Things to do in Western Cape, South Africa: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks

March 26, 2022 Agatha Simes

South Africa’s most popular tourist destination offers the urban thrills of Cape Town, its adjacent wine country and an aura of the rich political history of South Africa. The Overberg's perfect whale-watching perches provide excitement of a different nature. The Garden Route's lakes and forests and the Klein Karoo's ostrich-farming towns and vineyards present another take on the Cape. For extra kicks, try bungee jumping or cage-diving among Great Whites.
Restaurants in Western Cape

1. St Mark's Cathedral

116 York Street, George 6529 South Africa +27 44 873 3239 [email protected] http://www.stmarkscathedral.co.za
Excellent
87%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

St Mark's Cathedral

2. Geelkrans Nature Reserve

Still Bay East, Western Cape, Stilbaai 6674 South Africa +27 28 713 2366 http://www.capenature.co.za
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Geelkrans Nature Reserve

3. Robinson Pass

Oudtshoorn South Africa
Excellent
86%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Robinson Pass

Reviewed By CliveR253 - Mossel Bay, South Africa

This hike starts at the top of Robinson Pass, between Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay. It’s rated as ‘moderate’ difficulty, which it probably is if you are not 57 years old and moderately unfit, like I am. I would rate it a tough walk. Don’t try it alone, the trail is remote and you are almost always the only people on the trail. Wear good non-slip adventure type shoes, a hat and take a hiking stick. You walk through quite a lot of brush, so I would recommend long pants. I carried a couple of bananas, a roast beef and mustard sandwich and 2 liters of water. It’s about 13km long and is going to take you the best part of a day to complete. Start early, you will want to tarry to take photos. I did 5km in and turned around to go back. Thank god I had my trusty walking stick. In some parts I had to clamber over rocks. I would advise against taking the hike after it rained. The trail can get greasy and slippery. The mountains leach water and it stays wet on the sides where the sun does not reach. If you fall off the trail, it’s a long way down. The sides of the mountains are pretty steep - say 60 or 70 degree slopes. It’s a beautiful trail and is still recovering from fire a huge fire in 2019. The flora is breathtaking, I have ever seen such a variety of plants in such a small area. The mountains are majestic and the rock formations are a sight. Didn’t see them but the trail is used by Klipspringer buck, I saw old and fresh spoor. A curious lack of birds, I only heard them singing 3 or 4 times and didn’t see any on my walk. I highly recommend this trail. It’s a challenging hike and the beauty is breathtaking.

4. Dorp Street

Stellenbosch South Africa
Excellent
38%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 452 reviews

Dorp Street

Reviewed By tancred1964

Drop St is one of the oldest streets in a Stellenbosch and has many beautiful and interesting historical buildings including the famous Oom Samie se Winkel, a fascinating old shop with an eclectic mix of goods for sale

5. Old Town Tulbagh

Tulbagh, Witzenberg Municipality South Africa
Excellent
48%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 174 reviews

Old Town Tulbagh

Reviewed By ShinyBriony - Cape Town, South Africa

Tulbagh is a gem. From the beautifully renovated houses of Church Street, to the great museums, superb restaurants and wine farms both in and around the town, and wonderful people that live there, it’s a fabulous place to spend a weekend. Be warned, you’ll want to stay a week ... or two!

6. Noon Day Gun

Military Road Signal Hill, Cape Town Central South Africa +27 21 424 0529
Excellent
48%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 191 reviews

Noon Day Gun

Reviewed By 971allison

The gun is fired every day at noon. Having being shocked for a couple of days when it went off we decided to see it in action. There are 2 soldiers who set the gun off. One explained the history and how they load 2 guns in case one doesn't work. It is out of the way and not much to see there but it's still worth the visit and we are so glad we made it. Can highly recommend

7. Chavonnes Battery Museum

East Quay Clock Tower Precinct, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Central 8000 South Africa +27 21 416 6230 [email protected] http://www.chavonnesbattery.co.za/
Excellent
48%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Chavonnes Battery Museum

Relive the early history of Cape Town through fascinating artifacts, detailed displays, exhibits and information boards. Step below sea level to the sand of the original Cape Town shoreline and explore the Archaeological ruins of this Dutch East India Company fortification that has been buried for 140 years. Explore a robust schedule International Photo Exhibitions.

Reviewed By Kyrgyzstan1 - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

I'm looking for a Museum in Cape town where the first mailbox is located. the stone under which sailors left letters to Europe at the Cape of Good Hope

8. Joubert House

Long Street, Montagu South Africa +27 23 614 1774 http://www.montagu.org.za/information/joubert-house
Excellent
50%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Joubert House

Reviewed By royl786 - Bromsgrove, United Kingdom

Very interesting visit to two museums today. The history explained by the guide was very well narrated and very well informed First class and well worth a visit

9. Prince Alfred Pass

R339 Prince Alfred Street, Knysna 6139 South Africa http://princealbert.org.za
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 193 reviews

Prince Alfred Pass

Built by Thomas Bain in the 1860s, the Prince Alfred Pass (R339) is a dirt/gravel mountain pass between Knysna/Plettenberg Bay and Avontuur/Uniondale. It is a scenic route with spectacular views and interesting flora. Please note that this is not a shortcut from the Langkloof to Knysna/Plettenberg Bay. Having been built about 150 years ago, parts of this historic pass is very winding and narrow. In some areas, the surface of the road is eroded and there are potholes along the way.

Reviewed By MountainPassJimny

What a beautiful experience!! Don't be in a hurry when driving the Prince Alfred Pass. Close your eyes to hear voices, axes, trees falling, 'big foot' as told in Dalene Matthee's books, "Circles in the forest", and "Fiela's child"......... There were a few bumpy spots, though nothing to the extent that I thought my little Jimny wouldn't be able to handle it. The local people seem to speed quite a bit. Keep far left, go slow & enjoy the view.

10. NG Kerk Swellendam

c/o Voortrekker Str & Church Street, Swellendam 6740 South Africa +27 28 514 1225 [email protected] http://www.swellendammoederkerk.co.za
Excellent
47%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

NG Kerk Swellendam

An extremely popular and impressive stop for global visitors with a permanent exhibition and a rich history. Unique architectural mix in SA.

Reviewed By Jet51160473081

This Dutch Reform Church is definitely worth a visit. The original church on this site was built in 1802 and this building was erected in 1911. It is Cape Dutch in architectural style and very plain inside according to Dutch Refirm tradition. There are interesting gravestones in the beautifully kept gardens surrounding the church

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.