Western Cape

Offering you from the famous Table Mountain to the green Winelands, exquisite beaches to world-class hotels and restaurants and the cosmopolitan Cape Town.

The Western Cape is a province of diversities. It offers the visitor a unique cultural and natural heritage and a rural easy-going atmosphere - which is coupled with a first world infrastructure.

From the time of the first recorded discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartholomew Diaz in 1488, seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain. Today, 500 hundred years later Table Mountain and Cape Town remain two of the world's most famous landmarks and sought after destinations.

From the time of the first recorded discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartholomew Diaz in 1488, seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain.

Today, 500 hundred years later Table Mountain and Cape Town remain two of the world's most famous landmarks and sought after destinations.

In Cape Town with its cosmopolitan population and atmosphere, you'll find the blend of cultures, foods and colours of East and West.

But the Western Cape also offers you some of the oldest towns in South Africa, picturesque coastal towns and villages along the Garden Route and West Coast, small Karoo farming towns, villages along the whale route, towns of the winelands - and much more.

Cities and towns of the Western Cape:

Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)
A small fishing village hugs a hillside on the southern tip of Africa in the Overberg. Humble thatched cottages dot the shoreline and rare shells lie in the surf - a perfect place to relax and reflect

Barrydale
A valley falling into three distinct natural regions, with lush forests to the east, arid Karoo to the north and the fertile, fruit-growing and fynbos region to the west, as well as natural hot springs.

Beaufort West
Lies in the heart of the Great Karoo, in the world's largest plateau of its kind outside Asia, at the foot of the Nuweveld Mountains.

Caledon
The Gem of the Overberg Region, world renowned for the natural hot mineral water springs, but also a historically and agriculturally the hub of the area, surrounded by magnificent natural beauty and fynbos

Calitzdorp
If the Little Karoo of old still lives on, then its spirit resides in Calitzdorp - lingering in some vista of loft-doored cottages amongst orchard blooms. Calitzdorp captivates the character of a small Karoo community and its architecture.

Cape Town
17th Century victualling station that became the vibrant, friendly Mother City of South Africa, with the majestic Table Mountain, a sight of international renown. Fascinating historical heritage, museums, places and peoples.

Ceres
Named after the Roman Goddess of Fruitfulness, Ceres village was founded in 1849 when, after the completion of Michell's Pass, the first plots of land were sold. The village lies 150km to the North-East of Cape Town.

Clanwilliam
The Flower of the Cederberg is one of the oldest and most hospitable towns in South Africa.

Wupperthal
Wupperthal, the oldest Rhenish Mission Station, is an attractive little oasis in the very heart of the rugged wilderness of the Cedarberg and the Tratra Mountains.

Darling
The Flower of the West Coast is situated in the area of Groenkloof. Darling was founded on the farm Langfontein in 1853.

Franschhoek
Given to fleeing Huguenots in 1688, it was found that the climate is very similar to that in France, the settlers planted vines and today these wines are consumed throughout the world. Various attractions and historical sites.

Gansbaai
Fascinating fishing village known for its excellent rock and boat angling, diving, magnificent views across Walker Bay and whale-watching

George
The capital of the Garden Route, situated on a coastal plateau at the foot of the Outeniqua mountains. A perfect base from which to explore the Garden Route's many attractions and for scenic drives.

Victoria Bay
One of the smallest and most hidden beautiful bays on the Garden Route

Gordons Bay
A pictureque coastal town at the sundrenched foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range. Home to the SA Naval College, this Mediteranean-style village is situated only 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

Hartenbos
A seaside resort popular with members of the Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging, a language and cultural organisation, which owns various places on the beachfront

Heidelberg (Cape)
Gateway to the Garden Route, Heidelberg is situated on the banks of the Duivenhoks Riverand offers a great natural beauty and real country hospitality

Hermanus
A popular holiday resort and famous for the best land-based whale watching site in the world. Miles of sandy beaches and coves.

Kleinmond
The Kleinmond area comprises Kleinmond, Hangklip, Betty's Bay, Pringle Bay and Rooiels. Popular holiday resorts, ideal for whale watching. Contains Botanical Gardens, Coastal Reserves, Penguin Reserve and others

Towns of the Garden Route

One of the natural wonders of South Africa, this magnificent stretch of coastline with its ravishing scenic splendour and wide, sandy beaches is an absolute must for nature lovers and holiday-makers on tour, an ultimate eco-destination

Knysna
In the heart of the Garden Route, surrounded by forests, lakes, mountains and sea, this ever popular tourist destination is a charming town of legend, history, arts and crafts catering to visitors' every need or fancy.

Langebaan
Popular town and seaside resort has everything the sunseeker, nature lover or waterlover could ever want. Set on the banks of the Langebaan Lagoon in the heart of the West Coast National Park.

Mossel Bay
This popular holiday resort is warmed by the Mocambique Current and encircles the azure Bay of Mussels. Rich in history and known for warm, sunny weather. Various outdoor activities and adventures, like bungi jumping, plane flips and more

Muizenberg
A combination of mountain, beach and vlei, this town near Cape Town offers much in the way of accommodation, restaurants and other amenities. It has long, sandy beaches, safe bathing, pavilion, esplanade, amusement park and swimming pools

Oudtshoorn
Centre of the Klein Karoo and 'ostrich-feather capital' of the world, as well as having the famous Cango Caves. A lush oasis catering for adventure, cultural and geological tourists and one of the most-visited towns in the country.

Paarl
Your contact for more information on the historical village of Paarl, its historical sites, cultural museums, wine routes, buildings and companies of interest, special attractions and places of interest, accommodation and much more.

Plettenberg Bay
A modern resort of perfect beaches in the centre of the Garden Route, surrounded by the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountain Ranges and engulfed by indigenous forests. South Africa's premier coastal pleasure paradise

Rietpoort
Rietpoort is situated 28km northwest of Bitterfontein in the Namaqualand region of the West Coast

Riversdale
Floral Paradise of the Garden Route. Hiking trail of varying distances, with overnight facilities is a must for the hiker and bird watcher.

Robertson
The largest wine-producing area under irrigation, Robertson was founded in 1853. Its superior wines have many national and international awards. Some of the country's top racehorses are also bred in this valley.

Saldanha Bay
The safest and most natural harbour in South Africa. The centre of industrial employment on the West Coast, as well as the watersport enthusiast's paradise.

Sedgefield
Bordering the Swartvlei Lagoon, Sedgefield is a peaceful holiday resort surrounded by forests. Wide sandy beaches spreads out on each side of the Lagoon mouth.

Somerset West
Named after Sir Charles Somerset in 1819, this is a bustling commercial and residential town at the foot of the magnificent Hottentots Holland Mountain Range, still retaining its village atmosphere.

Stellenbosch
Of all the towns founded by the Dutch, Stellenbosch is the best preserved. Known as the town of oaks, it offers restored houses, cottages, shops, churches and inns, and, of course, the world renowned Stellenbosch University.

Still Bay
The treasure of nature unique to Still Bay have attracted visitors to this Bay of Sleeping Beauty for centuries. Various activities and adventures.

Strand
From small beginnings in 1714, Strand has grown into a thriving town & vacation destination 30 minutes from Cape Town and offers a wide range of activities and miles of white, sandy beaches.

Swellendam
Founded in 1745 at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain Range. A charming town, famous for its youngberries, electic architecture and National Parks, as well as outdoor activities

Tulbagh
The secluded valley is well-known for its large variety of veld flowers, of which many are displayed at the annual agricultural show held late in September each year.

Vanrhynsdorp
A small, quiet town in the folds of the towering Matsikamma and Gifberg mountains. The hub of all the flower routes.

Vredendal
Situated in the Green Fringe of the Olifant's River Valley, borders on the southern tip of Namaqualand, the northern part of the Boland.

Wellington
Truly the undiscovered jewel of the Cape, steeped in history and tradition, tucked away in the foothills of the Hawekwas Mountain Range, close to Paarl. Various attractions and historical sites.

Wilderness
The perfect seaside holiday resort, with miles upon miles of pristine golden beaches. An ecotourist's paradise, it is surrounded by lakes, forests, rivers, mountains and coastline, with spellbinding beauty and blissful peace.

Witsand
A popular seaside resort with wide beaches, the Breede River is navigable for 32 km. Rustic, seaside village with lots of atmosphere.

Worcester
Surrounded by majestic mountains and green valleys, Worcester is the largest wine-producing district in the country. It is also the commercial mecca for many sattelite towns, with a fascinating cultural heritage and special schools for the disabled.