Cape Town Day Trips – Visit the Helderberg Region

With its long stretches of white sandy beaches, dramatic mountainscapes, scenic wine farms and inviting towns, the Helderberg Region is a popular holiday destination for Western Cape locals. Home to towns including Strand, Gordon’s Bay and Somerset West, the region has long been a popular summer getaway spot; it’s also great to visit throughout the rest of the year too. Plus, it’s 45km east of Cape Town making it an easy day trip destination.

This dk villas blog writer recently had the opportunity to enjoy the delights of the Helderberg region on a road trip. Take a look at the top things to see and do on your next day trip to the area, below!

Pajamas and Jam

Start your day trip with a stop at Pajamas and Jam eatery for an unforgettable meal in a cute and quirky location!

Situated in an unassuming area of central Strand, Pajamas and Jam offers an exquisite menu and freshly baked goods. Try one of their unique breakfast dishes such as the mushroom affair or croissants in bed. For lunch, choose from the butternut ravioli, the dreamily-named “warm rendang afternoon” and much more. Or, treat yourself to one of Pajama and Jam’s delicious, freshly-baked pastries or cakes!

Be sure to enjoy the ambience of the setting while there. Pajamas and Jam’s decor is cosy, stylish and eclectic - and filled with antiques, most of which are available to purchase. There is also a homeware and pantry store on site. The eatery is popular so go early to secure a table!

Gordon’s Bay Beach

A day trip to the area would not be complete without some fun in the sun! Travel along the seaside to Gordon’s Bay. This small seaside town offers the ultimate “R&R” opportunities.

Slow down and relax on one of the picturesque beaches in Gordon’s Bay. Try Main Beach or the blue flag-rated Bikini Beach for a dose of sun, sand and sea. The area’s beaches are family friendly and are perfect for a few hours by the ocean. Interestingly, for a small town, Gordon’s Bay has two working harbours; the Old Harbour and Harbour Island, both of which you can choose to explore.

Bikini Beach Books

Ah, an icon of the Gordon’s Bay beachfront area! Almost anyone who has visited Gordon’s Bay will suggest a visit to Bikini Beach Books - a quirky bookshop absolutely brimming with secondhand books. From the curling letters of the store’s sign to the vintage Ford car sitting on the roof - this book shop is full of nostalgia! Bikini Beach Books has been operating for over 25 years and is definitely a must-visit in Gordon’s Bay. Take a walk through the various rooms and peruse the stacks of books. You can purchase bargains for as little at 50c or R1 and almost every genre seems to be covered, with foreign language books available too. It’s easy to get lost browsing through Bikini Beach Books for a few hours!

Gordon’s Bay Beach Front

Once you’ve had your fix of the beach and second-hand books, it’s time for a bite to eat. Stroll down the beach front area and choose any of the colourful and welcoming restaurants or cafes for a lunchtime meal. From pizza and pasta to ice cream and coffee, you’re sure to find a lovely spot! Alternatively, visit the Old Harbour and sit down at the Thirsty Oyster for delicious seafood. The quirkily-named restaurant offers fresh fish and seafood dishes and a fun-filled, welcoming vibe!

Scenic drive around the coastline

More beautiful views await when you set off on a scenic drive along the coastline. Take the Faure Marine road and R44 route towards Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay and enjoy the changing scenery. In Betty’s Bay, enjoy a visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve where you can see the colony of African penguins living in their natural habitat! It’s a lovely, less-frenquented version of Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. There’s nothing quite like watching these cute and quirky birds go about their business!

Alternatively, from Gordon’s Bay side, head up! There is a viewpoint located at the entrance to the Steenbras Dam. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Somerset West and more of the Helderberg region.

Another great option is to drive over Sir Lowry’s Pass and enjoy a stop at the top for panoramic views of False Bay and beyond. Top tip: there is a lovely farm stall a few kilometers over the pass which is a fantastic option to fill hungry bellies!

Strand beach walk at sunset

Finally, end your day with a sunset stroll along Strand Beach. This 5km stretch of flat, white sand and shallow, lapping ocean waves is the perfect way to end a day in the Helderberg region. Enjoy a gorgeous sunset while you walk or take a dip in the water - the main beach “Melkbaai” is reportedly one of the safest swimming spots around! The beautiful sunset colours that fill the sky as dusk arrives will have you smiling well into your journey back to Cape Town.

More great day trip activities to enjoy in the Helderberg Region:

Crystal Pools Hike

Located in the Steenbras River Gorge, Crystal Pools offers stunning hiking trails complete with impressive boulders and natural swimming pools. This is a great option for anyone looking for outdoor adventures! Take note that the hiking trails are only open at certain times of the year and booking is necessary.

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve

Travel over Sir Lowry’s Pass to get to the beautiful Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. This stunning natural destination is a World Heritage Site and offers various outdoor activities. Enjoy hikes that range from easy to challenging or get your adrenaline pumping with a ziplining adventure!

Wine Farms

The Helderberg region is home to several excellent wine farms, making the Helderberg Wine Route a must for anyone on the hunt for a great day out filled with wonderful wine and beautiful scenery! You can visit Waterkloof Wine Estate, Lourensford Wine Estate, Vergelegen Wine Estate and more!

Spend a day discovering the delights of the Helderberg Region with the suggestions above. It’s a great way to enjoy a day or two outside of Cape Town! This destination deserves a spot on todo lists for locals and foreigners alike. Keep an eye on the dk villas blog for more Cape Town day trip inspiration in the future!