In a nutshell
- Paternoster is a charming, authentic little fishing village on the West Coast of South Africa — about a two-hour drive from Cape Town.
- We love the peace and quiet and the incredibly good restaurants here. The surrounding scenery is rugged, wild, and beautiful.
- For us, Paternoster is the best base for exploring the entire West Coast — even better than Langebaan.
- In this guide, we share all our personal tips for Paternoster so you know exactly what to see, where to eat, and where to stay.
What you should know about Paternoster, South Africa
- Paternoster is a charming, authentic fishing village with around 2,000 residents. All the houses are white with dark roofs — only the doors, shutters, and fishing boats on the beach add a splash of color.
- Paternoster was first documented in 1790 by a captain of the Dutch East India Company.
- That’s also why all the houses are built in the classic Cape Dutch style.
- The name Paternoster — which translates as “our father” — has uncertain origins. The most popular theory is that sailors offered up a prayer of thanks when they reached safe land here after their ship sank in the bay.
- The main sources of income are catching lobster (crayfish), hake, and crawfish — plus tourism, which has become increasingly important.
- You can visit Paternoster as a day trip from Cape Town, or combine it with the Cape Winelands and a stop in the Cederberg Mountains — or fold it into a longer road trip along the Garden Route.
The best attractions in Paternoster
There aren’t many major sights in Paternoster, South Africa. For us, the town itself is the attraction. But there are a few highlights in the surrounding area that are absolutely worth your time.
Here’s a rundown of everything to see in and around Paternoster:
The town of Paternoster
Paternoster isn’t particularly large. Around 2,000 people live here, all the houses are painted white, and locals share the village with Cape Town residents who’ve snapped up weekend and holiday homes.
Paternoster has no famous landmark — it is the landmark. People come here to enjoy the peace and quiet, the nature, and the seafood. Just wander along the main street through town — that’s where you’ll find most of the shops and restaurants.
There are also a handful of outdoor activities on offer, like kayaking, cycling tours, and hiking. We’d recommend checking with your accommodation in advance to find out what’s available and book ahead if needed.
At the southern end of town you’ll find the Paternoster Waterfront, and if you’re driving in South Africa, it’s only a five-minute drive to the national park and its lighthouse — more on that in a moment.
We spent a week in Paternoster on our South Africa trip and honestly can’t recommend it enough as a base for exploring the West Coast. Langebaan is also only about 30 minutes away by car.
Beaches in Paternoster
As is the case along nearly all of South Africa’s coastline, you’ll be seriously spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches in Paternoster.
Right in the village, there’s a gorgeous sandy beach that makes the white houses in the background look even more picturesque. The houses and colorful fishing boats make for great photos.
North and south of Paternoster, there are several more sandy beaches you really shouldn’t skip. Each one is a little different, but all of them are stunning. The Langstrand north of Paternoster stretches for over seven kilometers — it’s practically begging you to take a long beach walk!
All the beaches are wide, with white sand dunes and gentle waves. They remind us a little of the beaches along the North Sea — even though they’re on the other side of the world.
The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
Don’t miss the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve just west of Paternoster. It’s especially spectacular during the South African spring from August to October, when wildflowers bloom across the landscape in a way that’s genuinely hard to describe. We’ve marked the park on Google Maps for you.
That said, the reserve is worth a visit any time of year. We went in March and found it absolutely stunning — raw, wild, and beautiful.
We mostly just drove around and stopped wherever caught our eye. But you can also do some great hikes through the park. The hike to the lighthouse, for example, is mapped out on Komoot.
Admission costs R29 (about €1.50), paid at a small booth at the entrance.
You can also spend the night in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. At the Sea Shack, you sleep in small bungalows with ocean views. There are also self-catering cabins and two campgrounds — though the campgrounds don’t have electricity. You can book through the Paternoster tourism website or directly at the tourist information office in town.
The Cape Columbine Lighthouse
Also inside the reserve: the last manned lighthouse in South Africa. There are no more official tours, and the lighthouse is fenced in — so you can’t get close unless someone opens the gate for you.
It’s still worth stopping by. On the day we visited, we called this number (+27 62 154 8814) and politely asked if we could take a look.
Sure enough: the lighthouse keeper was super friendly, gave us a tour, and told us a bit about the history of the place.
We were lucky to have a South African friend along who spoke to him in Afrikaans — that may have helped. But we’ve also heard from others who simply showed up and found someone there on the spot.
Just try your luck and feel free to share your experience in the comments! If it works out, don’t hesitate to leave the lighthouse keeper a tip.
Paternoster Waterfront
The Paternoster Waterfront is a small cluster of restaurants, cafés, art galleries, and craft shops right on the water — easy to combine with a relaxed beach walk.
The businesses have moved into old fishermen’s cottages by the sea that stood empty after the government imposed restrictions on lobster fishing. The result is a charming little creative hub right in the heart of Paternoster.
Make sure you check out the Art Shed at the Wharf — it’s packed with small stalls selling everything from paintings to handbags to jewelry.
Things to do in Paternoster
We already mentioned the beach walk along Langstrand. But there are plenty of other activities in Paternoster worth knowing about.
If walking isn’t your thing, you can also join a beach buggy tour or go horseback riding along the shore.
Another fun highlight: a kayak tour to the penguin colony near Paternoster. Seriously cool.
Most activities can be booked through your accommodation — just ask when you arrive or contact them in advance.
At the Waterfront, there’s also a theater: the Koelkamers Teater. It’s definitely worth a visit. Each week there are four or five different performances — plays, children’s theater, and small concerts. Check the program on the theater’s website.
Our hotel recommendations for Paternoster
No large hotels are allowed to be built in this small fishing village, which means most places to stay in Paternoster are charming vacation homes and guesthouses.
We spent a week at the vacation home de Patrenush and felt completely at home. We actually named it the best Airbnb of our entire South Africa trip. The house was super stylish and thoughtfully designed, with everything you could need.
But there are also a few other great accommodation options in Paternoster that we’ve saved for our next trip:
ah! Guest House: incredible value for money and extremely well-reviewed. The host used to be a top chef — and it really shows. Breakfast is seriously delicious, and several times a week he cooks dinner for guests at the communal table.
Gonana Guesthouse: beautifully decorated and even has a pool. You can choose between rooms of different sizes. Note that children must be at least 12 years old to stay here.
Strandloper: top-rated and very well known — book well in advance. It’s a 5-star boutique hotel and also home to the best restaurant in Paternoster, Leeto. Even if you’re not staying here, you really should eat here. Just be prepared for the prices, and always reserve ahead!
The best restaurants in Paternoster
Eating well is THE thing to do in Paternoster. And we love great South African food. So we’ve put together our full list of personal restaurant picks for Paternoster.
One important tip: always make a reservation in advance — no matter where you plan to eat.
The Hobnobbery
The Hobnobbery is a wonderfully quirky little spot that has it all: specialty items to take home like fresh bread and eggs, a small but excellent menu for breakfast and lunch, and a shop selling clothes, jewelry, and accessories.
To get inside, you have to duck — the entrance is literally a hobbit door. The sign “hobbit door! duck!” does warn you, though.
Voorstrandt Restaurant
You sit on a wooden deck right on the beach and enjoy your fish with a fantastic view. Great food, great atmosphere. Highly recommended!
Gaaitjie Restaurant Paternoster
This is where we had the best oysters of our entire South Africa road trip. It’s a small fisherman’s hut right on the beach, run by a lovely family.
Seekombuis
This seafood restaurant is on the road from Paternoster to the national park, tucked into a small cove. It’s very rustic but really cool — you sit with your feet in the sand right by the water and enjoy a seriously good meal.
Blikkie Pizzeria
Blikkie Pizzeria isn’t anything extraordinary, but it’s somehow a great spot — lots of locals, and a lovely view over the rooftops of Paternoster out to the sea. And the value for money is solid.
For parents with young kids, the small playground right next to the restaurant is an unbeatable bonus.
More restaurant tips
That’s not all, though. Here are a few more places we’ve heard great things about but haven’t made it to yet — let us know in the comments if you’ve been:
The Noisy Oyster: looks super colorful and cozy, with very creative dishes. Book early!
Cathy’s Kitchen Paternoster: a highly-rated breakfast café serving delicious sweet and savory bites.
Mondvol Coffee-Shop: a little outside of Paternoster, supposedly an amazing breakfast spot — there are even swings and a small sandbox for kids.
And for those who really want to splash out:
Leeto: this seafood restaurant is part of the Strandloper Boutique Hotel and is really, really good.
Wolfgat: this tiny restaurant was named the best restaurant in the world in 2019. You’ll need to book months in advance — it only has 20 seats.
The best time to visit Paternoster
Paternoster can be visited year-round.
The warmest time is during the South African summer from October to March. The fall months from March to May are a great shoulder season — temperatures drop slowly and it’s less windy.
During the South African spring from August to October, it’s wildflower season. The normally dry landscape bursts into color in a way that’s really hard to believe until you see it.
Winter is the least popular time to visit the West Coast — but it doesn’t actually get very cold. Temperatures rarely drop below 45°F and it’s usually sunny.
Here you'll find more information about the best time to visit South Africa:
Is Paternoster safe?
In Paternoster, the same common-sense rules apply as elsewhere in South Africa. We didn’t feel any different there than in other parts of the country.
One thing to keep in mind specifically here: lobster is often sold on the side of the road. Don’t buy it. It’s very unlikely the seller has a permit, and outside of Crayfish Season (November to April), selling lobster isn’t allowed anyway.
Here we've written up everything about safety in South Africa for you:
