In a nutshell
- Hermanus is a perfect stopover between Cape Town and the Garden Route. We recommend spending 2 days in Hermanus.
- From June to November is whale season in Hermanus. During this time, you can spot whales right from the coast — no boat needed.
- Our favorite highlights in Hermanus are the Hermanus Cliff Path and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
- Our top hotel pick in Hermanus is The Whale on Main B&B — a family-run boutique hotel with excellent value for money.
The Most Beautiful Attractions in Hermanus
Hermanus Cliff Path: A Breathtaking Coastal Trail
What do you need to know? The Hermanus Cliff Path is a 12 km hiking trail that runs from the New Harbour all the way to Grotto Beach, hugging the coastline the entire way.
Is it worth it? Absolutely — a walk along the Cliff Path is a non-negotiable when you visit Hermanus. The trail is easy, and around every corner there’s another jaw-dropping view. We were genuinely blown away by how spectacular it is.
Our tips: Allow about two hours for the full trail. Afterward, you can walk back or grab an Uber. It’s also totally fine to just do shorter sections. The most beautiful stretch starts right in the center of Hermanus, and the section near Grotto Beach is stunning too.
Whale Watching in Hermanus
What do you need to know? From June to November, it’s whale season in Hermanus, South Africa. That’s when whales come in very close to shore to mate. Visit during this window and you’re almost guaranteed to see them — Hermanus is genuinely considered one of the best whale-watching spots in the world.
Is it worth it? Hermanus whale watching is a one-of-a-kind spectacle. What makes it so special is that you can actually see the whales from the shore with the naked eye — you can sit at a waterfront restaurant and watch them surface right in front of you. Seriously incredible!
Our tip: If you want to get even closer, you can book a whale-watching boat tour.
Grotto Beach: The Most Beautiful Beach in Hermanus
What do you need to know? Grotto Beach is the longest and most beautiful beach in Hermanus — the sandy stretch runs a full 18 km.
Is it worth it? Grotto Beach is great for a long beach walk and perfectly suited for swimming. If you’re spending a few days in Hermanus, this is an easy spot to dedicate a whole lazy beach day to.
Our tips: The beach is easy to reach by car — there’s plenty of parking along Grotto Street. Right on the beach you’ll find the restaurant Dutchies. The location is great; the food is average.
Hermanus Art Walk: More Than 20 Art Galleries
What do you need to know? Hermanus has a surprisingly lively art scene — more than 20 galleries packed into this small town. They’re all clustered in the center, most of them along Harbour Road.
Is it worth it? If you’re into art, we really recommend checking out the galleries. Most are open daily. On the first Friday of every month, the big Hermanus Art Walk takes place — all galleries stay open late, offer drinks, and artists are often present in person.
Our tips: The individual galleries have maps showing all the galleries in Hermanus. They also specialize in shipping art internationally, by the way — so if you fall in love with something, the process of buying and getting it home is surprisingly straightforward.
Hermanus Country Market: A Lovely Weekly Market
What do you need to know? Every Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM, Hermanus hosts the Country Market — a large weekly market with food stalls and crafts.
Is it worth it? If you enjoy weekly markets, you’ll love this one. Beyond the typical stalls, there’s a big food court area with tables where you can eat on the spot. If you happen to be in Hermanus on a Saturday, definitely swing by.
Day Trips from Hermanus
The area around Hermanus has plenty to offer. Here are the best day trip destinations — all less than an hour away by car.
Klipgat Caves and Walker Bay Nature Reserve: Stunning Scenery
What do you need to know? Walker Bay Nature Reserve is a vast nature park south of Hermanus, featuring rugged cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, endless dunes, and the star attraction: the Klipgat Caves. The massive caves are accessible via a short walking path.
Is it worth it? The Klipgat Caves were one of our personal highlights near Hermanus. After the Cliff Path, Walker Bay Nature Reserve impressed us the most. The cave is easy to reach on foot, and the route is very manageable if you’re visiting Hermanus with kids.
How long does it take? The entrance to Walker Bay Nature Reserve is at the far south of the park — about a 45-minute drive from Hermanus. From the parking lot to the cave is roughly a 15-minute walk.
Penguins in Betty's Bay
What do you need to know? Wild penguins aren’t only found at Boulder’s Beach on the Cape Peninsula — Betty’s Bay has them too. The Stony Point Penguin Colony is home to more than 1,000 African penguins that you can observe up close.
Is it worth it? Compared to Boulder’s Beach, Betty’s Bay isn’t quite as picturesque a setting. But you can get even closer to the penguins here — they waddle right through the parking lot. On top of that, the entrance fee is significantly cheaper.
How long does it take? It’s about a 50-minute drive from Hermanus to Betty’s Bay, and you’ll want roughly one hour on-site. Smart tip: stop here on your way from Cape Town to Hermanus — it’s only about a 15-minute detour and saves you a separate outing from Hermanus.
Stanford
What do you need to know? Stanford is a small village near Hermanus with a handful of nice shops and restaurants.
Is it worth it? We’d recommend combining a stop in Stanford with a trip to Walker Bay Nature Reserve — you drive right past it anyway, and it’s a great excuse to stop for a meal. Making a dedicated trip just for Stanford on its own? Probably not worth it.
Our tips: Don’t miss Zesty Lemon. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is super relaxed. The winery with its little pond looks like something out of a storybook — there’s even a playground for kids. And save room for dessert. We worked our way through all of them, and every single one was outstanding!
Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary
What do you need to know? The Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary is a rescue center for big cats rescued from captivity. Tigers, leopards, and even a white lion have found refuge here. Unlike most sanctuaries in South Africa, this place is genuinely focused on animal welfare rather than being a tourist attraction.
Is it worth it? Visits are only possible as part of a guided tour, which you need to book in advance on the Panthera website. The tour is interesting, though it may be on the slow side for young children. Worth considering, but not essential.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Hermanus
Hermanus has a wide range of places to stay. Most hotels are located right in the town center or close to it.
In the suburbs like Onrus, Sandbaai, or Vermont, you’ll mainly find vacation rental homes.
Here are our top hotel picks in Hermanus:
Hotels with great value for money
The Whale on Main B&B: A charming boutique hotel within walking distance of the town center and the Cliff Path. Owners Marlene and Zeno are wonderful hosts and full of great local advice. Breakfast is excellent.
One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel: A small hotel right in the center with ocean views and a small pool.
Budget accommodations in Hermanus
The Potting Shed Guesthouse: A simple, centrally located guesthouse with warm hosts and a good breakfast.
Zzzone Boutique Hostel: Very affordable lodging with simple but modern rooms and shared bathrooms.
Luxury hotels in Hermanus
The Thatch House: Probably the best hotel in Hermanus — beautifully situated on a lagoon just outside the center. Seven suites with stunning design and every luxury you could want.
Mosselberg on Grotto Beach: A modern hotel right at Grotto Beach with a large pool and great food.
Our Restaurant Recommendations for Hermanus
Hermanus has a solid selection of restaurants — you definitely won’t go hungry here.
The following restaurants come highly recommended:
Each restaurant is linked to Google Maps so you can save them directly to your map.
Burgundy: Right on Harbour Road. During whale season, you can sit here and watch the whales leap out of the water while you eat. Don’t miss the fish platter!Pear Tree Bistro: Good local cuisine with an international touch.Bientang’s Cave: The top spot for whale watching while you eat — it’s set inside a cave built right into the cliffs. An incredible location, and the food is solid.Gelato Mania: The best ice cream in Hermanus. We went back every single day.Milk on the Beach: A good restaurant right on Onrus Beach. Outstanding location — the food is decent but not exceptional.Zesty Lemon: A winery in Stanford with excellent cuisine, incredibly good desserts, and a lovely atmosphere. Great for kids too.
Practical Tips for Hermanus
How Many Days Should You Plan for Hermanus?
For the main highlights in Hermanus, two full days is ideal. That gives you enough time to walk the Cliff Path, go whale watching, and take a day trip to Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
If your time is tight, one day is doable. In that case, though, you’ll only have time for the attractions in Hermanus itself — there won’t be room for excursions into the surrounding area.
More time is always welcome, of course. Hermanus is simply a wonderfully peaceful little town. You could easily spend an entire week here if time isn’t a concern.
Is Hermanus Worth Visiting Outside of Whale Season?
We visited Hermanus ourselves outside of whale season and have zero regrets. The area is gorgeous, and it would be a real shame to skip it just because the whales aren’t around.
If you’re doing Cape Town and the Garden Route, you should definitely include Hermanus — whale season or not. It makes a fantastic stopover between your hotel in Cape Town and your accommodation on the Garden Route.
Getting to Hermanus
Hermanus is located southeast of Cape Town along the R43. Getting there by car is easy and straightforward.
Here’s a quick overview of distances from various locations:
- Cape Town: 120 km, 2:00 h
- Stellenbosch: 100 km, 1:30 h
- Cape Agulhas: 130 km, 1:45 h
- De Hoop Nature Reserve: 140 km, 2:30 h
- Mossel Bay: 300 km, 3:30 h
- Wilderness: 360 km, 4:00 h
- Knysna: 410 km, 4:30 h
- Plettenberg Bay: 440 km, 5:15 h
Is Hermanus Safe?
Hermanus is one of the safest travel destinations in South Africa. You should still follow the usual safety precautions — for more on that, check out our article on safety in South Africa.
Overall, our sense of safety in Hermanus was extremely high — more so than almost anywhere else on our South Africa road trip.
