Given the region’s incredible natural beauties, there are several fantastic day trips from Cape Town for remote workers living in the city. From hiking to wine-tasting to whale-watching, it is unsurprising that this uniquely-located city is so close to so many wonderful activities.
As a remote worker in Cape Town you can certainly rest assured that you will have plenty of opportunities to get out of the bustling City Bowl and into some of the surrounding region’s most wonderful areas. In terms of transportation, you should keep in mind that the best way to get around the Western Cape in general will be to rent a car or use private transfers. Indeed, the MetroRail service does offer routes to several of the destinations suggested below, but the unreliability and often-dangerous nature of this transit method means it will not be the best option for some. Below, we suggest some wonderful day trips from Cape Town for remote workers.
No trip to Cape Town or South Africa could ever be complete without a visit to the vineyards that produce the country’s unique wine. Cape Town itself is close to a large area dominated by vineyards and wine culture, referred to collectively as the Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch is one of the Cape Winelands’ most visited towns as it is located relatively close to the city of Cape Town. You can get to the town easily via a short 1-hour drive or take MetroRail’s Northern Line straight to Stellenbosch. Once you’re here you’ll want to go on any of the available wine tours and certainly visit the renowned Spier Estate for wonderful picnic locations and great restaurants. The town also boasts cozy cafes, high-end restaurants and lots of stores for some great retail therapy.
Located on the unmissable Cape Peninsula directly south of the city is Cape Point, known for its rugged rocky shores and verdant natural landscapes. This is an extremely popular day trip from the city and you can get here using a number of methods - you can catch the MetroRail service to Simon’s Town and then rent a scooter to get to Cape Point National Park, Uber straight from the city or catch one of the full-day tours aboard the City Sightseeing buses from the V&A Waterfront. Once you’re at Cape Point, you will want to go on any of the many hikes available, some of which visit shipwrecks along the rocky coast. There is a restaurant and a number of shops inside the national park, and the continent’s only funicular route takes you straight to the famous Cape Point lighthouse, offering panoramic views of the entire area.
This will be a wonderful day trip from Cape Town for remote workers looking for a quiet getaway from the noise and congestion of the city. This quaint seaside town is a traditional fishing village and offers excellent amenities to visitors including delicious seafood restaurants, fascinating antique shops and cozy cafes. A walk by the Kalk Bay pier will be one of the highlights of a trip here, and you’ll even be able to see some of the seals around here! Friendly beach bars and lots of water sports are available by the shores of Kalk Bay, and a visit to the Dalebrook Tidal Pool and the Kalk Lighthouse are also recommended. You can get to Kalk Bay using the Southern MetroRail Line or via a 45-minute car ride from Cape Town.
Certainly this unique whale-watching town on the Garden Route will make for one of the most memorable day trips from Cape Town for remote workers living in the city. This location is known as one of the best land-based whale-spotting areas for its unique location. During the prime whale-watching period around September, Hermanus hosts a big festival to welcome visitors with street food, arts and crafts, and much more. In general, Hermanus feels more authentic and less touristic than other towns in this area. It is the perfect place to get some fresh air and go on a hike along Cliff Path or perhaps even taste some of the delicious local oysters! The easiest way to get to Hermanus is by private transfer which takes around 1.5 hours, but it is also possible to take a Baz Bus to Bot River and then a taxi from there.
For more information about living in Cape Town as a remote worker, check out our complete Cape Town guide.