Cape Town route: Twelve Apostles to Joe Slovo and Handover
Explore Cape Town's contrasts on this 88.4 km route connecting the city's affluent coastal neighborhoods - Clifton and Camp's Bay with their iconic Twelve Apostles backdrop - to Chapman's Peak Drive's scenic coastal route, while also visiting Joe Slovo township and Handover Park to understand the city's complex history.
- Distance
- 88.4 km
- Duration
- 17 h 41 min
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Twelve Apostles — Iconic mountain and beaches
- End
- Lion's Head
- Stops
- 6
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Twelve Apostles — Iconic mountain and beaches — Dramatic chain of mountain peaks rising from the coastline, forming a spectacular backdrop to white-sand beaches and coastal trails.
- Joe Slovo — Informal settlement — Informal settlement illustrating contemporary housing challenges and community resilience in the greater Cape Town metropolitan area.
- Handover Park — Apartheid-era district — Memorial green space commemorating the final handover of political power during South Africa's transition away from apartheid governance.
- Clifton — Neighborhood with beaches and elevated vantage point
- Camp's Bay — Seaside neighborhood with swanky bars and restaurants
- Lion's Head — Popular hiking destination with sunset views
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Visit Boulders Beach to see African penguins. The colony has 3,000-4,000 penguins that landed starting in 1982; they're hidden in rock crevices throughout the beach.
- Transport
- Chapman's Peak Drive is a scenic coastal route to return to Cape Town from Boulders Beach; considered one of the most scenic roads in the world.
- Tip
- Clifton and Camp's Bay are the most tourist-friendly coastal neighborhoods with beaches, bars, restaurants, and swanky villas; popular with locals for fitness culture.
- Tip
- Lion's Head offers hiking with beautiful sunset views; located near the affluent Clifton/Camp's Bay neighborhoods.
- Tip
- Take a half-day township experience tour to visit Langa Township; learn about apartheid history and community culture directly from local guides.
- Avoid
- Joe Slovo is an informal settlement with high crime; avoid visiting alone. Exercise caution in townships and understand the safety risks before visiting.
- Avoid
- Handover Park is described as one of Cape Town's most notorious districts with gang activity and drugs; avoid unless with a local guide familiar with the area.
- Tip
- Newlands Forest is a beloved green space inside the city perfect for hiking or family day trips.
- Timing
- Cape Town has pleasant year-round weather; consider visiting during summer months when weather is warm and beaches are most active.
- Save money
- Use Holafly eSim to get online upon arrival and avoid expensive roaming fees.
Video on this route
CAPE TOWN: The GOOD, The BAD, The UGLY