The Garden Route voted the World's Number One Road Trip - The Garden Route Travel Guide (2026)
One road. Endless adventures. Countless memories.
If there's one South African road trip that deserves a place on every traveller's bucket list, it's the Garden Route.
Stretching along South Africa's spectacular southern coastline, the Garden Route is a journey through breathtaking beaches, ancient indigenous forests, mountain passes, peaceful lagoons and charming coastal towns—each with its own unique personality.
In 2026, the Garden Route received global recognition when AutoTrader ranked it the World's Number One Road Trip, awarding it an impressive 90.6 out of 100 for its scenery, road quality and overall driving experience. It finished ahead of legendary routes such as Route 66 in the United States, Australia's Great Ocean Road and Italy's Amalfi Coast.
For South Africans, this recognition simply confirmed what we've known for years.
The Garden Route isn't just a destination.
It's an experience.
Whether you're planning a family holiday, a romantic escape, an outdoor adventure or a peaceful coastal retreat, there's a Garden Route itinerary perfectly suited to your travel style.
This guide will help you discover where to stay, what to explore and how to plan the road trip that's right for you.
🌍 World Ranking
World's Best Road Trip (2026)
⭐ AutoTrader Score
90.6 / 100
📍 Recommended Route
Stilbaai → Jeffreys Bay
🚗 Recommended Duration
7–10 Days (or longer if you can)
🌸 Best Time to Visit
September to April
🚙 Best Way to Explore
Self-drive road trip
👨👩👧 Perfect For
Families, Couples, Adventure Seekers, Nature Lovers & Retirees
📍 Where Does the Garden Route Start? - GREAT QUESTION!
Traditionally, the Garden Route stretches from Mossel Bay to Storms River.
At TravellingSouthAfrica.co.za, we recommend extending your journey by starting in Stilbaai and finishing in Jeffreys Bay. This route includes beautiful coastal villages, hidden beaches and memorable stops that many travellers unknowingly drive straight past.
Sometimes, those unexpected detours become the highlight of the entire holiday.
🧭 Understanding the Garden Route
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Garden Route is that every famous destination is actually a town.
It isn't.
Understanding the difference makes planning your holiday much easier.
🏡 Stay in Towns
These are the places where you'll find accommodation, restaurants, cafés and shops. They're ideal as overnight bases while you explore the surrounding area.
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions
Many of the Garden Route's best-known attractions are areas, natural regions or landmarks located just a short drive from the towns where you'll stay.
Think of it like this:
🏡 Stay in Plettenberg Bay
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions The Crags, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Keurbooms River
🏡 Stay in Storms River Village
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions Tsitsikamma Region, Storms River Mouth, Suspension Bridge, Tsitsikamma National Park
🏡 Stay in Knysna
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions Knysna Heads, Featherbed Nature Reserve, Brenton-on-Sea, Rheenendal
🏡 Stay in George
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions Herolds Bay, Victoria Bay, Groot Brak Rivier, Klein Brak Rivier
🏡 Stay in Sedgefield
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions Buffels Bay, Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market
🏡 Stay in St Francis Bay
📍 Visit Nearby Attractions Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis
💡 Traveller's Tip
Choose fewer overnight stops and explore more from each town. You'll spend less time packing and driving, and more time enjoying everything the Garden Route has to offer.
🚗 Which Garden Route Is Right for You?
One of the reasons the Garden Route is loved by travellers from around the world is that there isn't just one way to experience it.
Some visitors are looking for family-friendly beaches and exciting attractions.
Others dream of hiking through ancient forests or surfing world-famous waves.
Many simply want peaceful mornings, quiet beaches and time to reconnect with nature.
Whatever your travel style, there's a Garden Route town waiting for you.
🚗 Quick Match Guide
Not sure where to base yourself?
Use this quick guide to find the towns that best match your interests.
If you love...
👨👩👧 Family holidays
Mossel Bay • George • Knysna • Plettenberg Bay
🏖️ Beautiful beaches
Plettenberg Bay • Herolds Bay • Wilderness • Jeffreys Bay
🏄 Surfing
Jeffreys Bay • Victoria Bay • Wilderness
🥾 Hiking
Wilderness • Nature's Valley • Storms River Village
🚵 Adventure
Wilderness • Storms River Village • Jeffreys Bay
🐘 Wildlife
Plettenberg Bay • Storms River Village
🌿 Nature
Wilderness • Nature's Valley • Storms River Village
❤️ Romantic escapes
Wilderness • Brenton-on-Sea • Nature's Valley
☕ Peace & Relaxation
Stilbaai • Sedgefield • Oyster Bay • St Francis Bay
📸 Photography
Knysna • Wilderness • Storms River Village
⛳ Golf
George • Mossel Bay • St Francis Bay
🐋 Whale Watching (seasonal)
Mossel Bay • Knysna • Plettenberg Bay • St Francis Bay
🏡 Best Towns to Base Yourself
If you're planning a multi-day road trip, choosing the right overnight bases can make all the difference.
Instead of changing accommodation every day, stay in a few well-located towns and explore the surrounding attractions from there.
Mossel Bay
Western Garden Route, history, beaches and families
George
Central Garden Route and day trips
Knysna
Lagoons, forests and nearby coastal villages
Plettenberg Bay
Beaches, wildlife and family attractions
Storms River Village
Exploring the Tsitsikamma Region
Jeffreys Bay
Surfing and the eastern coastline
⭐ Which Town Matches Your Travel Style?
👨👩👧 Families
Travelling with children?
These towns combine safe beaches, family-friendly attractions and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Our top choices:
Mossel Bay
George
Knysna
Plettenberg Bay
Don't miss: A day trip from Plettenberg Bay to The Crags, where you'll find Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary and other unforgettable wildlife experiences.
🥾 Adventure Seekers
If your holiday isn't complete without hiking boots, surfboards or kayaks, these towns should be on your itinerary.
Stay in:
Wilderness
Storms River Village
Jeffreys Bay
Don't miss: Explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma Region from Storms River Village, including Storms River Mouth, the Suspension Bridge and some of South Africa's finest hiking trails.
🌿 Nature Lovers
If forests, rivers, birdlife and scenic landscapes are your idea of the perfect holiday, you'll love:
Wilderness
Nature's Valley
Storms River Village
These destinations showcase some of the Garden Route's most beautiful natural scenery.
☕ Slow Travel & Relaxation
Sometimes the best holiday is simply slowing down.
For quiet beaches, local cafés, coastal walks and unforgettable sunsets, choose:
Stilbaai
Sedgefield
Brenton-on-Sea
St Francis Bay
These towns invite you to pause, breathe and enjoy the journey.
🚗 Choose Your Garden Route Adventure
One of the greatest things about the Garden Route is that there isn't just one perfect itinerary.
Some travellers want to experience as much as possible in a limited amount of time. Others are travelling with young children and prefer shorter driving days and fewer accommodation changes. Then there are those who simply want to slow down, enjoy the scenery and let the journey unfold at a relaxed pace.
Whichever traveller you are, the Garden Route has an itinerary that's perfect for you.
1.🥾 The Adventure Seeker
See the Highlights in 10 Incredible Days
Perfect for:
✔ First-time visitors
✔ Couples
✔ Friends
✔ Adventure seekers
✔ Travellers wanting to experience as much as possible
If this is your first visit to the Garden Route and you want to experience its biggest highlights, this itinerary is for you.
It combines spectacular scenery, iconic attractions, beautiful beaches and charming towns into one unforgettable road trip.
While the driving distances are comfortable, your days will be full. Every town offers enough attractions to keep you busy for several days, so expect to leave wishing you had more time.
📅 10-Day Explorer Itinerary
Day 1
Mossel Bay
Stilbaai • Albertinia
Day 2
Mossel Bay
Diaz Beach • St Blaize Lighthouse • Boat Cruises • Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex
Day 3
George
Herolds Bay • Victoria Bay • Groot Brak Rivier • Klein Brak Rivier
Day 4
Wilderness
Wilderness National Park • Beaches • Scenic Viewpoints
Day 5
Knysna
Sedgefield • Buffels Bay
Day 6
Knysna
Knysna Heads • Featherbed Nature Reserve • Brenton-on-Sea • Rheenendal
Day 7
Plettenberg Bay
The Crags • Monkeyland • Birds of Eden • Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 8
Nature's Valley or Storms River Village
Nature's Valley • Keurbooms River • Keurboomsstrand
Day 9
Storms River Village
Tsitsikamma Region • Storms River Mouth • Suspension Bridge • Hiking Trails
Day 10
Jeffreys Bay
Oyster Bay • St Francis Bay
💡 Traveller's Tip: This itinerary is designed for travellers who enjoy staying active and making the most of every day. While the driving distances are reasonable, you'll only scratch the surface of many destinations. If you prefer a slower holiday, one of the itineraries below may suit you better.
2.👨👩👧 The Family Explorer
More Time Together, Less Time in the Car
Perfect for:
✔ Families with babies and toddlers
✔ Young children
✔ Multi-generational holidays
✔ Anyone wanting a more relaxed family pace
Travelling with children changes the way you experience a destination.
Instead of changing accommodation almost every day, this itinerary focuses on fewer overnight stops, giving everyone more time to settle in, enjoy the attractions and make lasting memories.
📅 Family-Friendly 10-Day Itinerary
📍 Days 1–3 – Mossel Bay
Stay three nights and enjoy:
🏖️ Diaz Beach
🌊 Waterpark
🚤 Seal Island Boat Cruise
🏛️ Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex
🍦 Family-friendly restaurants and cafés
📍 Days 4–5 – George
Use George as your base while exploring nearby attractions.
Visit:
🍓 Redberry Farm
🌊 Herolds Bay
🏄 Victoria Bay
🚂 Outeniqua Transport Museum
📍 Days 6–8 – Knysna
Three nights gives you time to truly enjoy the area.
Explore:
⚓ Knysna Waterfront
🚤 Lagoon Cruises
🌿 Featherbed Nature Reserve
🌅 Brenton-on-Sea
🛍️ Local markets
📍 Days 9–10 – Plettenberg Bay
Spend your final two nights enjoying beautiful beaches before taking a day trip to nearby attractions.
Don't miss:
🏖️ Plettenberg Bay's beaches
🐒 Monkeyland
🦜 Birds of Eden
🐆 Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
All of these attractions are located in The Crags, just a short drive from Plettenberg Bay.
💡 Why this itinerary works: Instead of unpacking every day, you'll only change accommodation three or four times. Children have more time to play, parents have less stress, and everyone enjoys a more relaxed holiday.
3.☕ The Scenic Wanderer
Slow Down and Savour Every Moment
Perfect for:
✔ Couples
✔ Retirees
✔ Nature lovers
✔ Photographers
✔ Anyone looking to disconnect and recharge
Not every holiday needs to be filled with activities.
Sometimes the best travel memories are made while watching the sunrise over the ocean, lingering over a long breakfast or discovering a hidden café in a quiet coastal village.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who believe the journey is just as important as the destination.
📅 Relax & Unwind Itinerary
📍 Days 1–2 – Stilbaai
Ease into your holiday.
Enjoy:
🌊 Peaceful beaches
🚶 Riverside walks
⚓ The harbour
☕ Local cafés
📍 Days 3–4 – Wilderness
Reconnect with nature.
Spend your days:
🌿 Walking through indigenous forests
🚣 Canoeing on tranquil waterways
📸 Visiting scenic viewpoints
🏖️ Relaxing on quiet beaches
📍 Days 5–7 – Knysna
There's no need to rush.
Take time to enjoy:
⚓ The Waterfront
🚤 Lagoon cruises
🌅 Brenton-on-Sea
🌳 Rheenendal's peaceful forest roads
📍 Days 8–10 – St Francis Bay
Finish your journey in one of South Africa's most beautiful coastal towns.
Explore:
🌊 Oyster Bay
⛵ The canals of St Francis Bay
🏖️ Peaceful beaches
🍽️ Fresh seafood restaurants
Before heading home, make time for one last stop in nearby Jeffreys Bay, where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and world-famous surf culture.
💡 Traveller's Tip: This itinerary isn't about how many places you can visit. It's about creating space to enjoy each destination without constantly watching the clock.
🤔 Which Garden Route Adventure Is Right for You?
Still undecided?
Here's a quick comparison to help you choose.
Your Travel Style - 🚀 I want to see as much as possible
Recommended Itinerary - The Adventure Seeker
Your Travel Style - 👨👩👧 We're travelling with young children
Recommended Itinerary - The Family Explorer
Your Travel Style - ☕ We want to relax and unwind
Recommended Itinerary - The Scenic Wanderer
Your Travel Style - 🥾 We love hiking and adventure
Recommended Itinerary - The Adventure Seeker
Your Travel Style - ❤️ We're planning a romantic getaway
Recommended Itinerary - The Scenic Wanderer
Your Travel Style - 📸 We enjoy photography and scenery
Recommended Itinerary - The Scenic Wanderer
Your Travel Style - 🌿 We love nature and peaceful places
Recommended Itinerary - The Scenic Wanderer
🌍 One Road. Three Different Holidays.
The Garden Route isn't measured by the kilometres you drive.
It's measured by the memories you create.
One family may spend their days building sandcastles on the beaches of Mossel Bay.
Another traveller may be hiking through the ancient forests of the Tsitsikamma Region after staying in Storms River Village.
Someone else may simply be watching the sun set over the ocean from a quiet café in St Francis Bay.
None of them are experiencing the Garden Route the "right" way.
They're experiencing it their way.
And that's what makes this journey so special.
Whether you're chasing adventure, creating lifelong family memories or searching for peace and tranquillity, the Garden Route offers an experience that's uniquely yours.
So take the scenic detours.
Stay an extra night in that small town you almost drove past.
Support local businesses.
Meet the people who call this remarkable coastline home.
Because sometimes the places you never planned to visit become the ones you'll remember forever.
That's why the Garden Route isn't just South Africa's favourite road trip.
It's now proudly recognised as the World's Best Road Trip.
Ready to experience the Garden Route for yourself?
Explore detailed guides for every town on TravellingSouthAfrica.co.za, where you'll find local attractions, accommodation, restaurants, activities, businesses and travel tips to help you plan your perfect road trip.
Whether you're The Adventure Seeker, The Family Explorer or The Scenic Wanderer, your next unforgettable adventure starts here.
Map it. Plan it. Own it. 🚗🇿🇦