Not everyone dreams of road trips and long hours behind the wheel. For some of us, travel is about wandering, not driving, writes Zoë Erasmus.
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While South Africa is often seen as a car-heavy destination, there are plenty of towns and cities where you can enjoy a full holiday without renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads.
From coastal promenades to compact village centres, these are the best places to visit in South Africa if you hate driving.
1. Cape Town (City Bowl, Sea Point & Waterfront)
Cape Town may be sprawling, but if you base yourself in the right neighbourhoods, it’s surprisingly easy to get around without a car.
The City Bowl, Sea Point, Green Point, and the V&A Waterfront are all highly walkable, with cafés, shops, beaches and cultural attractions clustered close together. The Sea Point Promenade offers kilometres of flat, scenic walking — perfect for morning strolls or sunset wanderings — while the Waterfront packs restaurants, markets, museums and harbour views into one pedestrian-friendly zone.
Public transport via the MyCiTi bus makes it easy to travel between the airport, the city and the coast, and ride-hailing apps fill in the gaps when needed.
Best for: Urban explorers, food lovers, seaside walkers
No-car highlights: Sea Point Promenade, Company’s Garden, Bo-Kaap, V&A Waterfront
2. Franschhoek
If you want wine country without winding mountain roads, Franschhoek is your answer.
This small Western Cape town is built around a compact main street lined with restaurants, wine bars, bakeries and boutiques, all easily explored on foot. What really sets Franschhoek apart is the Wine Tram, which allows you to hop between wine farms without driving yourself.
Stay in or near the village centre and you can spend days walking to breakfast, wine tasting by tram, and wandering back for dinner under the oak trees.
Best for: Foodies, wine lovers, romantic weekends
No-car highlights: Huguenot Road, Wine Tram, village cafés
3. Hermanus
Hermanus proves that coastal towns don’t need cars to be enjoyable.
The town’s biggest draw is the Cliff Path, a long, well-maintained coastal walkway that winds past beaches, coves and whale-watching points. Much of Hermanus’s accommodation, restaurants and shops are concentrated near the town centre, making it easy to base yourself within walking distance of everything.
You can easily spend a few days here walking between viewpoints, cafés and beaches, especially during whale season, when the ocean becomes the main attraction.
Best for: Slow coastal escapes, nature lovers
No-car highlights: Cliff Path Walk, town centre restaurants, seaside benches
4. Greyton
Greyton is a dream for travellers who love slow, small-town wandering.
This Western Cape village is known for its leafy streets, heritage cottages and relaxed pace. Once you arrive, everything — from cafés and craft shops to markets and nature trails — is within walking distance. Cars feel almost unnecessary here.
Greyton encourages lingering: long breakfasts, aimless walks, and afternoons spent browsing local stalls or heading into nearby nature reserves on foot.
Best for: Slow travel, weekend resets
No-car highlights: Village centre, Greyton Nature Reserve, Saturday market
5. Prince Albert
Set at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, Prince Albert is a Karoo town designed for wandering.
Wide streets, historic buildings, galleries and cafés make it easy to explore without driving once you’re there. The town’s layout invites exploration on foot, and many guesthouses are located within walking distance of the main attractions.
Prince Albert suits travellers who enjoy quiet exploration — museum visits, long lunches, and golden-hour walks through town — without the pressure of needing transport.
Best for: Culture lovers, Karoo escapes
No-car highlights: Main Road galleries, local eateries, heritage sites
6. Clarens
Often called the “Jewel of the Free State,” Clarens is compact, creative and very walkable.
The town centre revolves around a central square filled with art galleries, cafés, craft stores and restaurants. Most accommodation is close enough that you can walk everywhere, spending your days moving easily between coffee shops and viewpoints.
For those who want a bit of nature, several hiking trails start near town, allowing you to mix gentle adventure with leisurely strolling.
Best for: Art lovers, relaxed weekends
No-car highlights: Town square, galleries, nearby walking trails
7. Ballito
Along KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast, Ballito offers beachy ease without the need for constant driving.
The beach promenade links popular beaches and viewpoints, making it ideal for long walks along the shoreline. Cafés, restaurants and shopping centres are clustered close together, especially near the beachfront, and ride-hailing services are readily available for short trips.
Ballito is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace — morning beach walks, midday coffees, and sunset strolls.
Best for: Coastal holidays, laid-back travel
No-car highlights: Beach promenade, beachfront cafés, ocean viewpoints
Travel slower, walk more
Travelling without a car in South Africa isn’t about seeing everything — it’s about seeing enough, slowly and intentionally. By choosing walkable towns and well-located neighbourhoods, you can skip the stress of driving and focus on what really matters: good food, fresh air, and the joy of wandering.
If you hate driving, these destinations prove that some of the best South African travel experiences happen one step at a time.
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