Hout Bay

Hout bay is a quaint harbour town that is so beautiful and relaxing yet close enough to all the tourist attractions in the area. It a perfect get away destination and just to recharge your souls batteries!! Beautiful scenery, wonderful food and peoples!

The small little stores and food places all around the area are really inviting. Loved the meal at Pakalolo.

Hout Bay is the nicest place to stay in the whole of Cape Town. Because its by the sea it has wonderful views, a cooling breeze most days and spectacular views over the deep turquoise bay and mountains behind. It also has lots of variety - a good range of shops with a nice sized (ie not enormous) mall, a pleasant main road with more shops, arts and crafts places and a lovely harbour where you can see seals. Lots of stalls at the weekends (farmers' market and at the front) and also views towards Chapmans Peak. Central, but coastal and dead easy to get to - only 20 minutes from City Centre, say 30 from the airport, about 45 to Cape of Good Hope, less than an hour to Stellenbosch/wine areas and 5 minutes from Constantia vineyards. Best of all, it is a proper town in its own right, clean, nice sandy beach, and pleasant without being pretentious. If I lived in South Africa here's where it would be. Hatti

The restaurants and arts and crafts are tops!

Hout Bay has a wonderful village atmosphere. The shops and restaurants are excellent and the the bay is breathtakingly beautiful. It's location gives you easy access to all the Cape Peninsula has to offer. I wouldn't stay anywhere else when visiting Cape Town.

The first thing that hit you in Hout Bay, is the clealiness of the place. This enhances the absolute beautiful, breathtaking nature surrounding the town. The intriguing little shops, the lovely seafood, pancakes and other delicacies are devine. The blue of the ocean is not quite the same anywhere else and the majestic mountains, make it a very romantic place. I lost myself at the market on Sunday and wished I could stay forever at this beautiful place. When I'm at Hout Bay, I do not wish to go to any other place!!

Hout Bay is an ideal place for that get away holiday. The beauty, quiet sombre atmosphere is perfect for relaxation and renewal of mind. You are never short of fun and various activiries, places to visit. If you enjoy sampling various types of food, then Hout Bay is the place. From English Cuisines, Chinese, Greek, you name it, you will find the right restuarant that meets exactly your taste. There is never a dull moment if you are a shopping fanatic. The various shops of various traditional and international wares gives you a perfect array of choices. I especially enjoyed the walks on the lovely Hout Bay beaches, watching the sun go down. And if your visit is in December, the sun can go down as late as 9pm.

The village nestled between The Sentinel, the Twelve Apostles, Constantia Neck and Chapman’s Peak. A beautiful place that can leave one oar struck the first time you arrive. No matter which way you choose all good roads lead to Hout Bay. Be it the hustle and bustle of the harbor or the fauna and flora of the surroundings there is something for everybody to do. All amenities are situated in and around the village within walking distance with an array of different accommodation to suit all tastes; from the rustic to the ridiculous Hout Bay has it all. Why spoil the adventure, go and see for yourself. The local’s are friendly and helpful and just when you thought you had seen it all something new and exciting is revealed. Go see for yourself – I am yet to meet a person who did not LOVE HOUT BAY.

Hout Bay is a place of EXTRA-ORDINARY BEAUTY. I write that in capitals because you would be hard pressed to find such beauty anywhere else in the world. The Mountains are rugged and majestic both at sunrise with the sun shining on the soft greeny-brown Karbonkelberg and illuminating the Sentinel keeping guard over the picturesque Harbour with its picture perfect Yacht Basin, the seals swimming in the shallow water as you enjoy a breakfast over or on the water’s edge at your choice of eateries. At sunset the Constantiaberg Mountains are tinted pinky-red as the sun goes down. The choices of “What to do in Hout Bay” are vast and varied: for those who love fine dining – we have a selection: Kitima for Asian Cusine of the highest quality – their Sunday Lunches are a gastronomic Feast. Mariner’s Warf – Specializing in Seafood but catering to all – even the Steak lovers (and they always have a “Winter Special Menue” until the end of August – really good value. For those who love Italian food – I can recommend Luigi’s and for those who love Greek food – you can’t beat Spiro’s. Steak and Ribs are served at a delightful restaurant “Pirate’s” – good vibe and good sport’s pub too - Big screen TV. As far as elegant, light meals go, “La Cucina” great for late breakfast, lunch and delicious cake and coffee – Dario’s is also a little family- run establishment within 5 minutes walking distance from MONTANA MUSE – superb coffee, cake and salads. Of course there is always fish and chips to take away or just enjoy informally while watching the bird life over the water. That takes care of food. Now on to other things: 1) We offer any number of magnificent walks in and around Hout Bay – on the beach, up the mountain – even serious climbers can be challenged in Hout Bay. 2) Take a boat trip around the bay or to Seal Island and the wreck of the “John Ross” OR Enjoy a Sunset Cruise on one of the Pleasure Boats 3) Spend a morning or most of the day entranced and delighted by the spectacle of “The World of Birds” one of the largest Bird Sanctuaries in Africa. 4) Charter a boat for Deep Sea Fishing 5) Horse Riding can be arranged through the Hout Bay Riding School – see Hout Bay, Llandudno and Sandy Bay on horseback through and over the dunes. 6) On a Thursday morning there is an Organic Market that take place at the health shop around the corner on Victoria Avenue – superb cheeses, fresh produce, preserves and scrumptious home bakes. 7) Walking through the working harbour is interesting and can be entertaining especially when our local Minstrel Group give their impromptu performances for passers by. 8) Hout Bay hosts a very popular Week-end Market “Bay Market” – in Summer it starts on Friday night and continues through to Sunday evening – Winter months – Saturday and Sunday a fabulous place for food, fun, wonderful browsing and shopping – even listening to the Brass Band. 9) Hout Bay has every convenience imaginable: Woolworths, Checkers, Super Spar, Clicks, Doctors, Dentist, Physiotherapists, Beauty Salons, Hairdressers, Speciality and Craft Shops, Jewelery, Fashion Shops for children and Adults. 10) AND Who could miss a drive over Chapman’s Peak – this is a photographer’s dream at any and all times of day or night – unsurpassed beauty!!! I could go on and on……. HOUT BAY is so convenient – it is centrally situated to the Winelands of the Constantia Valley (10-15mins), The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (15-20 mins), The V&A Waterfront (20 mins), A ride up Table Mountain (20 mins), The 2010 World Soccer Stadium (20 mins) – all of these destinations via a scenic sea front drive under the Twelve Apostle Mountain Range. Not forgetting the scenic drive to Cape Point Nature Reserve via Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek, Kommetjie etc. Geographically HOUT BAY is just 18km’s from Cape Town’s city centre but spiritually it is a country village. I have lived in Hout Bay for 40 years, I have watched it grow from “less than a dorp” to the most wonderful Village – We are a microcosm of South Africa and I am passionate about my home in HOUT BAY and my Establishment Montana Muse.

Hout Bay has the most beautiful scenic views from the spectacular Chapman's Peak drive, you can also take fantastic hikes, short or long walks, in the fynbos and flowers and green mountain scenery with even more panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean which make you feel you just died and gone to heaven! The hikes and walking paths start straight from the road and are very clearly sign posted. There are many amazing hikes and walks to choose from in Hout Bay, a paradise for hikers! Hout Bay has a really strong community sense and the people are so friendly and helpful, no matter which shop or restaurant you go. Very lovely restaurants to choose from, most of them very accommodating towards children, special kiddie's menu's playgrounds, jungle gyms and the local Greek even has an entire dress up room for kids! The vibes in the restaurants and bars are really festive, happy scenes. Hout Bay is fortunate with some lovely markets, the largest and most vibey market is the Bay Harbour market at the end of the Harbour. Many interesting stalls, fabulous food, amazing ambiance, and great entertainment in the form of live music. Lovely sunsets to enjoy sundowners and best calamari at Chapman's Peak Hotel, a beer @ Dunes restaurant overlooking the beach (they organise collection to the restaurant and drop back transfer at no charge!), or spoil yourself at the opulent best Thai Restaurant of the Cape, Kitima restaurant, start the eve with a yummie cocktail at their lounge bar! The harbour offers various wonderful eating places, and you can buy fresh fish caught that morning, for your evening braai. Enjoy boat trips to Seal Island from practically any time of the day, the most lovely views onto Hout Bay from the Ocean! Fishing trips to catch your own or other water sport activities can be organised. Hout Bay is very close to Cape Town, 15-20 minutes drive, a village on the Atlantic Ocean. Nice beach for walks and Llandudno beach only 5 minutes away, with boulders and white soft sand, where the beautiful dazzling Capetonions like to hang out. Only 10 minutes drive to lovely Noordhoek and the farm village with top quality restaurants. Hout Bay has it's own vineyards, but the pristine Constantia wine route is so close, only a 10 minutes drive starting at Constantia Neck, as well as close to some of Cape Town' most pristine golf estates. Hout Bay is a great base to explore Cape Town. There is so much to do for tourist and there is such inspiring community work happening in Hout Bay, many amazing projects. Residents are proudly Hout Bay, VIVA HOUT BAY REPUBLICA!

Perfectly located with Constantia on the one side and Camps Bay on the other side, 10 minute drive in both directions. Further 5 minutes and you are in the city center. Hout Bay offers the most quaint harbor waterfront with restaurants fronting the beach and ocean. The most beautiful beaches are a 3 minute drive away, including Llandudno and Sandy beach. Drive 5 - 10 minutes and visit the finest Winefarms in the country.

I have lived, worked and played in Hout Bay for 27 years and don't want to live anywhere else. Hout Bay has it all : sea views, mountain views, beach, walks, shopping, great restaurants, markets, friendly locals...its a great place to bring up kids, own pets, participate in group activities like cycling, hiking, trail running, sailing, surfing and swimming. Hout bay has it all!

Lovely town. Nice point to travel from between all the places. Has all you need but also quaint.

Stayed for 3 nights in April at Pinewood Cottage and enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as proximity of Cape Town central nightlife. Even though it rained a bit, its still the best place to relax and enjoy yourself.

How lucky we were to find ourselves staying in Hout Bay because of heavy bookings elsewhere for the Easter weekend and Two Oceans marathon. A truly delightful location - manageable traffic, lovely market, all facilities, great views, easy access to other peninsula desinations. We would definitely choose this area again.

One of the best holiday destinations I have ever visited. Good restaurants, an excellent base for visiting other attractions in the Western Cape area. Hout Bay is surrounded by beautiful scenery and is adjacent to 7 great vineyards in the Constantia region. Only 30 minutes drive from CPT International Airport and 20 minutes coastal drive into the heart of Cape Town.

Hout Bay is a very good destination to visit Cape Town, as well as Cape Point. This area is relaxed with a nice waterfront, many hiking spots and a lot of restaurants and shops.

A beautiful Bay and a nice quiet city. Good restaurants, lovely view and nice people.

Hout Bay is a great town with lovely beaches surrounding and a lot of restaurants found in the area. Main attractions like Table Mountain are about 30 minutes' drive from Hout Bay. But I would drive it over and over again for the peacefulness and ocean!

A very adorable and peaceful place to visit. It has easy access to exciting places such as World of Birds, Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Robben Island and the Cape Winelands.

Very nice and central with easy access to all the different areas around Cape Town!

Hout Bay is a good place to set up camp and visit the Cape area. Nice, good value places, all within half an hour from the main attractions.

Love that there are great restaurants that cater for children. Love the harbor, the town, the vibe and it is close to the gorgeous beaches and mountain.

Loved it! We will defenitly go back to Hout Bay; there is so much to do and its beautiful. The beach is amazing as well as the restaurants and more. This is definitely the place to go to if you need a brake.

The town has great scenery and excellent restaurants.

Hout Bay boasts a stunning array of restaurants and markets; buy some fresh homemade bread or some fancy cheese. And don’t miss Hout Bay beach with its white sand and crystal blue waters.

This amazing area has a lot going for it: mountains, seaside, a harbour with daily trips to see the seals, fresh fish and restaurants. There are a number of weekend markets, mountain hikes, Chapman's Peak with the famous Chappies hotel which serves the best calamari in Cape Town, and a general laid back atmosphere. Recommended to anyone visiting Cape Town.