part of the Table Mountain National Park.
    Kalk Bay
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

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    Kalk Bay

    Kalk Bay is a fishing harbour on False Bay with antique shops, bookstores, and cafés along Main Road. At the harbour, fishermen sell their catch directly from the boat, often observed by seals.

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    The Cape of Good Hope
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Place 2 of 3

    The Cape of Good Hope

    The Cape of Good Hope and the adjacent Cape Point form the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and belong to the Table Mountain National Park.

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    Simon's Town
    FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

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    Simon's Town

    Simon's Town on False Bay has been a naval base since the 19th century, first for the British, now for the South African Navy. Its main street is lined with Victorian facades.

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    Sights in Cape Peninsula

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Attraction

    Chapman's Peak Drive

    The toll coastal road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek is approximately nine kilometres long and was blasted into the cliff face. It features 114 curves; several lookout points offer views of Hout Bay and the Sentinel. In case of rockfall danger or heavy rain, the road is temporarily closed.
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    Two Coasts, One Peninsula

    Atlantic and False BayThe Cape Peninsula has two very different sides. In the west, the cold Benguela Current meets a steep rocky coast with Hout Bay, Noordhoek, and Chapman's Peak Drive; the water rarely reaches more than 15 degrees. False Bay in the east is significantly warmer. There, Muizenberg with its colourful beach huts and surf schools, the fishing harbour of Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, and the naval base Simon's Town are strung along.The south of the peninsula belongs to the Table Mountain National Park and is part of the Cape Floral Region, one of the six floral kingdoms of the Earth. Chacma baboons, eland antelopes, and mountain zebras live in the Fynbos vegetation. Never feed the baboons and do not leave any food visible in the car.

    Exploring the Cape Peninsula

    The best way to explore the peninsula is by rental car on a round trip from Cape Town: via Chapman's Peak Drive south, through the Cape Nature Reserve, and returning via Simon's Town and Kalk Bay. You should plan a full day for the approximately 160 kilometers. The suburban train runs from Cape Town along False Bay to Simon's Town; there is no public transport to the Cape itself. Chapman's Peak Drive and the Nature Reserve each incur a fee.

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    Simon's Town

    Simon's Town

    Simon's Town on False Bay has been a naval base since the 19th century, first for the British, now for the South African Navy. Its main street is lined with Victorian facades. Just south is Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African Penguins; the town makes a good stopover on the way to the Cape of Good Hope.
    Kalk Bay

    Kalk Bay

    Kalk Bay is a fishing harbour on False Bay with antique shops, bookstores, and cafés along Main Road. At the harbour, fishermen sell their catch directly from the boat, often observed by seals. Cape Town's suburban train stops right by the sea.
    The Cape of Good Hope

    The Cape of Good Hope

    The Cape of Good Hope and the adjacent Cape Point form the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and belong to the Table Mountain National Park. From the old lighthouse on Cape Point, accessible on foot or via the Flying Dutchman funicular, the view stretches far across the Atlantic. The reserve is home to chacma baboons, eland, and ostriches.
    Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is situated between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean and, with approximately 4.8 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, is South Africa's second-largest city. The city combines colonial history, the memory of Apartheid on Robben Island, and a vibrant restaurant and art scene with beaches, hiking trails, and wine regions right on its doorstep.
    Bo-Kaap

    Bo-Kaap

    Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, the historic Malay Quarter, captivates with its vibrant colours and unique Cape Malay culture. Here you'll find closely packed houses in bright hues along cobblestone streets. The district tells the story of the descendants of slaves who were settled here by the Dutch. For cultural insights, visit the Bo-Kaap Museum or the Auwal Mosque, South Africa's oldest mosque. The aromatic Cape Malay cuisine is a highlight; try specialties like Bobotie. An early morning visit is recommended for photos and fewer crowds; always respect residents' privacy.