WHAT TO SEE IN THE CAPE PENINSULA

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Day 4: What to see on the Cape Peninsula: Camps Bay Beach, 12 apostles, Chapman's Peak, Noordhoeck, Kometjie, WhiteSand, Scarborough, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg Beach

The route through places to see in the Cape Peninsula It will be our purpose today after canceling the plans we had planned and that continued with the route through Cape Town on a day we started yesterday. The wind is still blowing a lot, so the funicular to Table Mountain is still closed and the forecast of the day is to cancel the ferry we have booked to go to Robben Island, so early in the morning we have valued the options we had and we have decided to exchange the days and make the route today places to see in the Cape Peninsula and cross our fingers, waiting for the wind to subside and tomorrow we can visit Table Mountain in the morning and Robben Island in the afternoon, thus fulfilling a part of the list of places to see in South Africa that we had in mind on this trip.

With this change of plans, we went down to the breakfast room of the Circa Luxury Apartment Hotel, our accommodation in Cape Town when it's 7 in the morning, ready to charge energy and at 7:30 to take the rental car in South Africa and start the route through places to see in the Cape Peninsula, starting with Camps Bay Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the city, ideal for photography with Table Mountain and Lion's Head in the background.

Something to keep in mind before continuing with today is that taking a route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula will take you an average of a full day, since they are approximately 130 kilometers long, if you want to do A stop in all the places we have visited.
You can do this tour for free, by rental car, as we have done or by booking a tour from Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope, a full day excursion through the Cape Peninsula and penguin colony or a private tour from Ciudad of the Cape.

Camps Bay Beach and the 12 apostles

The first stop on the route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, where we arrive at 8 in the morning, is Camps Bay Beach, the largest and best known beach in Cape Town, which is located about 8 kilometers from the city and where, as soon as we park the car, we begin to see the immensity of the landscapes and be aware of the gifts that await us on this trip to South Africa in 25 days.
It is here that you can also see the famous 12 apostles, some rock formations that belong to Table Mountain and that you can see on the left, standing out from the rest of the formation.

Camps Bay Beach

Unlike anything you can expect, Camps Bay Beach looks like a mixture of American city with infarct landscapes, which is wrongly located in a country that is not yours. Here it is very interesting to see how it is practically formed by whites, almost no blacks arrive in this area and there are many restaurants and accommodations that welcome select people that can be seen in these areas, especially in the afternoon, when the sunset arrives .
Despite this environment that just does not fit, we have to say that the views are really spectacular and that Camps Bay, despite not being the best place to bathe if the wind alone, since it is dangerous, is one of the essential stops and one of the places to see in the Cape Peninsula that you can't miss

Camps Bay Beach on the Cape Peninsula

Tips for visiting Camps Bay Beach

In addition to the views from the first viewpoint, we advise you to stop on the promenade itself, since there you can park for free and have views of the beach much closer, in addition to being able to walk through it, with incredible views of the 12 apostles and the Lion's Head.
Keep in mind that the viewpoints are always free including parking. While it is true that sometimes you can find someone, usually with identification vests, who will say good morning and tell you that they take care of your car.
Although they won't ask you anything for this service, it doesn't hurt to give them R10-R20 that will help them support their family.
The stop at the viewpoint and then on the beach can take between 30-45 minutes, depending on the photos you take.

Camps Bay

It's 9 in the morning when we continue with the route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, heading to Chapman's Peak, one of the most incredible panoramic roads of the Cape Town Peninsula to where we have approximately 20 kilometers and about 30 minutes to reach the first panoramic point of the road.
Something to keep in mind is that although there are many kilometers that are traveled on this route, the driving is really wonderful since the views at all times are impressive, the traffic is usually not much and also, in South Africa, you drive very well, something we have to say, is very much appreciated.

Chapman's Peak

As we mentioned earlier, this is a panoramic road, on which you must pay R47 at the checkpoint, which runs along a cornice road and consists of different viewpoints, in which we advise you to make a stop to enjoy the immensity of the Landscapes that are a real show.

Views from Chapman's Peak

After this tour of the panoramic road, we reach the area of the Cape Peninsula where its beaches stand out, of which we will visit only some of the most famous. If you have more time or want to devote only time to the beaches, you can take advantage of it if it is summer time to rest, sunbathe or even, if you like, surf in one of them like Scarborough, one of the most recommended This area for the practice of this sport.

Recommended beaches to see in the Cape Peninsula

As we commented, we will only visit some of the most famous, but now only with this, we can confirm that they are some of the most incredible we have ever seen. Maybe it's because of the landscapes that surround them. Perhaps because of the lack of infrastructure in most of them or perhaps because of the gift they have made us to know them practically alone. For whatever reason, we have to say that the beaches in this area of South Africa, even if you're not going to take a bath, are one of the essential places to see in the Cape Peninsula.

Noorhoeck Beach

This is the first of the beaches in this area where we stop and although we do not get down to it, we see it from the panoramic point on the road and we have to say that it is a true spectacle of nature in which they stand out the white sand and the color of the water, which make this one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen.

Noorhoeck Beach

Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish to know Cape Town by travelers:
- From Cape Town: Cape Point and penguins
- Full day around the Cape Peninsula and penguin colony
- Robben Island: tickets for the ferry and pick up at the hotel
- Combined tour of the municipality and Robben Island

Kommetitjie

The next stop is the Kommetitjie beach, a beach that is practically 10 kilometers from the previous one, where we arrive when it is 10:30 in the morning and where we take the opportunity to stretch our legs for a while, return to admire the wildest nature and Enjoy unique views.
Something to keep in mind, as we mentioned earlier, is that to see all the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, it is necessary to have a full day, leaving very early at 7:30 in the morning of Cape Town to return when it's 5-6 in the afternoon, depending on the time you spend at each place.
That said and although we understand that the beaches are really wonderful, if you do not intend to bathe, like us, you can make short stops to see them from the viewpoints and choose to make a longer stop at one you like more, to give Take a walk and spend some more time.

Kommetitjie

Whitesand

The route continues to bring us to Whitesand, another of the most visited beaches, where we arrive when it is about 11 in the morning and where we only take a walk through the viewpoint, since although we are checking the clock to give us time to see Everything we want, we have already left more than expected, with the occasional extra stop at the viewpoints, attracted by the incredible landscapes of the Cape Peninsula.

Whitesand

More practical information to prepare your trip to South Africa
- 10 essential places to see in South Africa
- 10 essential places to see in Cape Town
- The best tips for traveling to South Africa

Scarborough

After several dozen photos, we head towards Scarborough Beach, where we enjoy a ride between waves, where there are many people surfing, something that we have also seen in some of the beaches we have been in and that is very common , especially at this time of year.

Scarborough

And so, after these stops on some of the beaches of the Cape Peninsula, which have taken us more than an hour and a half, we make our way to the Cape of Good Hope about 20 kilometers, where we arrive when it is 12 o'clock morning.

Cape of Good Hope

The first thing we should know is that the famous Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost point of the Natural Reserve of the Cape of Good Hope, which belongs to the Table Mountain National Park, a natural environment with an incalculable interest and value.
This means that we are in a place where nature is the true protagonist and as such, we must respect it, take care of it and, above all, be responsible with it.
This is something that happens in the great majority of places that we are going to visit in South Africa and it is interesting, at the same time as necessary, to take it into account, since we are nothing more than mere guests to the country.

Keep in mind that the park entrance is approximately 10 kilometers from Simon's Town, so depending on the time you arrive, it may be a good option, stop by this town to eat or snack, since inside the park only There are a couple of places where you can do it.

The price of the entrance to the Natural Reserve of the Cape of Good Hope is R147 per person, but if you have the Wild Card, this amount is already included in the ticket.

Cape of Good Hope

What to see in the Cape of Good Hope Reserve

Among the many places to see in the Cape of Good Hope Reserve, we want to highlight those that are essential for us, especially for its history and for being among the most feared places in the world by sailors.

Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse

Without a doubt, it is from here that you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the peninsula. Once you have left the car in the parking lot, you can go up a path of almost 1 kilometer until you reach the lighthouse or take a funicular by R55 the round trip and R70 round trip, which leaves you at the top.
In our case, being a day with a lot of wind and going with little time, we decided to make the funicular climb and walk down, so that we can stop at the different viewpoints and enjoy the incredible views.

If you have time, from here there is a path where you can reach the famous "Cape of Good Hope" cartel, located below. The journey will take about 2 hours and is quite demanding as there is a good slope. In case you don't want to do it on foot, you can go perfectly by car, as we explain below.

Lighthouse of Cape of Good Hope

Cape of Good Hope

Cartel "Cape of Good Hope"

From the lighthouse, a narrow road turns left until you drive to the famous cartel. You can park in a parking lot, right next door and take, like other travelers, the photo with this curious cartel.
Keep in mind that the place is much less spectacular than the previous one, since there is no cliff and it is located on a pebble beach, although it is worth coming even if they are only a few minutes to see it and of course, take that souvenir photo .

What to see in the Cape Peninsula. Cartel "Cape of Good Hope"

We have read that many people only come here to see the famous poster. If you have one more hour it is highly recommended to go to the lighthouse, whether walking or by funicular, since the views are really wonderful and we believe they are the perfect complement to the cartel photo

Tips for visiting the Cape of Good Hope

The price of admission to Cabo de Buena Esperanza is R145 per person. With the Wild Card it is free access.
The schedule is from 6 am to 6 pm from October to March and from 7 am to 5 pm the rest of the months of the year.
Once you have paid, they will give you a brochure in which you can see the different roads and trails. From the entrance to the Visitor Center there are about 7 kilometers, 3 kilometers more to the junction on the left that takes you to the cartel and 2 kilometers straight to the lighthouse.
Keep in mind that despite the sun and good temperature, the Cape of Good Hope is usually a place where the wind blows, so it is worth bringing some shelter.
Regarding the Wild Card, it is advisable to bring a copy on the phone, for example and also some printed copies, because of what we have read, sometimes they ask for them.
The approximate time to visit the lighthouse and the cartel, in addition to the car journeys, is approximately two hours.
Another important thing is to know that the Cape of Good Hope is a territory of baboons, unfriendly monkeys who are usually friends of the alien, so it is worth being careful and leaving nothing of value or food in sight.

Cape of Good Hope

It's almost 2 in the afternoon when we leave the Cape of Good Hope to continue the route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, now heading to Boulders National Park 22 kilometers away, known for hosting a famous penguin colony.

Boulders National Park

This park is the place where you can see Cape fool birds on the peninsula that are piled up on the beach of Boulders Beach, a small white sand beach where if you are lucky, you can see the penguins stroll quietly on the way to The cold waters
Although bathing is allowed, in case you want to do it, keep in mind that sometimes you will be surrounded by penguins, which you can not touch, or feed or of course, touch.

Boulders National Park

Tips for visiting Boulders National Park

The entrance fee is R75 per person and as the Cape of Good Hope, it is also included in the Wild Card.
The schedule is from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in December and January).
Although there is a free asphalted parking lot, this is usually filled very soon, especially at noon and in the afternoon, when there is more tourism and more organized groups. In case it is full, you can leave the car in one that is right next to it, without paving in which it is convenient to leave a donation of R5-R10 per hour.
This visit can be done perfectly for free, as we have done, but if you do not have a car or want to know more about the place, you can opt for this tour to Cabo Buena Esperanza and the penguin colony or this Day excursion Entire through the Cape Peninsula and the penguin colony.

Boulders National Park

It's 3 in the afternoon, after almost half an hour enjoying the company of the penguins, when we continue our route through the Cape Town Peninsula, approaching Fish Hoek, a small town where Rubén and Lucy de Algo que Remember us They have recommended stopping at Fish & Chips at Kalky's, a restaurant next to the harbor, which they say they serve one of the best fish and chips in the world.

Once here, we leave the car right next to the restaurant in a free parking lot, where we pay R20 to get us take care the car and we go straight to the restaurant where we order a hake with potatoes, pike with squid and potatoes, soda and beer by R288, which we have to say, they feel great and you can not always eat fish and chips as fresh as this .

Kalky's Fish & Chips

After lunch we took the opportunity to stretch our legs for a while, walking through the port area, where after not being able to locate the sea lion colony they had told us was in this area and have coffee, we continue with the planned route for today, it will take us to the last point of the route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, Muizenberg Beach just 3 kilometers away.

Muizenberg

With tens of kilometers this beach near Cape Town is known for surfing as well as currently thanks to Instagram, its colorful booths, which have made this place one of the most photographed in the area next to Bo-Kaap in Cape Town

Muizenberg

After leaving the car in a parking lot from which we already have the first perspectives of the booths with the beach in the background, we approach the sand, where we have to confess we are practically an hour, enjoying the views and the atmosphere in the beach, in addition to the dozens of photographs we shot, trying to capture all possible planes of these colorful booths, which give the beach a special charm.

Muizenberg

And so when it's 6:30 in the afternoon, we end the route by places to see in the Cape Peninsula, starting the way back to Cape Town, where we arrived at 7 in the afternoon, to fall at the Circa Luxury Apartment Hotel, our accommodation these days.

Map of the route through the places to see in the Cape Peninsula

We leave you the map with the route we have done today for all the places to see in the Cape Peninsula, among which are Camps Bay Beach, 12 apostles, Chapman's Peak, Noordhoeck, Kometjie, Scarborough, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg Beach.

Day 5: Cape Town in 2 days: Table Mountain, Waterfront and Robben Island