At the southern tip of Africa, where the iconic Table Mountain tumbles into the formidable Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find Cape Town. It’s as striking as it is energetic, and it’s the pride of South Africa. Here, centuries-old wineries skirt the foothills of rugged mountains, and colourful neighbourhoods teem with culture and history. Cape Town is unlike anywhere on the planet. It’s a glimpse of Europe with an unmistakable African rhythm, and it’s luring travellers from every corner of the globe.
While you could linger on Cape Town’s glistening beaches or meander through its winelands for weeks on end — if not forever — a long weekend in South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ is like an aperitif, enticing, drenched in flavour, and leaves you wanting more, way more.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Plan your arrival in daylight to catch a glimpse of Table Mountain from the air. You’ll quickly get a sense for the drama and the abundance of nature that surrounds it.
Check in at The Cellars-Hohenort, a historical manor in idyllic Constantia hamlet, Cape Town’s oldest wine region. Drop your bags and head out for a wine tasting at sunset overlooking the mountains. Just 10 minutes away at Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine estate, you can wander through the grape-laden grounds on a self-guided tour to see the original Cape Dutch Manor House along with the cultural history museum.
Next, sip award-winning Mediterranean climate wines at Jonkershuis and peruse the centuries-old Cloete Cellar, tipple in hand. Don’t miss tasting the Groot Constantia Grand Constance, aged for 24 months with notes of orange zest and oak spice. This Muscat is a one-way ticket to paying for excess luggage on your way home.
FRIDAY EVENING
The Conservatory at The Cellars-Hohenort is helmed by chef Daniel Blignaut, who oversees a menu of seasonal, unfussy food that’s delightfully colourful and deeply nourishing. Try the crowd-pleasing cheese soufflé, West Coast oysters, or mussels in a coconut milk, ginger, and lime emulsion. Follow with the Karoo lamb bobotie, a traditional Cape Malay dish served with minted pea samosas and sambals. Wash it down with a Cape Coastal Pinotage from nearby MAN Family Wines. Retire to the cosy fireplace post-feast, where upholstered loungers and eclectic artwork surround an intimate bar that entices quiet chatter between locals and hotel guests alike.
SATURDAY MORNING
Do as the locals do and be the first in line at the Oranjezicht City Farm & Market, Cape Town’s treasured community market. The convivial morning meet bustles with the city’s independent growers and farmers, showcasing a mix of produce and artisanal goods, like basketry, Shwe Shwe fabrics, handcrafted ceramics and natural skincare. Bring a basket, amble through the stalls overflowing with flowers and food, sample biltong, cheeses and local rotis, grab fresh pastries and coffee, and mingle with easygoing locals — all while overlooking Cape Town’s sparkling Granger Bay.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Don’t miss visiting the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), where intriguing works from Africa and its diaspora are thoughtfully exhibited. Join the architectural tour for an insider’s perspective of the museum’s 1920s Grain Silo. From here, walk along the water to the famed V&A Waterfront. Shop Nammu Ceramics for earthy home goods and African wellness products by Ùmû Õrå. Make time for a spin around Earth Age, where crochet hats and bags are handcrafted by a collective of inspiring women. Worth the drive is nearby AKJP Studio, a concept store for South African creatives, located on vibrant Kloof Street.
SATURDAY EVENING
Leave in time to catch the mountain basked in golden light. At The Nines in Sea Point, share oysters and the black truffle burrata on the terrace with a blossom martini as the sun melts into the horizon. Or, further afield, a window table at Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay is spectacular.
SUNDAY
MORNING
You simply cannot visit Cape Town without experiencing Table Mountain in some shape or form. It’s unmissable for seeing sprays of fynbos and proteas and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. For a leisurely pursuit, book an early morning return cable car ride for 360-degree vistas and easy accessibility for all. If inspiration strikes, rise early and hike Lion’s Head to take in Table Mountain and the coastline at sunrise. The four-kilometre loop can take up to four hours with rocky terrain. Opt for a guided hike if you’re travelling alone.
AFTERNOON
Cape Town has long drawn oenophiles to its verdant interior where rugged mountains and big skies frame rolling hills and ribbons of vineyards. And here, Franschhoek is ripe for exploring, one winery at a time. At La Motte Wine Estate, JAN Franschhoek is the latest offering from celebrated South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. The pop-up, housed in a historic white cottage amidst a picturesque lavender field, promises nostalgic South African fare featuring regional ingredients, such as vetkoek and a peppermint crisp tart.
From here, continue to Franschhoek’s main street for quaint boutiques. Then spend the afternoon flitting between wineries and cellar doors. Sip a sparkling Cap Classique at Le Lude surrounded by an Orangerie, then wander around La Cotte Farm and enjoy a refreshing Pimms.
EVENING
Before the sun sets, head towards Stellenbosch. At Spier, you’ll find Veld. Book a table beside the fire for a nutritious feast with ingredients sourced from the property — roasted beetroot salad with spekboom (elephant’s bush) and Spier Farmer Angus Rosé, pasture-raised steak with a house emulsion, and Cape Malay koe’sister pastries. Retire fireside with a rooibos tea to close the evening.
Where to stay
The Cellars-Hohenort... The original estate, known as Klaasenbosch Farm, was established in 1693 in the heart of the Constantia Valley. Today, staying at The Cellars-Hohenort feels like a serene interlude between city exploring and winelands wandering. Framed by the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, you’ll find 51 rooms and suites. Check into the Premier Suite, a generously sized one-bedroom suite spread over two floors with a sunny private courtyard and plenty of space to lounge and linger between jaunts. There’s a deep bath for a hit of rejuvenation post-flight and a host of Africology products for tired skin. Outside, quiet paths curl through the property where hydrangea-lined gardens flow into lush forests and 250-year-old Camphor trees tower above. There are resident ducks, slow-moving tortoises, and birdsong that change from dawn to dusk. Beyond the swath of emerald lawns, there’s a tennis court, two swimming pools flanked by blooming bougainvillea and a day spa.
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