There’s something about driving along the Cape coastline that feels almost cinematic. Maybe it’s the scent of salt in the air, the changing light on the Atlantic, or the way the ocean seems to stretch endlessly beside you.
Image by Zwivhuya / Unsplash
Around Cape Town, some of the best drives are surprisingly short – lasting just 20 to 30 minutes – but they’re packed with enough scenery to make even an ordinary afternoon feel like a mini escape. To make the journey even better, we’ve paired five iconic coastal routes with playlists that match the mood. Whether you’re chasing sunrise, heading for fish and chips, or winding through mountain passes at golden hour, here’s your soundtrack.
1. Sunrise serenity – Muizenberg to Kalk Bay
Drive time: Approximately 20-25 minutes
Early mornings along False Bay have a gentler rhythm. Surfers paddle out before the crowds arrive, fishermen prepare their boats in Kalk Bay Harbour, and the pastel beach huts at Muizenberg glow in the first light. The route follows the shoreline almost the entire way, making it one of Cape Town’s most relaxing coastal drives.
Stop for:
- Coffee at Olympia Café in Kalk Bay
- Browse independent bookshops and antique stores
- Watch seals lounging around the harbour
Playlist (+-25 minutes)
- Jack Johnson – Better Together
- Hollow Coves – Coastline
- Ben Howard – Old Pine
- Ziggy Alberts – Runaway
- Vance Joy – Saturday Sun
- Angus & Julia Stone – Chateau
- Hollow Coves – The Woods
Vibe: Calm, reflective and slow.
Image by Alicia Christin Gerald / Pexels
2. Windows down, volume up – Sea Point to Hout Bay via Chapman’s Peak Drive
Drive time: Around 30 minutes
Few roads anywhere in South Africa rival the dramatic curves of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Completed in 1922 after years of engineering challenges, the route hugs sheer cliffs above the Atlantic and remains one of the country’s most photographed roads. The combination of mountain, sea and endless viewpoints makes it worth driving more than once. (A toll fee applies.)
Stop for:
- The Chapman’s Peak lookout points
- Fish and chips in Hout Bay
- Ice cream while watching the boats return to harbour
Playlist (+-30 minutes)
- The Killers – Mr. Brightside
- Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream
- MGMT – Electric Feel
- Foster The People – Sit Next to Me
- Two Door Cinema Club – What You Know
- COIN – Talk Too Much
- Phoenix – Lisztomania
Vibe: Road-trip energy with the windows wide open.
Image by Magda Ehlers / Pexels
3. Golden hour classics – Gordon’s Bay to Rooi-Els
Drive time: Approximately 25 minutes
Clarence Drive (R44) consistently ranks among South Africa’s most scenic roads, winding along the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els. The route offers uninterrupted ocean views on one side and rugged fynbos-covered mountains on the other, especially beautiful during late afternoon when the cliffs glow gold.
Stop for:
- Sunset viewpoints
- Rooi-Els beach
- Whale spotting during season (June to November)
Playlist (+- minutes)
- Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
- Eagles – Take It Easy
- America – Ventura Highway
- Elton John – Tiny Dancer
- Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the Dark
- Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
Vibe: Nostalgic, timeless and effortlessly cool.
Image by Grant Durr / Unsplash
4. Indie coffee run – Bloubergstrand to Melkbosstrand
Drive time: Around 20–25 minutes
With uninterrupted views of Table Mountain across Table Bay, this stretch of coastline is especially popular among cyclists, kite surfers and photographers. It’s an easy drive that feels worlds away from the city centre, particularly outside peak traffic hours.
Stop for:
- Beachfront cafés
- Sunset photography
- Beach walks
- Local bakeries
Playlist (+-25 minutes)
- Dayglow – Can I Call You Tonight?
- Rex Orange County – Sunflower
- Peach Pit – Tommy’s Party
- Clairo – Sofia
- Wallows – Are You Bored Yet?
- Boy Pablo – Everytime
- The Japanese House – Saw You In A Dream
Vibe: Coffee, cameras and ocean air.
Image by George Swanepoel / Unsplash
5. Ocean therapy – Simon’s Town to Cape Point Gate
Drive time: Around 30 minutes
Leaving Simon’s Town behind, the road becomes quieter as it winds towards the entrance of Cape Point. Keep an eye out for baboons, ostriches and sweeping ocean views before entering the national park. The journey feels wonderfully removed from the pace of city life.
Stop for:
- Boulders Beach penguin viewpoint
- Buffels Bay
- Cape Point Nature Reserve
- Picnic overlooking the Atlantic
Playlist (+-30 minutes)
- Bon Iver – Holocene
- Novo Amor – Anchor
- Lord Huron – The Night We Met
- Phoebe Bridgers – Scott Street
- Hozier – Cherry Wine
- Daughter – Youth
- José González – Stay Alive
Vibe: Quiet moments and deep breaths.
Image by Laker / Pexels
Before you hit the road
A few simple tips make every coastal drive even better:
- Download your playlist before leaving – mobile signal can be patchy along some routes.
- Start early to avoid weekend traffic, especially on Chapman’s Peak Drive and Clarence Drive.
- Bring a jacket. Even sunny Cape Town days can turn windy along the coast.
- Leave time for spontaneous stops – some of the best viewpoints aren’t marked on the map.
Until the next coastal drive
The best coastal drives have a funny way of making time feel slower. Between mountain passes, sleepy harbours and endless ocean views, thirty minutes somehow stretches into an experience you’ll remember long after you’ve parked the car. So, queue the playlist, pick a direction and let Cape Town’s coastline do what it does best – remind you that some of life’s best escapes begin with nothing more than an open road and a favourite song.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
Southern Africa’s best winter travel experiences for adventurous travellers
