How to spend a weekend in Cape Town

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.

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.

Previous

Amsterdam turns 750: why now is the moment to visit the Netherlands’ capital

Next

Beyond the spa: these wellbeing hotels are changing how we rest

Latest stories

Caribbean island-hopping in the Lesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda

There’s no rule that says your Caribbean escape has to be a one-island affair. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda are close enough to link in a single trip — and different enough to keep every day feeling new. This Lesser Antilles itinerary links three Leeward Islands; Anguilla’s laid-back, barefoot glamour with

Susafa: the eco-friendly farmhouse to book in rural Sicily

Trade the crowds of Palermo for something quieter, slower, and more soulful in Sicily’s rugged interior. Susafa, a centuries-old farm turned sustainable hotel, offers a different kind of Sicilian escape. This isn’t the place you come to check off sights. Instead, your days unfold gently, lingering by the pool, strolling

The ultimate Madrid city guide

Sometimes overlooked by other European capitals, Spain’s biggest city has so much to offer from world-class museums and galleries to talking-point architecture and a lively music scene. Madrileños also take food (and drink) very seriously, and whether you want to prop at the bar for the tastiest tortilla or your

Sicily on a plate: a foodie guide to the Italian island

There’s something about Sicily that sticks with you. On your skin, in your camera roll, in how quickly you develop opinions about brioche. The island is full of contrasts: volcanic cliffs and citrus groves, peeling paint and polished marble, sea urchins eaten on plastic plates next to grand old cafés