Within a 200km radius of Cape Town, there are several countryside towns and villages worth a visit – from the sleepy village of Stanford to the lush Elgin Valley. Sue van Winsen rounds up some of the best options.

1.Stanford

Situated just over an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Cape Town in the Cape Overberg region, Stanford has become a popular town for both Capetonians and foreign visitors on account of its laid-back, old-world Victorian feel. Known for its local produce and artisan treats, Stanford has a lot to offer in terms of food and wine, with a number of well-known restaurants located throughout town. These include Graze Slow Food Café (open weekends only) and Mariana’s country kitchen. The nearby Birkenhead Brewery offers beer tastings and pub meals, while Klein River is known for its Havarti, Raclette and Gruyere cheeses. The town also has its own wine route encompassing Springfield, Raka and Stanford Hills wines.

Aside from wining and dining, there are also several laid-back activities to choose from. One of the most popular options is river cruising on the Klein Rivier but there are also several hiking routes and the tucked away Mierkom Beach to explore.

2.Greyton

According to Peter-John Mitrovich, CEO of Grosvenor Tours, Greyton is “an undersold little gem village”. “There is nothing as splendid as to [stop] at Houw Hoek Farm Stall for one of their freshly baked pies, and exploring their little wine shop,” he adds.

Located 140km, or just under two hours’ drive from Cape Town, Greyton is nestled into the Riviersonderend mountain range. While this quaint village mostly comprises dirt roads, it is home to a number of must-do outdoor activities.  Hiking is one of the most popular pastimes, and well-marked trails include the 7km Greyton to Genadendal Walk, or the short 3km Platkloof Walk through the Greyton Nature Reserve. Some of the trails can also be ridden by mountain bike. Visitors with an interest in history can also take a walking tour of Greyton Village – with maps available from the tourist information bureau office detailing the background of the village’s many historic buildings.

3.Elgin Valley

Known for its apple and pear orchards as well as its many vineyards, Elgin is less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town. It is also home to one of South Africa’s most popular cold drink brands – Appletizer – set on a farm called Applethwaite, which still has the original farmhouse on site next to the giant factory.

Food and wine is definitely the focus in this agricultural town, with a number of farms producing cooler-climate wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, which can be sampled at the farms’ tasting rooms. Some of the wine estates also have restaurants on site, and one of the most popular lunch spots is the Pool Room terrace at Oak Valley, where platters of cured meats, homemade preserves and local cheeses are served alongside freshly baked artisan breads.

Activities include hiking and mountain biking, fishing, and canoeing as well as a guided zipline tour through the surrounding mountains.

4.Thompsons Africa Day Safari

Guests who would like a Big Five safari experience just a few hours from Cape Town can embark on Thompsons Africa’s Day Safari to Inverdoon Private Game Reserve. The route to the reserve takes guests through the wine region and the Klein Karoo before reaching Inverdoon, where they can enjoy two to three hours’ game viewing in an open safari vehicle. Wildlife in the reserve includes lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, rhino, ostrich, baboon, warthog and springbok, along with many other animals. Afterwards, guests are taken to the lodge for a buffet lunch with some time to relax around the pool before returning to Cape Town.

The Thompsons Africa Day Safari departs daily between 06h15 and 07h00, returning at about 18h00.

5.Darling

Known as the ‘Flower of the West Coast’, Darling is just an hour outside Cape Town and home to an abundance of wild flora that are best viewed during spring, between September and October. Every year, the town hosts a Wild Flower Show in September where visitors can see some of the rare indigenous plants found in the area.

Darling is also home to a local celebrity – the flamboyant Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout, an outspoken political activist and alter ego of Pieter Dirk Uys. At Evita se Perron, visitors can see Bezuidenhout in action, while enjoying a meal.

It is also worth paying a visit to Darling Brew’s taproom, called Slow Quarter, where beer is paired with a selection of light meals, or Darling Olives where guests can try a range of olive products, from extra virgin olive oil to olive chocolate, jams and pastes during a 30-minute presentation.