Free tour

Magical Hout Bay: The Old Village

5.00

Excellent(3)

Cape Town

Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Languages: English

Guru: Myles

Registered on 2 January 2026

Having lived and worked in Hout Bay for almost 50 years, I have grown to love the natural beauty & cultural history of my home. Beginning in 2023 as a professional guide, I still spend much of my time introducing guests to the wonderful sights and stories of Cape Town's CBD, Winelands and Peninsula. (For the tours I have on offer, please visit www.bingtours.co.za) Besides being a walking and driver-guide, as a retired educator, I also "guide" teachers, providing coaching and mentoring support. I look forward to hosting you on your next adventure!

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Hout Bay has a magic all of its own...

This little corner of Cape Town, although only 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, has an atmosphere so different, it is difficult to believe you are in a city.

This tour of about 3km, begins with a leisurely walk along the shore (and our local history and stories) to view the Hout Bay River estuary and internationally acclaimed dune rehabilitation project. From there, we meander through the charming, old village of Hout Bay, known lovingly by our friendly locals simply as, "The Village".

The original Hout Bay Village is beautifully offset by the breathtaking vista of the mountains which embrace our valley. We meander past historical buildings, local-legend cafés, eateries and curio shops and visit the old Post Office and Manor house.

Our walk then makes its way up a moderate ascent to some indigenous forest revealing magnificent views of the bay. To finish, a gentle descent brings us to a close, at the iconic Chapman's Peak Hotel.

This is a "free-pay tour" - if you've enjoyed the tour, you will have an opportunity at the end to express your appreciation with a gratuity (cash, card & foreign currency accepted).

Meeting Point: Sentinel Cafe
1. Hout Bay River Estuary and Dune Rehabilitation;
2. South Yeaster;
3. Dario's Cafe;
4. St. Peter The Fisherman's Anglican Church, 1895;
5. The Old Post Office;
6. Hout Bay Coffee Roastery;
7. The Village Green;
8. Hout Bay Manor;
9. Military Road;
10. The Leopard;
11. Chapman's Peak Hotel.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Main Beach, Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

I'll be wearing a leather hat, Guruwalk/ bingtours.co.za t-shirt and carrying a rainbow umbrella. I'll be waiting near the coffee kiosk at Sentinel Cafe, which is part of Sentinel Ocean Alliance.

Outside visit

Hout Bay River Estuary and Dune Rehabilitation

For almost a decade, Friends of the Rivers of Hout Bay have been working to save this estuary from pollution. Their work is paying off, as the photos testify. Moreover, you may be lucky to see the rarely seen Cape Clawless Otter frolicking in the waves near the estuary - I have! Across from the estuary is the internationally acclaimed sand dune rehabilitation project that effectively stopped "Frankenstein" by systematically replanting indigenous flora on the moving sand. A huge success story.

Outside visit

South Yeaster

The creation of a local brother & sister team, this bakery started in their garage during the COVID-19 epidemic. The regular queues of happy clients testify to their huge success. Their Almond Croissants are a must!

Outside visit

Darios Cafe

Dario's, owned by an authentic Italian couple, combines a coffee bar, restaurant, and family feast vibe.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and $50 per participant.