Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard: A Walking Route from Green Point to Camps Bay
Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard: A Walking Route from Green Point to Camps Bay
A car-free day along the Atlantic edge, with the neighbourhoods, streets and landmarks that make the route work.
Green Point to Sea Point Promenade
Start at the Green Point Lighthouse on Mouille Point's rocky edge, where the paved promenade begins. The walk west to Sea Point is flat and uninterrupted, passing the Cape Town Stadium and the new Green Point Urban Park. Early morning is best: the promenade is quiet, the Atlantic is glassy, and you can see Robben Island clearly. Allow 30 minutes at an easy pace, or longer if you stop at the outdoor gyms and tidal pools that line the route.
Sea Point's promenade is the backbone of the Atlantic Seaboard. It runs for about 2.5 kilometres from Mouille Point to Bantry Bay, with a dedicated walking lane and separate cycle track. The suburb itself is dense with apartment blocks, delis and coffee shops along Main Road. For a mid-morning break, turn inland at Three Anchor Bay or continue to the Sea Point swimming pool, a saltwater lido that is open year-round. The best months for this stretch are October to April, when the southeaster is manageable and the evenings are long.
Sea Point to Clifton: The Coastal Climb
From Sea Point, the promenade continues around Bantry Bay, but the walking route to Clifton requires a short inland detour. Follow Victoria Road as it climbs above the rocks, then join the pedestrian path that cuts through to Clifton's First Beach. The climb is steady but short, about 20 minutes from the Sea Point pool. Clifton's four beaches are separated by granite boulders; First Beach is the most accessible and has lifeguards in summer. The water is cold, even in February, but the sheltered coves block the wind.
Clifton is where the Atlantic Seaboard becomes exclusive. The beaches are public, but parking is limited and the steps down from Victoria Road are steep. If you are carrying a day pack, consider stopping at the top for the view rather than descending. For a swim, First Beach is the easiest. For a quieter alternative, continue to Maiden's Cove, a grassy picnic spot between Clifton and Camps Bay with free parking and public toilets. The walk from Clifton to Camps Bay along Victoria Road takes about 25 minutes and has a narrow pavement in places, so keep to the sea side.
Camps Bay and the Glen
Camps Bay's beachfront is a wide strip of white sand backed by the Twelve Apostles. The promenade here is shorter than Sea Point's but busier, lined with cafes and bars that fill up at sunset. For a change of pace, walk inland to The Glen, a small indigenous forest with a wooden boardwalk and a waterfall. It is easy to miss: the entrance is on Bellevue Road, just off Camps Bay Drive. The loop takes about 20 minutes and is cool even on hot days.
Camps Bay is the natural end of the walk, but the return by foot is uphill. Rather than retrace the entire route, take the MyCiTi bus from Camps Bay to Sea Point or Green Point; the T01 route runs along Victoria Road and accepts a rechargeable card. If you are staying in the area, hotels in Camps Bay and Sea Point fill up fastest between December and February, so book well ahead. For a quieter base with easier parking, Green Point is a good compromise, with the promenade on your doorstep and the city centre 10 minutes away by car.
Before you book
The questions people ask about Cape Town, answered with this month’s numbers.
At a steady pace with short stops, allow three to four hours for the full 8-kilometre route. The promenade sections are flat, but the climb from Sea Point to Clifton adds time. Add extra for swims or lunch.
The promenade is busy and generally safe during daylight hours. Avoid walking the quieter stretches of Victoria Road after dark. Use common sense: keep valuables out of sight and stick to well-lit areas. The MyCiTi bus is a good option for the return leg.
October to April offers the most reliable weather, though the southeaster can be strong in January and February. May to September is cooler and wetter, but the promenade is quieter and hotel rates are lower. Pack a windproof layer in any season.
