Tranquil fishing villages and superb seafood

For something that little bit different head North from Cape Town to the beautiful West Coast

Long-favoured by Capetonians as a retreat from the city during the busy, and swelteringly hot summer months, Cape West Coast holidays are slowly gaining a foothold as a tourism destination as well, with a number of excellent hotels found in the fishing villages dotted along the coastline.

Paternoster is renowned for its excellent seafood, with crayfish being a particularly prominent feature on local menus, whilst Langebaan and its large lagoon are popular with kite surfers and those fond of unspoilt, wild beaches. Yzefrontein is also an option, although the accommodation here tends to skew more towards self-catering cottages. The whole area is somewhat reminiscent of the Cornish coast, with small villages, long beaches swept by the winds off the Atlantic Ocean and some very traditional places to eat and drink. Indeed, Paternoster is home to a wonderful restaurant called Wolfgat, where all ingredients are foraged directly from the beach. The restaurant was given the accolade of 2019’s Best New Restaurant of the Year award – high praise indeed, and a great reason to visit.

Whilst most international visitors won’t take a leaf out of locals’ books and stay for the duration of their trip, a few days up here on a luxury Paternoster holiday is a wonderful antidote to busy Cape Town.