Explore Hout Bay
The beautiful seaside suburb of Hout Bay (Houtbaai) is in Cape Town. It is a small fishing village situated in a valley on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, to the east of the famous Chapman's Peak.
Hout Bay is located in a valley by the sea, ensuring pleasant temperatures even in the warm summer months. With vineyards, good restaurants and a friendly atmosphere, Hout Bay is a wonderful place to spend your holiday.
If you are traveling with your family - or as a couple - and need a quiet seaside base within reach of the Cape Town city centre (20-30 min away), then Hout Bay is ideal.
Hout Bay is surrounded by Table Mountain, the Constantiaberg, and the Sentinel. Chapmans Peak Drive, the famous coastal drive, winds along the bay towards Noordhoek. The Cape Peninsula, including the Cape of Good Hope, can be easily reached along this route.
Hout means "wood" in Afrikaans and is the name Jan van Riebeeck gave the area after its discovery.
Things to do in Hout Bay
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The Bay Harbour Market is a fun weekend market with plenty to see, do, and eat! Situated in an old warehouse, it features all kinds of small shops and stalls selling souvenirs, clothes, and crafts. The expansive food area will tempt you to sample some delicious dishes. Live music every weekend adds to the vibrant atmosphere of this market.
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On Hout Bay beach, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of green mountains in various restaurants and cafés.
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Llandudno Beach is breath-taking with its towering mountain views, long beach stretches, and large waves. It is a great place for surfers.
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Chapman's Peak Drive is a beautiful nine-kilometre route (toll) from Hout Bay to Noordhoek. The 114 bends offer you the most beautiful views in the world with various lookout points along the route.
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Noordhoek Beach is an unspoiled beach, perfect for lengthy walks, and unforgettable horse riding opportunities.
Penguin watching at Boulders Beach, guided kayak tours and whale watching in the harbour can also be booked. Even snorkelling with seals is possible.
And the legendary Table Mountain is not far away either...
Top sights in Cape Town
Robben Island - memorial and open-air museum
The small island served as a prison for many years until 1996. It is of great historical significance for the country due to the political activists who stayed there during apartheid, including Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the tourist centre (20 km - travel time: 30 min.)
A vibrant destination on Cape Town's harbour, this waterfront shopping centre is known for its breath-taking views, restaurants, stores and entertainment. The Cape Wheel is a Ferris wheel attraction offering incredible coastline and surrounding area views.
Bree Street, Cape Town (18 km - journey time: 26 min.)
A lively street is a culinary hotspot and known for its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, shops, and vibrant nightlife.
Table Mountain (19 km - journey time 25 min.)
Cape Town towers more than 1,000 metres above the metropolis. Its name comes from its flat summit, which resembles a table. Tourists to the city can take a cable car ride to the top to visit restaurants, abseil, or take a guided walk while soaking in incredible views of Cape Town. Signal Hill is a 350-metres-high peak and borders central districts of Cape Town. Take a drive to the top and skydive down, or simply enjoy the views above the clouds. Lion's Head is the third local mountain peak that makes up part of Table Mountain. It is 669 metres high and is particularly striking due to its distinctive peak. Take a hike to the top to revel in legendary sunsets with an unforgettable 360-degree panoramic view.
Bo Kaap (18 km - journey time: 25 min.)
Bo-Kaap is a small, vibrant neighbourhood known for its colourful houses and cobbled streets. Originally, it was home to slaves brought from various regions. After gaining their freedom, the former slaves painted the previously colourless houses in bright colours to celebrate their newfound freedom. Today, Bo-Kaap is predominantly inhabited by the Cape Malay community and is renowned for its rich cultural heritage.
Kirstenbosch - the green oasis ( 13 km - 16 min.)
The Botanical Garden at the foot of Table Mountain is renowned as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. From late November to early April, it hosts the popular Summer Sunset Concerts and outdoor cinema events, attracting visitors with entertainment against a stunning natural backdrop.
Top sights around Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point (51 km - journey time: 1.20 h)
The fauna in the nature reserve at the Cape of Good Hope is impressive. Herds of antelopes and zebras, baboons and more than 150 bird species are at home here. The Cape Point is a distinctive area near the southern tip of Africa, once feared for its cliffs. It is the most south-westerly point in Africa.
Penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town (26 km - journey time: 45 min.) Here, you can get to know the most famous and cutest birds in South Africa. The beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park and is home to a large colony of African penguins. Part of the beach is open to paying visitors, so you can lounge on the shore with these sweet birds playing around you.
Stellenbosch - the heart of South Africa's wine country (64 km- journey time: 1h)
Stellenbosch lies in the centre of South Africa's vineyards. Fantastic landscapes, wineries, and festivals await you here. It was founded in 1679 and is the second oldest town. However, Stellenbosch is most famous for its excellent wine farms. Idyllic wine estates can be visited here, some reflecting 300 years of tradition. It is the ideal place for wine lovers.
Impressions of Hout Bay & surroundings
Hout Bay - The bay made of wood
Hout Bay was first mentioned by Dutch settlers around 1653, as no suitable timber was found on the north side of Table Mountain in Table Bay. Timber was needed for shipbuilding and ship repair, as well as house building. People began to explore the depths and eventually found the primeval forests of Hout Bay; hence the name Hout Bay (Afrikaans: houtbaai), bay of wood.
In 1607, part of Hout Bay became known to traders as Chapman's Chance, as it was marked on the East India Company's nautical charts. The captain of the Consent once sent his best mate John Chapman, ashore to look for provisions when his ship was stuck near the bay.
Chapmans Peak Drive, a road that was built at the beginning of the 20th century to connect Hout Bay with Noordhoek, is now considered one of the most scenic Atlantic roads in the world.