5 Best Sights in Hermanus, The Western Cape and Winelands

With only 44 acres under vine, Bouchard Finlayson nevertheless thrills critics and wine lovers year after year. Winemaker Peter Finlayson makes good use of the cool sea breeze and unique terroir of the estate to create some fantastic deep-south wines. They're particularly well known for excellent Pinot Noir. You might wish to lay down a few bottles of the much-lauded Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, a velvety and fruity wine.

About 17 km (11 miles) up Hemel-en-Aarde Road, Creation Wines is a little off the beaten track but well worth the drive. Like other wineries in this region, it is best known for its excellent Pinot Noir. Try the Art of Pinot Noir, with flavors of cherry and plum and a background earthiness. The estate is also known for its pairing options: you can opt for the chocolate and wine pairing or the hour-long wine and canapé pairing. Even the designated driver is catered for with a pairing experience using tea instead of wine. Open for lunch, the restaurant has an ever-changing chalkboard menu.

In a thatch building overlooking a small dam, Hamilton Russell Vineyards produces only two varietals: Chardonnay and the temperamental Pinot Noir. Their wines are regarded as some of the best in the world, regularly winning all manner of accolades and awards. 

Hermanus was originally a simple fishing village. Its Old Harbour, the oldest surviving example in South Africa, has been declared a national monument. The Old Harbour Museum bears testimony to the town's maritime past. A small building at the old stone fishing basin displays a couple of the horrific harpoons used to lance whales and sharks, as well as some interesting whale bones. The white building next to the parking lot on Market Square houses the Old Harbour Museum Photographic Exhibition. Here are photos of old Hermanus and of many of the town's fishermen proudly displaying their catches of fish, sharks, and dolphins. The museum's third—and most interesting—component is the Whale House, with an interactive display and entertaining movie that's great for kids. The daily crafts market held behind De Wetshuis Photo Museum is fun for browsing.

On the outskirts of town, a pair of white gateposts set well back from the main road signal the start of Rotary Way. This scenic drive climbs along the spine of the mountains above Hermanus, offering incredible views of Walker Bay and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's a highlight of a trip to Hermanus and shouldn't be missed. The entire mountainside is laced with wonderful walking trails, and many of the scenic lookouts have benches. The start of the drive is about 2½ km (1½ miles) west of the Old Harbour.