Within two hours of the city: wine valleys, whale bays, penguin colonies, Africa's southernmost point and a mountain pass that makes Chapman's Peak look like a speed bump.
Cape Town is one of the world's great day-trip hubs. Nearly everything below is reachable in 2 hours or under — with the exception of the Garden Route, which rewards staying a night or three.
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl form South Africa's most celebrated wine triangle. Stellenbosch is the easiest — a walkable university town surrounded by estates. Franschhoek is the most beautiful — a French Huguenot valley with exceptional food and wine. Do one or both.
The self-proclaimed whale-watching capital of the world. Southern Right Whales enter Walker Bay from June to November; at their peak in September they're so close to the cliff walk you barely need binoculars. A whale crier blows a kelp horn when they're spotted. It's as chaotic as it sounds.
Cape Point (the Cape of Good Hope), Boulders Beach penguins, Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay harbour and Simon's Town — all in one 200km loop. The most scenic drive in South Africa. The Chapman's Peak section is a cliff road cut directly into 600m of granite.
The southernmost tip of Africa — where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans officially meet. A lighthouse, a rocky point and a sign confirming what you suspected. Less visited than Cape Point, which is half the appeal. The drive through the Overberg is spectacular.
Over Sir Lowry's Pass and into the Elgin Valley — South Africa's premier apple and pear region, with wine estates, trout fishing and genuinely uncrowded farm stalls. Paul Cluver Wine Estate is the anchor stop. Less than an hour from the city but feels like another world.
Technically a multi-night trip rather than a day trip — but Mossel Bay (4 hrs) or George (4.5 hrs) are manageable as long days with an early start. Knysna (6 hrs) requires staying over. The N2 through the Overberg is one of South Africa's great road trip routes.