Before you go

Your trip to Simon's Town.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Simon's Town – Cabo Ocidental Destination Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula about 40 km from Cidade do Cabo

How to get there

Aeroporto Internacional da Cidade do Cabo (CPT) Cidade do Cabo · 50 km
Estação de Simon's Town (Metrorail) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From central Cape Town it’s about 40 km via the M3 and M4 along False Bay, roughly a 50-minute drive. The Southern Line train links the city center to Simon's Town along the coast; check whether the entire section is operating. Day tours depart from the city center to Boulders and the Cape of Good Hope.

How many days

One day, combined with the peninsula circuit: Muizenberg and Kalk Bay in the morning, Boulders around lunchtime, and the Cape of Good Hope in the afternoon. Those staying overnight in the area get a quiet morning at Boulders and sunset over False Bay.

When to go

Summer, from November to March, brings long days and the sea is less cold around the peninsula. The penguins are at Boulders year-round; nesting season typically runs from March to August. Between July and November it’s common to see southern right whales from the False Bay road. The summer southeasterly wind is strong at the tip of the peninsula.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Very helpful. A car lets you link Muizenberg, Simon's Town, Boulders, the Cape of Good Hope and Chapman's Peak in a single day. Without a car, day tours leaving Cape Town cover the same circuit. Driving is on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Simon's Town

Morning
Muizenberg and Kalk Bay
Leave Cape Town along False Bay, stop at the colorful Muizenberg bathing huts and the fishing harbor of Kalk Bay.
Afternoon
Boulders and Simon's Town
See the penguins from the Boulders walkways and have lunch on Simon's Town’s main street near the harbor.
Late afternoon
Cape of Good Hope
Head to the Cape of Good Hope area: climb up to the old Cape Point lighthouse and descend to the Cape sign.
Evening
Return via Chapman's Peak
Return to Cape Town on the Atlantic side via Chapman's Peak if there’s still daylight, or have dinner in Kalk Bay.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How long from Simon's Town to Cape Town?

About 40 km and a 50-minute drive along False Bay. There is also the Southern Line train; check its operating status.

Is Simon's Town near Boulders?

Yes, Boulders is about 2 km from central Simon's Town.

Is it worth staying overnight in Simon's Town?

For those who want to see the penguins with few people early in the morning and have the peninsula tip close by, yes. The town is quiet at night.

Can you do Boulders and the Cape of Good Hope in the same day?

Yes. It’s about 25 km between them, and the whole circuit fits into a day trip from Cape Town.

Back to Simon's Town