Photo credit: Hermanus Tourism Bureau via Facebook
Canvas Collective Africa is fortunate to be situated in the beautiful Overberg Region. And if you’re travelling from Cape Town to stay with us or even simply visiting the charming Hermanus or Hemel-en-Aarde areas for the day – there are plenty of wonderful places to discover along the way.
In this post, we look at some of the best stops to enjoy when road tripping from Cape Town to Hermanus:
Choose Your Route
When travelling to Hermanus – South Africa’s famous whale capital and one of the core coastal towns in the Overberg Region – you have a few route options.
The main route is travelling via the N2 – or N2 and R43.
Otherwise, travellers can alternatively head to Stellenbosch (taking the N1 from Cape Town) and make their way to Hermanus from there. This route is a slightly more scenic option but it is also fractionally longer.
Either way, Hermanus is roughly a two-hour drive from Cape Town, give or take a few minutes’ drive time.
Cape Town > Stellenbosch > Hermanus
Photo credit: Visit Stellenbosch via Facebook
If you decide to enjoy road tripping from Cape Town to Hermanus via Stellenbosch, you’ll pass many excellent stops along the way.
What’s more, the Stellenbosch route provides you with the chance to really acquaint yourself with the Cape Winelands, as you’ll first travel through Stellenbosch Winelands, then the Helderberg Wine Route, Elgin Valley, Bot Rivier and more before you reach Hermanus (also home to some excellent wine estates).
So, if you aren’t pressed for time, it’s certainly a winning road trip experience.
Some of the stops to savour along the way (once you head out of Stellenbosch proper, which, of course, overflows with an abundance of eateries, coffee shops and nearby wine farms) include wine farms like Blaauwklippen, Cavalli and Avontuur, as well as local eateries and attractions like Thirsty Scarecrow and the popular Root44 Market.
Once you reach Somerset West side, your route essentially lines up with the N2 route so you’ll find many of the same attractions – so we’ll explore these in more detail below.
Cape Town to Hermanus (via N2 or N2 and R43)
(Both routes (N2 or N2 and R43) are quite similar in nature (and in travel time) – so we’re going to focus on the main highlights for both.)
Once you have headed out of Cape Town along the N2, you’ll come to Somerset West and after it, Strand.
In this lovely Helderberg Region, there are some lovely wine farms, shopping malls and of course, beautiful beaches to enjoy a little off the beaten track.
After the Helderberg, you climb the impressive, twisty Sir Lowry’s Pass. It famously has a great viewpoint at the top of the pass so you can stop to soak up the views, snap photos or even grab a bite to eat (just remember to pack in some padkos!).
Photo credit: Elgin Railway Market via Facebook
Thereafter, you enter Elgin and Grabouw. These country towns offer everything from wine farms to roadside farm stalls and the pumping Elgin Railway Market.
If you pass through Elgin on a weekend, don’t miss experiencing the full Elgin Railway Market. This chic, steampunk market offers everything from incredible food- and drink-stalls to arts and crafts wares, a kiddies’ outdoor play area, a cute book bus, homeware and vintage clothing.
Photo credit: Elgin Railway Market via Facebook
But one of the market’s biggest drawcards is the Ceres Railway Company steam train that famously stops here each weekend. It’s quite a sight watching this grand old dame pull into the humble Elgin train station.
Other unmissable foodie spots in and around Elgin and Grabouw include either Peregrine Farm Stall or Houw Hoek Farm Stall.
Both farm stalls are known and loved for their wholesome food options and they make great pit-stops for those road tripping from Cape Town to Hermanus in need of a quick stop.
After Elgin Valley, you eventually reach another glorious farming region and small town called Botrivier. This Overberg town may be small but it is mighty and oh-so-beautiful.
Photo credit: Ou Meul Bakery and Café via Facebook
Best of all, there are some lovely eateries and wine farms to enjoy in and around the Botrivier Wine Route. Another roadside gem is Ou Meul Bakery and Farmstall; perfect for topping up your “tanks” with some tasty treats or delicious coffee!
After Botrivier, you’ll reach the Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde regions. Here, wine farms (like Rivendell Wines and Benguela Cove to name only a few), local eateries, beaches, shops and more provide ample opportunity to stretch your legs or to experience the beautiful Overberg Region more fully.
Plus, if you visit during the annual whale season (which generally runs from June to December), you may even spot some whales!
Oh and if you drive through on a Saturday, don’t forget to check out the much-loved Hermanus Country Market; it runs from 9am – 2pm.
So, there you have it, these are some fun stops to enjoy when you road trip from the Mother City to Hermanus!