![The quaint fishing cottages in Paternoster are white-washed with a pretty blue trim. [Image South African Tourism/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/1/26/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-quaint-fishing-cottages-in-paternoster-are-white-washed-with-a-pretty-blue-trim-image-south-african-tourismflickr_2191959.jpg "The quaint fishing cottages in Paternoster are white-washed with a pretty blue trim. [Image South African Tourism/Flickr]")
Nestled on the West Coast in the Western Cape, South Africa, Paternoster is a pretty, traditional fishing village, one of the oldest of its kind on the coast. Located on Cape Columbine, between St Helena Bay and Saldanha Bay, the village is a 1-hour 43-minute drive from Cape Town on the coastal road, with amazing scenery all the way.
Known for its pretty, white-washed homes, often with windows with a blue trim, the small coastal village has lots to offer in the way of attractions. The following are various places to go during your visit to Paternoster, South Africa.
The beaches of Paternoster
The endless, almost deserted, white sand beaches are a pleasure to stroll, sunbathe or swim. They are often dotted with colourful, wooden fishing boats. Other more active things to do on the beach include fishing, sea kayaking, whale and dolphin watching, horse riding and windsurfing. This is also the spot to enjoy magnificent sunsets and sunrises.
Cape Columbine Nature Reserve & Lighthouse
Cape Columbine features the only manned lighthouse remaining on the South African coast. The lighthouse was constructed in 1936. The area surrounding the lighthouse is a pretty nature reserve, ideal for a picnic or camping.
Stone Fish Studio and Gallery
Stone Fish Studio and Gallery is an art shop and art gallery where art classes are often held. You can pick up some really pretty items to take home as souvenirs.
Quaint shops
Enjoy browsing the quaint and pretty shops of Paternoster where many lovely items can be bought to take home as gifts or souvenirs. This particular shop displays old signs from past days on the outside, but is actually a place to dine on traditional South African foods.
Panty Bar at the Paternoster Hotel
A visit to Paternoster is not complete without visiting the famous Panty Bar at the Paternoster Hotel. The premises reportedly used to be a jail, but in 1974 Johan Carosini began collecting “Honeymoon Panties” to display in the bar. In 1983, the local clergy reported the pub, saying it was an “unholy practice.” The display was removed, but in the 1990s Giorello Carosini started the collection again and it has been flourishing ever since!
