Glencairn, False Bay
Lying between Fish Hoek and Simons Town, in the bend of the road where the M4 meets the M6, Glencairn and the beach of the same name are often overlooked for the more exciting destinations of Simon’s Town and Cape Point Nature Reserve.
But the mountainous village, with fantastic sea views, is actually a wetland conservation area with hiking trails, 2250 indigenous plant species, resident clawless otters, birds, mongooses and buck - and all this just two kilometres from a busy shopping centre.
Glencairn’s railway station includes a subway that leads right on to the beach and as such is popular with school children from in and around Cape Town. The long Glencairn beach, with its gentle seas and accompanying tidal pool, is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and sunbathing.
Glencairn’s homes are set right against the mountain, overlooking False Bay, and close to local shops and restaurants. Simon’s Town is literally around the corner and Boulders beach, which has one of the few land-based resident penguin colonies, is 10 minutes’ away.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
I prefer Glencairn to Simons town because its a bit quieter and so its great for when you really want to unplug! the views from here are just amazing and then if you feel you need some activity, a hop and a skip to simons town and you have lovely restaurants and things to do.
Shanaaz (Pretoria)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Moonglow Guest House
Moonglow is conveniently situated to visit the local peninsula attractions but still within easy reach of Cape Town and surrounds. Moonglow Guest...
Glencairn Holiday Apartment
This loadshedding proof apartment is an ideal base to explore the Southern Peninsula. The self contained apartment is situated below the main hou...
Simon's Town Guest House
Watch whales from your bedroom at this luxuriously appointed, contemporary Cape Town guesthouse. Situated in Cairnside, a quiet suburb of Simon's...
The Mountain Gem
The Mountain Gem is a self catering apartment located in Glencairn on the owners property. The area is incredibly peaceful and the sounds of the ...
The Boho Cave
The Boho Cave is a self catering apartment located in Glencairn on the owners property. The area is incredibly peaceful and the sounds of the bir...
CapClassique
CapClassique Villa is perched on the Glencairn mountainside on the outskirts of Simon's Town with panoramic views of False Bay, surrounding mount...
Things to do in the area
Cape Town Water Bikes
The beauty of False Bay really is something to behold. The chilly blue of the Atlantic Ocean is lined with the quaint little towns of Fishhoek, K...
Enjoy a cold one at Dixies Pub
Dixies pub and restaurant has been an institution with locals, families, tourists, fishermen, bikers and appreciators of wholesome and hearty mea...
Glencairn Beach
If you’re heading out to Simons Town on the train why not stop off at Glencairn and spend a few hours at the beach? This fantastic little spot is...
Elsies Peak Walk
Table Mountain is an international icon, a symbol of the Mother City of Cape Town. Locals love its looming consistency and the many changing view...
Whale Watching in Fish Hoek
Jager’s Walk, a beautiful walk path with a bird’s eye view of the whales, curves along the coastline towards Glencairn and takes you all the way ...
Self Drive the Cape Peninsula
Self Drive the Cape Peninsula – two oceans in one day and one of the most beautiful drives, and easiest way to truly orientate yourself to the mo...
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town is a must for many reasons. It is tranquil, speckled with dramatic rounded boulders, lapped by the turquoise of ...
Windmill Beach
Situated right on the doorstep of some of the loveliest overnight lodgings in Simon’s Town are the beautiful beaches. Seasoned travellers will li...
Fish Hoek Museum
The guest houses in Fish Hoek offer charming accommodation just outside Cape Town, and are surrounded by gorgeous beaches, quirky shops, and some...
Noteworthy attractions
Cape Town Beaches
The Mother City has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and something to offer everyone. It is no surprise that South Africa was one ...
Long Beach Mall
An outing to one of the most beautiful areas in the Cape would not be complete without a visit to the Longbeach Mall. Take a trip out this way an...
Cape Point
Bartholomeu Dias, the Portuguese seafarer, was the first to sail around the Cape. This was in 1488. On his return voyage, which must have been pa...
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Part of the Table Mountain National Park that extends from Signal Hill in the north all the way to Cape Point in the south, the Cape of Good Hope...
Silvermine Nature Reserve
The park straddles the mountain, from the winding Ou Kaapse Weg (Old Cape Road) on the Tokai, Constantia and Westlake side of the mountain, over ...
Clovelly Golf Club
Clovelly was designed to be secluded from the everyday noises of passing cars and local railway tracks to truly entrench your senses into your ga...
Westlake Golf Club
Against the amethyst slopes of the Silvermine mountains lies one of Cape Town's Premier Courses - Westlake. This easy to walk, 18 hole Par 72 gol...
False Bay Coast Beaches
Where? The western coast of False Bay, from Cape Point to start of Helderberg. Includes: Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Boulders. Go there for swimming, ...
Cape Point Wine Route
It was only in 1998 that the new Cape Point Wine District was declared and the Cape Point Vineyards are still relatively new on the tourist itine...
Find accommodation in Glencairn
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