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Hout Bay is one of Cape Town’s primary tourist destinations and nestles in a lush valley between mountain and sea. Affectionately called ‘the republic of Hout Bay’ by its residents, due mainly to the limited means of access into this attractive suburb - there are only three - Hout Bay lies just 20 minutes’ from the centre of Cape Town yet has a unique and timeless beauty that makes it so popular with locals and visitors.
Hout Bay was formerly a fishing village and has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbour and country atmosphere, despite development. Hout Bay has a working harbour, beautiful family- friendly beaches, fantastic restaurants overlooking the ocean, and also boasts the World of Birds, the largest bird park in Africa. Its long, sandy beach faces a bay framed by mountains and is quite simply exceptionally beautiful. Capetonians throng here over weekends to partake of the local fish & chips and to catch a glimpse of the resident Cape seals that make the harbour their home.
Getting into Cape Town from Hout Bay offers three distinct possibilities, all of which are scenic drives. Chapman’s Peak, although a toll road, remains one of the most beautiful and awesome routes with views to take your breath away, whilst the route over Suikerbossie Hill to Llandudno and other Atlantic beaches of Cape Town, in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles, is equally inspiring. The road that joins up with the Constantia Wine Route, over Constantia Nek, provides a bird’s eye view of False Bay and takes you into the beautiful Constantia Valley.
Harbour cruises to Duiker Island and the V&A Waterfront are bookable at the harbour. Chapman's Peak Drive, a major attraction, links Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Accommodation, both upmarket and budget, caters for all needs. Hout Bay provides more than enough attractions on its own, despite its central position. Hiking and cycling in the surrounding mountains, abseiling, game fishing, the full gamut of aquatic sports, including sea kayaking, sunset champagne cruises to the V&A Waterfront, boat trips to Seal Island in a glass-bottomed boat and the World of Birds mean that one can effectively remain within the republic for one’s entire trip without running out of things to do - earning one the right to own one of Hout Bay’s very own passports - a cherished memento of many a visitor.
Click here to view available accommodations in Hout Bay
Click here to visit alternate towns/suburbs of Cape Town
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