While the Mother City is an amazing city with plenty of activities and attractions to offer, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing else to see and explore throughout the Western Cape. There are dozens of beautiful small towns around Cape Town with amazing sights and unique character. Many of these coastal towns are located along both the False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and offer lots of activities and attractions worth exploring.
All of us at some point get bored of all the hustle and bustle of living in big cities like Cape Town. Luckily, stunning seafront promenades, picturesque small fishing towns, and popular holiday resorts are just a short drive away from the Mother City. Let’s take a look at a list of 6 Beautiful Small Towns around Cape Town you could move to if you’re tired of the city life.
1 Paternoster
Image:en.wikipedia.org
A quaint fishing village, Paternoster is well-known for its colorful fishing boats, spectacular white-sand beaches, and historical cottages. It is located a 90-minute drive from the Mother City, which makes it an ideal place to relocate to. You can spot whales and dolphins in the ocean here or rent a nice little fishermen’s house with amazing views of the Bay.
2 Montagu
Image:www.montagu.org.za
Located close to the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Montagu is famous for its wine farms, Cape Dutch museums, and the remarkable Cogmanskloof Pass. The great thing about living in Montagu is the fact that there are many activities to choose from such as tractor trips, bird-watching at Leiwater Dam, nature hikes, and mountain walks. Have dinner at Die Kloof Padstal and try their peri-peri chicken livers or check out the Saturday Park Market. Montagu is around 2 hours and 30 minutes from Cape Town by car.
3 Hermanus
Image:I Love South Africa Blogger
With miles of sandy beaches and amazing coves waiting to be discovered, Hermanus is a popular holiday town where many visitors come to spend their weekends and holidays. It’s also a great town to live in and features dozens of food and craft markets. One of the biggest draws for relocating or just visiting Hermanus is the fact that this is the best land-based whale watching destination on the planet. The annual whale festival in September is a time when southern right whales return to their bay not to miss the mating season.
Recommended Accommodation
4 Prince Albert
Image:Flickr
If you are looking for beautiful small towns with picturesque streets and beautiful gardens, Prince Albert just may just be the perfect destination for you. Victorian buildings and the Cape Dutch architecture make Prince Albert one of the most amazing towns in the region. Enjoy scenic mountain views, visit the olive farms, and check out some of the historic sites that date back to the 18th century.
5 Matjiesfontein
Imge:Flickr
Once a British army stronghold, Matjiesfontein is a tiny colonial resort that offers plenty of attractions. There is the famous Marie Rawdon Museum, as well as the Olive Schreiner Cottage for history buffs. This beautiful small town is also a heritage site and offers activities as the Futtom Fluffy bus tour that lasts for 10 minutes and passes dozens of landmarks including the fire station, post office, courthouse, jail, and the transport museum.
6 Stellenbosch
Image:Flickr
A historically rich town that was founded by the Dutch, Stellenbosch is probably one of the most beautiful small towns in the Cape Town area. It houses the famous Stellenbosch University which is surrounded by Victorian, Georgian, and Dutch architecture. Take the Stellenbosch Wine Route and visit over 100 cellars or visit some of the cool bars and restaurants here in Stellenbosch. The good news is that quaint town is only 45 minutes from Cape Town.
