Gordon’s Bay is nestled between the Hottentots Holland Mountains in Cape Town and the vast open sea that stretches out from False Bay. With the mountains behind and the ocean in front, this town’s unique setting is only part of its appeal, with pristine beaches, welcoming locals and extensive activities also on offer. The warm summers are kept pleasant by the light ocean breeze and the Cape Doctor wind and the easy 40 minute drive from Cape Town makes it a favourite local getaway.

Try This Five Day Gordon’s Bay Holiday Itinerary

Gordon’s Bay is the ideal place to go if you need some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but don’t have a lot of time or money to spend. Being so close to Cape Town’s city centre, you don’t need to fly or even splurge on petrol. There is also plenty to do in and around the town that doesn’t cost a fortune. With so many things to do, the only problem you might have is deciding on what to do. Follow this detailed five day itinerary for ideas and you will soon see not only all that Gordon’s Bay has to offer, but how you can have the holiday of a lifetime, right on your doorstep!

Day One

Gordon’s Bay is famous for its spectacular beaches, which need to be checked out on day one. Bikini Beach is one of South Africa’s premium Blue Flag beaches, meaning it is deemed to meet international standards of cleanliness and safety. Thanks to the mountains, the beaches are sheltered from the wind and the warm water is ideal for swimming. A whole day can, and should, be spent sunning oneself on the beach, enjoying the spectacular views and chilling in the warm ocean. For the more active types who can’t simply suntan all day, there are many watersports and activities on offer. Go waterskiing, head out on a jetski, go snorkelling or scuba diving or even catch your own crayfish dinner. The beachfront promenade is lined with funky restaurants, coffee shops and pubs meaning that you can have a break from the midday sun and get anything from an ice cream to a cold beer. Top off your first day of Gordon’s Bay relaxation with a braai at your self-catering accommodation and enjoy the calm summer’s evening.

Day Two

Getting up early has never felt this exhilarating! Watch the sun rise from the saddle as you take a relaxing horse ride along the beach. Riding schools in Gordon’s Bay offer rides for every level of experience and is something that should not be missed. Stay with this outdoor theme and head out for a long walk or hike in one of the beautiful areas that surround this town. Just outside Gordon’s Bay, along the R44 is the Steenbras River Bridge. Gentle walks or energetic hikes take you up through the quiet forests to spectacular rock pools that make an ideal setting for a picnic. If you are more florally inclined, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has over 1600 species of fynbos on offer. The Harold Porter Botanical Gardens has more structured displays of fynbos complete with gentle walks up to flowing water falls and beautiful flowers. After a busy outdoor day, head back to the centre of town’s beachfront promenade for a delectable seafood dinner. The gentle lapping of the waves make the ideal accompaniment to the culinary delights of the restaurants of Gordon’s Bay.

Day Three

Relax indoors today and indulge in a little retail therapy. Gordon’s Bay offers every amenity you could need whilst on holiday meaning that the freedom of self-catering accommodation is a viable option. The mini-mall has a fantastic array of curio shops and bric-a-brac which could take hours to explore. The smaller towns around Gordon’s Bay also have many markets selling everything from intricately carved furniture to fresh fruit and many a unique item can be found here. If you are looking for a more serious shopping expedition, Somerset Mall is less than ten minutes away and offers everything from designer clothes to clothes pegs. Once you have driven out to one of these markets or malls, take the scenic route back. Driving up the steep Sir Lowry’s Pass affords magnificent views of False Bay and Clarence Drive towards Hermanus has many places to stop and watch the whales. Take a long a picnic and enjoy the views.

Day Four

The Helderberg Wine Route is less than ten minutes drive from Gordon’s Bay and its 25 farms are each well worth a visit. Each one has its own unique features, from 300 year old manor houses to art boutique architecture. Enjoy a stroll around their magnificent grounds, have a picnic under some trees or a gourmet lunch in one of the restaurants. Many offer free tastings and the wines of Vergelegen and Lourensford should definitely not be missed. On the way back, stop off at one of the areas ten different golf courses. Each one is only a few minutes drive from town and offer spectacular greens with the most breathtaking views. Head back to town and grab a takeaway for dinner from one of the numerous outlets and then have a rest – Gordon’s Bay comes alive at night and you will want to be ready for all the excitement!

Day Five

After a couple of days of shopping and drinking it’s time to get back outdoors and work up a sweat. The amount of sporting activities on offer in Gordon’s Bay range from tennis to jukskei and croquet and provide endless hours of entertainment and exercise. Cycling up Sir Lowry’s Pass is a challenge you will never forget and the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is an excellent place to go mountain biking. Fishing is another great pastime in Gordon’s Bay and you can go on a deep sea expedition or simply sit on the rocks with a rod while you chat with the locals. End off the day with a sunset cruise in the harbour to top off a fantastic week.

Where to Stay in Gordon’s Bay

Now that you are thoroughly convinced that you need to visit Gordon’s Bay, the only problem left is figuring out where to stay. Self-catering accommodation is ideal in this town as you are given the freedom to come and go as you please and the town has ample stores to keep you supplied with groceries. Nagua Bay is a great option for self-catering accommodation. This 24 hour security complex is a safe place to stay, especially for families and is within walking distance of shops and amenities. A semi-private beach is only minutes away and a tennis court and swimming pool give you something to do at any time.

More About Amazing Vacations in Gordon’s Bay

Amazing Vacations is a monthly subscription service that entitles its members to a week’s vacation every year – worth over R10 000. For a nominal fee that includes a monthly package of incredible discounts and freebies from Amazing Vouchers, anyone can go on the holiday of a lifetime.

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