Cape Helderberg, Cape Town
Once you've booked your hotel or Cape Helderberg accommodation explore our destination pages below for info on attractions, events and what to do in the Cape Helderberg.
The Cape Helderberg, or Helderberg basin, is one of the most visually dramatic areas in the Cape, with the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountain ranges creating a powerful backdrop against which the valley descends into vineyards and finally on to a coastline swept with warm waters and effortlessly white, sandy beaches. This is the land of the Helderberg and Stellenbosch wine routes and home to the towns of Gordon’s Bay, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West, Strand, Lwandle and Macassar. 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, the land that originally belonged to the Strandlopers has become a playground for visitors and locals ...
Gordon’s Bay is an invitation for windsurfing, surfing and braaing – it has one of the few braai areas on the Helderberg coast - and the walk along the harbour wall to take in the yachts and boats as they leave and enter the protected marina, is a must. If it’s swimming, sunbathing and a stroll on the beach you’re after, then Melkbaai, Strand’s Bikini beach and Main beach are good options; and avid surfers head out to Kogelbay, if Gordon’s Bay is too busy.
The Helderberg Wine Route, a subsidiary of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, has a distinct personality and wines produced here are heavily influenced by cool sea breezes and ideal soil conditions. Vineyards line the slopes of the Helderberg, sharing both a mountain and maritime climate that has resulted in world class examples of wine on a route that ranges from a 300-year old historical manor to art boutique wineries. Overlooking False Bay, the Helderberg Nature Reserve offers picnic spots, hiking trails and a number of Bontebok, squirrels and the occasional tortoise.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Cape Helderberg
Gordons Bay
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Gordons Bay
Gordon's Bay is a water-sport paradise and a charming fishing village. Its position is marked by the painted giant 'GB' and anchor sign on the mountainside above the bay. The quaint fishing and yacht harbour bring a mediterranean ... gordons bay information
Sir Lowrys Pass
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Sir Lowrys Pass
The Village is situated near Somerset West on the slopes of the Hottentots-Holland Mountain range. The Sir Lowry's Pass River and three streams, the Rhine Stream, the Cottage Stream and the No-Name Stream run through ... sir lowrys pass information
Somerset West
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Somerset West
The drive to Somerset West takes just 30 minutes from Cape Town along the N2. Close to Stellenbosch, this residential centre has a delightful setting and many of its residents commute to Cape Town daily. The historic N.G. Kerk ... somerset west information
Strand
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Strand
The Strand offers ideal waters for sailing, surfing, fishing and windsurfing. With its long and safe beaches, a number of restaurants and shops, only 48 km from central Cape Town, 20 min drive from the Cape Town International airport and ... strand information
Lwandle
Where to Stay: Cape Helderberg Accommodation
The informal settlement of Lwandle lies close to both Somerset West and Gordon’s Bay and people who live here are employed in the Helderberg Basin, largely within the building industry, although as many as 60% are still unemployed ... lwandle information
Macassar
Where to Stay: Cape Helderberg Accommodation
Lying on the wind-blown rugged coastal road that takes one from Cape Town to Somerset West the long way - along the coast - is the beach of Macassar, more or less across the road from the Helderberg suburb of Macassar ... macassar information
Cape Helderberg
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Cape Helderberg
Helderberg Beaches
The beaches of Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Bikini beach and Kogel or Cool Bay are essentially family friendly days out that include wonderful swimming opportunities, safe and shallow waters; fantastic views over False Bay and rock pools ideal for children. Bikini Beach is a small beach and one of ... more information
Helderberg Nature Reserve
Set on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains, this 402 hectare reserve is a beautiful escape with breathtaking views, sef guided walks, a spectacular bird life and a great spot for picnics. What started off as a wild flower garden was then proclaimed a reserve in 1960 to ... more information
Helderberg Wine Estates
The Helderberg Region is part of the wine-producing hub of the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape. It comprises the Strand, Somerset West and Gordon’s Bay, along with a few of the other small surrounding towns. Therefore, this area is the first seen as visitors travel over ... more information
Helderberg Wine Route
The 25 members of the Helderberg route follow distinctly different methods of growing grapes, from a 300-year old historical cellar to state-of-the-art boutique wineries and visiting the wide range of family-owned estates and grand manor houses is a superb weekend or day’s outing. Helderberg wineries include ... more information
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The 42,000 ha Reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland mountains. The entrance to the reserve is at Nuweberg, situated high in Viljoen's Pass, between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. The ... more information
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
Lying within the southern extension of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range about 90 kilometres south-east of Cape Town and 8 kilometres from Kleinmond, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has managed to remain largely unspoilt, in no small part due to its ability to remain relatively ... more information
Somerset Mall
Somerset Mall offers 204 stores and everything it takes to give families from Somerset West through to Mossel Bay a safe, fun-filled entertainment environment, alongside a superior browsing and shopping experience. Somerset Mall provides the perfect mix for a good life. Find spoiling and surprises with ... more information
Cape Helderberg
Featured Things To Do in the Cape Helderberg
Quad Rides in Somerset West
Where: Somerset West
How much (per person): R201 to R500
Kamazoo offers guided quad bike tours in the vineyards near Somerset West and in the forests and mountains near Grabouw. This is a great way ... more information
Berties Moorings
Where: Gordons Bay
How much (per person): On Request
Situated in the Gordon’s Bay Waterfront, Bertie’s Moorings is a family run restaurant named after the famous yachtie, Bertie Reed. The ... more information
Blaauwklippen Wine Estate
Where: Somerset West
How much (per person): On Request
Blaauwklippen was established by Gerrit Jansz Visser in 1682. The first vineyards were planted in 1688, the first Zinfandel grapes in 1977 ... more information
Cape Helderberg
Holiday Accommodation in Cape Helderberg
For accommodation in the Cape Helderberg see:
• Gordons Bay • Sir Lowrys Pass • Somerset West • Strand
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Cape Helderberg Accommodation.
Visiting the Cape Helderberg?
Also see Cape Town Events to see whats happening or check out Things To Do in Cape Town to view activities by category, including water sports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many more.
- Introduction to the Western Cape
- Destination Guide
- Accommodation Guide
- Search by Map
- Cape Town Conferences
- Wedding Guide
- Touring the Western Cape
- Transport & Travel Arrangements
- Out and About
- Südafrika Reise
Für Deutsche Besucher
Suedafrika-Reise.net bringt Ihnen das umfangreichste Angebot an Links, um Südafrika zu "bereisen": hier und jetzt auf Ihrem Bildschirm.
Urlaub in Kapstadt
destinations / attractions in the western cape
