The 8 Best Day Trips from Cape Town: Tested + Ranked

The Best Day Trips from Cape Town 2026: 8 Tested Itineraries

Best day trips from Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope + Stellenbosch wineries + Franschhoek wine tram + Boulders penguins + Hermanus whales + Aquila safari.

Quick Summary

Best day trips from Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope + Stellenbosch wineries + Franschhoek wine tram + Boulders penguins + Hermanus whales + Aquila safari.

Top 8 Day Trips from Cape Town

1Cape of Good Hope + Cape Point

Distance: 1 hr 15Duration: Full day

Southwestern tip of Africa + lighthouse + baboons + Buffels Bay + Diaz Beach.

How to get there: Self-drive recommended. Or Cape Point tours from Cape Town ZAR 800-1500.

2Stellenbosch + Cape Winelands

Distance: 45 minDuration: Full day

South Africa’s oldest wine region — Cape Dutch architecture + 200+ wineries + tastings.

How to get there: MyCiTi bus + Stellenbosch shuttle. Or wine tours ZAR 800-1500.

3Franschhoek + Wine Tram

Distance: 1 hrDuration: Full day

Hop-on/off vintage tram between Huguenot-heritage wineries + Babylonstoren + La Motte + Boschendal.

How to get there: Self-drive + tram ticket ZAR 320. Or tours ZAR 900-1800.

4Boulders Beach + Penguins

Distance: 45 minDuration: Half day

African penguin colony + swimming with penguins + Simon’s Town naval history.

How to get there: Train to Simon’s Town then 5-min walk + ZAR 190 entry.

5Hermanus + Whale Watching

Distance: 1 hr 30Duration: Full day

Southern Right whales (Jun-Nov) from cliffs + Hermanus Wine Route + Walker Bay.

How to get there: Self-drive recommended, 1.5 hrs. Tours ZAR 1200-2000.

6Aquila Game Reserve

Distance: 2 hrDuration: Full day

Big Five safari (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo) — 2-hr drive vs. Kruger flight.

How to get there: Tours from Cape Town ZAR 2500-3500 inc. lunch.

7Robben Island

Distance: 30 min ferryDuration: Half day

Where Mandela was imprisoned 18 years + former-prisoner guides + Apartheid history.

How to get there: Ferry from V&A Waterfront, 30 min, ZAR 600 inc. tour.

8Table Mountain (Cable Car + Hike)

Distance: 30 minDuration: Half day

Iconic flat-top mountain — cable car or Platteklip Gorge hike. Sundowners at top.

How to get there: Cable car from Tafelberg Road, ZAR 420 RT.

Planning more of Cape Town? See our 3-day Cape Town itinerary, South Africa travel guide, the destinations index, or our Ultimate Bucket List.

Cape Town Day Trips FAQ

What is the best day trip from Cape Town?

Cape Point + Cape of Good Hope (full day) is most iconic. Stellenbosch/Franschhoek wine country is most romantic. Both essential.

Can you do a safari as a day trip from Cape Town?

Yes — Aquila Game Reserve (2 hrs) offers Big Five day trips. For wildebeest migration + true Big Five, fly to Johannesburg → Kruger.

When can you see whales in Hermanus?

June-November during Southern Right whale migration. Peak August-October — visible from cliffs (Cliff Path) without a boat.

How much do Cape Town wine tours cost?

ZAR 800-1800 per person depending on number of wineries (3-5) + lunch inclusion. Cheaper to self-drive but designated driver essential.