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peninsula in the Western Cape, South Africa
Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Western Cape > Cape Peninsula

The west coast of the Peninsula.

The Cape Peninsula (Afrikaans: Kaapse Skiereiland) is in Western Cape of South Africa, encompassing the Cape Town metro area, Cape Point and the False Bay area.

Regions

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Map
Map of Cape Peninsula
Cape Peninsula
 Blaauwberg Coast
The coastline region north of Cape Town is a hub for adventure and water sports
 Atlantic Seaboard
The coastline region south of Cape Town draws surfers and beach-goers
 False Bay
The south & eastern side of the peninsula and the coast up to Gordon's Bay has warmer water than the Atlantic Seaboard, making it popular for swimming, and some of the best beaches in South Africa

Cities

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  • 1 Cape Town — South Africa's "Mother City", on the slopes of Table Mountain, is known for its relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. It has lots of museums, art galleries, cafes, and trendy neighbourhoods

Other destinations

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  • 1 Table Mountain National Park — a 221-km² park that includes the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern extremity of Africa
  • 2 Robben Island — a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was used as a prison, primarily to house those opposed to the Apartheid government, notably Nelson Mandela

Understand

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Language

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The primary languages are English and Afrikaans, varying from suburb to suburb, although both will be understood in most areas. German and French are available in some tourist-oriented stores, and will usually have a sign to this effect on the street front.

Get in

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Get around

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By train

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Train service is only available between Simon's Town and Cape Town and won't bring you to the Cape of Good Hope, so the best option is a car. Another option is one of the tours offered everywhere in Cape Town.

By car

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  • Take the roads from Cape Town southward, passing Simon's Town and the Boulders to go to the Cape of Good Hope. You will always be on the peninsula, when you are south from Table Mountain.
  • The Table Mountain National Park offers visitors some indigenous vegetation and stunning views at Cape Point.

Car rental

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You can't pay for petrol or diesel with a credit card, only with cash or a South African bank issued 'Garage' card.

Hout Bay is a little, scenic harbour.
  • Dive the waters of Cape Town on the Atlantic or False Bay coastline of the Peninsula
Chapman's Peak Drive
  • Drive the scenic drives along the east and west coast of the Peninsula. Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world. It begins in Hout Bay on the west coast of the peninsula and ends 9 km later in Noordhoek. It is a toll road.
  • Visit the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park.
  • Take a look at the penguins at Boulders Beach.
  • Climb Table Mountain, starting from Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden. Admire the incredible diversity of plants of the Cape Region Floristic Province, the world's richest.
  • Swim, surf and paddleski in the warm water and safe beaches at Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Simon's Town on the east coast of the peninsula.
  • Walk for miles along the beaches of Hout Bay, Noordhoek and Kommetjie on the west coast of the peninsula. The water on this side is very cold, so you'll need a wetsuit if you want to surf.
  • Suntan and people-watch on the trendy beaches of Camps Bay, Clifton and Llandudno.
  • Visit Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

Several cafes and restaurants line the beach in Simon's Town and the other villages of the Cape Peninsula. Prominent among these is Kalk Bay with several famous eating houses, including various levels of fine fish restaurants in the famous picturesque fishing harbour.

Drink

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The famous Stellenbosch wine route is about 45 minutes away from the Peninsula. But there are several famous wine estates close to Cape Town. These include Groot Constantia, Buitenverwagting, Klein Constantia, Constantia Glen and right down south, in Noordhoek, is Cape Point vineyards.

Stay safe

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Go next

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Go to Cape Town, visit the Cape Winelands, drive up to the north along the West Coast or to the east onto the Garden Route.

This region travel guide to Cape Peninsula is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!
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