Simons Town, False Bay

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Simons Town, False Bay

Simons Town
Penguins at Boulders Beach, Simons Town

Once you've booked your Simons Town accommodation explore our pages for info on attractions and what to do in Simons Town.

Simon’s Town is one of the most delightful little villages in Cape Town. Situated about 40 km outside of the city, en route to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, this quaint town is the residence of the South African navy and steeped in nautical history - its cobbled streets alive with restored cottages and homes, whilst the main road is an assortment of shops, coffee shops and restaurants.

Simon’s Town’s historical mile, St George’s Street, has 21 buildings over 150 years’ old and includes a local museum, the navy museum and a toy museum. This stretch also includes the Church of St Francis, said to be the oldest Anglican Church in the country, a Mosque built in 1926, and the Dido Valley Cemetery, filled with gracious headstones made virtually illegible by the salt-laden sea air and wind.

Visit the Simon’s Town museum for a truly historical experience. Learn about “Just Nuisance” the world famous dog who was awarded the title of Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. A life size bronze statue of this legendary Great Dane stands proud in Jubilee Square in front of the hotel.

The Simon's Town Waterfront Centre has all the sophistication that you can hope for, while still maintaining the town’s seaside atmosphere. A variety of speciality shops, with a range of products, are within easy reach of the hotel and the town is rapidly gaining a reputation as the culinary capital on the Cape Point Route.

Aside from the wonderful views from the seaside restaurants and the feeling of being right outside of any city, it is the beaches of Simon’s Town that are a real draw card.

Simons Town, False Bay Coast
Boulders, home to an African penguin colony, is a wonderful swimming beach and very popular with families over a weekend, despite the entrance fee and the need to juggle the tides. Swimming with penguins in this calm bay never ceases to delight.

Seaforth beach is also protected from the wind and offers safe swimming and snorkelling and the country club here has a golf course with magnificent sea views. The village is close to Cape Point Nature Reserve - home to 1100 indigenous plant species, some of which occur nowhere else on earth, and one of the highest sea cliffs in the world at 249m above sea level.

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Simons Town Reviews

average visitor rating: 5/5"There is no reason why you shouldnt visit Simonstown. There is alot of history in this quaint naval town and certainly alot to see. Boulders and seaforth beach ..." - Michelle, Cape Town

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Visitorials: We Love South Africa

Simons Town Visitorial

I Love Simons Town because ...

Featured in: Visitorials: We Love South Africa

We’ve asked those in the know to share their favourites things about Simons Town. Find out where locals go for the best cup of coffee, lunch suggestions and much more. We’re letting you in on all of their secrets ... I Love Simons Town because ...

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Featured Attractions in (or near) Simons Town

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 is not the southern tip of Africa, despite lying at the south-west corner of the Cape Peninsula, just a little south of Cape Point on the south-east corner ... more information

False Bay Coast Beaches

The east side of the peninsula - the False Bay coastline - is generally more laid back and not as frenetic as the Atlantic coastline, although in peak season these family oriented beaches can still become pretty busy. These beaches are favoured by locals who live in the southern suburbs of Cape Town who don’t ... more information

Red Hill

Everyone in Cape Town knows Red Hill up above Simon's Town. Actually, it begins its ascent just outside Simon's Town, but nonetheless, it is a popular and well known route, driven not least because of the grave of Nonsense, the famous Great Dane adopted as a navy mascot during WWII, lies just off the road, but also ... more information

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 the peak of the mountain, and into Noordhoek, Sun Valley and Fishhoek, overlooking the ocean. Approaching the reserve from the City side of the ... more information

Westlake Golf Course

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 golf course is characterised by the towering trees, which line many of its fairways. Westlake has a very interesting, yet user-friendly design and quite a few ... more information

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Things To Do in Simons Town

Scenic Charter Cruise to Seal Island

Where: Simons Town
How much (per person): On Request

On this charter, we follow the shoreline to Seal Island, passing Glencairn, The Clan Stuart shipwreck, Fish Hoek, onto the bohemian village ... more information

Boat Cruise off Simon's Bay

Where: Simons Town
How much (per person): R1 to R100

Join us aboard the Spirit of Just Nuisance as we take a slow cruise around Simon's Bay to enjoy all the historic sites and splendid scenery ... more information

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Restaurants in Simons Town

Breakfast at The Meeting Place

Where: Simons Town

Situated in Simon's Town, The Meeting Place is a popular restaurant with comfortable couches centred around an old fashioned cast iron fireplace, with plenty of interesting reading material at your di ... more information

Enjoy a cold one at Dixies Pub

Where: Glencairn

Dixies pub and restaurant has been an institution with locals, families, tourists, fishermen, bikers and appreciators of wholesome and hearty meals for decades. With an endless view over the ocean ... more information

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Events and/or Festivals in Simons Town

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September
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October
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On Holiday in Simons Town

Visitorial - I ♥ Simons Town because ...
Things to Do in Simons Town
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Boulders Beach Penguins
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Also see Things To Do in False Bay or check out Things To Do in Cape Town and Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. With eight world heritage sites, a multitude of game reserves and national parks, over 1350 ha of national botanical gardens, and exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture, South Africa offers the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. To start planning your holiday click here to find accommodation in South Africa. Enjoy your stay in Simons Town!
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