Before you go

Your trip to Hermanus.

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

Hermanus – Cabo Ocidental Destination Hermanus and Overberg about 120 km from Cidade do Cabo

How to get there

Aeroporto Internacional da Cidade do Cabo (CPT) Cidade do Cabo · 110 km

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

Check before booking. Flights arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), about 110 km away. By car it’s roughly an hour and a half via the N2, over Sir Lowry’s Pass and along the R43, or a little longer via the coastal R44 that passes Betty's Bay. There are transfers and tours departing from Cape Town.

How many days

One day for the Cliff Path, the Old Harbour and the town centre; two days to also include Fernkloof, Grotto Beach and the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. In whale season it’s worth reserving a morning for a boat trip.

When to go

From July to November, during whale season, the town gets busy, especially over the festival weekend in September or October. Summers are dry and hot, with beach weather at Grotto. Winters are cool and wet, but that’s when the whales begin to arrive.

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

Do you need a car?

For the town centre and the Cliff Path, no car is needed: everything is walkable. For the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, the Fernkloof reserve and Gansbaai, yes. Without a car you rely on transfers from Cape Town.

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 Hermanus

Morning
Cliff Path
Walk the Cliff Path from the Old Harbour eastwards, stopping at the viewpoints; in season, watch for whales in Walker Bay.
Afternoon
Old Harbour and town centre
Visit the Old Harbour museum, stroll through the town centre and the craft market near the square.
Late afternoon
Fernkloof
Hike up into the Fernkloof reserve for a short trail to the waterfall or a viewpoint over the bay.
Evening
Dinner with a view
Dine at a restaurant in town with views over the 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

What to do in Hermanus?

Walk the Cliff Path, watch whales from July to November, visit the Old Harbour, hike in Fernkloof, go to Grotto Beach and visit the wineries in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley.

What is Hermanus’s whale spotter (anunciador de baleias)?

A local who walks the town during whale season and blows a kelp horn when he spots whales, indicating where they are. The tradition began in 1992.

Is it worth taking a boat trip to see whales in Hermanus?

In season, licensed boats can get closer to the animals than the shore. It's also common to see whales from the Cliff Path.

Does Hermanus have a beach?

Yes — Grotto Beach, a long white-sand beach east of the town centre, plus small coves along the cliffs.

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