Enjoy a variety of unforgettable adventures and indulge in some exciting restaurants and ocean facing eateries while on vacation in Cape Town this winter. Apart from the astounding natural beauty provided by the vast Atlantic Ocean, there are some lovely spots further up along the West Coast definitely worth exploring. Perfect for a scenic road trip or simply to get away from the rush of city living, driving along the West Coast you will find that your surroundings will become calmer the further along you go, with smaller and less crowded fishing towns popping up along the way, where people are known for their hospitable ways and the towns for their charming atmospheres that can be discovered at a leisurely pace, especially during winter when tourist are less frequent.

As you begin exploring the wonderful villages of the West Coast of Cape Town that lie further up along the way, you will find the small holiday town of Langebaan where your adventure begins. We have compiled a list of attractions to include in your itinerary to make sure you experience the very best time and enjoy nights spent in some wonderful self-catering accommodation units along the way. For a selection of lovely self-catering holiday homes and apartments in these areas, click here to enjoy our full accommodation range. 

Darling Winter Beer Festival – The perfect event for lovers of amazing craft beers and local South African talent, The Darling Winter Beer Festival takes place on the 1st July 2017 and showcases some of Cape Town’s best award winning beers which can be enjoyed either on tap or by the bottle, scrumptious foods inspired by local produce and great company with live and local music providing the perfect atmosphere. This annual event can be enjoyed by groups of friends or families and kids under the age of 12 can enter for free. The ticket costs about R120 and includes a free branded beer glass and bottle of Darling Beer as you enter (no under 18’s will be served). The festival will serve not only those popular and beloved Darling beers that range from some amazing ales to crisp lagers and thirst quenching IPA’s but will also feature 6 guest breweries, including Black Eagle Brewery, Riot Beer, Co-Langebaan, D’cider and Independent Beer and Spirits.

Boesmanland Plaaskombuis  – Along the golden shores of Langebaan’s gorgeous beachfront lies Boesmanland Plaaskombuis, which translates directly to Boesmanland Farm Kitchen, a stunning informal outdoor style restaurant which is famous for serving some of the coasts best Seafood and African cuisines in a traditional and charming way. Typically referred to as ‘boerekos’ by locals, these local flavours and foods are a great way to bring people together and introduces tourists to the Afrikaans way of dining. The most famous of all menu-items is the ‘soetsuurdeeg’ bread, which is baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven.  All the dishes here are prepared on open fires in big black pots and served on enamel plates.  You can look forward to a display of tasty fish, roast beef and roast chicken, delicious veggies and salads, curried tripe, thick farm soup and some spectacular desserts among other mouth watering foods, all served as a buffet where guests can eat as much as they like. With the stunning sea waters and soft beach sand right at their feet visitors will be able to enjoy the best and most relaxing views. There is also no corkage fee which means guests can bring whatever they want to drink along, be it wine, beer of fruit juice. There is also a cash bar serving alcohol.

The Sandstone Cafe and Lounge – Saldanha While discovering the stunning West Coast, Saldanha Bay is an attractive and peaceful coastal village that provides holiday guests with a tranquil escape complimented by beautiful surroundings. Described as a ‘quaint little gem on the West Coast’, the Sandstone Cafe and Lounge in Saldanha Bay is a great gathering spot for a lovely meal right by the sea. The restaurant itself is located in a historic building built from limestone with a ton of character, while guests can choose between indoor or outdoor seating depending on the weather (there is even a cozy fireplace). The menu has something for everyone to enjoy, from divine seafood and meat mains to gourmet burgers, salads and wraps and even a wonderful breakfast menu, which can be enjoyed from 9 am. The ambiance at the casual Sandstone Cafe and Lounge is relaxed and vibey, with friendly staff and amazing views. This is the perfect spot for a chilled lunch with the family before spending an afternoon on the beach, or exploring the rest of this lovely seaside town.

Paternoster Beach – A truly beautiful stretch of seemingly endless white beach sand and bright blue ocean water, Paternoster beach is an asset that makes the holiday village of Paternoster so highly enjoyed by all who choose to enjoy a vacation here, or simply spend a day discovering this stunning coastal area. The village of Paternoster is one of the oldest along the gorgeous West Coast of Cape Town, where locals are friendly and traditional values are still the norm. Fishermen are regularly seen on the shores of Paternoster’s beach and guests can even buy freshly caught crayfish directly from these local fishermen boats before they head back into the village. The beach is popular among youngsters who enjoy windsurfing or sea kayaking, while families can spend hours enjoying the tranquil settings or couples can also enjoy romantic sunset strolls. Dolphin and whale watching from Paternoster Beach is quiet popular, especially in the winter months. Not far from Paternoster beach are a few lovely local restaurants where diners can still enjoy the fresh ocean air and hear the gentle rumble of waves in the distance, creating the perfect holiday atmosphere.

Some Villages along the West Coast of Cape Town:

Paternoster – A beautiful town along the West Coast of Cape Town and the perfect escape from the intense rush of city living, where guests enter into a serene world of dream-like whitewashed houses, quiet roads and picturesque beaches where even the ocean water is tranquil and calming, in gentle shades of blue that are welcoming to all.

One of Cape Town’s oldest fishing villages, Paternosters beaches are often the place of fishing excursions as fishermen search for some tasty crayfish, the most abundant of all fish species found here and the reason why locals have come to know and love seafood. Visitors can enjoy the tranquil surroundings and also take part in fishing or sea-kayaking over the ocean waters, or even witness some spectacular views over this lovely village as they enjoy hiking expeditions. Many Capetonians choose to embrace peaceful weekend escapes or day-trips to Paternoster, which is about 90 minute long journey from Cape Town by car.

Throughout the year guests can experience whale and dolphin watching, while in the later months of Winter (usually between July and August) the landscape of Paternoster blooms into a display of spectacular colours made up of indigenous flowers. Visitors can also discover an array over 250 different species of birds and will regularly come across seagulls that use these coastal areas of Paternoster as their breeding ground. All of these factors, together with friendly and inviting locals, make Paternoster a unique and memorable spot for a vacation. To find the perfect self-catering accommodation for you and your friends or family, click here to view our selection.

Langebaan – One of the livelier holiday destinations along the West Coast that offers a wealth of attractions that can be enjoyed by all age groups, Langebaan remains one of the most popular choices for holiday accommodation in Cape Town and is even a fantastic spot for a day outing, to engage family or friends while discovering Cape Town.

Further along the West Coast out of Langebaan, the villages become quieter and appeal to those holiday-goers seeking relaxation and tranquil surroundings. Guests starting out their West Coast adventure in Langebaan can be sure to find excitement and fun before embracing the more peaceful coastal cities that await them. During the week, Langebaan is considerably quieter and a sense of solitude can be found as you explore the quirky stores, try out the amazing restaurants or walk along the gorgeous beach-front.

The beaches of Langebaan are not only beautiful to behold but are also a hot spot for water sport enthusiasts taking on the ocean by way of surfing, kite-surfing and wind-surfing. Mostly the weather conditions in Langebaan are cool and moderate, never too hot in summer or too cold in winter, basically ideal holiday weather. Because this coastal village is so spectacular, boasting amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean from across white sandy shores and being far enough out of Cape Town to be considered a ‘getaway’, a number of renowned attractions and some fantastic restaurants have made their home in Langebaan to ensure that tourists don’t miss out on some amazing experiences. Spend a few nights in this alluring village and make unforgettable memories along the way. For a selection of lovely holiday accommodation options in Langebaan, click here.

Jacobs Bay –   Almost seeming to be world of its own, Jacobs Bay along the West Coast is a divine and unforgettable small village with uninterrupted ocean views and a blissfully quiet and charming atmosphere reflecting the traditional values of the locals who call it home. Guests who have the opportunity to experience a vacation or weekend escape to this wonderful tiny village can rest assured that there will be plenty of privacy and rest, with so many beautiful things to see once out and about.

Many of the roads are gravel, while the houses are mostly lime-wash and set against the beautiful background of the azure blue ocean.  There are a total of seven individual bays that make up Jacobs Bay and a few strict building restrictions that have resulted in the preservation of this beautiful 2 km stretch of coastline. Some of the separate bays within Jacobs Bay include the popular Toothrock Bay and Bamboesbay which mostly engages fishermen and also divers, while Smalbaai and Moerie se Baai are both great spots to launch boats from.

It is a wonderful experience to take in the gorgeous coastal displays as guests enjoy hiking trails or the more adventurous pursuit of dune riding, just some of the activities visitors can take part in here. To experience a restful stay in this gorgeous village along Cape Town’s West Coast, click here to find the ideal self-catering accommodation for you.