Somerset West

Cape Town
Somerset West showing landscape views
Surrounded by an amphitheater of mountains on the Western Cape, this town is a hub of nature reserves, wine estates and South African history.

Somerset West is a beautiful scenic destination bounded by farmlands, orchards and vineyards. Founded in 1822 and expanding rapidly in the early 21st century, this charming town has become the residential and commercial capital of the Helderberg Basin. With no shortage of natural areas, history and excellent cuisine, Somerset West is one of the Western Cape’s finest tourist destinations.

Overlooked by the Helderberg Wine Region, Somerset West has stunning views of the ocean and nearby sandy beaches. Tour the wine country, visit a nature park dedicated to helping South African cheetahs and picnic or hike on the slopes of the stunning Helderberg Mountain.

Support the survival of the free-ranging cheetahs at the Cheetah Outreach. This educational and community-based center is committed to raising environmental awareness with respect to the plight of the big cats. Take a tour or meet cheetah cubs, bat-eared foxes, meerkats and nocturnal caracals in an encounter program. Visit the Cheetah Outreach year-round. There is no need for reservations but some encounters have limited daily spaces.

Visit some of the 30 wineries along the Helderberg Wine Route for wine tasting, tours and fine dining. Some are as old as 300 years and known for handcrafted wines and stunning scenery. Take a cellar tour and visit a wine tasting center. Relax in the region’s serene gardens.

Tour the Helderberg Nature Reserve where you’ll find a wonderful plant and animal life. Stop at the information center to plan a hike. Spot exotic and colorful birds including the orange-breasted sunbird, the swee waxbill and the majestic black eagle. View the seasonal floral life in the thick shrub-like vegetation.

With a range of boutique lodges, guesthouses and villas you’ll find the right accommodations. Discover this stunning town about a 28-mile (45-kilometer) drive from Cape Town. Alternatively, take the Metrorail from Cape Town to the Somerset West Station.

Before you leave Somerset West, visit the Triggerfish Brewery for some of South Africa’s finest craft beers.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Somerset West Hotel Deals

M2T Guest House
M2T Guest House
2.5 out of 5
10 Columbus St, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is ¥2,970 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥2,970
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this guesthouse in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Lourensford Wine Estate and Lwandle Migrant ...
5.6/10 (26 reviews)
"firstly communication was not clear because when I get the guesthouse the person who was assisting me told me that I'm supposed to be in Strand but the direction that I got was for Somerset. I was so confused but assisted me because there was a room that was free in that site. very thing is perfect ..."

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2023

M2T Guest House
Lord Charles Hotel
Lord Charles Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Corner of Main Road and R44, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is ¥21,083 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥21,083
per night
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Cheetah Outreach and Flagstone Winery are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
"Goog good"

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2024

Lord Charles Hotel
Erinvale Estate Hotel And Spa
Erinvale Estate Hotel And Spa
5 out of 5
1 Erinvale Avenue, Somerset West, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is ¥54,165 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
¥54,165
per night
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Vergelegen Wine Estate and Morgenster Wine ...
9/10 Wonderful! (101 reviews)
"Brilliant all round but especially the warmth and friendliness of the staff"

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

Erinvale Estate Hotel And Spa
SW1 Lodge
SW1 Lodge
5 out of 5
30-32 Elsenham Avenue, Somerset West, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is ¥19,590 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
¥19,590
per night
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 5-star luxury guesthouse in Cape Town. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Helderberg Nature Reserve and Lourensford ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
"Excellent service. All the people in the hotel were extremely attentive and friendly. I will definitely stay there again. Thank you for everything."

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

SW1 Lodge
Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
2 out of 5
Adjoining BP Service & Filling Station, at Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town, Western Cape
Fully refundable
The price is ¥6,467 per night from Apr 19 to Apr 20
¥6,467
per night
Apr 19 - Apr 20
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
Great stay.
"Great hotel for an overnight stay after a long international flight. Its got all of the basics and the staff is very friendly. We checked in after midnight and still had a laugh with Mbu before we went off to our room. He was also very considerate, saw that my wife was tired after the flight and ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
4 out of 5
15 Michigan Street, Airport Industria, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is ¥14,208 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥14,208
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
Convenient airport hotel
"Just a quick overnight stay due to long layover in Cape Town. Shuttle picked up at the airport, and hotel was less than five minutes away. Comfy, quiet, clean room, good breakfast, fast internet."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Somerset West

Strand featuring landscape views, a coastal town and a beach

Strand

Well-liked for its seaside views and seafood restaurants, Strand is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Harmony Park and Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, and jump on the metro at Strand Station to get around the city.

Strand
Gordon\'s Bay showing swimming, a coastal town and a sandy beach

Gordon's Bay

Gordon's Bay is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Bikini Beach and Cape Floral Region Protected Areas.

Gordon's Bay
Stellenbosch showing mountains, landscape views and farmland

Stellenbosch Central

4.5/5(31 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stellenbosch Central, Fick House and Dorp Street are top sights worth seeing.

Stellenbosch Central
Hotel rooftop in Cape Town with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the coastline, plus a 50% off sushi deal on Thursdays. #Blue

Century City

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Unique features of Century City include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Canal Walk Shopping Centre or Intaka Island Bird Sanctuary while you're exploring the area.

Century City
Groot Constantia Winery

Constantia

5/5(7 area reviews)

Unique features of Constantia include the wineries and gardens. Make a stop by Groot Constantia Winery or Table Mountain National Park while you're exploring the area.

Constantia
Simon\'s Town

Simon's Town

Seaside views and waterfront views are highlights of Simon's Town. Make a stop by Boulders Beach or Table Mountain National Park while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Simonstown Station to get around town.

Simon's Town

Somerset West